Benny Golson : New York Scene

Length: 43:35

  Art Farmer - Trumpet
  Benny Golson - Sax (Tenor)
  Charlie Persip - Drums
  Gigi Gryce - Sax (Alto)
  Jimmy Cleveland - Trombone
  Julius Watkins - French Horn
  Paul Chambers - Bass
  Sahib Shihab - Sax (Baritone)
  Wynton Kelly - Piano

Benny Golson's debut as a leader was recorded at a time when he was better known as a composer than a tenor saxophonist. This CD reissue, which adds 'B.G.'s Holiday' to the original LP program, features Golson in a quintet with fellow future Jazztet co-leader Art Farmer on trumpet, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Charlie Persip on five selections, and with the same group plus four horns on three other songs. The set is most significant for including an early version of Golson's 'Whisper Not' (which soon became a jazz standard ) along with 'Step Lightly,' as well as for the leader's inventive and swinging arrangements; plus, there are some excellent solos from Golson and Farmer. Overall, this underrated gem served as a strong start to Benny Golson's influential solo career. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide