Philly Joe Steps Out Front
Jones proves here that a drummer can lead a date without turning it into a drum clinic.
By 1959, Philly Joe Jones was best known as the engine behind Miles Davis's mid-fifties quintet — the guy who made that rhythm section feel dangerous. Showcase (1959) does something genuinely interesting: it puts Jones in charge without making the whole thing about Jones. The drumming is right there, assertive and colorful, but he's running an ensemble, not showing off. That restraint is worth noting because a lot of drummer-led dates from this era tip into self-indulgence. This one doesn't.
The band Jones assembled is sharp. The front-line horns carry most of the melodic weight, and the repertoire leans on familiar standards and blues material that gives everyone room to stretch. Jones keeps things moving — his brushwork is easy and conversational, his snare accents are well-placed without being showy. If you already know his work from the Davis sessions, this will feel familiar in the best way: the same energy, just with his name on the cover. The Riverside label was a good home for this kind of straight-ahead session, and the recording captures the group clearly without feeling over-produced.
Is this an essential album? Probably not the first thing you'd hand someone new to Jones. For that, you'd start with the Davis recordings. But if you already like him and want to hear what he sounds like when given the wheel, Showcase delivers. It's a solid, enjoyable hard-bop date from a drummer who knew exactly how to run a session without turning it into a referendum on his own talent. That's harder than it sounds.
Who's playing
Jimmy Garrisonbass
Charles "Dolo" Cokerpiano
Sonny Clarkpiano
Pepper Adamsbaritone saxophone
Bill Barrontenor saxophone
Blue Mitchelltrumpet
Julian Priestertrombone
Philly Joe Jonesdrums
Where next?
More by Philly Joe Jones
All 17 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
