Booker Ervin - That's It!

180-gram vinyl

Remastered by Bernie Grundman

Tip-on jacket

Early '60s improv jazz and blues titles on Candid return to print!

Mostly associated with Charles Mingus — with whom he recorded 10 albums between 1958 and 1961 — Booker Ervin is one of the great saxophone players of his generation, though arguably lesser known then many of his contemporaries.

That's It! is only Ervin's third outing as a band leader. The sessions are no doubt influenced by Ervin's time with Mingus' Jazz Workshop, and indeed Mingus is quoted extensively in the album's liner notes with singular praise for the saxophonist.

Ervin recorded 17 albums under his own name before his untimely death from kidney disease in 1970 at the age of 39.

This album captures Ervin in his prime, with four of his original compositions and his section's takes on the jazz standards "Poinciana" and "Speak Low." Of note in the section is the inspired playing by the great jazz pianist Horace Parlan.

Born in Denison TX, Ervin started out at a young age on trombone, but later taught himself to play the tenor saxophone. After studying formally at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Ervin landed in New York City in 1958, where he caught the attention of Charles Mingus.

Recorded in 1961 at the Nola Penthouse in New York City, and produced by Canid A&R man and founder Nat Hentoff and released that same year.

The LP includes extraordinary liner notes written by Hentoff himself, giving a context and insight that adds to the experience of hearing these magnificent performances.

 

 

Side A

1. Mojo

2. Uranus

3. Poinciana

Side B

1. Speak Low

2. Booker’s Blues

3. Boo

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