Frank Wess & Thad Jones Septets - Opus De Blues

Frank Wess is among the more assured and accomplished of all jazz flautists and one of the most authoritative tenor saxophonists from the great Count Basie band of the Fifties.

In the 1959 Savoy session here he fronts his own septet with his Basie teammate, trumpeter Thad Jones, who wrote most of the compositions on the date, by his side. Idiomatically it is typical of the various Basie-type small group albums of the time, with beautifully relaxed and swinging ensembles and plenty of well-ordered room for a roster of excellent front line soloists. Hank Jones contributes some gem-like solos in a rock solid hythm section completed by bassist Eddie Jones and drummer Gus Johnson and the overall feeling is an unalloyed joy.

The second septet date of this CD recorded in 1960 for the Roulette label is another pocket edition of the Basie band. Leader Thad Jones, Wess, tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell, and trombonist Al Grey with the exception of the rhythm section, again under the guidance of Thad's young brother, pianist Hank Jones, assisted this time by Richard Davis, bass and Osie Johnson, drums. The tunes, composed by Thad Jones, and the arrangements reflect a progressive and consistent mainstream jazz approach. Wess impresses on flute, and in both tenor and alto, while Billy Mitchell and Al Grey are consistency personified on a date replete with that warm, moving feeling that characterized the Basie band.

1. I Hear Ya Talkin (Frank Wess) 4:09
2. Liz (Thad Jones) 3:33
3. Boop De Doop (Curtis Fuller) 8:394.
4. Opus De Blues (Thad Jones) 10:57
5. Struttin Down His Broadway (Thad Jones) 5:36
6. Subtle Rebuttal (Thad Jones) 3:56
7. Tip Toe (Thad Jones) 3:29
8. H & T Blues (Thad Jones) 9:47
9. Friday the 13th (Thad Jones) 6:49