Broadcast on 14-Feb-2011

Trumpeter Joe Gordon was a great player who like many others didn't get the recognition that he deserved. His recorded documentation is short with a number of important sideman performances with Dizzy Gillespie, Wes Montgomery, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker et al. He only made two albums under his name: one in 1954 and tonight's Feature in 1961. This album is special as it was to be the last under his name as Joe died in November 1963 in a house fire. Gordon was born in Boston and played there with everyone of note then he moved to New York and in 1958 moved west to Los Angeles where he became a first-call Jazz player. This album features eight unique compositions by Joe Gordon and a hand-picked band of relative unknowns from the LA area. Most prominent is alto saxophonist Jimmy Woods, who makes his recording debut here. A fiery and original player. Dick Whittington on piano, Jimmy Bond on bass and Milton Turner on drums complete the band. This document of Gordon's magnificent playing and his fine compositions is a treasure and a great legacy of this underrated player. The album was released on Contemporary Records and is called "Lookin' Good!"