Star Bright is a seminal hard bop album by Jamaican jazz trumpeter Dizzy Reece, recorded on November 19, 1959. Released in 1960 by Blue Note Records, it marked Reece’s second leader session for the label and his first after moving to New York City
Track Listing:
The album consists of six tracks, featuring four original compositions by Reece and two standards:
- “The Rake” (Reece) – A swaggering blues piece and the album’s lead single.
- “I’ll Close My Eyes” (Reid/Kaye) – A standard showcasing Reece’s melodic delivery.
- “Groovesville” (Reece) – A sprightly hard bop number.
- “The Rebound” (Reece) – A high-energy track with strong rhythmic velocity from Kelly.
- “I Wished on the Moon” (Parker/Rainger) – A standard with a bouncy, sophisticated style.
- “A Variation on Monk” (Reece) – A blues-infused tribute inspired by Thelonious Monk.
Personnel and Style:
The album features a quintessential hard bop quintet comprising some of the genre’s most respected musicians:
- Dizzy Reece: Trumpet
- Hank Mobley: Tenor Saxophone
- Wynton Kelly: Piano
- Paul Chambers: Bass
- Art Taylor: Drums
Critics often highlight the synergy between Reece and Mobley, noting Reece’s “fat” and soulful tone alongside Mobley’s inventive and confident solos.
Legacy and Reissues:
Long considered a “hidden gem” in the Blue Note catalog, Star Bright is praised for its production quality by Rudy Van Gelder. In 2023, the album was reissued as part of the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series, featuring all-analog mastering from the original tapes.
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