Broadcast on 30-Nov-2009

Trombonist/composer Grachan Moncur 111 was born in New York on June 3,1937 and raised in Newark. He is still alive, playing,writing and teaching. Grachan played in Nat Phipps' band when he turned pro then played with Ray Charles' fine little band for 2 and a half years where he really developed his skills as a player. He then joined the Jazztet, a fine band led by Art Farmer and Benny Golson and was the last trombonist in that group before it's final breakup in 1962. After a brief return to the Charles' band, Grachan joined the ranks of New York's progressive scene in the mid-60's. Grachan, alto saxophonist Jackie McLean and young vibist Bobby Hutcherson formed a band with different people in the rhythm section and gigged around New York. Grachan wrote most of the band's material and they recorded McLean's famous album, "One Step Beyond". Alfred Lion of Blue Note Records was impressed with Grachan's writing and playing and gave him a two record contract. Grachan's first album was this one called "Evolution" and he, of course, used Mclean and Hutcherson along with bassist Bob Cranshaw and the teenaged drum sensation Anthony (Tony) Williams. The most surprising addition was trumpeter Lee Morgan, who almost steals the show on this album. Morgan had verbally criticized some of the new sounds emerging in the 1960's and yet was very open to the music of this album and Moncur's compositions. There are only four tunes here but they are all strong statements expressing all different moods and evoke different feelings from the players and will do the same to you, the listener. "Evolution" was a very impressive recording debut for Grachan Moncur 111 and stands today as a classic in creative musical thinking.