OJC Trumpet Titans: Miles Davis and Clark Terry

Back in 2007 when the vinyl renaissance began gaining ground in the sales arena, few would have predicted the vast amount of product that has flooded the marketplace, from obscure reissues to the unearthing of many previously unheard gems. While under the leadership of Fantasy, the Original Jazz Classics series ended up reissuing almost a thousand titles before going dormant in the late '90s. Since dusting off the moniker in 2023, Craft Recordings has brought forth a consummate selection of titles offered in audiophile pressings that are modestly priced and worthy of any jazz fan's attention.

Miles Davis
The New Miles Davis Quintet
Craft Recordings
2024

Although he had recorded his classic Birth of the Cool sides and some tracks for Blue Note by the mid-'50s, trumpeter Miles Davis had yet to become a household name when he took the stage at the Newport Jazz Festival in July of 1955. Producer George Avakian heard Davis at the festival and quickly signed him up for a contract with Columbia Records. With a year left on his contract with Prestige, Davis was forced to hold back the issue of anything on Columbia until he fulfilled the obligations of his terms with Prestige.

Recorded a month after his first session for Columbia, The New Miles Davis Quintet marked the debut of an ensemble that would make history by recording 42 pieces over two marathon sessions in May and October of 1956. Up first however, would be this oft-overlooked date featuring John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. Garland's signature block chords usher in the opening "No Greater Love" right before Davis' muted horn takes center stage. The other soft pedal number would be a gorgeous take on "Just Squeeze Me." Up-tempo romps like "How Am I To Know" and "S'posin" are in between. It all adds up to a stellar set worthy of wider recognition.

Clark Terry
In Orbit
Craft Recordings
2024

The curators at Craft certainly dug deep with the unearthing of In Orbit, a marvelous 1958 Clark Terry session that had not seen a domestic reissue since the previous OJC edition back in 1988. The album is marked by many firsts in that it would be the only sideman appearance on Riverside for Thelonious Monk, who would go on to build his own rich and distinctive catalog for the label. It was also the first time Clark would record with his fluegelhorn and that bassist Sam Jones would be heard on Riverside.

Terry gets to shine as a player and composer with five of the nine tracks being originals. The most familiar piece is the bluesy "One Foot in the Gutter," which drummer Dave Bailey would later record as the title track of his 1960 debut. Monk's "Let's Cool One" gets a spunky treatment aided and abetted by the feisty drum work of Philly Joe Jones. The title track is an up-tempo flag-waver that is propelled forward by Jones' fleet bass lines. A sublime gem written by Detroit native Sara Casey, the closing "Very Near Blues" reminds us of a forgotten writer who contributed her unique through-composed pieces to several Riverside sessions. A must-have item from Terry's inimitable catalog, In Orbit is an embarrassment of riches from a time when giants roamed the jazz lands.

Tracks and Personnel

The New Miles Davis Quintet

Tracks: Just Squeeze Me; There Is No Greater Love; How Am I To Know?; S'posin'; The Theme; Stablemates.

Personnel: Miles Davis: trumpet; John Coltrane: tenor saxophone; Paul Chambers: bass; Philly Joe Jones: drums.

Tracks and Personnel

In Orbit

Tracks: In Orbit; One Foot in the Gutter; Trust in Me; Let's Cool One; Pea-Eye; Argentina; Moonlight Fiesta; Buck's Business; Very Near Blues.

Personnel: Clark Terry: flugelhorn; Thelonious Monk: piano; Sam Jones: bass; Philly Joe Jones: drums.

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