ProJazz.net

Jazz at Massey Hall is a live album released in December 1953 by jazz combo The Quintet through Debut Records. It was recorded on 15 May 1953 at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada. Credited to “the Quintet”, the jazz group was composed of five leading “modern” players of the day: Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach. It was the only time that the five musicians recorded together as a unit, and it was the last recorded meeting of Parker and Gillespie.

Track listing:
(Originally issued as two 10″ LPs:)

Vol. 1 (Debut DLP-2)

“Perdido” (Juan Tizol) – 7:43
“Salt Peanuts” (Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke) – 7:39
“All the Things You Are” (Jerome Kern)/”52nd Street Theme” (Thelonious Monk) – 7:52
Vol. 3 (Debut DLP-4)

“Wee (Allen’s Alley)” (Denzil Best) – 6:41
“Hot House” (Tadd Dameron) – 9:11
“A Night in Tunisia” (Gillespie, Frank Paparelli) – 7:34
(Vol. 2 consists of the trio recordings of Powell, Mingus and Roach from the same date: all but “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, and one track by Billy Taylor with Mingus and Roach from a later date.)

(Issued as 12″ LP:)

(Debut DEB-124)

“Perdido” (Juan Tizol)
“Salt Peanuts” (Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke)
“All the Things You Are” (Jerome Kern)
“52nd Street Theme” (Thelonious Monk)
“Wee (Allen’s Alley)” (Denzil Best)
“Hot House” (Tadd Dameron)
“A Night in Tunisia” (Gillespie, Frank Paparelli)

The 2004 reissue contains fourteen tracks, of which nos. 5 through 11 are without Parker and Gillespie:

“Perdido” (Juan Tizol)
“Salt Peanuts” (Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke)
“All the Things You Are” (Jerome Kern)
“52nd Street Theme” (Thelonious Monk)
“Drum Conversation” (Max Roach)
“Cherokee” (Ray Noble)
“Embraceable You” (George Gershwin)
“Hallelujah (Jubilee)” (Vincent Youmans)
“Sure Thing” (Bud Powell)
“Lullaby of Birdland” (George Shearing)
“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” (Cole Porter)
“Wee (Allen’s Alley)” (Denzil Best)
“Hot House” (Tadd Dameron)
“A Night in Tunisia” (Gillespie, Frank Paparelli)
Tracks 5 through 11 are without Parker and Gillespie.

Personnel:
Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet, vocal on “Salt Peanuts”
Charles Mingus – double bass
Charlie Parker – alto saxophone
Bud Powell – piano
Max Roach – drums

An album of a trio set, played by Powell, Mingus and Roach at the concert, was also issued (tracks 6 through 11 above).

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Released: December 1953
Recorded: 15 May 1953
Venue: Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada
Length: 46:54
Label: Debut
Producer: Charles Mingus