Electrifying Track: The Eagle Flies

Vibraphonist Teddy Charles was one cool cat. Every time I called him back in the late 2000s, his lingo was straight out of the hipster's manual. And it all came naturally to Teddy, since he lived the jazz life. In addition to being a swinging vibraphonist, he was a superb record producer.

In April 1957, Teddy produced and recorded Coolin' for Prestige with a group he called the Prestige All-Stars. Along with Teddy on vibes were trumpeter Idrees Sulieman, alto saxophonist John Jenkins, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Jerry Segal. Here's the Prestige All-Stars playing Idrees Sulieman's catchy but complex The Eagle Flies...