Trumpet Great Lee Morgan: "The Sidewinder"

This Jazz Feature is a continuation of our exploration of the traditional "Jazz Quintet". This Jazz Feature is a rarity as it became a hit not only for the artist but for Blue Note Records. The album is trumpeter Lee Morgan's "comeback" date called "The Sidewinder". Lee had fallen badly from late 1961 through 1963 due to drug addiction. He entered rehab and embarked on pulling his life together and began to rack up some important sideman appearances on several records in 1963 for Blue Note. He was resigned to the label and this Sidewinder session was his first in a while. Lee picked the band and wrote all the tunes. It's a solid date. When they had finished the four tunes Lee brought in there was time left and one more was needed to complete the date. Lee wrote the tune, "The Sidewinder" in 20 minutes in the washroom in the studio and the band ran it down and it was recorded last. It became a Jazz hit and made Lee good money and put Blue Note Records back in the black. It became one of the best known Jazz tunes of it's day and was used on several commercials. The other tunes are also great on this date but it's The Sidewinder that everyone remembers. Lee Morgan picked a great band and they operated and sounded like a working band...great chemistry. Lee Morgan on trumpet, Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, veteran Barry Harris on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass and the great Billy Higgins on drums. Tonight's Jazz Feature "The Sidewinder"....look out! As we were not on the air last week due to a holiday we offer another Jazz Feature tonight with Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Bobby Timmons on piano and Jymie Merritt on bass and of course Art Blakey on drums. This was Blakey's favorite edition of his Jazz Messengers. The second Jazz Feature is called "The Witch Doctor" and is from March 1961. It's a rare item as it wasn't issued until the mid 80's. Two Jazz Features in one tonight both with the great Lee Morgan. Lee was the real deal!