Kenny Clarke & Ernie Wilkins is an album by the Kenny Clarke-Ernie Wilkins Septet recorded in 1955 and first released on the Savoy label.Savoy Records Catalog: 12000 series accessed September 17, 2018Discography of the Savoy/Regent and Associated labels accessed September 17, 2018
Reception
The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "Overall this is an excellent outing for all concerned". On All About Jazz, reviewer Marc Myers observed: "By 1955, Wilkins' charts had developed a knack for tightly wound swing and swagger, typically resulting in a polished shout chorus at the end. With Wilkins, every arrangement was an aerodynamic adventure, and he never relied on gimmicks or repeated phrases. His originals always sounded modern--the blues retrofitted with an automatic transmission and air conditioning ... For me, this is a perfect mid-1950s jazz album of seductive beauty crafted for a small group that thinks it's a big band".Myers, M. All About Jazz Review accessed September 17, 2018
Track listing All compositions by Ernie Wilkins, except where indicated. "Pru's Bloose" (Ozzie Cadena) – 3:46 "I Dig You the Most" – 6:53 "Cute Tomato" – 10:58 "Summer Evening" (Cadena) – 5:01 "Oz - the Wizard" – 3:58 "Now's the Time" (Charlie Parker) – 2:04 "Plenty for Kenny" (Cadena) – 8:34
Personnel Kenny Clarke – drums Ernie Wilkins – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, arranger Eddie Bert – trombone George Barrow – tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone Cecil Payne – baritone saxophone Hank Jones – piano Wendell Marshall – bass
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