Red Garland - 29 Albums (1987-2015)

William McKinley "Red" Garland, Jr. (May 13, 1923 – April 23, 1984) was an American modern jazz pianist. Known for his work as a bandleader and during the 1950s with Miles Davis, Garland helped popularize the block chord style of piano playing. William "Red" Garland was born in 1923 in Dallas, Texas. He began his musical studies on the clarinet and alto saxophone but, in 1941, switched to the piano. Less than five years later, Garland joined a well-known trumpet player in the southwest - Hot Lips Page, playing with him until a tour ended in New York in March 1946. Having decided to stay in New York to find work, Art Blakey came across Garland playing at a small club, only to return the next night with Blakey's boss, Billy Eckstine. Garland also had short-lived career as a welterweight boxer in the 1940s. He fought more than 35 fights, one being an exhibition bout with Sugar Ray Robinson.

1946–54
After the Second World War, Garland performed with Billy Eckstine, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, and Lester Young. He found steady work in the cities of Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia. In the late 1940s, he toured with Eddie Vinson at the same time that John Coltrane was in Vinson's band. His creativity and playing ability continued to improve, though he was still somewhat obscure. By the time he became a pianist for Miles Davis, he was influenced by Ahmad Jamal and Charlie Parker's pianist Walter Bishop.

1955–58 – Miles Davis Quintet
Garland became famous in 1954 when he joined the Miles Davis Quintet, featuring John Coltrane, Philly Joe Jones, and Paul Chambers. Davis was a fan of boxing and was impressed that Garland had boxed earlier in his life. Together, the group recorded their famous Prestige albums, Miles: The New Miles Davis Quintet (1954), Workin, Steamin', Cookin', and Relaxin'. Garland's style is prominent in these seminal recordings—evident in his distinctive chord voicings, his sophisticated accompaniment, and his musical references to Ahmad Jamal's style. Some observers dismissed Garland as a "cocktail" pianist, but Miles was pleased with his style, having urged Garland to absorb some of Jamal's lightness of touch and harmonics within his own approach.

Garland played on the first of Davis's many Columbia recordings, 'Round About Midnight (1957). Though he would continue playing with Miles, their relationship was beginning to deteriorate. By 1958, Garland and Jones had started to become more erratic in turning up for recordings and shows. He was eventually fired by Miles, but later returned to play on another jazz classic, Milestones. Davis was displeased when Garland quoted Davis's much earlier, and by then famous, solo from "Now's The Time" in block chords during the slower take of "Straight, No Chaser". Garland walked out of one of the sessions for Milestones, so that on the track "Sid's Ahead", Davis comped behind the saxophone solos.

1958–84 – After the Miles Davis Quintet
In 1958, Garland formed his own trio. Among the musicians the trio recorded with are Pepper Adams, Nat Adderley (Cannonball Adderley's brother), Ray Barretto, Kenny Burrell, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Jimmy Heath, Harold Land, Philly Joe Jones, Blue Mitchell, Ira Sullivan, and Leroy Vinnegar. The trio also recorded as a quintet with John Coltrane and Donald Byrd. Altogether, Garland led 19 recording sessions while at Prestige Records and 25 sessions for Fantasy Records. He stopped playing professionally for a number of years in the 1960s when the popularity of rock music coincided with a substantial drop in the popularity of jazz.

Garland eventually returned to his native Texas in the 1970s to care for his aged mother. He led a recording in 1977, named Crossings, which reunited him with Philly Joe Jones, and he teamed up with world-class bassist Ron Carter. His later work tended to sound more modern and less polished than his better known recordings. He continued recording until his death from a heart attack on April 23, 1984 at the age of 60.

Playing style
Garland's trademark block chord technique, a commonly borrowed maneuver in jazz piano today, was unique and differed from the methods of earlier block chord pioneers such as George Shearing and Milt Buckner. Garland's block chords were constructed of three notes in the right hand and four in the left hand, with the right hand one octave above the left. Garland's left hand played four-note chords that simultaneously beat out the same exact rhythm as the right-hand melody played. But unlike George Shearing's block chord method, Garland's left-hand chords did not change positions or inversions until the next chord change occurred. It is also worth noting that Garland's four-note left-hand chord voicings frequently left out the roots of the chords, a chord style later associated with pianist Bill Evans.



Thirty-three at the time of this, his first recording as a leader, pianist Red Garland already had his distinctive style fully formed and had been with the Miles Davis Quintet for a year. With the assistance of bassist Paul Chambers (also in Davis's group) and drummer Art Taylor, Garland is in superior form on six standards, Charlie Parker's "Constellation" (during which he shows that he could sound relaxed at the fastest tempos) and his own "Blue Red." Red Garland recorded frequently during the 1956-62 period and virtually all of his trio recordings are consistently enjoyable, this one being no exception. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Taylor - drums

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ on August 17, 1956.
Remastered by Phil De Lancie.

