Harold Land (L) – Blue Mitchell (R) – Bringin’ it to The Netherlands.
The Harold Land-Blue Mitchell Quintet (and friends) for this Sunday – in concert at the 1978 International Jazz Festival in Laren, Holland and recorded by VPRO on August 12, 1978.
Joining Harold Land and Blue Mitchell are Gildo Mahones, piano – Tony Dumas, bass and Billy Higgins, drums. With special guests Richie Cole, alto sax – Teddy Edwards – tenor sax and Eddie Jefferson on vocals.
Harold Land – The West Coast saxophonist known for his associations with the masterful quintet led by trumpeter Clifford Brown and drummer Max Roach in the mid-50’s and with the internationally acclaimed quintet he co-led with Bobby Hutcherson in the late ’60s. He engaged in an individualistic style and an expressive tone, mixing compelling melody readings with alluring improvisations. After Moving to Los Angeles, He also began performing with Gerald Wilson’s orchestra, and with pianists Hampton Hawes and Carl Perkins, becoming an essential element in the Los Angeles jazz scene. Nonetheless, the saxophonist didn’t really get much exposure outside LA until he formed a quintet with vibes player Bobby Hutcherson in the late ’60s. The band recorded for Blue Note and toured the US and Europe. Land, like so many saxophonists, became enamored with John Coltrane, and he found that both his smooth sound and his approach to improvising changed during this period. “John definitely inspired me with his intense spirit, and I usually say that spirit moved me so much that I became a little more intense in my own musical presentation,” says Land. “At the same time, I was trying to maintain a certain individuality that I hope I have managed to do.”
In the late ’70s and ’80s, Land joined the Timeless All-Stars, which also included Higgins, Hutcherson, Cedar Walton (piano), and Curtis Fuller (trombone). In and around performances with the Timeless band, Land fronted fine quintets that featured trumpeters Blue Mitchell (their “Mapenzi,” on Concord Jazz, is a classic) and Oscar Brashear (documented on “Xocia’s Dance” on Muse). Land remains one of the most impressive and deep improvisers in jazz.
Blue Mitchell – was born and raised in Miami, Florida, United States. After high school, Blue Mitchell began playing with local musicians in Miami. By Sam Jones‘s telegram request, Mitchell joined the touring Paul Williams Orchestra in Detroit. He later called this his first tour with a professional band. While on tour in 1952, Mitchell passed through New York, where he made his first recordings. These were later released on the compilation album Quartet/Quintet/Sextet by Lou Donaldson. Mitchell remained in New York following the conclusion of the tour and was hired to join Earl Bostic‘s touring band from 1952 to 1955.
Following his stint with Earl Bostic, in 1955, Blue Mitchell returned to Miami and was heard by saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, a fellow Floridian. Adderley recommended Mitchell to Riverside Records‘ producer, Orrin Keepnews, who flew to Miami to hear Mitchell perform. Keepnews, impressed, signed Mitchell to record a string of his own albums for Riverside.
Mitchell joined the Horace Silver Quintet in 1958, playing with tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Louis Hayes, who was later replaced by Roy Brooks. Mitchell stayed with Silver’s group until the band’s break-up in 1964, after which Mitchell formed a group with members from the Silver quintet, substituting the young pianist Chick Corea for Silver and replacing Brooks with drummer Al Foster. This group produced a number of records for Blue Note Records with some variation in personnel, disbanding in 1969. Mitchell then toured with Ray Charles until 1971.
From 1971 to 1973, Mitchell performed with John Mayall, appearing on Jazz Blues Fusion and subsequent albums. In 1974, he moved to Los Angeles, California. During this period, he recorded and worked as a studio musician in the genres jazz, R&B, soul, rock, and funk, and performed with the big band leaders Louie Bellson, Bill Holman, and Bill Berry, and was the principal soloist for Tony Bennett and Lena Horne.
‘Nuff said – Press Play and dive in.
