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Further Definitions is a 1961 jazz album by Benny Carter and his orchestra, rereleased on CD in 1997 coupled with his follow-up album, 1966’s Additions to Further Definitions. The earlier album is Carter’s best-known, recorded with an all-star line-up that included Coleman Hawkins, with whom Carter had recorded in Paris in 1937, using the same configuration of instruments: four saxophones, piano, guitar, bass, and drums.

The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested “Core Collection” calling it “a good value purchase.

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow:
Altoist/arranger Benny Carter’s classic Further Definitions is a revisiting, instrumentation-wise, to the famous 1937 session that Carter and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins made in France with two top European saxophonists (Andre Ekyan and Alix Combelle) and guitarist Django Reinhardt. The all-star group (which also includes Hawkins, altoist Phil Woods, Charlie Rouse on second tenor, pianist Dick Katz, guitarist John Collins, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Jo Jones) performs a particularly inspired repertoire. Carter’s charts, which allow Hawkins to stretch out on “Body and Soul,” give everyone a chance to shine. “Honeysuckle Rose” and “Crazy Rhythm” hold their own with the 1937 versions, and “Blue Star” and “Doozy” prove to be two of Carter’s finest originals. Although Benny Carter was not actively playing much at the time (this was his only small-group recording during 1963-1975), he is heard in typically prime form. Very highly recommended.

Track listing:

A1 Honeysuckle Rose 0:00
A2 The Midnight Sun Will Never Set 3:53
A3 Crazy Rhythm 7:53
A4 Blue Star 11:20
B1 Cotton Tail 16:42
B2 Body & Soul 21:09
B3 Cherry 25:22
B4 Doozy 30:18

Personnel:
Benny Carter – alto saxophone
Phil Woods – alto saxophone
Coleman Hawkins – tenor saxophone
Charlie Rouse – tenor saxophone
John Collins – guitar
Dick Katz – piano
Jimmy Garrison – bass
Jo Jones – drums

Recorded – November 13 and 15, 1961.

Released – 1961

Label – Impulse!