Guitarist Mundell Lowe's 1957 release, "A Grand Night For Swingin," (Amazon, EBAY) does just that. Here is the description from the back of CD release from 2000 on Riverside (Riverside OJCCD-1940-2 [RLP-238]):
Mundell Lowe's initial albums for Riverside featured relatively uncommon instrumentations, including one of the earlier pairings of guitar and organ in a modern jazz context on The Mundell Lowe Quartet (OJCCD-1773-2). For this session, the guitarist decided on a more straight-ahead format with minimal arrangements, and produced a relaxed yet hard swinging program. In addition to the leader's distinctive inventions there are notable contributions by pianist Billy Taylor, who enjoys his own change of pace from the trio setting that had brought him fame. Three tracks, including Lowe's memorable "Blues Before Freud," also feature the underrated Gene Quill, who was working at the time with Phil Woods in their two-alto "Phil & Quill" band. Through a canny choice of tempos and an infectious spirit of informality, Lowe and his partners provide a choice example of a late-Fifties blowing session.
Here's a track and personnel listing:
1. It's A Grand Night For Swingin' 2. Blues Before Freud 3. Easy To Love
4. It Could Happen To You 5. Love Me Or Leave Me
6. You Turned The Tables On Me 7. Crazy Rhythm
Mundell Lowe- guitar / Gene Quill- alto saxophone (#2,5,6)
Billy Taylor- piano / Les Grinage- bass / Ed Thigpen- drums
Produced by
Orrin Keepnews and recorded by Jack Higgins at Reeves Sound Studio, New York City; March 7 and April 10, 1957.
This CD is a bit hard to find but there are links to it in the post. Its well worth your time; its a nice listen with a great swing feel and some nice relaxed playing. Visit the links in the post for Mundell Lowe and Ed Thigpen and you will see they are still going strong!
Until next week friends, "play on!"
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