Bops & Ballads

A 10 track bop album (43m ) — released June 3rd 2016 on Sonorama

Newly discovered sessions released here for the first time: Ten recordings by one of the greatest saxophonists of his generation, American jazz master Lucky "Eli" Thompson with the Michael Naura Trio, Quintet and guests in Hamburg 1959 and 1960. Small and larger group improvisations with the melodic sound of Lucky on tenor and soprano sax, featuring Heinz von Moisy, Hajo Lange, Jimmy Gourley, Wolfgang Schlüter and Hans Koller. Hard bop with a nod to Lester Young ("Cherokee", "Thin Ice") and soft ballads ("Summertime", "Deep Passion"), all light, fluffy, intimately personal and with a lyrical bebop approach. "Lucky was a hell of a saxophone player" (Miles Davis).

Produced by Hans Gertberg Tracks 3, 4, 7, 8 & 9 recorded April 17,1959 at Studio 10 in Hamburg featuring Lucky Thompson (ts & ss), Hajo Lange (b), Michael Naura (p), Heinz von Moisy (dr) and guests: Hans Koller (ts), Georges Grenu (ts), Klaus Marmulla (as), Helmut Reinhardt (bs) and Wolfgang Schlüter (vib)

Tracks 1, 2, 5, 6 & 10 recorded April 22, 1960 at Studio 10 in Hamburg featuring Lucky Thompson (ts & ss), Hajo Lange (b), Michael Naura (p), Heinz von Moisy (dr) and guests: Jimmy Gourley (g), Klaus Marmulla (as) and Wolfgang Schlüter (vib & perc)

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