Essence

(View European LP cover)

Description

Don's final small group album from 1962, finally released on CD in 2006 by Mighty Quinn Productions. The strongest of Don's early albums, providing a strong link between more traditional improvised music and more exploratory classical-inspired innovation. Also, more than any other early album, Essence points most strongly in the direction of Don's future musical endeavors.

Highly recommended.

Track Listing

12" LP: Pacific Jazz ST-55/PJ-55 (1962)
12" LP: Fontana 688 .12ZL [Europe] (1962)
CD: Mighty Quinn Productions 1101 (2005)

1. Johnny Come Lately (Billy Strayhorn)
2. Slow Space (Don Ellis)
3. Ostinato (Don Ellis)
4. Donkey (Carla Bley)
5. Form (Don Ellis)
6. Angel Eyes (Dennis, Brent)
7. Irony (Don Ellis)
8. Lover (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart)

Personnel

Don Ellis, trumpet
Paul Bley, piano
Gary Peacock, bass
Nick Martinis, drums
Gene Stone, drums

(I'm trying to figure out a way to tell Martinis and Stone apart)

Recording Information

Recorded in Los Angeles over July 15-17, 1962.

One source says the venue was the "Lighthouse", which I believe was a club. This is not a live recording however.