Copenhagen – 1968
Elvin Jones Trio
3 songs featuring Jones, Joe Farrell and Jimmy Garrison
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In 1968, two years after leaving the John Coltrane Quartet, Elvin Jones led a trio with tenor-saxophonist Joe Farrell (who also played flute and soprano) and bassist Jimmy Garrison.
Farrell would perform with Jones off and on up to 1971 while Garrison left later in the year and was succeeded by Wilbur Little.
The pianoless trio found Farrell displaying both a strong John Coltrane influence and his own musical personality.
The trio’s miniset begins with an outstanding Farrell cadenza that leads into an obscure ballad.
Farrell’s solo is passionate while keeping the melody in mind, ending quietly.
Next is a lengthy and outstanding Elvin Jones drum solo; Farrell briefly makes the piece a duet but this is Jones’ showcase.
The trio concludes by playing Jimmy Heath’s “Gingerbread Boy”
The excellent black and white camerawork lets one fully experience the heated playing and joy of the Elvin Jones Trio.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald