Royal Flush + off to the Races

Flushed by genius of joyful trumpet maestro of all styles.These are 2in 1 beautiful representation of his bepop jazz years.Well worth it.

This excellent CD combines two overlooked BLUE NOTE albums from 1958 & 1961 led by trumpeter/composer Donald Byrd(1932-2013)Tracks 1-6('Royal Flush') were recorded in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on September 21, 1961 with Pepper Adams(baritone sax) and a superb rhythm section of Herbie Hancock(piano); Butch Warren(bass) & Billy Higgins(drums).Tracks 7-12('Off To The Races') were recorded in Hackensack, New Jersey on December 21, 1958 with Jackie McLean(alto sax); Pepper Adams(baritone sax); Wynton Kelly(piano); Sam Jones(bass) & Art Taylor(drums).The twelve varied tracks include eight Donald Byrd originals, one each from Herbie Hancock and Sonny Rollins plus two standards.The 79 minutes of inventive and enjoyable hard bop on this CD makes it an ideal introduction to the music of Donald Byrd.