Lee Morgan - The Cooker (mono)

This September 1957 session, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Hackensack finds the still young Morgan (age 19) in the company of an interesting mix of players and not your Blue Note supporting regulars. Yes, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones are present on bass and drums respectively, but including Pepper Adams on baritone sax and Bobby Timmons on piano, give these particular sides a nice edge. Morgan's interplay with Adams' throatier horn gives a new perspective to his patented rapid-fire lines. Having assumed his place in the majors from his childhood idol, the late Clifford Brown, Morgan was on the ascent in '57 with what was to be a series of recordings for Blue Note that would help establish him in his short lifetime (33 years) as one of the greatest bop trumpeters.