Ted Curson - Blue Piccolo (2009)

Ted Curson, a trumpet player of renowned ability and taste, is well showcased in this excellent mid seventies session produced by the renowned Masahiko Yuh. His aptly chosen companions Jim McNeely, Cecil McBee and Steve McCall all contribute strongly to the collection of Curson originals and standards. Curson will always be remembered for his close association with Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy and Dannie Richmond. Ted also spent time with Max Roach and co-led a band with saxophonist Bill Barron which during one of Cursons frequent excursions to Europe, recorded his moving piece Tears for Dolphy in Paris. Ted's versaltility is evident throughout, not more so than on the extended version of Blue Piccolo,where he utilises the seldom heard 'pocket trumpet'.
The legendary Ted Curson shows off his Piccolo trumpet in this rare recording for the Why Not label.
In 1976 the enigmatic Japanese businessman-turned-producer Masahiko Yuh recorded this album with Ted Curson at Vanguard Studios in NewYork with an inspiring rhythm section comprising Jim McNeely on piano, bassist Cecil McBee and Steve McCall, drums.
The session turned out to be one of Curson's hippest as together the quartet jell into an air-tight unit with a hard swing that never loses it's drive, weaving their collective magic through a collection of Curson originals and standards .
This is Ted Curson is in fine form with a series of adventurous solos.
including the bonus of an extended work out on his special Piccolo trumpet on the aptly titled Blue Piccolo.
One of twenty recordings in the Why Not series this is the first time this album has been made available in the West.
The Why Not recordings were lovingly gathered by Yuh over a period of months and as a result provide a valuable snap shot of the Jazz scene in America during the 1970s, a time when the Avant Garde scene was blooming.
This is an opportunity to discover a rare jazz gem for the first time in over 30 years