CiTR

Guitarist Grant Green seemed to suddenly appear on the national Jazz scene from out of nowhere appearing on Blue Note Records as a leader and as a sideman in the early 60s. He had honed his skills in his hometown of St. Louis MO and was asked to come to New York by alto saxophone master Lou Donaldson who recommended him to Blue Note's honcho Alfred Lion. Green became a favourite and recorded frequently in the years 1961-65 and those recordings contain his most lasting work. Many of Green's sessions were never issued until after his death in 1979. This one that we're featuring tonight was one of those.It's a very high level session with Mr. Green in the company of two members of John Coltrane's "classic quartet" in the persons of pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones. The bassist is the ubiquitous Bob Cranshaw. With this powerful rhythm section Green is at his best. Two Green originals (including the title track) are heard plus a delightful version of "My Favourite Things" with the Coltrane arrangement. Pianist Duke Pearson's exotic original called "Bedouin" is heard. Completing the set is the Bacharach/David tune called "Wives and Lovers" done in "sprung waltz" style. Mr. Green was one of the giants of the guitar and this date proves it!