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“Here is an LP long overdue to be reissued on CD; in fact, that statement can be made about all of producer Norman Granz’s studio jam sessions. Quite an all-star cast was assembled for the 1953 set: trumpeters Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie; tenors Illinois Jacquet, Flip Phillips, and Ben Webster; altoist Johnny Hodges; pianist Oscar Peterson; vibraphonist Lionel Hampton; bassist Ray Brown; and drummer Buddy Rich. While side two is a nine-song ballad medley in which each musician (except Rich) has a solo feature (Hampton on “Tenderly,” Hodges on “I Got It Bad,” and Eldridge on the closing “She’s Funny That Way” take honors), the reason to search for this album is for the side-long “Jam Blues.” There are quite a few inspired solos on this medium-tempo blues, with the most exciting moments provided by Eldridge, Phillips, and Jacquet (whose roaring solo shows that he is perfect for this setting). Although not technically Jazz at the Philharmonic, this stirring performance is in a similar vein and quite memorable.” – Scott Yanow/AllMusic.

Track listing:

A Jam Blues 0:00​

Ballad Medley:
B 1. Tenderly 17:39​
B 2. I’ve Got The World On A String 21:24​
B 3. What’s New? 23:26​
B 4. I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good 25:31​
B 5. Don’t Blame Me 27:40​
B 6. Imagination 29:52​
B 7. Someone To Watch Over Me 32:15​
B 8. Body And Soul 34:48​
B 9. She’s Funny That Way 36:38

Personnel:

Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone
Ray Brown – bass
Buddy Rich – drums
Oscar Peterson – piano
Ben Webster, Flip Phillips, Illinois Jacquet – tenor saxophone
Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge – trumpet
Lionel Hampton – vibraphone

Soloists in order of appearance:
A – Peterson, Hodges, Webster, Eldridge, Phillips, Gillespie, Jacquet, Hampton
B1 – Hampton
B2 – Phillips
B3 – Gillespie
B4 – Hodges
B5 – Jacquet
B6 – Peterson
B7 – Webster
B8 – Brown
B9 – Eldridge

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Label: Clef Records – MG C-711
Series: Norman Granz’ Jam Session – #8
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1953