A Night In Tunisia

Description

The Jazz Messengers were one of the most enduring jazz groups in history. Founded in 1955 by the iconic drummer Art Blakey, the group existed in various forms for nearly 35 years, until Blakey’s death in 1990. Many great names in jazz played in this group, among them Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, Donald Byrd, Horace Silver and many others. The album “A Night in Tunisia” was recorded around 1958 by the second lineup of the Jazz Messengers, with of course founding member Art Blakey on drums and percussion, Bill Hardman on trumpet, Sam Dockery on piano, Jimmy DeBrest on bass, Johnny Griffin on tenor saxophone and Ferris Bender, aka Jackie McLean, on alto saxophone. It is the only known recording of the very prolific McLean using a pseudonym, probably due to contractual obligations. This album contains the only recordings of Griffin and McLean playing together. This box set includes a long performance of Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night in Tunisia,” “Couldn't It Be You?” composed by Blakey and McLean, as well as a version of Sonny Rollins’ “Evans.” It is essential for any fan of 50s hard bop. “A Night in Tunisia” is available in a limited edition of 1,500 individually numbered copies, pressed on orange vinyl and presented in a deluxe sleeve with laminated linen finish.