Clifford Brown - Memorial Album

From the very beginning of his brief career, it was obvious that Clifford Brown was one of the greatest trumpeters of all time. The music on the Clifford Brown Memorial Album features Brownie in 1953 on his first jazz recordings. Even if he had only recorded the music on this release, Brown would have been considered an immortal. Five songs match him with Lou Donaldson and Elmo Hope and these not only include his brilliant solos on "Brownie Speaks" and Hope's catchy "De-Dah" but a mature ballad statement on "You Go To My Head." Brown was building on the legacy of Fats Navarro while challenging Dizzy Gillespie's position as modern jazz's top trumpeter, and Brownie was only 22. The other half of this remarkable release has Brown in a sextet with Art Blakey and John Lewis, ripping into "Cherokee" (Charlie Parker would have been proud) and "Wail Bait" while caressing "Easy Living." His large beautiful tone, mastery of bebop and remarkable technique made Brown a giant from the start. Listen to the Clifford Brown Memorial Album and hear where Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw came from.