The Complete Illinois Jacquet Sessions 1945-50 [Mosaic - 4 CDs]

This four-CD set has all of the recordings made as a leader by tenor-saxophonist Illinois Jacquet during a period when he was at the height of his popularity. After his classic solo made "Flying Home" a major hit for Lionel Hampton in 1942, Jacquet spent time with Cab Calloway's band, was a sensation with Jazz at the Philharmonic, and was featured as a star soloist with Count Basie. In 1946, Jacquet went out on his own and his combo (ranging from six to eight pieces) was extremely popular, featuring its leader's hard-swinging solos which utilized a liberal amount of honks and screams. The first real R&B tenorman, Illinois Jacquet was always a much more well-rounded soloist than the specialists who followed him. The 17 sessions that are included on this essential box draws its material from the Aladdin, Apollo, ARA, Savoy, and Victor catalogues. Some of the music has been readily available in recent years, but this is the best way to acquire the swinging performances. Among Jacquet's most notable sidemen are trumpeters Joe Newman, Emmett Berry (who was actually the leader of one of these dates), Russell Jacquet (who also contributes some bluish vocals), and Fats Navarro (who solos on one song); trombonists Henry Coker, Trummy Young, and J.J. Johnson; baritonist Leo Parker; pianists Sir Charles Thompson, Bill Doggett, and John Lewis; bassist Charles Mingus; drummers Johnny Otis and Shadow Wilson; and (on two songs) singer Wynonie Harris. Fun music. All Music Guide

Personnel:

Illinois Jacquet - Sax (Tenor), Sax (Alto)
Fats Navarro, Miles Davis, Emmett Berry, Joe Newman, Marion Hazel, Russell Jacquet - trumpet
Dicky Wells, J.J. Johnson, Fred Robinson, Henry Coker, J. Alan Johnson, Ted Kelly, Trummy Young - Trombone
Big Nick Nicholas, Tom Archia - Sax (Tenor)
Jimmy Powell, John Brown, Porter Kilbert - Sax (Alto)
Ray Perry - Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)
Leo Parker, Arthur Dennis - Sax (Baritone)
Maurice Simon - Sax (Tenor), Sax (Baritone)
Sir Charles Thompson, John Richard Lewis, Bill Doggett, Cedric Haywood – Piano
Charles Mingus, William K. "Billy" Hadnott, Al Lucas, John Simmons - Bass
Freddie Green, John Collins, Ulysses Livingston - Guitar
Jo Jones, Al Wichard, Denzil Best, Johnny Otis, Shadow Wilson - Drums
Wynonie Harris, Joe Bailey - Vocals
Tadd Dameron, Jimmy Mundy - Arranger


Track Listing:

Disc 1

1. Flying Home, Pt. 1
2. Flying Home, Pt. 2
3. Uptown Boogie
4. Throw It Out of You Mind Baby
5. Jacquet Mood
6. Wondering and Thinking of You
7. Memories of You
8. Wynonie's Blues
9. Here Comes the Blues
10. Bottoms Up [10" LP Take]
11. Bottoms Up [78 Take]
12. Merle's Mood [10" LP Take]
13. Merle's Mood [78 Take]
14. What's This
15. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You
16. Ladies Lullaby [Alternate Take]
17. Ladies Lullaby
18. Illinois Stomp


Disc 2

1. Don't Blame Me
2. Don't Blame Me [Alternate Take]
3. Jumpin' Jacquet
4. Jumpin' Jacquet [Alternate Take]
5. Blue Mood
6. Jacquet in the Box
7. Jacquet in the Box [Alternate Take]
8. Savoy Blip (AKA Jacquet and No Vest)
9. Savoy Blip (AKA Jacquet and No Vest) [Alternate Take]
10. Illinois Goes to Chicago
11. Doggin' With Doggett
12. Doggin' With Doggett [Alternate Take]
13. Minor Romp (AKA Jacquet and Coat) [Alternate Take]
14. Minor Romp (AKA Jacquet and Coat)
15. Berry's Blues (A.K.A. Illinois' Blues)
16. Jumpin' at Apollo
17. Jacquet Bounce
18. She's Funny That Way
19. 12 Minutes to Go [10" LP Take]
20. 12 Minutes to Go [78 Take]


Disc 3

1. For Europeans Only
2. Big Dog
3. You Left Me All Alone
4. Jivin' With Jack the Bellboy
5. Blow, Illinois, Blow
6. Illinois Blows the Blues
7. South Street Special [78 Take]
8. South Street Special [LP Take]
9. Diggin' the Count
10. Robbins' Nest
11. Music Hall Beat
12. Jumpin' at the Woodside
13. Jumpin' at the Woodside [Alternate Take]
14. Goofin' Off
15. Riffin' With Jacquet
16. Sahara Heat [Alternate Take][#]
17. Sahara Heat
18. It's Wild
19. Destination Moon
20. For Truly
21. I Surrender, Dear [Alternate Take][#]
22. I Surrender, Dear


Disc 4

1. Jet Propulsion
2. King Jacquet
3. Try Me One More Time
4. Embryo
5. Riffin' at 24th Street
6. Mutton Leg
7. Symphony in Sid
8. A Jacquet for Jack the Bellboy
9. Big Foot
10. Black Velvet
11. B-Yot
12. Adams' Alley
13. Blue Satin
14. Stay Away
15. My Old Gal
16. Slow Down Baby
17. Hot Rod
18. You Gotta Change