Track List:
01. A Foggy Day (Gershwin) - 4:51
02. My Romance (Rodgers-Hart) - 6:52
03. What Is This Thing Called Love? (Porter) - 4:53
04. Makin' Whoopee (Donaldson-Kahn) - 4:16
05. September in the Rain (Dubin-Warren) - 4:48
06. Little Girl Blue (Rodgers-Hart) - 5:07
07. Constellation (Parker) - 3:32
08. Blue Red (Garland) - 7:39






Pianist Red Garland's fourth recording as a leader had often eluded reissue until this 1998 CD was released. Garland is teamed up with bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Art Taylor and (on "Four" and "Walkin'") guest guitarist Kenny Burrell. Garland plays in his distinctive style consistently throughout Red Garland Revisited!. Highlights include "Billy Boy" (which was adapted from Ahmad Jamal's rendition), "I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over," "It Could Happen to You," and two Burrell tracks. Predictably excellent music; Garland recorded more than 20 additional albums within the next five years. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Kenny Burrel - guitar (#3,7)
Paul Chambers - bass
Albert Heath - drums

Recorded in Hackensack, NJ on May 24, 1957.

Track List:
01. Billy Boy (Trad.) - 6:22
02. Everybody's Somebody's Fool (Hampton-Adams-Adams) - 8:01
03. Four (Davis) - 5:17
04. You Keep Coming Back Like a Song (Berlin) - 5:37
05. Hey Now (Garland) - 3:43
06. (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over (Wrubel-Magidson) - 8:46
07. Walkin' (Carpenter) - 7:12
08. It Could Happen to You (Burke-Van Heusen) - 5:42





This CD is a reissue of P.C. Blues, a trio album from 1957 that features pianist Red Garland with bassist Paul Chambers (the "P.C." in the title) and drummer Art Taylor. In addition to the four original titles (which are highlighted by a sensitive version of "Lost April" and the lengthy "Tweedle Dee Dee"), Garland's feature on a 1956 Miles Davis record, "Ahmad's Blues" (which features him with Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones), adds to the value of this thoughtful but swinging release. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Taylor, Philly Joe Jones (#1) - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ on May 11, 1956 (#1), March 22 (#3), August 9, 1957 (#2,4,5).

Track List:
01. Ahmad's Blues (Jamal) - 7:30
02. Lost April (Newman-Spencer) - 6:26
03. Why Was I Born? (Hammerstein II-Kern) - 5:49
04. Tweedle Dee Dee (Scott) - 13:19
05. The P.C. Blues (Garland) - 9:53





The distinctive pianist Red Garland, tenor saxophonist John Coltrane (then 31 and already breaking away from the pack), and trumpeter Donald Byrd, along with the supportive bassist George Joyner and drummer Art Taylor, perform five jazz standards on this CD reissue. Highlights include "Soft Winds," "Undecided," and an explosive version of "Two Bass Hit" that foreshadowed the rendition that Trane would record with Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley the following year. High-quality hard bop from some true "Young Lions." ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
John Coltrane - tenor saxophone
Donald Byrd - trumpet
George Joyner - bass
Art Taylor - drums

Recorded in Hackensack, NJ on November 15 and December 13, 1957.

Track List:
01. Soft Winds (Goodman) - 13:48
02. Solitude (Ellington-DeLange-Mills) - 8:33
03. Undecided (Shavers-Robin) - 6:53
04. What Is There to Say (Duke-Harburg) - 5:58
05. Two Bass Hit (Gillespie-Lewis) - 8:48





Red Garland was always a consistent pianist and all of his mid-to-late-'50s Prestige dates are worth acquiring. This CD reissue has six titles having to do with seasons and the weather (such as "Rain," "Summertime" and "Winter Wonderland"). The gimmick served as a good excuse for Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor to explore six superior songs and their interpretations always swing and uplift the melodies. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Taylor - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ on November 27, 1958.

Track List:
01. Rain (Ford-Morgan-Swanstrom) - 4:18
02. Summertime (Gershwin-Heyward) - 4:46
03. Stormy Weather (Arlen-Koehler) - 10:39
04. Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year (Loesser) - 5:45
05. Winter Wonderland (Barnard-Smith) - 5:24
06. 'Tis Autumn (Nemo) - 9:08





Pianist Red Garland recorded many sets in the late 1950s and early '60s, often (as in this case) with bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor. Despite the LP length of this CD reissue (under 35 minutes), this is a particularly strong example of Garland's talents. His block chords are distinctive, as is his use of space, and the music always swings. The trio sounds in top form on "I Can't See For Looking," George Gershwin's "Soon," "Blackout" and a driving version of the classic blues "Castle Rock." Recommended. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Taylor - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ in June 1958.

Track List:
01. I Can't See for Lookin' (Robinson-Stanford) - 9:29
02. Soon (Gershwin-Gershwin) - 6:57
03. Blackout (Parrish-Lowe) - 8:56
04. Castle Rock (Drake-Shirl-Sears) - 9:45





Of the miles of Red Garland sessions recorded in the late '50s, some of the tapes didn't see the light of day until many years later. This session, except for "Crazy Rhythm," first appeared in the early '70s, and is typical of Garland's trio work of the '50s, evoking a mid-century nightclub atmosphere from Rudy Van Gelder's studio with the perfectly gauged help of bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor. "Since I Fell for You" and "Teach Me Tonight" are taken at relaxed tempos, and after Garland's trademark block chords in the left hand and octaves in the right hand take care of the themes, they ride easily and winningly. "Crazy Rhythm" zips along at the usual steeplechase pace, with a fluid bebop solo from Garland and some agile bowing from Chambers (Chambers also gets an unusually lengthy bowed solo on "This Can't Be Love"), and the title track closes the CD reissue on a jaunty note. Garland fans – and for that matter, fans of Vince Guaraldi, whose chord voicings very much resemble those of Garland – need not hesitate. ~ Review by Richard S. Ginell

Red Garland - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Taylor - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ on February 7, 1958.

