Buried Gold: The Complete 1956 Quintet Recordings

Tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims and valve-trombonist Bob Brookmeyer were musicians made for each other. Weaned on the classic sound of the late-1930s Count Basie band, they nevertheless cut their jazz teeth in the heady days of Bebop, emerging with a novel jazz language, one informally marrying the best of both old and new: mainstream. Although they were to share the stage in bands led by many celebrated leaders, the music these two players made on a series of studio recorded quintet sessions during 1956 represented the epitome of their synergistic, swing-to-bop approach. Released on several different labels, this music has never previously been compiled in one collection. Not only does this new Acrobat release contain the contents of the three original quintet albums – The Modern Art of Jazz, Tonite’s Music Today and Whooeee – it features two rare bonus tracks taken from obscure, long-deleted, anthologies. The album also comes complete with period photographs and an extensive booklet essay by saxophonist and author Simon Spillett, telling the fascinating story of the men who made this timeless music. CD 1 Zoot Sims (tenor sax); Bob Brookmeyer (valve trombone); John Williams (piano); Milt Hinton (bass); Gus Johnson (drums) New York City, January 11th and 18th 1956 1-8 originally issued on Dawn DLP 1103 - Zoot Sims – The Modern Art Of Jazz, 9 originally issued on Jazztone J 1245 - Modern Jazz Festival, 10 originally issued on Harmony HL 7196 - Modern Jazz Festival CD 2 Tracks 1-8 Zoot Sims (tenor sax, vocal*); Bob Brookmeyer (valve trombone); Hank Jones (piano, celeste*); Wyatt Ruther (bass); Gus Johnson (drums) New York City, January 31st 1956 1-8 originally issued on Storyville SLP 907 – Zoot Sims and Bob Brookmeyer – Tonite’s Music Today Tracks 9-16 Zoot Sims (tenor sax, vocal*); Bob Brookmeyer (valve trombone); Hank Jones (piano); Bill Crow (bass); Jo Jones (drums)New York City, February 8th 1956 Originally issued on Storyville SLP 914 – Zoot Sims and Bob Brookmeyer – Whooeeee