Island Blues – 1966
Charles Lloyd
A classic performance by Lloyd’s quartet with Keith Jarrett
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In 1966, tenor-saxophonist and flutist Charles Lloyd put together a quartet that soon had unexpected commercial success, competing with Cannonball Adderley’s Quintet (Lloyd’s former employer) as the most popular modern jazz group of the time.
Lloyd’s quartet with pianist Keith Jarrett (who originally became famous while with Lloyd), bassist Cecil McBee, and drummer Jack DeJohnette caught on big without compromising their music.
They recorded their first album, Dream Weaver, on Mar. 29, 1966 and then went on a European tour during a year that culminated with them becoming the hit of the 1966 Monterey Jazz Festival.
On May 2, 1966, they appeared on Belgium television, performing this classic version of “Island Blues” (with Jarrett sometimes playing inside the piano) that has fortunately survived for over 55 years.
-Scott Yanow
