Four Classic Albums Plus (Cohn On The Saxophone / Mr Rhythm / The Jazz Workshop / A Mellow Bit Of Rhythm)

AVID Jazz here presents four classic Al Cohn albums as leader and sideman including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD.

Four albums with one common denominator, Al Cohn on tenor sax and clarinet. Born in Brooklyn, Cohn, having heard Lester Young took up the tenor sax and in his formative years had played with among others Joe Marsala, Georgie Auld, Buddy Rich, Artie Shaw and Elliot Lawrence. We begin with "Cohn On The Saxophone" where Al is joined by some old buddies, Hank Jones, Osie Johnson and Milt Hinton for a "relaxed sociable affair"………….."an informal blowing session that makes you want to dance"………….well?? don't just sit there!! For "Freddie Green Mr Rhythm" legendary Basie rhythm guitarist Freddie Green takes centre stage as both player and composer of eight out of the twelve songs featured. Freddie is joined on this 1955 set by our hero Al Cohn alongside Joe Newman, Henry Coker, Nat Pierce, Milt Hinton and sharing the drumstool, Osie Johnson and Jo Jones.

Our next album "The Jazz Workshop - Four Brass, One Tenor...Al Cohn" represents somewhat of a first in the jazz cannon, that is to say that it was the first album to feature a FOUR trumpet line up, put in place to "make a unique and effective cushion for tenor saxophone". The trumpets are used more for "sectional work and background support" rather than a ferocious battle of the trumpets!! So let's hear what Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Joe Wilder and Nick Travis have come up with as they take it in turns to accompany the wonderful with Mr Cohn and friends. Finally we have "A Mellow Bit Of Rhythm ..Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy" Here Al is one of 17 jazzmen joining legendary Kansas City bandleader and arranger Andy Kirk and his Clouds of Joy. The tunes have been selected by Andy Kirk from his extensive twenty years of experience, the arrangements expanded and embellished to make them more contemporary without losing the feel of the old arrangements. Musicians involved include, alongside Al Cohn, Conte Candoli, Ray Copeland, Joe Newman, Freddie Green, Milt Hinton and Kenny Kersey.

All four albums plus have been digitally re-mastered for probably the finest ever sound quality!