Search - Jimmy Cleveland :: Complete Recordings

The best....

Johnny Thursday | NYC Metro Area | 07/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jimmy Cleveland....a true jazz digger's dream. His few LPs are always out of print and always soooo sweet. One of those cats with a healthy discography but scant leadership opportunities. I don't need to tell you he comes off here. These Quincy Jones arrangements and these players will remind you of a fresher era for music, stay timeless AND grow on you immensely. As far as jazz trombonists, J.C. is easily my favorite, a true all star, but nevertheless a virtual unknown. He's got a cult following, I didn't start it but I'm willing to lead it. Instead of some background here I urge you to seek out this great piece on him done by WKCR a few years back. It must be floating around somewhere. Seriously, I'd put this guy way ahead of anyone else in this style on this instrument. Apart from some Gil Evans joints--and now this--his soloing is nearly lost in one of the obscurer corners of jazz. Jimmy Cleveland, whatta name. Thank you Lone Hill!"

Finally!!

jimboturbo | Ohio | 08/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having spent most of his musical life in the studios, you'd think that there'd be a wealth of recorded material by Jimmy Cleveland to check out, but, sadly, that's not the case. This collection brings together all the albums made under his name, recorded in roughly a five-year time span. I was sorry to read the comment that it was put out without his consent, and that he wasn't happy with it; however, it really is a boon to have it available. Jimmy Cleveland has been criminally under-rated (along with his buddy, Frank Rehak). These two CDs showcase not only his impressive technical skills, but also his unerring musical sense. The ablilty to manage instrumental prowess in a tasteful manner is not always a foregone conclusion, but these recordings offer a text-book example of how to do so. And, as has been mentioned, the arrangements by Quincy, Ernie Wilkins, and Gigi Gryce are beautiful and worth the cost of the collection. I'd love to know whatever happened to those arrangements (and countless others); it'd be great to hear them played live. I recommend the Complete Recordings of Jimmy Cleveland to all trombonists everywhere. I think Lonehill has been doing some great work lately, but I hope they are doing the right thing in terms contacting and compensating the artists they are making money from. Sadly, those artists probably have no legal claims, given they way business was conducted in those days, but that shouldn't stop anyone from doing the right thing. In any event, add this one to your collection."

Jimmy Cleveland Picks Up Where JJ Leaves Off

Christopher Byars | New York City | 02/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having spoken to Jimmy Cleveland about this CD, it's a bittersweet story. He was never contacted by the record company, didn't even know it was being reissued. I sent him my copy - he wasn't thrilled with it.



The good news is, this is the CD to check him out! Countless incrdible arrangements by Quincy Jones, Gigi Gryce, Benny Golson, and to my surprise, Ernie Wilkins, who keeps up with others, and then some. If you only have 30 seconds to spare, check out the opening of "Long Ago and Far Away" for a taste of how cool this CD is!



Perhaps by enjoying this CD, you can help set the record straight by spreading the awareness that indeed, Jimmy Cleveland was the successor to J. J. Johnson. Give him some greater recognition and the overisight by the record company can be forgiven. Jimmy just plays so great on this, and the rhythm sections are stellar - Max Roach, Oscar Pettiford, Paul Chambers, Art Taylor, Hank Jones, etc. etc. And the arrangements...jeez! Also, Lucky Thompson blows some heart-stopping choruses on disc 1. Yow!!



Don't miss this great double-CD!!!!!"