Gene Ammons - The Happy Blues (1956/1991)

The Happy Blues is one of the great studio jam sessions in history. Tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons is teamed up with trumpeter Art Farmer, altoist Jackie McLean, pianist Duke Jordan, bassist Addison Farmer, drummer Art Taylor, and the congas of Candido for four lengthy selections. Best is the title track, which has memorable solos and spontaneous but perfectly fitting riffing by the horns behind each others' solos. The other numbers ("The Great Lie," "Can't We Be Friends," and "Madhouse") are also quite enjoyable, making this a highly recommended set.


Tracks:

01. The Happy Blues (Farmer) - 12:08
02. The Great Lie (Calloway-Gibson) - 8:42
03. Can't We Be Friends (James-Swift) - 12:55
04. Madhouse (McLean) - 6:43

Personnel:

Gene Ammons - tenor saxophone
Art Farmer - trumpet
Jackie McLean - alto saxophone
Duke Jordan - piano
Addison Farmer - bass
Art Taylor - drums
Candido - conga

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ on April 23, 1956.