Hampton Hawes - High in the Sky - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

One of the finest and most influential bebop musicians of the 1950's, Los Angeles based self-taught pianist Hampton Hawes was playing with the leading Jazz musicians on the West Coast, including Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Art Pepper, Shorty Rogers, and Teddy Edwards while still in his teens ending with a stint with Charlie Parker in Howard McGhee's group at age 19. After serving in the US Army from 1952 - 1954, Hawes formed his own trio with the bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Chuck Thompson and subsequently released some of the finest recordings to come out of the West Coast beginning in 1955. In 1958 Hawes was busted for heroin in a Federal sting. He served almost five years of a harsh 30 year sentence but was miraculously granted Executive Clemency from President Kennedy in 1963. He emerged from prison and resumed his professional career which began to skyrocket by the mid-sixties, making him an international Jazz star. Presented here is his rare 1970 trio album, performing original compositions and Burt Bacharach's InchThe Look of Love.Inch Joining Hawes on the album are Leroy Vinegar on bass and Donald Bailey on drums. All selections newly remastered. Album Tracks 1. The Look of Love 2. Evening Trane 3. Muffin Man 4. High in the Sky 5. Carmel 6. Spanish Girl

Throughout his career, restless and constantly engaged in a search for self-improvement, Hampton Hawes tirelessly worked to find new ways to develop his repertoire beyond the usual bop standards he was known for. Here on one of his more obscure sessions, Hawes performs eight songs originally written for movies, long before it became fashionable for jazz musicians to record their own versions of Broadway hits. Presented here is this wonderful 1969 trio album, playing adventurous arrangements of tunes from popular 1960s movie musicals including 'Finian's Rainbow', 'Funny Girl' and 'Oliver', Hamp is joined by veteran musicians and close friends Larry Bunker (drums), Bob West (bass), and a string section arranged and conducted by Billy Byers. With tracks including 'Where Is Love?', 'As Long As She Needs Me' and 'The Music That Makes Me Dance'.

One of the finest and most influential bebop musicians of the 1950's, Los Angeles based self-taught pianist Hampton Hawes was playing with the leading jazz musicians on the West Coast, including Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Art Pepper, Shorty Rogers, and Teddy Edwards while still in his teens - ending with a stint with Charlie Parker in Howard McGhee's group at age 19. After serving in the US Army from 1952 - 1954, Hawes formed his own trio with the bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Chuck Thompson and subsequently released some of the finest recordings to come out of the West Coast beginning in 1955. In 1958 Hawes was busted for heroin in a Federal sting. He served almost five years of a harsh 30 year sentence but was miraculously granted Executive Clemency from President Kennedy in 1963. He emerged from prison and resumed his professional career which began to skyrocket by the mid-sixties, making him an international jazz star. Presented here is his wonderful 1969 trio album, playing adventurous arrangements of tunes from popular 1960's movie musicals including Finian's Rainbow, Funny Girl and Oliver. Joining Hawes on the album are Larry Bunker (drums); Bob West (bass); and a string section arranged and conducted by Billy Byers. All selections newly remastered. Album Tracks 1. Where Is Love 2. When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love 3. My Man 4. The Music That Makes Me Dance 5. Old Devil Moon 6. How Are Things in Glocca Morra? 7. As Long As She Needs Me 8. People