Harold Land
The West Coast saxophonist known for his associations with the masterful quintet led by trumpeter Clifford Brown and drummer Max Roach in the mid-50's and with the internationally acclaimed quintet he co-led with Bobby Hutcherson in the late '60s. He engaged in an individualistic style and an expressive tone, mixing compelling melody readings with alluring improvisations.
Land, born in Houston and raised in San Diego, moved to Los Angeles in the early '50s. In 1954, he joined the famed Brown-Roach quintet, with which he toured the United States and recorded several albums for EmArcy (all of which are available as reissue CDs). After two years with the ensemble, Land felt the need to be closer to his family, which was in Los Angeles, and so he returned and resided there ever since.
He soon began to establish himself as one of the most singular and powerful of jazzmen, making albums with bassists Red Mitchell and Curtis Counce and then, in 1958, making his solo debut (he had recorded four selections in 1949 that were released by Savoy). “Harold in the Land of Jazz,” was issued on Contemporary Records, and was followed a year later by “The Fox,” which many consider his best early recording. He did an impromptu date in the spring of 1960, rising star Wes Montgomery was living in San Francisco and the Cannonball Adderley Quintet—with its Barry Harris/Sam Jones/Louis Hayes rhythm section was all brought in for a classic blowing session that resulted in “West Coast Blues.”
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Album Review
- Westward Bound! by Peter J. Hoetjes
- Westward Bound! by Pierre Giroux
Multiple Reviews
Album Review
- A New Shade Of Blue by Chris May
- A New Shade Of Blue by Mark Corroto
- Take Aim by George Harris
- Trio and Quintet by AAJ Italy Staff
- Promised Land by AAJ Staff
August 04, 2021
December 21, 2010
Harold Land - A West Coaster Worth Surfing For
June 04, 2006
Ray Nance, Roy Ayers, Don Ellis, Pepper Adams, Harold Land, Eddie...