Alto Saxophone Master: Jackie McLean: "A Fickle Sonance"

This gem is one of alto saxophonist Jackie McLean's more overlooked gems. It's part 2 of our look at the "standard quintet" (tenor or alto saxophone, trumpet,piano,bass and drums). The standard quintet is one of the most common set-ups in Modern Jazz. This album is wonderful and it's not a working band but one put together for the recording session. Jackie McLean and his distinctive "no sugar added" alto saxophone was one of that instrument's major stylists. His front line partner is the very underrated Tommy Turrentine on trumpet. Tommy was the brother of the more famous tenor saxophonist Stanley. The rhythm section can't be beat. Sonny Clark on piano, Butch Warren on bass and the great Billy Higgins on drums handle the groove like a smooth running Cadillac. Clark contributes two tunes to the date as does McLean and Turrentine and Warren ech contribute one each. The date is called "A Fickle Sonance" and was part of Jackie McLean's mature period on Blue Note Records and it's a good one!