ProJazz.net

The Great Kai & J. J. is an album by American jazz trombonists Kai Winding and J. J. Johnson featuring performances recorded in 1960 as the very first release for the Impulse! label (A-1 for the mono LP, AS-1 for the stereo one).

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow:
This lively Impulse! set was the first recorded reunion of trombonists J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding. With pianist Bill Evans, either Paul Chambers or Tommy Williams on bass, and Roy Haynes or Art Taylor on drums, the two trombonists are in melodic and witty form on such tunes as “This Could Be the Start of Something Big,” “Blue Monk,” “Side by Side,” and “Theme from Picnic.” Recommended.

Track listing:
“This Could Be the Start of Something Big” (Steve Allen) — 3:13
“Georgia on My Mind” (Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell) — 3:52
“Blue Monk” (Monk) — 4:31
“Judy” (J. J. Johnson) — 4:06
“Alone Together” (Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz) — 3:36
“Side by Side” (Harry M. Woods) — 3:06
“I Concentrate on You” (Porter) — 4:03
“Theme from Picnic” (Allen, Duning) — 4:05
“Trixie” (Johnson) — 5:10
“Going, Going, Gong!” (Winding) — 3:11
“Just for a Thrill” (Lil Hardin Armstrong, Don Raye) — 3:19
Recorded on October 3, 1960 (track 1), November 2, 1960 (tracks 3, 6, 7), November 4, 1960 (tracks 5, 8, 10, 11) and November 8, 1960 (tracks 2, 4, 9)

Personnel:
J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding – trombone
Bill Evans – piano
Paul Chambers (tracks 1, 3, 6, 7); Tommy Williams (tracks 2, 4, 5 & 8-11) – bass
Roy Haynes (tracks 1, 3, 6, 7); Art Taylor (tracks 2, 4, 5 & 8-11) – drums

___________________________________

Released: 1961
Recorded: October 3 and November 2, 4 & 8, 1960
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs
Length: 42:12
Label: Impulse!
Producer: Creed Taylor