CiTR

Grachan Moncur 111 is one of the lesser known but important figures on the New York Jazz scene in the mid-60's when new ideas and concepts were emerging and musicians were finding new ways to create and improvise. Moncur was an educated young man and experienced playing for four years with Ray Charles and a year with The Jazztet led by Art Farmer and Benny Golson and touring also with Sonny Rollins. Moncur's skills as a trombonist with his own concept emerged on this recording and he definitely was NOT a J.J.Johnson clone. His writing skills are evident on the four selections that make up this date. The personnel here include four people who recorded and worked gigs together under the leadership of alto saxophone master Jackie McLean. Along with McLean and Moncur are two emerging stars in the persons of vibist Bobby Hutcherson and drum genius Tony Williams who was 18 years old at the time. Bob Cranshaw is on bass and he is great in any context.However the real star here is trumpeter Lee Morgan who is not ever thought of in a context such as this but proves himself to be open-minded and totally responsive to the music and shows his great range of expression. The four compositions heard here are all Moncur's and they reflect different moods and show his range of expression. Everybody here is on top of things and inspired by Moncur's music and exhibiting fresh musical ideas. "Evolution" was Moncur's recording debut and it was issued on Blue Note and is a modern classic in every sense of the word.