Benny Bailey - In Sweden: 1957 - 1959 Sessions (2011)

Trumpeter Benny Bailey (1925-2005) had the rare combination of a brassy, powerful attack and a lyrical, melodic line. He was a true successor of Freddie Webster, Fats Navarro and Clifford Brown. In 1948 he joined the ground-breaking Dizzy Gillespie band and, as a member, paid his first visit to Sweden shortly after.

He joined Lionel Hamptons orchestra one year later and stayed for five. In 1954 he went back to Europe, this time as a member of the Freddy Mitchell band, but left after a few chaotic months in Italy and returned to Sweden to play with Seymor Österwalls band. He remained in Sweden, where he became one of the most in-demand jazz soloists, and appeared on several record dates as leader and sideman, all before leaving to join the Quincy Jones band for its European 1959-60 winter tour. Quincy, who wrote the song Meet Benny Bailey and admired him for his marvelous breath control and remarkable range, said Baileys technique was most perfect. As a trumpeter himself, he should know.