We Three: Tenor Sax Legends: Al Cohn / Zoot Sims / Dexter Gordon

by Various Artists

Full performer name: Al Cohn/Zoot Sims/Dexter Gordon.

Includes liner notes by Chris Albertson.

AL COHN:

Al Cohn Quintet: Al Cohn (tenor saxophone); Frank Rehak (trombone); Hank Jones (piano); Milt Hinton (bass); Osie Johnson (drums).

Recorded in New York, New York on September 29, 1956.

ZOOT SIMS:

Zoot Sims Quintet: Zoot Sims (tenor saxophone); Jerry Lloyd (trumpet); John Williams (piano); Bill Anthony (bass); Gus Johnson (drums).

Recorded in New York, New York on Agust 10, 1956.

DEXTER GORDON:

Personnel: Dexter Gordon (soprano & tenor saxophones); Lionel Hampton (vibraphone); Hank Jones (piano); Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar); George Duvivier (bass); Oliver Jackson (drums); Candido (congas).

Recorded in New York, New York in 1977.

This compilation combines portions of studio dates led by three different saxophonists: Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, and Dexter Gordon. Cohn is heard from a 1956 session originally made for Dawn, joined by the always in-demand New York rhythm section of Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, and Osie Johnson. As always, Cohn is in top form, especially on the mellow ballad "We Three." Trombonist Frank Rehak is added for the up-tempo cooker "Idaho," "Be Loose," and "Good Old Blues." Sims is only heard on one track, leading a quintet through a warm treatment of "Ill Wind." The addition of the three Dexter Gordon tracks seems like a misfit, as they come from part of a date, taped in 1977, that had previously appeared in full on releases by Who's Who in Jazz and Glad Hamp. There's nothing wrong with Gordon's playing, but the far brighter sound and slightly overbearing conga of Candido on "Lullaby of Birdland" and "Seven Come Eleven" (though the latter piece features Gordon on soprano sax) keeps this session from meshing very well with the 1956 Dawn sessions that make up the rest of the CD. Gordon's supporting cast includes Hank Jones, Lionel Hampton, Bucky Pizzarelli, George Duvivier, and Oliver Jackson, with the conga-free "I Should Care" easily eclipsing the other two pieces. This is an enjoyable but somewhat oddly assembled compilation. ~ Ken Dryden