1981
George Coleman Octet
An upbeat number from an undocumented group
Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube
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
