Harold Ousley - Tenor Sax '1961 [2013]

Tracks list

Features the latest remastering. Includes a Japanese description, lyrics.
Features original cover artwork. A legendary album from this tenor genius from
Chicago – a hell of a player who emerged in the same generation as
Clifford Jordan, John Gilmore, Eddie Harris, and Johnny Griffin – yet
never fully got his due! The albums easily one of the most sharp-edged for the
Bethlehem label – and has the power of a rare Blue Note or Prestige date
from the same time – thanks partly to Harolds sharp bite in the tone of
his tenor, and partly to an ultra-hip lineup that includes Charles Davis on
baritone sax, Julian Priester on trombone, Phillip Wright on piano, Thomas
Williams on bass, and Walter Perkins on drums.

The set really showcases that mix of modern and soulful that was the best side
of the Chicago scene at the start of the 60s – a vibe youd find from a
group like the MJT+3 or the Gene Shaw Quintet on Argo – even more of a
surprise here on the mostly-cool Bethlehem label. Ousley penned some great
originals for the record – and titles include Porters Groove, Struttin To
Truckin, Paris Sunday, Decvachan, and Dell A Von.
Although Harold Ousley is not a big name in the jazz world and has only recorded
sporadically as a leader, the hard bop/soul-jazz musician has backed some major
jazz artists over the years. Ousley (who is primarily a tenor saxophonist but
has played the flute as a second instrument) was born in Chicago on January 23,
1929, and grew up in the Windy City, where he began playing professionally in
the late 40s. Backing vocalists is one of his strengths – he was playing
with Billie Holiday at one point, and the late 50s found him backing fellow
Chicago native Dinah Washington. Ousley also played with Gene Ammons (another
Chicagoan) in the 50s, and in the 60s he was employed as a sideman on albums by
Jack McDuff and George Benson. It was also during the 60s that Ousley started
recording as a leader; Tenor Sax came out on Bethlehem in 1961, and he recorded
some albums for Muse in the 70s (a decade that found him playing in the bands of
Lionel Hampton and Count Basie). But when the CD era arrived in the late 80s,
none of Ousleys albums were still in print. Ousley had just turned 71 when, in
January 2000, he finally returned to the studio as a leader and recorded
Grit-Gittin Feelin for Delmark.


Tracks:

01. Paris Sunday
02. Devachan
03. At Last
04. Lush Life
05. Struttin To Truckin
06. Dell-A-Vonn
07. Porters Groove

Personnel:

Harold Ousley - tenor sax
Charles Davis - baritone sax
Julian Priester - trombone
Phillip Wright - piano
Thomas Williams - bass
Walter Perkins - drums

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