The Complete Quartet & Jazzmakers Sessions 1957-59

Among the subtlest and most consistent drummers of his generation, Allan Ganley is famed for his work with British jazz legends like John Dankworth and Tubby Hayes, but throughout his career he led a dazzling array of his own units, showcasing not only his immaculate instrumental skill but his equally accomplished composing and arranging talents. The first of these, in 1957, featured the sensational Jamaican altoist Joe Harriott, replaced the following year by the underrated Canadian saxophonist Art Ellefson. Shortly afterwards, Ganley and baritonist Ronnie Ross teamed up to form The Jazzmakers, a band that would tour and record in the USA in 1959. This new Acrobat release includes the contents of two incredibly rare 7” EP’s featuring Ganley’s quartet, ‘Gone Ganley’ and ‘The High Priest’, both of which have never been released in a digital format, together with the Jazzmakers’ eponymous New York-recorded debut album. Packaged with rare photographs and a fascinating booklet by noted saxophonist Simon Spillett this release presents some of the finest British modern jazz of its day.