Mance,Junior Albums Collection 1959-62 CD

Julian "Junior" Mance, who died in January 2021 at the age of 92, was a modern jazz pianist who began his career in the bebop era, and whose playing was characterised by a soulful bluesy style. He worked in the bands of Gene Ammons and Lester Young before army service, and then accompanied Dinah Washington and was with Cannonball Adderley and Dizzy Gillespie in the 1950s before forming his own trio to record first for Norman Granz's Verve label and then for Jazzland and Riverside through into the 1960s. This 64-track 4-CD set comprises all the titles from his albums released during these years - "Junior" for Verve, "The Soulful Piano Of Junior Mance", "Junior Mance Trio At The Village Vanguard", "Big Chief", "The Soul Of Hollywood" (recorded with an orchestra), and "Happy Time" for Jazzland, and "Junior's Blues" for Riverside. The musicians featured in his trios include bassists Ray Brown, Ben Tucker, Larry Gales, Jimmy Rowser, Bob Cranshaw and Ron Carter, and drummers Lex Humphries, Bobby Thomas, Ben Riley, Paul Gusman and Mickey Roker. This set captures Mance during a key formative era when he was leading his own trios for the first time, after which he enjoyed another five decades performing and recording in a variety of settings. It offers a substantial and enjoyable showcase for his notable skills as a distinctive piano stylist.

1. A Smooth One 2. Miss Jackie's Delight 3. Whisper Not 4. Love For Sale 5. Lilacs In The Rain 6. Small Fry 7. Jubilation 8. Birks' Works 9. Blues For Beverlee 10. Junior's Tune 11. The Uptown 12. Ralph's New Blues 13. Main Stem 14. Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup 15. Playhouse 16. Sweet And Lovely 17. Oo-Bla-Dee 18. I Don't Care 19. Swingmatism 20. Looptown 21. Letter From Home 22. Girl Of My Dreams 23. 63rd Street Theme 24. Smokey Blues 25. 9:20 Special 26. Bingo Domingo 27. You Are Too Beautiful 28. Big Chief 29. Love For Sale 30. The Seasons 31. Filet Of Soul 32. Swish 33. Ruby My Dear 34. Little Miss Gail 35. Summertime 36. Atlanta Blues [Make Me A Pallet On The Floor] 37. Never On Sunday 38. Maria 39. Tara's Theme 40. Fanny 41. On Green Dolphin Street 42. One-Eyed Jacks 43. Exodus 44. Invitation 45. The Apartment 46. Goodbye Again 47. Spellbound 48. Down The Line 49. Creole Love Call 50. Rainy Mornin' Blues 51. Yancey Special 52. Gravy Waltz 53. Cracklin' 54. In The Evening 55. Blue Monk 56. The Jumpin' Blues 57. Happy Time 58. Jitterbug Waltz 59. Out South 60. Tin Tin Deo 61. For Dancers Only 62. Taggie's Tune 63. Azure Te [Paris Blues] 64. The Simple Waltz