The Birdlanders Volume I

In 1954 the well-known French pianist/producer Henri Renaud assembled a group of all-star musicians to record a series of be-bop oriented swinging sessions. The Birdlanders were so-named because they were all regular players at Manhattan's famous Birdland nightclub (named for legendary be-bop saxophonist Charlie Bird Parker) - and were all active players that same year. The sessions began anchored by a rhythm section that consisted of Duke Jordan on piano, Gene Ramey on bass, and Lee Abrams on drums. Renaud recruited master improvisers J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding on trombone; Al Cohn on tenor sax; Milt Jackson on vibes and piano; Tal Farlow on guitar; the bassists Gene Ramey, Percy Heath and Oscar Pettiford; and Max Roach, Charlie Smith and Denzil Best alternating on drums. Renaud, in addition to serving as producer, was the pianist on The Birdlanders sessions. The sessions produced 3 LPs and provided a fine representation of what jazz fans were hearing at Birdland in the '50s. Presented here is volume one of the legendary series. All selections newly remastered. [Note: This product is an authorized, licensed CD-R and is manufactured on demand]