Track List:
01. This Can't Be Love (Rodgers-Hart) - 8:30
02. Since I Fell for You (Johnson) - 12:43
03. Crazy Rhythm (Caesar-Kahn-Meyer) - 3:27
04. Teach Me Tonight (Cahn-DePaul) - 9:04
05. It's a Blue World (Forrest-Wright) - 5:34





This is a solid CD reissue that differs from most sets by pianist Red Garland in that, in addition to bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor, he employs Ray Barretto on conga. The Latin flavor does not affect the music much (other than on the title cut), but Barretto does light a fire under the other musicians. In addition to the original five songs, a version of "Portrait of Jenny" from the same date is a bonus cut. A nice, swinging session. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Taylor - drums
Ray Barretto - conga

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ on April 11, 1958.

Track List:
01. Manteca (Fuller-Gillespie) - 8:10
02. S'Wonderful (Gershwin-Gershwin) - 6:45
03. Lady Be Good (Gershwin-Gershwin) - 5:54
04. Exactly Like You (Fields-McHugh) - 7:11
05. Mort's Report (Garland) - 12:14
06. Portrait of Jenny (Robinson-Burdge) - 7:18





Red Garland's sound was already often mellow and laidback in the late 50s, but it takes on a whole new sense of that style here in a rare session for Prestige's Moodsville label! As with others on the imprint, the focus here is on the gentler sounds of the late nite scene – more ballads and easygoing numbers, but still played with a strong degree of jazz – and not the kind of cocktail modes that other labels would use when putting "moods" on the front of a record! Red's trio here is the familiar one from other Prestige albums – Paul Chambers on bass and Art Taylor on drums – and the only change, really, is that the tracks are all mellower ones, but still done with plenty of bluesy inflections on the keys from Red! Titles include "I Love You Yes I Do", "And The Angels Sing", "Blues For Ann", "I'll Never Stop Loving You", and "Bass-ment Blues".

Red Garland - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Taylor - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ on November 21, 1958.

Track List:
01. I Love You Yes I Do (Oliver-Nix) - 6:21
02. Blues for Ann (Garland) - 7:45
03. I'll Never Stop Loving You (Cahn-Brodszky) - 6:34
04. And the Angels Sing (Mercer-Elman) - 6:51
05. T'Ain't Nobody's Business (Grainger-Williams) - 8:03
06. Bass-Ment Blues (Garland) - 7:55





Pianist Red Garland is best known for his work with Miles Davis' groundbreaking quintet (where he played alongside John Coltrane and Philly Joe Jones), but he turned in some excellent albums as a leader as well. At the Prelude, a live date recorded in 1959, is definitely one of them. Bassist Jimmy Rowser and drummer Charles Wright lend light, propulsive support to Garland's keyboard work, which is highlighted by deft, melodic solos and his famed block chords. The repertoire includes standards, jazz favorites, and a host of swinging, bop-inflected blues. The date comes highly recommended to Garland enthusiasts, and should please fans of classic '50s and '60s jazz. ~ Review by Anthony Tognazzini

Red Garland - piano
Jimmy Rowser - bass
Charles "Specs" Wright - drums

Recorded live at the Prelude Club, New York on October 2, 1959.

Track List:
01. Satin Doll (Ellington) - 6:21
02. Perdido (Tizol) - 4:37
03. There Will Never Be Another You (Warren-Gordon) - 6:44
04. Bye Bye Blackbird (Henderson-Dixon) - 5:05
05. Let Me See (Basie-Edison) - 5:58
06. Prelude Blues (Garland) - 5:42
07. Just Squeeze Me (Ellington-Gaines) - 5:41
08. One O'Clock Jump (Basie) - 3:23
09. Marie (Berlin) - 6:18
10. Bohemian Blues (Garland) - 9:59
11. One O'Clock Jump (alternate take) (Basie) - 2:42
12. A Foggy Day (Gershwin-Gershwin) - 5:37
13. Mr. Wonderful (Weiss-Bock-Holofcener) - 9:09





