John Lewis The Wonderful World of Jazz / Evolution (2-CD)

Personnel: John Lewis (piano); Eric Dolphy (saxophone, alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves, Benny Golson (saxophone, tenor saxophone); James Rivers (baritone saxophone); Herb Pomeroy (trumpet); Gunther Schuller (French horn); John Richard Lewis (piano); Connie Kay (drums); Jim Hall (guitar).

Liner Note Author: Ralph J. Gleason.

Recording information: Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY (01/12/1999-01/15/1999).

Photographers: Will Mosgrove; Scott Peterman.

Arranger: John Richard Lewis.

Collectables presents a surprisingly logical double reissue of two great Atlantic albums by pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader John Lewis. The Wonderful World of Jazz was originally released in 1960; Evolution (the first of two by that title) came out in 1999. These albums complement each other quite well; much better in fact than some other Collectables two-fers. The music recorded in July and September 1960 involved Lewis' quartet (Jim Hall, George Duvivier and Connie Kay) and two different teams of wind players: Herb Pomeroy, Gunther Schuller, Eric Dolphy, Paul Gonsalves, Benny Golson and a baritone saxophonist identified here -- probably for contractual reasons -- as "James Rivers." This is known to have been Jimmy Giuffre rather than New Orleans-based R&B saxophonist Jim Rivers. Each selection on Wonderful is remarkably accessible and fine. A fifteen-and-a-half minute version of "Body and Soul" (the track list on the back cover says five-and-a-half) is exquisite. "Evolution" is a solo piano recital recorded at Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY during January of 1999. Two of the titles are visitations, as it were, from the album issued 39 years earlier. The elderly pianist puts 11 melodies through his unique and personal set of variations, which appear to be taking place in the sky overhead, independent from conventional notions of pace and timing. The best imaginable example of this curious methodology is his pleasantly eccentric approach to "Sweet Georgia Brown." Other marvelous moments occur during a refreshing rendition of "Cherokee" and a moving paean "For Ellington." ~ arwulf arwulf