Hipp, Jutta: Jutta Hipp With Zoot Sims (Blue Note 80) LP

In honor of Blue Note Records' 80th Anniversary, the legendary jazz label is launching the Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series. Distinct from the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, this second series curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman features 180g vinyl LP releases in standard packaging with albums spanning the many eras of the label's history presented by themes: Blue Note Debuts, Blue Grooves, Great Reid Miles Covers, Blue Note Live, and Blue Note Drummer Leaders. The series resumes in October 2019 with Part 2 of the Great Reid Miles Covers theme - Jutta Hipp – Jutta Hipp with Zoot Sims (1956), Herbie Hancock – Inventions & Dimensions (1964) and Joe Henderson – In ‘n Out (1964) - and will continue with three albums released each month for the coming year.

German Jazz pianist Jutta Hipp remains one of the most intriguing yet little-known figures in Blue Note history. A unique and short-lived presence on the NYC jazz scene in the mid-1950s, Hipp moved to the U.S. with the aid of critic Leonard Feather and recorded a series of Blue Note releases that culminated with Jutta Hipp with Zoot Sims, a sublime date with the feeling of high-level blowing session featuring tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims, trumpeter Jerry Lloyd, bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik, and drummer Ed Thigpen. Highlights of the set including the up-tempo opener "Just Blues" and the gorgeous ballad "Violets for Your Furs," and the album – which features a seminal graphic cover design by Reid Miles – turned out to be her final recording as Hipp left the music scene shortly thereafter.

This Blue Note 80 Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.