The Earl May Quartet - Swinging The Blues (2005)

Tracklist

01. Swinging the Blues
02. Blame It on My Youth
03. My Foolish Heart
04. Tea For Two
05. Blue Iridescence
06. Make Someone Happy
07. Under African Skies
08. Sioux Suite
09. My Old Flame
10. Confirmation
11. Wishes Are Starting to Don't Come True
12. It's So Divine
13. Lester Leaps In

Earl May made his first recording in 1949 with trumpeter Cat Anderson. Pianist Billy Taylor employed the bassist throughout the 1951 to 1960 period on dozens of record dates and hundreds of live performances. May worked with such diverse acts as Dave Van Ronk to Archie Shepp but flourished in the middle ground with leaders like Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Rouse, Shirley Scott, Buddy Rich, Stanley Turrentine and Gene Ammons. Swinging The Blues is, perhaps, Earl May’s first album as a leader. Surrounding himself with like-minded musicians in the form of Larry Ham, David Glasser and Eddie Locke, the bassist dishes out some familiar jazz pieces like Basie’s title tune, Charlie Parker’s "Confirmation," Sam Coslow’s "My Old Flame" and Lester Young’s "Lester Leaps In." David Glasser’s very smooth alto introduces the familiar melody "Blame it On My Youth." Swinging The Blues will please those folks who enjoy jazz in a straight-ahead, no-nonsense style.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]