Wilbur Ware Quintet - The Chicago Sound (1957)

The Chicago Sound is the sole album led by American jazz bassist Wilbur Ware. It features a quintet with the saxophonist Johnny Griffin and was recorded in 1957 for the Riverside label. It was subsequently re-released by the Jazzland label as: Johnny Griffin & Wilbur Ware with Junior Mance and renamed "The Chicago Cookers" in 1960.

Review by Scott Yanow
Bassist Wilbur Ware's only recording as a leader (which has been reissued on CD) mostly features Chicago musicians. Although Ware heads the set and contributed two originals, he does not dominate the music and delegated plenty of solo space to altoist John Jenkins (who also brought in two tunes), tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, and pianist Junior Mance; Wilbur Campbell or Frank Dunlop on drums complete the group. This fine hard bop date (which also has versions of "Body and Soul," Stuff Smith's "Desert Sands," "Lullaby of the Leaves," and "The Man I Love") was a fine debut by Ware. It seems strange that in his remaining 20-plus years the bassist never led another album.

Tracklist:
1-1. Wilbur Ware Quintet - Mama-Daddy (03:56)
1-2. Wilbur Ware Quintet - Body And Soul (03:17)
1-3. Wilbur Ware Quintet - Desert Sands (05:30)
1-4. Wilbur Ware Quintet - 31st And State (06:29)
1-5. Wilbur Ware Quintet - Lullaby Of The Leaves (02:58)
1-6. Wilbur Ware Quintet - Latin Quarters (04:41)
1-7. Wilbur Ware Quintet - Be-Ware (04:32)
1-8. Wilbur Ware Quintet - The Man I Love (07:22)