Finally. Red Garland at the Prelude appears as it was recorded in 1959 at a bar in Harlem. Originally, the three sets of material from this date – the very first live club date Prestige ever issued – were released on four different LPs: Red Garland at the Prelude, Lil' Darlin', Live!, and Satin Doll. There was a CD issue of volume one which included At the Prelude and Live! on one disc, but outside of Japan, the sets had never been assembled together for release on CD. So for American fans unwilling to shell out the big dollars for Japanese imports, this is an historic occasion. In his liner notes, Joe Goldberg makes a case for how misunderstood and under-appreciated Garland was by jazz critics and fans in general. One need only to look at the record to find out what his label, Prestige, thought of him and the many musicians he worked with: Red Garland recorded 19 dates for them. The band here – with bassist Jimmy Rowser and drummer Charles "Specs" Wright – was not a working trio and was assembled for the purpose of this recording. As such, Garland kept his program close to the standards and hothouse, barroom jams of the era. And there are some real doozies here, such as Count Basie's "M-Squad Theme" that opens the first set on disc one – as well as a number of other Basie tunes, including "One O'Clock Jump" and "Let Me See." There is also a lovely reading of "Bye Bye Blackbird" that resembles closely the Miles Davis Quintet version – of which Garland was a part. There's a great version of "Satin Doll" that has been previously unissued until now, as well as a false start on "Lil' Darlin." "Perdido" kicks off the second set, and the first disc ends at the halfway point of the second set with "Like Someone in Love." The trio clicked from the start here. The tunes were familiar enough to anybody playing in New York at the time that finding a groove was easy, and Garland's wondrously idiosyncratic right-hand moves put an individual spin on them. The second disc offers a gorgeous reading of Irving Berlin's "Marie," and Garland's own smoking "Bohemian Blues." Set three gives us Gershwin's "It's a Foggy Day," another read of "Satin Doll," (the officially issued one), the Ellington nugget "Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)," and a Garland improv called "Prelude Blues." The program ends with two more unissued tunes, a stomping "Cherokee" and another "One O'Clock Jump," making three in total for the night. This is a must for mainstream jazz fans interested in the piano room music of New York at the end of the 1950s, and swinging hard bop in general. For Garland fans it's a treasure trove. ~ Review by Thom Jurek

Red Garland - piano
Jimmy Rowser - bass
Charles "Specs" Wright - drums

Recorded live at the Prelude Club, New York on October 2, 1959.

Track List CD1 (72:06):
Set 1
01. M-Squad Theme (Basie) - 6:31
02. There Will Never Be Another You (Warren-Gordon) - 6:41
03. Let Me See (Basie-Edison) - 5:55
04. We Kiss in a Shadow (Rodgers-Hammerstein) - 5:41
05. Blues in the Closet (Pettiford) - 4:29
06. Satin Doll (Ellington) - 9:25
07. Lil' Darlin' (false start) (Hefti) - 0:31
08. Lil' Darlin' (Hefti) - 9:31
09. One O'Clock Jump (Basie) - 3:25

Set 2
10. Perdido (Tizol) - 4:39
11. Bye Bye Blackbird (Henderson-Dixon) - 5:04
12. Like Someone in Love (Van Heusen-Burke) - 10:14

Track List CD2 (66:04):
01. It's a Blue World (Wright-Forrest) - 7:13
02. Marie (Berlin) - 6:18
03. Bohemian Blues (Garland) - 9:59
04. One O'Clock Jump (Basie) - 2:43

Set 3
05. A Foggy Day (Gershwin-Gershwin) - 5:36
06. Satin Doll (Ellington) - 6:17
07. Mr. Wonderful (Weiss-Bock-Holofcener) - 9:07
08. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) (Ellington-Gaines) - 5:43
09. Prelude Blues (Garland) - 5:41
10. Cherokee (Noble) - 5:23
11. One O'Clock Jump (Basie) - 2:04






Pianist Red Garland and his trio (with bassist Sam Jones and drummer Art Taylor) explore six veteran blues-based compositions ranging from Nellie Lutcher's "He's a Real Gone Guy" and "St. Louis Blues" to "Your Red Wagon" and Count Basie's "M-Squad (Theme)." Throughout, Garland modernizes each of the selections with his distinctive chord voicings, and he makes the songs sound fresh and new. A solid effort from this very consistent pianist, who will always be best remembered for his playing with the classic Miles Davis Quintet. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Sam Jones - bass
Art Taylor - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ on April 17, 1959.

Track List:
01. He's a Real Gone Guy (Lutcher) - 5:12
02. See See Rider (Trad.) - 7:59
03. M Squad Theme (Basie) - 7:34
04. Your Red Wagon (DePaul-Jones-Raye) - 5:49
05. Trouble in Mind (Jones) - 5:48
06. St. Louis Blues (Handy) - 9:30





In the late 1950s, Prestige started a new subsidiary (Moodsville) that was designed to provide mood music for courting couples. The emphasis on this CD reissue, the very first Moodsville release is on ballads, matching pianist Red Garland, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Art Taylor with guest tenor Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis on three of the eight tunes. Due to the overly relaxed nature of much of this music and the lack of variety, this is not one of the more essential Red Garland sets, but it is still generally enjoyable. Highlights include "We'll Be Together Again," "When Your Lover Has Gone" and "Blue Room." ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis – tenor saxophone (#1,4,5)
Sam Jones - bass
Art Taylor - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ on December 11, 1959.

