By Joel Roberts
J.J. Johnson, who died this past February at the age of 77, is justifiably heralded as the first trombonist to master the revolutionary language of bebop. And it was no easy task - translating the rapid-fire lines and staccato rhythms of Bird and Diz to that notoriously awkward instrument. There's no better evidence of the Indianapolis native's success then the sessions he recorded as a leader for Blue Note in the early '50s, reissued by the label on two pristine-sounding new RVG editions, The Eminent J.J. Johnson, Volumes One and Two.
The lineup on Vol. 1, recorded in New York in 1953, includes the rhythm section from the burgeoning Modern Jazz Quartet (John Lewis, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke), along with Jimmy Heath on tenor and baritone saxophone, and the incredible Clifford Brown on trumpet. Not too shabby. The sextet is extraordinarily cohesive and confident, rendering even the more frenetic numbers like Johnson's "Turnpike" and Harold Arlen's "Get Happy" at a relaxed, controlled pace. The individual soloists are all worthy of mention, but Brown's uncanny speed and clarity on the trumpet command special attention.
The second volume combines two sessions, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's New Jersey studios, with almost entirely different quintets (only drummer Kenny Clarke appears on all the dates). The first of these, from September 1954, brings Johnson and Clarke together with Wynton Kelly on piano, Charles Mingus on bass and Sabu on congas. Without another horn player, Johnson takes more of a central role here, playing most of the solos. He turns in some marvelously sensitive ballad work on "It's You or No One" and "Time After Time," and performs some rough, raw, blues on his own "Jay." Another highlight is the Latin-esque take on "That Old Devil Moon," with Kelly playing some funky Afro-Caribbean piano.
One more stellar lineup is heard on the second session on Vol. 2. This 1955 date has tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley joining Johnson in the frontline, backed by a fairly impressive rhythm section of Horace Silver, Paul Chambers and Clarke. Mobley's soulful tenor makes a particularly good foil for Johnson's trombone. The two play off each other especially well on "Groovin", one of three Johnson originals here.
Taken together, these two volumes document a truly eminent jazz artist (and some pretty heady company) at the peak of his powers. Essential.
At about the same time as Johnson and his bebeop pals were laying down these hard bop sides on the East Coast, the "cool school" was in full session on the West Coast. And no singer embodied the ideal of laid-back California cool better than former Stan Kenton vocalist June Christy, whose landmark album Something Cool has just been reissued by Blue Note.
Christy offers memorably sultry takes on the title tune, the evocative tale of a tawdry lounge pick-up, plus 10 extremely well-selected standards including "It Could Happen to You," "I'll Take Romance," and "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise." Backed by an orchestra arranged and conducted by Pete Rugulo, and featuring the considerable talents of, among others, Bud Shank, Maynard Ferguson, Shorty Rogers, Barney Kessel and Bob Cooper (who was married to Christy), this is a cool affair that swings hard.
As a bonus, the reissue also includes the 1960 stereo version of the album, re-recorded in its entirety to take advantage of the market for the then-new stereophonic sound.
The Eminent J.J. Johnson, Vol 1
Personnel: J.J. Johnson, Trombone; Clifford Brown, trumpet; Jimmy Heath, tenor and baritone saxophones; John Lewis, piano; Percy Heath, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums.
Track listing: Capri, Lover Man, Turnpike, Sketch 1, It Could Happen to You, Get Happy, Capri, Turnpike, Get Happy.
The Eminent J.J. Johnson, Vol. 2
Personnel: J.J. Johnson, Trombone; Hank Mobley, tenor saxophone; Wynton Kelly, Horace Silver, piano; Charles Mingus, Paul Chambers, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums; Sabu, congas.
Track listing: Too Marvelous For Words, Jay, Old Devil Moon, It's You Or No One, Time After Time, Coffee Pot, Pennies From Heaven, Viscosity, 'Daylie' Double, Groovin', Portrait of Jennie, Pennies From Heaven, Viscosity, 'Daylie' Double.
June Christy - Something Cool
Personnel: June Christy, vocals, with Pete Rugolo and his Orchestra.
Track listing: Something Cool, It Could Happen to You, Lonely House, This Time the Dream's On Me, The Night We Called It a Day, Midnight Sun, I'll Take Romance, A Stranger Called the Blues, I Should Care, Softly as in a Morning Sunrise, I'm Thrilled.
