Dear John C.
Elvin Jones was nearing the end of his long stay withJohn Coltranewhen he led these sessions in 1965, and while the style is small-group postbop the music is very different from the thick, teeming textures of the Coltrane quartet. The core band is a trio with theCharlie Parker-influenced alto saxophonistCharlie Marianoand the brilliant bassistRichard Davis, later a long-standing member of Jones's own bands. Davis and Jones are a stunning rhythm team, with reserves of power and majestic instrumental command, and the underrated Mariano soars overhead on a series of lyrical standards, including "Everything Happens to Me" and "This Love of Mine."Roland Hannajoins the group for the first three selections, and Elvin's brother,Hankfor the last four. Of the Hanna tracks,Charles Mingus's "Love Bird" is particularly apt, with Mingus veterans Mariano and Hanna fired up by a bassist every bit as propulsive as the composer. Hank Jones's crisp and inventive lines shine on the classic bop of "Anthropology" andEllington's "Fantazm."--Stuart Broomer