Track List:
01. We'll Be Together Again (Fisher-Lane) - 5:40
02. Stella by Starlight (Young-Washington) - 4:28
03. I Heard You Cried Last Night (Kruger-Grouya) - 4:51
04. Softly Baby (Garland) - 5:59
05. When Your Lover Has Gone (Swan) - 5:57
06. Wonder Why (Brodszky-Cahn) - 4:28
07. Blue Room (Rodgers-Hart) - 5:47
08. The Red Blues (Garland) - 3:06





The emphasis is on the blues (although not exclusively) on this CD reissue. The original eight-song program has been joined by "A Portrait of Jennie" by the same trio (pianist Red Garland, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Art Taylor) from an earlier date. Most unusual about the set is that Garland makes a rare (and effective) appearance on organ during "Halleloo-Y'All." Otherwise, this is a conventional but enjoyable set of bluesy bop, highlighted by "Revelation Blues," "Everytime I Feel the Spirit" and "Rocks In My Bed." ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano, organ (#4)
Sam Jones (#1-8), Paul Chambers (#9) - bass
Art Taylor - drums
Ray Barretto - conga (#9)

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ on July 15, 1960 (#1-8), April 11, 1958 (#9).

Track List:
01. Back Slidin' (Garland) - 6:57
02. Revelation Blues (Garland) - 6:12
03. Everytime I Feel the Spirit (Trad.) - 4:49
04. Halleloo-Y'All (Garland) - 6:36
05. I'll Never Be Free (Weiss-Benjamin) - 11:06
06. Blues in the Night (Mercer-Arlen) - 5:08
07. Rocks in My Bed (Ellington) - 6:29
08. Soul Burnin' (Garland) - 4:58
09. A Portrait of Jennie (Burdge-Robinson) - 7:19





Red Garland recorded 16 ballads during this single 1960 session for Prestige's Moodsville subsidiary label, half of which appear on this CD reissue, with the remainder being heard on Alone With the Blues. Although these selections were intended as mood music for lovers, Garland's imaginative arrangements keep things interesting. The pianist's strolling tempo of "When Your Lover Has Gone" suggests nostalgic reflection rather than melancholy from the typically slow performances by singers. His playful side comes out in "These Foolish Things," while the graceful runs in the upper keyboard are complemented by his rich block chords in "My Last Affair." The subtlety of his interpretation of "You Are Too Beautiful" and the delicate rendition of "The Nearness of You" are also memorable. But the obvious high point of this release is his stunning exploration of Duke Ellington's "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)," which succeeds in conveying the powerful emotions of this ballad without a singer. This remarkable collection of standards should appeal to any fan of jazz piano. ~ Review by Ken Dryden

Red Garland - solo piano

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ on April 2, 1960.

Track List:
01. When Your Lover Has Gone (Swan) - 6:45
02. These Foolish Things (Link-Marvell-Strachey) - 5:08
03. My Last Affair (Johnson) - 3:39
04. You Are Too Beautiful (Rodgers-Hart) - 4:45
05. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Ellington-Webster) - 7:09
06. The Nearness of You (Carmichael-Washington) - 5:04
07. Nancy (With the Laughing Face) (Van Heusen-Silvers) - 5:25
08. When I Fall in Love (Heyman-Young) - 5:07





During 1961-1962, following a long series of recordings for Prestige, pianist Red Garland recorded four LPs for the Jazzland label. His style was unchanged from a few years earlier, and this trio set with bassist Sam Jones and drummer Charlie Persip (reissued on CD on the Original Jazz Classics label) is very much up to par. Highlights include Garland's interpretations of "I Ain't Got Nobody," "Blues in the Closet," and "Lil' Darlin'." An enjoyable straight-ahead session. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Sam Jones - bass
Charlie Persip - drums

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City on July 19, 1961.

Track List:
01. On Green Dolphin Street (Kaper) - 5:09
02. I Ain't Got Nobody (Burke-Haggart-Peyton-Williams) - 5:07
03. You'll Never Know (Gordon-Miles-Pettiford-Robi-Warren-Williams) - 5:28
04. Blues in the Closet (Kaper-Pettiford-Washington) - 4:24
05. What's New (Graham-Haggart-Peyton-Williams) - 4:17
06. Lil' Darlin' (Gordon-Hefti-Warren) - 7:22
07. What Is There to Say? (Duke-Hefti) - 5:11
08. So Sorry Please (Duke-Harburg-Powell) - 4:06





The music on this CD reissue is drawn from three separate Red Garland sessions but had not been previously put out on CD. Best are two selections ("On Green Dolphin Street" and "If You Could See Me Now") that find the pianist, bassist Peck Morrison and drummer Charlie Persip being joined by Oliver Nelson (on alto and tenor) and trumpeter Richard Williams; the horns in particular are quite inventive during their solos. Three numbers (two standards plus "Soul Burnin'") have Garland, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Arthur Taylor in more conventional but pleasing form, while the spirited closer ("A Little Bit of Basie") matches the pianist with bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Specs Wright. Fine music that will be enjoyed by straight-ahead jazz fans, although (due to the availability of so many Red Garland sessions) this CD is not essential. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Richard Williams - trumpet (#1,2)
Oliver Nelson (#1,2) - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
Peck Morrison (#1,2), Sam Jones (#3-5), Doug Watkins (#6) - bass
Charlie Persip (#1,2), Arthur Taylor (#3-5), Specs Wright (#6) - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ on March 16, 1961 (#1,2), July 15, 1960 (#3-5), August 12, 1959 (#6).

