This underrated master of the trombone is still with us at age 80 and for this we are grateful! This date done in 1960 was Julian Priester's first under his own name. Priester is from Chicago and like so many Chicago legends, he graduated from DuSable High School in the Jazz program conducted by Captain Walter Dyett. Julian first worked with Sun Ra then Lionel Hampton and ended up in New York at the right time. He was heard as a sideman and then offered this date for Riverside Records. Julian picked his sidemen wisely and had tenor saxophone giant Jimmy Heath on the front line. Tommy Flanagan was chosen for the piano spot. The great Sam Jones was on bass and the dynamic Elvin Jones was on drums. The tunes are a good mix of originals and quality standards and the album has a nice balance. "Keep Swingin'" is reflective of the high standards of New York Jazz in the early 60s. Julian went on to work with many people including Max Roach, Duke Ellington and Herbie Hancock but that's for another time, meanwhile we'll keep swingin'!
Track Listing:
24 Hour Leave
Julian Priester · Keep Swingin'
The End
Julian Priester · Keep Swingin'
1239A
Julian Priester · Keep Swingin'
Just Friends
Julian Priester · Keep Swingin'
Bob T's Blues
Julian Priester · Keep Swingin'
Under The Surface
Julian Priester · Keep Swingin'
Once In A While
Julian Priester · Keep Swingin'
Julian's Tune
Julian Priester · Keep Swingin'
Signal
Jimmy Raney · Motion
Lee
Jimmy Raney · Motion
Round About Midnight
Jimmy Raney · Motion
Motion
Jimmy Raney · Motion
The Jazz Twist
James Moody · At The Jazz Workshop
Disappointed
James Moody · At The Jazz Workshop
Sister Sadie
James Moody · At The Jazz Workshop
Moody's Mood For Love
James Moody · At The Jazz Workshop
Bunny Boo.
James Moody · At The Jazz Workshop
The Longest Day
Azimuth · In Edmonton 1980
Ma Bel
Kenny Wheeler/John Taylor · Double Double U
Three For D'reen/Blue For Lou/Mark Time.
Kenny Wheeler · Double Double U
Epistrophy
Gerry Gibbs · The Thrasher Dream Trio
Promises,Promises
Gerry Gibbs · The Thrasher Dream Trio
Tell Me A Bedtime Story
Gerry Gibbs · The Thrasher Dream Trio
Body and Soul/Rhythm-in-ing
Thelonious Monk · Monk at The Gate
Trio for Flute, Bassoon and Piano
Chick Corea · Law's Cause