Cool Swing in a Pianist's Chamber
Relaxed, melodic bop led by Hank Jones's unhurried touch and Herbie Mann's flute.
What strikes you first is how spare and direct these sessions are. Hank Jones sits at the center of these small groups, never rushing, letting each phrase breathe. The piano is warm and conversational—no flash, no proving anything. When Herbie Mann steps in with his flute on the title track, the texture shifts entirely. Flutes instead of saxophones give these recordings an unusual, almost chamber-like quality; Mann's articulation cuts clean and clever through the rhythm section.
Jones recorded Bluebird (1956) in 1955 for Savoy with shifting lineups built around his taste. Joe Wilder, Donald Byrd, and Matty Dice trade trumpet work across sessions. Jerome Richardson handles tenor saxophone. The rhythm section—either Wendell Marshall or Eddie Jones on bass, with Kenny Clarke on drums—keeps everything grounded and swinging without strain. These are relaxed performances in the truest sense. Not sleepy, but unbothered. AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow called it "a tasteful set of melodic bop," and that nails it. The Penguin Guide to Jazz noted Jones's deliberate choice of flutes over the saxophones that dominated modern jazz at the time, and praised Mann's clarity on the title track.
This is a solid small-group session, neither a peak nor a turning point in Jones's career, but evidence of a musician who knew how to assemble players and trust them to play simply. Not the place to start with Jones, but worthwhile if you like bop that doesn't announce itself.
Who's playing
Wendell Marshalldouble bass
Eddie Jonesdouble bass
Hank Jonespiano
Jerome Richardsontenor saxophone
Joe Wildertrumpet
Donald Byrdtrumpet
Matty Dicetrumpet
Herbie Mannflute
Kenny Clarkedrums
Where next?
More by Hank Jones
All 26 albums →
The musicians on this record
Love Byrd 1959
Donald Byrd
plays trumpet here
plays trumpet here
The Herbie Mann-Sam Most Quintet 1956
Herbie Mann
plays flute here
plays flute here
