Al Haig Trio (Esoteric)
Encyclopedia
Al Haig Trio is a 1954 jazz album released by Al Haig
on the Esoteric records label; in later rereleases it is therefore often known as Esoteric or The Al Haig Trio Esoteric.
The album is notable as being one of three that Haig released as leader in 1954, the final year of his first period of success. There followed some twenty years of obscurity, broken in the later 1970s, when he was finally recognised as an important pioneer of bop
, and began to be recorded again.
This album contains thirteen sides, the only surprising choice being "Royal Garden Blues
", a Dixieland
number. The repertoire may be unadventurous, but the playing is top class. Though this (and Haig's other 1954 albums) was little noticed at the time, it has since been judged to be a highlight in the career of one of the key figures in the development of bop, being awarded a rare crown in Cook and Morton's The Penguin Guide to Jazz.
Al Haig
Alan Warren Haig was an American jazz pianist, best known as one of the pioneers of bebop.Haig was born in Newark, New Jersey...
on the Esoteric records label; in later rereleases it is therefore often known as Esoteric or The Al Haig Trio Esoteric.
The album is notable as being one of three that Haig released as leader in 1954, the final year of his first period of success. There followed some twenty years of obscurity, broken in the later 1970s, when he was finally recognised as an important pioneer of bop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
, and began to be recorded again.
This album contains thirteen sides, the only surprising choice being "Royal Garden Blues
Royal Garden Blues
"Royal Garden Blues" is a blues song composed by Clarence and Spencer Williams in 1919. Popularized in jazz by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, it has since been recorded by numerous artists and has become a jazz standard...
", a Dixieland
Dixieland
Dixieland music, sometimes referred to as Hot jazz, Early Jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century, and was spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s.Well-known jazz standard songs from the...
number. The repertoire may be unadventurous, but the playing is top class. Though this (and Haig's other 1954 albums) was little noticed at the time, it has since been judged to be a highlight in the career of one of the key figures in the development of bop, being awarded a rare crown in Cook and Morton's The Penguin Guide to Jazz.
Personnel
- Al HaigAl HaigAlan Warren Haig was an American jazz pianist, best known as one of the pioneers of bebop.Haig was born in Newark, New Jersey...
— pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Bill CrowBill CrowBill Crow is an American jazz bassist and author.Crow was born in Othello, Washington in the United States of America, but spent his childhood in Kirkland, Washington. After high school, he briefly played sousaphone at the University of Washington in Seattle...
— double bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2... - Lee AbramsLee AbramsLee Abrams is an American media executive who has held a number of posts for large and influential companies, and is generally credited with developing the "Album Oriented Rock" format employed by hundreds of radio stations across the country.-Career:...
— drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Track listing
- "Autumn in New YorkAutumn in New York (song)"Autumn in New York" is a jazz standard composed by Vernon Duke in 1934 for the Broadway musical Thumbs Up! which opened on December 27, 1934, performed by J. Harold Murray...
" (5:17) - "Isn't It Romantic?Isn't It Romantic?"Isn't It Romantic?" is a popular song and part of the Great American Songbook. The music was composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart. It has a 32-bar chorus in ABAC form...
" (3:38) - "They Can't Take That Away from Me" (2:52)
- "Royal Garden BluesRoyal Garden Blues"Royal Garden Blues" is a blues song composed by Clarence and Spencer Williams in 1919. Popularized in jazz by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, it has since been recorded by numerous artists and has become a jazz standard...
" (2:44) - "Don't Blame Me" (2:46)
- "Moonlight in Vermont" (3:43)
- "If I Should Lose YouIf I Should Lose You"If I Should Lose You" is a song composed by Ralph Rainger, with lyrics by Leo Robin. It was introduced in the 1936 film Rose of the Rancho.-Notable recordings:*Georgia Brown - Georgia Brown Sings Gershwin/Georgia Brown...
" (3:34) - "April in Paris" (2:15)
- "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" (2:20)
- "Body and Soul" (4:55)
- "Gone with the Wind" (2:59)
- "My Old Flame" (2:58)
- "On the Alamo" (3:34)