Tenors Anyone?

Jazz has become more than just a spontaneous emotional outlet. It has progressed to a major music form, and much of the material from which contemporary composers draw has its origin in jazz. Certainly, jazz is the international musical bond of the 20th century. One of the dominant (if not the most important) instruments in jazz today is the tenor sax.

Perhaps it’s because the tenor so closely approximates the human tone, or possibly its importance can be traced to the instrument’s wide range of tone and expression. At any rate, it enjoys a foremost position in most modern jazz ensembles. 

Tenors Anyone? offers four great jazzmen matching skills, styles and talent. The principles are Stan Getz, the late Wardell Grey, Paul Quinichette and Zoot Sims. Their efforts produce a cross-section of modern tenor techniques, as illuminating as any we have had.

Enough words have been written and enough laudits bestowed on these four giants of the tenor to acquaint one with their respective abilities. And, since this is an invitation, let’s get on to what occurs when the blowing starts. *Howard Cook (liner notes)*

Set can have appeal. The contrasting and distinct styles included in this set by four great tenor stars cover a wide range in jazz tastes. Five groups (with personnel duplicated for the saxes. Try Zoot Sims' run on "Blues For The Month Of May" and the late Wardel Grey's "In A Pinch" as samples. Good sales potential. *Billboard, April 7, 1958*

Side 1

1 - These Foolish Things

(Link, Strachey, Marvell)

2 - Blues For The Month Of May

(Jerome Lloyd)

3 - I Should Care

(Cahn, Weston, Stordahl)

4 - Along About This Time Last Year

(Darwin, Sykes, Lewis)

Side 2

5 - Skull Buster

(Al Haig)

6 - (It's The) Talk Of The Town

(Levinson, Symes, Neiburg)

7 - Ante Room

(Jimmy Raney)

8 - Pennies From Heaven

(Burke, Johnston)

9 - In A Pinch

(Al Haig)

10 - Poop Deck

(Al Haig)

#1, #4:

Paul Quinichette (tenor sax), Gene Roland (trumpet [#4]), Nat Pierce (piano), Freddie Green (guitar), Wendell Marshall (bass), Sonny Payne (drums).

Recorded in New York City, August 12, 1956

#2, #3:

Zoot Sims (tenor sax), Jerry Lloyd (trumpet), John Williams (piano), Nabil Totah (bass [#2]), Bill Anthony (bass [#3]), Gus Johnson (drums).

Recorded in New York City, August 10 [#3], September 4 [#2] 1956. 

#5, #7,#8, #10:

Stan Getz (tenor sax), Al Haig (piano), Jimmy Raney (guitar), Gene Ramey (bass), Charlie Perry (drums), Carlos Vidal (conga)

Recorded in New York City, May 12, 1949.

#6, #9:

Wardell Grey (tenor sax), Al Haig (piano), Jimmy Raney (guitar), Tommy Potter (bass), Charlie Perry (drums).

Recorded in New York City, November 1948 (probably).