Gil Evans - Gil Evans & Ten (Remastered) (2023) [Hi-Res]

Although arranger Gil Evans had been active in the major leagues of jazz ever since the mid-'40s and had participated in Miles Davis' famous Birth of the Cool recordings, Gil Evans & Ten was his first opportunity to record as a leader. The set features a typically unusual 11-piece unit consisting of two trumpets, trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, Bart Varsalona on bass trombone, French horn player Willie Ruff, Steve Lacy on soprano, altoist Lee Konitz, Dave Kurtzer on bassoon, bassist Paul Chambers, and either Nick Stabulas or Jo Jones on drums, plus the leader's sparse piano. As good an introduction to his work as any, this program includes diverse works ranging from Leadbelly to Leonard Bernstein, plus Evans' own "Jambangle." The arranger's inventive use of the voices of his rather unique sidemen make this a memorable set.~Scott Yanow

Gil Evans - piano
Steve Lacy - soprano saxophone
Jack Koven - trumpet
Jimmy Cleveland - trombone
Bart Varsalona - bass trombone
Willie Ruff - French horn
Lee Konitz - alto saxophone
Dave Kurtzer - bassoon
Paul Chambers - bass
Jo Jones - drums (1)
John Carisi - trumpet (1)
Louis Mucci - trumpet (2-7)
Nick Stabulas - drums (2-7)