Product Description:
Originally released on Riverside (9411).
Personnel includes: Ernie Wilkins (arranger, conductor), Eddie Jefferson, Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Jimmy Cleveland, James Moody, Johnny Griffin, Joe Zawinul, Sam Jones, Wynton Kelly and Joe Newman.
Personnel: Eddie Jefferson (vocals); Barry Galbraith (guitar); James Moody (flute, alto saxophone); Johnny Griffin (tenor saxophone); Arthur Clarke (baritone saxophone); Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Joe Newman (trumpet); Jimmy Cleveland (trombone); Joe Zawinul, Junior Mance, Wynton Kelly (piano); Sam Jones (bass instrument); Louis Hayes, Osie Johnson (drums).
Recording information: New York, New York (12/1961 - 02/1962).
The king of vocalese (the putting of words to pre-existing jazz instrumentals) further cemented his reputation with this fine 1961 Riverside date. Eddie Jefferson truly approached his singing with the mind of a horn player, paying particular attention to phrasing, and the form and rhythmic cadence of his applied lyrics. The result was a fun, technically intriguing take on jazz that was refreshing while also paying homage to the original tunes.
LETTERS FROM HOME features compositions by, among others, Duke Ellington ("Take the 'A' Train"), Charlie Parker ("Billie's Bounce"), and Dizzy Gillespie ("A Night in Tunisia"). Each of these cuts shine with Jefferson's unique, bop-inflected singing, but the vocalist also makes room for Johnny Griffin's tenor sax and the alto work of James Moody on some lovely instrumental solos as well.
For personal non-commercial use only. All rights reserved.
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