During his career as a jazz musician, the late J.J. Johnson recorded many times as a leader. His well known musical vision and skills as a writer and arranger — not to mention his virtuosic translation of modern jazz to the trombone — meant the leader role fit him well. That same reputation, too, meant he was in demand as a sideman. In these instances, J.J.’s playing always adds something special to the musical proceedings, and, while freed from the responsibilities of a leader, he might sound a little more relaxed than usual. Below are three Blue Note CDs you may not have heard yet: all feature J.J. as a sideman. Check them out. The titles and cover art will link to the music at Amazon.
Afro-Cuban
Leader: Kenny Dorham, Recording date: March 28, 1955
- Afrodisia
- Basheer’s Dream
- Lotus Flower
- Minor’s Holiday
- J.J. Johnson, trombone
- Kenny Dorham, trumpet
- Hank Mobley, tenor saxophone
- Cecil Payne, bass sax
- Horace Silver, piano
- Oscar Pettiford, bass
- Art Blakey, drums
- Carlos Valdez, percussion
Volume 2
Leader: Sonny Rollins, Recording date: April 14, 1957
Page for this recording at Wikipedia
- Why Don’t I?
- Wail March
- You Stepped Out of a Dream
- Poor Butterfly
- Misterioso
- J.J. Johnson, trombone
- Sonny Rollins, Tenor saxophone
- Horace Silver, piano
- Paul Chambers, bass
- Art Blakey, drums
Cape Verdean Blues
Leader: Horace Silver, Recording date: October 22, 1965
Page for this recording at Wikipedia
- Nutville
- Bonita
- Mo’ Joe
- J.J. Johnson, trombone
- Horace Silver, piano
- Woody Shaw, trumpet
- Joe Henderson, tenor saxophone
- Bob Cranshaw, bass
- Roger Humphries, drums