CiTR

Sonny Rollins needs no introduction here but this incredible album that is tonight's Jazz Feature is often overlooked in favor of some others yet it represents an early milestone in Sonny's life and career. He had recovered from his drug addiction and a healthy Sonny joined the famous Max Roach/Clifford Brown Quintet which was one of the finest Jazz groups at that time in the mid 50's. This was his first album after his rehab and it presents a new and stronger Sonny and is considered his first "great' record. It was Sonny's first 12' LP and issued on Prestige Records as "Work Time". Sonny's hand picked quartet consists of the great Max Roach on drums and strong bassist George Morrow and on Miles Davis' recommendation a fine then young pianist from Philadelphia named Ray Bryant. There is only one Rollins original on this date called "Paradox". The set opens with Irving Berlin's "There's No Business Like Show Business" then Paradox then Billy Strayhorn's "Raincheck" followed by the great ballad "There Are Such Things" and the set ends with Cole Porter's "It's All Right With Me". Worktime is historic and a real beginning for Sonny Rollins and it's tonight's Jazz Feature.