Best of Lee Morgan

Read About This Recording

Lee Morgan was one of jazz's greatest trumpeters, a definitive hard bop player inspired early on by Clifford Brown who developed his own individual and hard-driving style. In addition to his notable association with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Morgan led 25 albums of his own for Blue Note and set the standard for trumpeters of the 1960s.

Morgan recorded many gems for Blue Note, and this CD includes nine of the highpoints of his career, dating from 1957-65. The set begins with Ceora, a beautiful ballad that is played perfectly by the trumpeter. Next up is his 1963 hit, the catchy The Sidewinder (which became his most famous composition) and his original blues Speedball. Other selections on this definitive sampler are a fiery rendition of Dizzy Gillespie's A Night In Tunisia, Since I Fell For You, The Rumproller, the original version of Benny Golson's I Remember Clifford, Mr. Kenyatta and Cornbread. With a supporting cast that includes tenors Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter, altoist Jackie McLean, baritonist Pepper Adams and pianists Herbie Hancock, Barry Harris, Bobby Timmons and Sonny Clark, among many others, the roster features many of the young greats of the era, none more masterful than the brilliant trumpeter.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Ceora; The Sidewinder; Speedball; A Night in Tunisia; Since I Fell For You; The Rumproller; I Remember Clifford; Mr. Kenyatta; Cornbread.

Lee Morgan, Trumpet; Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Benny Golson, Tenor Saxes; Herbie Hancock, Barry Harris, Harold Mabern, Bobby Timmons, Sonny Clark, Ronnie Mathews, Wynton Kelly, Pianos; Bob Cranshaw, Paul Chambers, Doug Watkins, Victor Sproles, Butch Warren, Larry Ridley, Bass; Billy Higgins, Philly Joe Jones, Art Taylor, Charlie Persip, Drums; Pepper Adams, Baritone Sax; Gigi Gryce, Jackie McLean, Alto Saxes; Grant Green, Guitar.