Russell, Pee Wee & Coleman Hawkins: Jazz Reunion LP

This superb recording features a reunion of two of jazz's finest - tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins and clarinetist Pee Wee Russell. At the time of this session, the two had not been on a recording date together in 32 years. The elder statesman of jazz stretch out on two Duke Ellington tunes, two originals by Russell, and the standard "Tin Tin Deo." Produced by Candid Records A&R man and founder Nat Hentoff at the Nola Penthouse Studios in New York City in 1961 and released that same year.

Pee Wee Russell, though often mistakenly associated only with Dixieland jazz, defied classification. His unorthodox playing and highly individualistic and spontaneous clarinet style pushed boundaries. Coleman Hawkins is almost unanimously considered to be one of the first prominent saxophonists of jazz. While he came up with swing during the big band era, he had a crucial role in the development of bebop in the 1940s. And by the 1960s' he was considered a jazz patriarch.

Cut directly from the master tapes by Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180g vinyl LP, the release includes extraordinary liner notes written by Hentoff, giving a context and insight that adds to the experience of hearing these magnificent performances.