J.J. Johnson’s assortment The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 2 is getting re-released as a February 2026 title in Blue Observe Information’ Basic Vinyl Reissue Sequence. The compilation options bebop music recorded throughout periods between 1953 and 1955. This Blue Observe Basic Vinyl Version is mono, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Grey, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimum.
J.J. Johnson’s translation of bebop to the trombone received the admiration of Fat Navarro, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. After showing on Miles Davis’ first Blue Observe session (later launched as Miles Davis – Younger Man With A Horn) in 1952, Blue Observe founder Alfred Lion gave Johnson the possibility to steer a number of of his personal dates together with a June 1953 sextet gig that includes trumpeter Clifford Brown, saxophonist Jimmy Heath, pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Kenny Clarke; a September 1954 quintet date that includes Wynton Kelly on piano, Charles Mingus on bass, conguero Sabu Martinez, and Clarke on drums; and a June 1955 quintet date that includes Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Horace Silver on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Clarke as soon as once more on drums.
All three of those great periods are collected on The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 2, which incorporates requirements like “Pennies From Heaven” and “It Could Happen To You,” in addition to Johnson originals like “Turnpike,” “‘Daylie’ Double,” and “Groovin’.”
In 1956, Blue Observe transitioned from the ten” to the 12” LP and commenced the 1500 Sequence, releasing two expanded collections of the trombonist’s recordings, together with The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 2 (BLP 1506).
Earlier this 12 months, Johnson’s 1960 collaboration with fellow trombonist Kai Winding, The Nice Kai and J.J., was reissued as a part of Verve’s all-analog Acoustic Sounds Sequence. It was notably the primary launch on the storied jazz label Impulse! Information.
Store the Blue Observe Basic Vinyl collection now.
