The Don Heckman–Ed Summerlin Improvisational Jazz Workshop is the first and only album released by the group of the same name, led jointly by alto saxophonist Don Heckman and tenor saxophonist Ed Summerlin, recorded in September 1965 and March 1966, and released in 1967 on their own, recently established Ictus label, with Heckman and Summerlin each composing two of the album's four tracks. The eponymous LP would be re-released the following year on the English Jazz Workshop label as Jax or Bettor."Jax or Bettor (Musical LP, 1968)". WorldCat. Retrieved March 27, 2013.

Described in Heckman's liner notes as "a laboratory for the continuing exploration of new music,"Young, Ben, editor (1998). "Played by Others".Dixonia: A Bio-Discography of Bill Dixon. Westport, CT. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. . . Retrieved May 15, 2013. the group existed from 1964 to 1972,Feather, Leonard; Gitler, Ira; editors (1999). "Heckman, Don (Donald J.)". The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 309. . Retrieved May 15, 2013. "[i]ts materials includ[ing] jazz, electronic music, happenings, theatrical events, dance, film, religious services, written music, improvised music, and chance music." The album also provided an early showcase for pianist Steve Kuhn, as well as bassists Ron Carter and Steve Swallow (the latter heard here approximately five years before switching exclusively to electric bass)."The Pleasure They Take". The Prague Post. June 30, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2013.

Reception Awarding the album 4½ stars, DownBeat Pete Welding described the group's "balance between written and extemporized music" as "both refreshing and successful," while Jazz & Pop proclaimed Heckman "a major voice [who] must be heard," and noted Summerlin's synthesis of Sonny Rollins and Albert Ayler.Quoted in Ad for "Improvisational Jazz Workshop", ARG. Volume 34. p. 341. Retrieved March 31, 2013. Decades later, Allmusic's Scott Yanow would give the album 3 stars, citing "impressive solos" by Heckman, "showing that he was one of the first to utilize the innovations of Eric Dolphy in his playing." While the long out-of-print album's "collector's item" status is duly noted by Yanow, the only fault found with the recording is "Lisa Zanda's purposely odd vocal on 'Five Haikus.'"

Track listing Side One "Jax or Bettor" (Heckman) – 9:45 "Leisure No. 5" (Summerlin) – 7:40 Side Two "Dialogue" (Summerlin) – 9:17 "Five Haikus" (Heckman) – 6:20

All track information accessed via JazzDiscography.com and the UMKC's Nichols Library collection.Fitzgerald, Michael. "Don Heckman Leader Entry". Jazz Discography. October 2, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2013.

Personnel Side One and Side Two, track 1 (recorded March 31, 1966) Lew Gluckin – trumpet Bob Norden – trombone Don Heckman – alto saxophone Ed Summerlin – tenor saxophone Steve Kuhn – piano Ron Carter – bass Joe Hunt – drums Side Two, track 2 (recorded September 3, 1965) Add Lisa Zanda on vocals and replace Carter with Steve Swallow, and Hunt with Joe Cocuzzo.

All personnel information accessed via JazzDiscography.com.

References