Track List:
01. On Green Dolphin Street (Kaper-Washington) - 8:22
02. If You Could See Me Now (Dameron-Sigman) - 8:55
03. Rocks in My Bed (Ellington) - 6:30
04. Soul Burnin' (Garland) - 5:00
05. Blues in the Night (Mercer-Arlen) - 5:08
06. A Little Bit of Basie (Garland) - 5:37





Unlike his slightly earlier recordings for Moodsville (which feature Red Garland on unaccompanied piano solos), this strictly ballad date has Garland joined (on all but the solo "Lush Life") by bassist Larry Ridley and drummer Frank Gant. Since all eight of the standards are taken at the same medium/slow tempo, there is not much variety here, keeping the CD from being essential. But Garland's attractive and distinctive chord voicings, plus his ability to uplift melodies while swinging at a slow speed, make this project a success. Highlights include "The Nearness of You," "Where or When," and Irving Berlin's "All Alone." Particularly effective when used as background music. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Larry Ridley - bass
Frank Gant - drums

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City on November 30, 1961.

Track List:
01. Why Was I Born? (Hammerstein-Kern) - 4:58
02. The Nearness of You (Carmichael-Washington) - 5:42
03. Where or When (Rodgers-Hart) - 6:14
04. Long Ago and Far Away (Gershwin-Kern) - 3:56
05. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Ellington-Webster) - 5:24
06. Don't Worry About Me (Bloom-Koehler) - 4:45
07. Lush Life (Strayhorn) - 4:23
08. All Alone (Berlin) - 5:03





Although this is a one time studio blowing session, things obviously gelled quickly for everyone as they got underway on this 1962 recording by Red Garland, which features both Blue Mitchell and Pepper Adams in prominent supporting roles. The pianist gets things off on the right foot with his relaxed blues "Red's Good Groove," while Mitchell, who had already recorded a number of dates as a leader himself, delivers a confident yet understated trumpet solo. Baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams contributed the oddly named "Excerent!" (a title which somewhat puzzled the original liner note writer Peter Drew but likely refers to the tendency of some Orientals to substitute the letter "r" for "l," long before such humor would be considered politically incorrect and unlikely to appear on a CD jacket), it's a hard bop tune that isn't the least bit reminiscent of the Far East. The core of the date consists of several standards, concluding with a driving take of "Falling in Love With Love." Bassist Sam Jones and drummer Philly Joe Jones supply the fluid rhythm that powers the quintet throughout this very enjoyable session. ~ Review by Ken Dryden

Red Garland - piano
Blue Mitchell - trumpet
Pepper Adams - baritone saxophone
Sam Jones - bass
Philly Joe Jones – drums

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City on March 22, 1962.

Track List:
01. Red's Good Groove (Garland) - 8:22
02. Love Is Here to Stay (Gershwin-Gershwin) - 4:44
03. This Time the Dream's on Me (Arlen-Mercer) - 5:54
04. Take Me in Your Arms (Suesse-Norman) - 5:35
05. Excerent! (Adams) - 6:06
06. Falling in Love with Love (Rodgers-Hart) - 6:06





Pianist Red Garland recorded many sessions during 1955-63 and his distinctive chord voicings and relaxed style was always worth hearing. The wild card on this quartet is Les Spann who had the unusual double of guitar and flute; his flute is a major asset on "Where Are You?" and "The Very Thought of You." Garland (along with bassist Sam Jones and drummer Frank Gant) is in fine form throughout these underplayed standards; highlights include "Sophisticated Swing," "Solar" and "This Can't Be Love." ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Les Spann - guitar, flute (#3,6)
Sam Jones - bass
Frank Gant - drums

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City on January 30, 1962.

Track List:
01. Sophisticated Swing (Hudson-Parish) - 5:32
02. Solar (Davis) - 5:03
03. Where Are You? (Adamson-McHugh) - 5:18
04. Marie's Delight (Garland) - 3:33
05. This Can't Be Love (Rodgers-Hart) - 4:08
06. The Very Thought of You (Noble) - 5:30
07. Blues for 'News (Garland) - 3:25
08. I Just Can't See for Looking (Robinson-Stanford) - 5:46





This set was pianist Red Garland's 25th session as a leader since 1956, but it would be eight years before his next record. Garland's influential style had been fully formed since the mid-'50s and his chord voicings were immediately recognizable. With the assistance of bassist Wendell Marshall and drummer Charlie Persip, Garland explores and updates seven veteran songs (including a previously unreleased "My Blue Heaven") dating from the '20s era. This fine CD is highlighted by such unlikely material as "Sonny Boy," "St. James Infirmary," "Baby Won't You Please Come Home," and a 12-minute "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Wendell Marshall - bass
Charlie Persip - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ on October 9, 1962.

