1981
George Coleman Octet
An upbeat number from an undocumented group
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George Coleman, who is probably still best known for being the tenor-saxophonist in the Miles Davis Quintet of 1963-64, has been a major saxophonist for over 55 years.
A top hard bop player, Coleman has often led his own groups through the years but has only occasionally been featured on record dates.
Here is a performance of an original blues in England by the George Coleman Octet of 1981, a group that never recorded and is largely unidentified other than drummer Billy Higgins.
The excellent arranged ensembles, Coleman’s heated double-time runs in his powerful solo, a spot for Higgins, and the general spirit of the group make one wish that they had made a few CDs.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald