Up at Minton's

Read About This Recording

Stanley Turrentine, who passed away in 2000, was always quite distinctive. From the time the tenor-saxophonist first emerged as a member of the Max Roach Quartet in 1960, Turrentine (who was nicknamed Mr. T.) could be identified in two notes; his sound was fully formed 40 years ago. In the 1960s, he excelled as a soul jazz tenorman, playing both in organ groups (often with his wife of the time, organist Shirley Scott) and in hard bop settings with some of the most adventurous players of the day. Turrentine gave one the impression that he could fit his sound into any situation. In the 1970s, he first recorded his trademark song Sugar. Later in the decade he appeared in some pretty commercial settings but it almost did not matter for his sound made the music seem quite relevant. By the early 1980s, Turrentine was back in small jazz combos again and there was no reason for him to ever change. His musical message remained quite timeless and his ability to caress and find great beauty and soul in blues, ballads and melodic standards remained unimpaired up until the end.

For this month's Featured Selection, Up At Minton's is available both as a two-CD set or individually as two separate volumes. Up At Minton's, recorded at the legendary Minton's Playhouse (one of the places where bebop was born in the early 1940s) is a live set from 1961 that teams Mr. T. with guitarist Grant Green, pianist Horace Parlan, bassist George Tucker and drummer Al Harewood.

The quintet gets an opportunity to really stretch out on eight numbers (six clock in between 10-15 minutes apiece). The repertoire consists of six standards (But Not For Me, Broadway, Yesterdays, Come Rain Or Come Shine, Love For Sale and Summertime) plus a pair of Turrentine blues (Stanley's Time and Later At Minton's). Mr. T. (26 at the time) is heard in his early prime, coming up with one creative yet accessible idea after another. In addition, there is plenty of solo space for the chordal-based piano of Parlan and the bluish boppish guitar of Green. Stanley Turrentine would have many highpoints to his productive career. Up At Minton's shows today's listeners that he was a giant from the beginning, and it is a perfect introduction to the soulful tenor's music.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

But Not For Me; Stanley's Time; Broadway; Yesterdays; Later At Minton's; Come Rain or Come Shine; Love For Sale; Summertime.

Stanley Turrentine, Tenor Sax; Grant Green, Guitar; Horace Parlan, Piano; George Tucker, Bass; Al Harewood, Drums.

Live recording.