Similar Albums:
- Artist: J.C. Higginbotham
- Rating:
- Release Date: November 19, 1996
- Total Time: 66:29
- Type: Compilation (best of)
- Genre: Jazz
Review
Trombonist J.C. Higginbotham was born in Social Circle, GA on May 11, 1906 and passed away in New York City on May 26, 1973. Almost invariably heard as a sideman on recordings made during the 1920s, '30s and '40s, he is both a legendary and overlooked figure whose powerful tonalities are instantly recognizable once you get to know him. In 1996, the Best of Jazz label sought to illuminate Higginbotham's legacy by assembling a survey of his best work recorded between March 1929 and January 1940, with bands led by Luis Russell, Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, Henry "Red" Allen, Benny Carter, Mezz Mezzrow and Coleman Hawkins. During this time period, Higginbotham is known to have recorded only four titles under his own name. Unfortunately, this compilation does not include two selections recorded for Blue Note during the spring of 1939 and released under the heading of the J.C. Higginbotham Quintet; furthermore, of the two sides recorded on February 5, 1930 with Luis Russell's group and brought before the public as the products of J.C. Higginbotham & His Six Hicks only one -- the magnificent "Give Me Your Telephone Number" -- is included here. If there is one nagging flaw in the logic of this anthology, it is the omission of the original flip side, the "Higginbotham Blues." This being said, it's very nice to have a whole disc devoted to this artist; hopefully one day it will inspire a more thorough retrospective, perhaps in the form of an intensive series touching upon every session the man ever participated in and including every side on which he is audible. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Mahogany Hall Stomp | Spencer Williams | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(3:24) |
| It Should Be You | Henry "Red" Allen | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(3:05) |
| Swing Out | Henry "Red" Allen, J.C. Higginbotham | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(3:13) |
| Feeling the Spirit | Luis Russell | Luis Russell, J.C. Higginbotham | (3:10) |
| Jersey Lightning | Luis Russell | Luis Russell, J.C. Higginbotham | (3:21) |
| St. Louis Blues | W.C. Handy | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(2:59) |
| Doctor Blues | Paul Barbarin, Luis Russell | Luis Russell, J.C. Higginbotham | (3:16) |
| Saratoga Shout | Luis Russell, Charlie Holmes | Luis Russell, J.C. Higginbotham | (3:28) |
| Give Me Your Telephone Number | J.C. Higginbotham | J.C. Higginbotham | (3:07) |
| Sugar Hill Function | Charlie Holmes | Henry "Red" Allen, J.C. Higginbotham | (2:59) |
| You Might Get Better, But You'll Never Get Well | Luis Russell, Louis Metcalf | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(3:03) |
| On Revival Day | Andy Razaf | Luis Russell, J.C. Higginbotham | (3:05) |
| Muggin' Lightly | Luis Russell | Luis Russell, J.C. Higginbotham | (2:53) |
| Ease on Down | Luis Russell, Spencer Williams | Luis Russell, J.C. Higginbotham | (2:52) |
| Casa Loma Stomp | Gene Gifford | J.C. Higginbotham, The Connie's Inn Orchestra | (3:09) |
| Symphony in Riffs | Irving Mills, Benny Carter | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(3:02) |
| Roll Along, Prairie Moon | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(2:48) | |
| That's How I Feel Today | J.C. Higginbotham, Mezz Mezzrow | (2:28) | |
| I Double Dare You | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(2:54) | |
| Let That Be a Lesson to You | Johnny Mercer, Richard Whiting | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(2:32) |
| When the Saints Go Marching In | Traditional | J.C. Higginbotham, |
(2:42) |
| The Sheik of Araby | Harry Beasley Smith, |
Coleman Hawkins, J.C. Higginbotham | (2:59) |
