Gene Ammons – All Star Sessions (US)

Wonderful Condition, Cover Still in Shrink with OBI

Great blowing by a true all star unit on the two long 1955 cuts, with the two sax stars joined by Alto man Lou Donaldson, the great Art Farmer on trumpet, and under-rated pianist Freddie Redd. (This is the first I’ve heard from Redd, but his credentials are impeccable. His first recording is with the Tiny Grimes band with either Red Prysock or Benny Golson on sax, about 1949. Anyway, he crossed paths with both saxmen on other Grimes dates. He’s also recorded with such legends as LaVerne Baker, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Oscar Pettiford, Arthur Taylor (on a Farmer session), Tommy Potter, and Jackie McLean. He is still active, and has apparently recorded at Birdland in 2010 (unissued). Info from “Jazzrealities” website.)I’m totally unaware of any of the 1951 sidemen, but these tunes sound fine to my ears, actually pretty good for mono recordings from the early 50’s. The later ones sound sensational! Got to check out the “Boss Tenors” on Verve next.