Media Type: VINYL x1
Performer: Richard “Groove” Holmes (org); Gene Ammons (ts); Gene Edwards (g); Leroy Henderson (dr)
Genre: Jazz
Label: Pure Pleasure

+ Description

Ironically, Gene 'Jug' Ammons tended to be critical of organists; he was quoted as saying that »organ players don't know any changes.« However, as critical the Chicago tenor saxman might have been of organists — most of them, anyway — he did some of his best work in their presence. When Ammons united with Jack McDuff, Johnny 'Hammond' Smith and other B-3 masters in the '60s, the sparks would fly. They certainly fly on this excellent album, which finds Ammons and Richard 'Groove' Holmes co-leading a soul-jazz/hard bop organ combo that also includes guitarist Gene Edwards and drummer Leroy Henderson. The quartet is heard in two settings on August 15, 1961 — three of the eight selections were produced by Richard Bock in a Los Angeles studio in the afternoon, while the other three were recorded several hours later an L.A. club called the Black Orchid. Ammons and Holmes prove to be a strong combination in both settings, although their playing is somewhat looser at the Orchid, where the delights include some slow blues, a smokey ballad ("Willow Weep for Me") and a lightning-fast barnburner. However critical Ammons might have been of most organists, it's obvious that he and Holmes share a lot of common ground on "Groovin' With Jug". Recording: August 1961 at The Black Orchid and Pacific Jazz Studios Production: Richard Bock

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