ProJazz.net

Dear John C. is an album by American jazz drummer Elvin Jones featuring performances recorded in 1965 for the Impulse! label. The “John C.” mentioned in the title is John Coltrane.

Reception

AllMusic review by Michael G. Nastos awarded the album 4 stars stating ” The variety from cut to cut is engaging, and there’s nothing over the top, even the drumming of Elvin Jones. With the musicality at a high level, Dear John C. needs revisiting by drumming students and jazz fans to note how teamwork, shared values, and held-in-check dynamics benefit the overall quality of music. It seems this recording is underrated when over time it should never be. Dear John C. is deserving of an excellent rating”.

Track listing
“Dear John C.” (Hammer, Thiele) – 3:54
“Smoke Rings” (Gifford, Washington) – 3:41
“Love Bird” (Mingus) – 3:49
“Feeling Good” (Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse) – 4:11
“Anthropology” (Gillespie, Parker) – 4:20
“This Love of Mine” (Sol Parker, Hank Sanicola, Sinatra) – 4:20
“Fantazm” (Ellington) – 3:56
“Ballade” (Hammer) – 5:18
“Everything Happens to Me” (Tom Adair, Matt Dennis) – 5:56
Recorded on February 23, 1965 (tracks 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7), and February 25, 1965 (tracks 1, 3, 8, 9)

Personnel
Elvin Jones – drums
Charlie Mariano – alto saxophone
Roland Hanna (4, 5, 7); Hank Jones (1, 3, 8) – piano
Richard Davis – bass

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Released: November 1965
Recorded: February 23 & 25, 1965
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs
Length: 39:25
Label Impulse!
A-88
Producer: Bob Thiele