TrombonistJ.J. Johnsontook the language of bebop and adapted it to his instrument winning the admiration ofFats Navarro,Dizzy Gillespie, andCharlie Parker. After appearing onMiles Davis first Blue Note session in 1952,Johnsonwas given the chance to lead his own dates in 1953 and 1954. The first featured a sextet withJohnsonjoined by the brilliant trumpeterClifford Brown, saxophonistJimmy Heath, pianistJohn Lewis, bassistPercy Heath, and drummerKenny Clarkewho perform a varied program with up-tempo burners like Turnpike and beautiful ballads like Lover Man. For his next sessionJohnsonwent back into Van Gelder Studio to cut memorable takes of Old Devil Moon, the percolating original Coffee Pot, and more with a quintet featuringWynton Kellyon piano,Charles Minguson bass,Clarkeonce again on drums, and the congueroSabu Martinez. The two sessions were later combined for the 12 releaseThe Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 1(BLP 1505).

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is mono, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original masters, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Tracklist:
A1: Turnpike
A2: Lover Man
A3: Get Happy
A4: Sketch 1
A5: Capri

B1: Jay
B2: Old Devil Moon
B3: It’s You Or No One
B4: Too Marvelous For Words
B5: Coffee Pot