Track List:
01. Sonny Boy (Brown-DeSylva-Henderson-Jolson) - 5:15
02. My Honey's Lovin' Arms (Meyer-Ruby) - 3:39
03. St. James Infirmary (Trad.) - 6:40
04. I Ain't Got Nobody (Warfield-Young) - 3:55
05. Baby Won't You Please Come Home (Williams-Warfield) - 4:08
06. Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen (Trad.) - 11:59
07. My Blue Heaven (Donaldson-Whiting) - 3:51






This is an interesting set, featuring pianist Red Garland with a sextet also including cornetist Nat Adderley, both Harold Land and Ira Sullivan on tenor, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Frank Butler. With one of the largest recording groups he ever led, Garland sounds fine, but the material (which includes "The Whiffenpoof Song," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Stella By Starlight" and "It's Impossible") could certainly have been more inspired. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Nat Adderley - cornet
Harold Land, Ira Sullivan - tenor saxophones
Ron Carter - bass
Frank Butler - drums

Recorded at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley on December 2, 1977.

Track List:
01. Red Alert (Adderley) - 10:35
02. Theme for a Tarzan Movie (Adderley) - 3:57
03. The Whiffenpoof Song (Galloway-Minnigerode-Pomeroy) - 8:21
04. Sweet Georgia Brown (Bernie-Casey-Pinkard) - 11:13
05. Stella by Starlight (Washington-Young) - 5:45
06. It's Impossible (Wayne-Manzanero) - 5:38





Amazingly enough, this set (reissued on CD) was the first time that pianist Red Garland and drummer Philly Joe Jones recorded together in a trio setting, even though they had both been a part of Miles Davis' first classic quintet. With bassist Ron Carter completing the group, they perform five standards and the bassist's "Railoroad Crossing." This is one of Garland's best later dates (Philly Joe often pushes him), and the highlights include "Solar," "Oleo" and "Love for Sale." ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Ron Carter - bass
Philly Joe Jones - drums

Recorded at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley in December 1977.

Track List:
01. Solar (Davis) - 5:10
02. Railroad Crossing (Carter) - 5:23
03. Never Let Me Go (Evans-Livingston) - 5:18
04. Oleo (Rollins) - 5:17
05. But Not for Me (Gershwin-Gershwin) - 7:03
06. Love for Sale (Porter) - 11:26





After years of silence (with only one recording cut during the 1963-73 period), Red Garland had a final outburst of recording activity during 1977-80 (with one final effort in 1982). His piano style was virtually unchanged from the late 1950s, and this trio outing with bassist Sam Jones and drummer Al Foster holds its own with his better-known earlier material. Garland is typically distinctive on such numbers as "It's All Right With Me," a swinging "On a Clear Day" and "Cherokee." Originally cut for Muse, this set was reissued on CD by 32 Jazz in 1998. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Sam Jones - bass
Al Foster - drums

Recorded at CI Recording, New York on May 15, 1978.

Track List:
01. It's All Right with Me (Porter) - 8:39
02. You Better Go Now (Reichner-Graham) - 4:26
03. On a Clear Day (Lane-Lerner) - 6:31
04. Going Home (Trad.) - 8:00
05. The Second Time Around (Cahn-Van Heusen) - 3:16
06. I Wish I Knew (Gordon-Warren) - 3:57
07. Cherokee (Noble) - 5:31





Recorded during pianist Red Garland's final period, this enjoyable outing (a Muse LP) has three trio numbers by Garland with bassist Chris Amberger and drummer Eddie Moore plus three selections that add altoist Leo Wright to make the group a quartet. Garland's style was unchanged from the '50s, as he shows on "Will You Still Be Mine" and "Bye Bye Blackbird." Wright's portion of the date finds him playing lyrically on two ballads (including a surprise version of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco") and swinging on "Bag's Groove." The set was recorded live at San Francisco's Keystone Korner and was clearly a happy occasion. ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Leo Wright - alto saxophone
Chris Amberger - bass
Eddie Moore - drums

Recorded live at Keystone Korner, San Francisco, CA in May, 1978.

Track List:
01. Will You Still Be Mine (Adair-Dennis) - 5:52
02. Please Send Me Someone to Love (Mayfield) - 6:14
03. Bye Bye Blackbird (Dixon-Henderson) - 6:30
04. Body and Soul (Green-Heyman-Sour) - 5:56
05. Bags' Groove (Jackson) - 8:24
06. I Left My Heart in San Francisco (Cory-Cross) - 5:34





Originally released for the first time on a 1977 double LP and later reissued on two separate CDs, these performances are up to pianist Red Garland's usual level. Since he was teamed with bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Art Taylor and Ray Barretto on conga, the same lineup used on the Manteca date of two months earlier, the date went unreleased for decades, but in reality, the music is excellent. Highlights include "Lover," "Blues In Mambo," "Estrellita" and "East of the Sun." ~ Review by Scott Yanow

Red Garland - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Taylor - drums
Ray Barretto - congas

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ on June 27, 1958.

