The brass section was subject to flux throughout the 50's, but did include a number of personal stylists with more to say than certain better known names of that period and this. Some of the characteristics of these players, the distinctive tone and the cadence phrase construction, are also present in the solos of Art Hoyle , but the latter is also capable of a more exuberant approach. Apart from the section of a series of fine bassists to maintain a unified harmonic pulse, Ra has concentrated on elaboration of the beat by use of multiple percussion. The positive swing and unity that was generated provides fitting tribute to Robert Barry , who, as fellow percussionist William Cochran claims, provided the rhythmic backbone. Further color was added to the section by Jim Herndon , a classically trained timpanist.
Music has wings.
Perhaps in 1957 jazz had not fully achieved this flight, but Transition did capture the inkling of change in these performances and those of Cecil Taylor. More modest than that, the prophetic tones of the earlier music remain an eloquent expression of the jazz spirit which at all stages of its evolution bears the equality if not the forms of freedom.