Coleman Hawkins - Lover Man (1964/2017) [Hi-Res]

The first four sides of this album capture the momentous meeting of four great iconoclastic jazz figures. It was a historic, magical moment when Coleman Hawkins, Bud Powell, Oscar Pettiford and Kenny Clarke came together on the stage of the Grugahalie in Essen on the evening of April 2nd, 1960 and played for an Essen Jazz Festival audience of some 8,000 people. That audience was uniquely privileged because it was to witness the performance of some most inspirational spontaneous music from a quartet of jazz masters who were destined never to play together again. …

„This somewhat rare compilation includes portions of two all-star groups led by Coleman Hawkins. The bulk of the performances feature the tenor saxophonist with a group including Harry "Sweets" Edison, Sir Charles Thompson, Jimmy Woode, and Jo Jones. Hawkins shines in the galloping take of "Caravan" and a lush treatment of "Lover Man," though Edison's spotlight feature (on muted trumpet) in a very relaxed, bluesy setting of "Willow Weep for Me" is just as impressive. The tenorist has a completely different band for the romp through "Undecided" (including the always fiery trumpeter Roy Eldridge, trombonist Vic Dickenson, and pianist Lou Levy, plus fellow tenorist Michel De Villers and clarinetist Hubert Roistang). The brief "Indian Summer" is all Hawkins (with just the rhythm section) displaying his lyrical best. While there are many live recordings by Hawkins, this hard to find European issue, drawn from radio broadcasts, is well worth seeking.“ (Ken Dryden, AMG)

Coleman Hawkins, saxophone
Michel De Villers, saxophone
Vic Dickenson, trombone
Harry „sweets“ Edison, trumpet
Roy Eldridge, trumpet
Hubert Rostaing, clarinet
Sir Charles Thompson, piano
Jo Jones, drums

Digitally remastered