Track List:
01. Lover (Rodgers-Hart) - 5:14
02. Five O'Clock Whistle (Gannon-Irwin-Myrow) - 5:13
03. Blues in Mambo (Garland) - 7:24
04. A Tisket A Tasket (Alexander-Fitzgerald) - 7:08
05. Estrellita (Trad.) - 6:58
06. It Might as Well Be Spring (Rodgers-Hammerstein) - 8:41
07. East of the Sun (Bowman) - 9:15





Red Garland operates in both a trio and quintet setting in this second batch of recently discovered master recordings unearthed from the Fantasy vaults. The trio sessions include an unissued "Satin Doll," along with three other numbers that featured Garland working with his favorites, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Specs Powell. They're nicely played, but nothing exceptional. More interesting are the three cuts with Garland backed by a group that includes underrecorded trumpeter Richard Williams and alto saxophonist Oliver Nelson, played with more punch and energy than expected. These cuts marked one of the few times Nelson and Garland ever worked together, and Nelson's excitement seems to have spread throughout the group, especially drummer Charlie Persip, who doesn't dominate, yet makes his presence felt with authority. ~ Review by Ron Wynn

Red Garland - piano
Richard Williams - trumpet (#5-7)
Oliver Nelson - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone (#5-7)
Doug Watkins (#1-4), Peck Morrisom (#5-7) - bass
Specs Wright (#1-4), Charlie Persip (#5-7) - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ on August 12, 1959 (#1-4), March 16, 1961 (#5-7).

Track List:
01. Blues in the Closet (Pettiford) - 5:38
02. Blue Velvet (Wayne-Morris) - 5:51
03. Mr. Wonderful (Weiss-Bock-Holofcener) - 9:55
04. Satin Doll (Ellington) - 9:49
05. Skinny's Blues (Garland) - 8:10
06. Soft Winds (Goodman-Henderson) - 6:15
07. Avalon (Jolson-Rose-DeSylva) - 6:24





With sights set firmly set upon the blues, this is bedrock Red Garland, aimed squarely down the middle of his most fertile period. Not everything here is a blues, but they might as well be, given the sameness of mood and approach in this selection of small-group blowing sessions. Wherever you go on Red's Blues, you can't miss Garland's distinctive block chords and light-handed right-handed bop patterns recorded in the soft-focused Van Gelder studio manner, all of which jazz fans would hear constantly down the road in the '60s. And not only that, almost all of the tunes are in the keys of B flat or C, which could make this disc useful for background if not extended listening. Nevertheless, the personnel is often stellar; John Coltrane and Donald Byrd turn up on "Birks' Works," and Arnett Cobb saunters through "Black Velvet" (better known as "Don'Cha Go Way Mad"), Coleman Hawkins is in fine funky form on "Red Beans," and Ray Barretto's congas light up one of the few jazz compositions ever named after a critic ("Ralph J. Gleason Blues"). The 75-minute disc, all of whose contents have been issued on CD before, opens with a long, majestic Garland meditation on "See See Rider" – and that pretty much sets the tone. ~ Review by Richard S. Ginell

Track List:
01. See See Rider (Trad.) - 7:58
02. Red Beans (Hawkins) - 4:16
03. Your Red Wagon (Raye-DePaul-Jones) - 5:48
04. Birks' Works (Gillespie) - 7:36
05. Ralph J. Gleason Blues (Garland) - 6:43
06. The P.C. Blues (Garland) - 9:55
07. Black Velvet (Mundy-Jacquet) - 5:23
08. St. James Infirmary (Trad.) - 6:39
09. Skinny's Blues (Garland) - 8:09
10. Ahmad's Blues (Jamal) - 7:28
11. Prelude Blues (Garland) - 5:42





Recorded in 1977, the two-disc Swingin' on the Korner: Live at Keystone Korner showcases pianist Red Garland performing with his trio at the legendary San Francisco venue. Joining Garland here are bassist Leroy Vinnegar and fellow Miles Davis bandmate drummer Philly Joe Jones. Included with the disc is a 44-page booklet detailing Garland's legacy and featuring interviews and essays. This is superb, swinging straight-ahead jazz. ~ Review by Matt Collar

Red Garland - piano
Leroy Vinnegar - bass
Philly Joe Jones - drums

Recorded live at Keystone Korner, San Francisco, CA on Decenber 6-10, 1977.

Track List CD1 (58:50):
01. Love for Sale (Porter) - 11:46
02. I Wish I Knew (Gordon-Warren) - 6:51
03. It's Impossible (Wayne-Manzanero) - 5:03
04. Billy Boy (Trad.) - 9:31
05. Dear Old Stockholm (Trad.) - 6:23
06. If I'm Lucky (Myrow-DeLange) - 5:42
07. Blues in Bebop (Dorham) - 6:35
08. Green Dolphin Street (Kaper-Washington) - 6:59

Track List CD2 (70:41):
01. Straight No Chaser (Monk) - 6:53
02. On a Clear Day (Lerner-Lowe) - 9:16
03. The Christmas Song (Torme-Wells) - 7:25
04. The Best Things in Life Are Free (Henderson-Brown-DeSylva) - 8:57
05. Never Let Me Go (Evans-Livingston) - 6:02
06. Autumn Leaves (Kosma-Mercer-Prevert) - 9:01
07. Bag's Groove (Jackson) - 7:34
08. It's All Right with Me (Porter)/The Theme (Davis) - 15:33




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