J.J. JOHNSON
Origins The Savoy Sessions (Savoy Jazz)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Seminal work by the man considered the father of modern jazz trombone. The material is from several 1940s recordings and one 1954 session; all recently out of print or hard to find. The first date, from 1946 when Bop was in its infancy, featured J.J. Johnson on trombone, Cecil Payne on alto sax, Bud Powell on piano, Leonard Gaskin on bass, and Max Roach on drums. Next up are a 1947 session with Johnson on trombone, Leo Parker on baritone sax, Hank Jones on piano, Al Lucas on bass, and Shadow Wilson on drums. A 1949 session utilized Johnson on trombone, a teenaged Sonny Rollins on tenor sax, John Lewis on piano, Gene Ramey on bass, and Shadow Wilson on drums. The final date, from 1954, used J.J. Johnson on trombone, Kai Winding also on trombone, Billy Bauer on guitar, Charles Mingus on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums.

Given the recording constraints of 78-rpm discs, the forties material is fairly short, with all songs less than three minutes. No matter. This is simply great jazz. The music is both winsome and evocative, the material original and imaginative, and the playing simply superb. The 1954 material is equally as good. Thanks to Savoy Jazz for remastering these classic sessions.

This music belongs in every serious jazz collection. Johnson took the sounds of Bop pioneers Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker and translated them to the trombone. Jazz has never been the same.

© 2003 - Ron Saranich