Jay & Kai [Savoy]

• Artist: Jay & Kai
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1947 12 24-1954 08 26
• Total Time: 43:35
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Jazz

Review

The music on this Savoy CD is excellent but the packaging is rather dumb. Rather than reissue all 12 selections from a pair of 1954 sessions that led to the birth of the J.J. Johnson-Kai Winding two-trombone quintet (renditions that also include either pianist Wally Cirillo or guitarist Billy Bauer along with bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Kenny Clarke), there are just eight on this CD along with a Johnson track from 1947 ("Yesterdays") and three of the four Winding performances (in a quintet with pianist Lou Stein) from 1952. Sure to frustrate completists, this reissue is still worth picking up if found at a budget price for the music contains plenty of worthy trombone solos. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Bernie's Tune	Jerry Leiber, Bernard Miller, Mike Stoller	J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding	(3:55)
Lament	J.J. Johnson	J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding	(4:04)
Blues for Trombones	J.J. Johnson	J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding	(5:04)
The Major	J.J. Johnson	J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding	(3:10)
Yesterdays	Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach	J.J. Johnson	(2:58)
Co-Op	J.J. Johnson	J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding	(3:30)
Reflections	J.J. Johnson	J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding	(4:13)
Blues in Twos	J.J. Johnson	J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding	(4:51)
What Is This Thing Called Love?	Cole Porter	Kai Winding	(3:12)
The Boy Next Door	Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane	Kai Winding	(2:50)
I Could Wright a Book [*]	J.J. Johnson	Kai Winding	(2:51)
Carioca [*]	J.J. Johnson	Kai Winding	(2:57)

Credits

Billy Bauer (Guitar), Hank Jones (Piano), Charles Mingus (Bass), Leo Parker (Sax (Baritone)), Leo Parker (Trombone (Bass)), Wally Cirillo (Piano), Dick Katz (Piano), Lou Stein (Piano), Jay & Kai (Main Performer), Al Harewood (Drums), Eddie Safranski (Bass), Ozzie Cadena (Supervisor), Kenny Clarke (Drums), J.J. Johnson (Trombone), J.J. Johnson (Main Performer), J.J. Johnson (Performer), Tiny Kahn (Drums), Peck Morrison (Bass), Shadow Wilson (Drums), Kai Winding (Trombone), Kai Winding (Performer), Al Young (Bongos), Al Young (Timbales), Al Lucas (Bass), Jack McKinney (Liner Notes), Yujiro Kasai (Remastering)