On Green Dolphin Street Part 2 – 1981
George Coleman Octet
The concluding part of an all-star version of the standard
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The second half of a 21-minute version of “On Green Dolphin Street” (filmed at Rome’s Music Inn in 1981) brings the piece to a climax.
After bassist Clint Houston finishes his solo, drummer Billy Higgins has a colorful spot.
Then the tempo surprisingly doubles and there are some ensembles from the octet which also includes altoist Bobby Watson, both George Coleman and Sal Nistico on tenors, baritonist Mario Rivera, flugelhornist Danny Moore and pianist Harold Mabern.
Coleman, one of the great tenors, takes over, cooking hard at the rapid tempo, playing consistently creative ideas, and using circular breathing to create a fiery improvisation that concludes the marathon performance.
-Scott Yanow
