Zodiac Suite

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ALBUM INFORMATION
LIVE

Total Tracks: 17   Total Length: 43:04

eMusic Features

House Party Starting: Playing Herbie Nichols

By Kevin Whitehead

Ask a jazz fan about Herbie Nichols, and the reaction is likely to be either, "He's a genius," or "Who?" The pianist and composer is the paradigm of a genius neglected in his own time. Nichols's classic mid-'50s sides for Blue Note were all but forgotten when he passed at 44 in 1963. A.B. Spellman memorialized him with a chapter in 1966's Four Lives in the Be-Bop Business, but he didn't get much respect till… more »

They Say All Media Guide

Mary Lou Williams’ Zodiac Suite, a 12-piece work with a different theme made for each of the signs of the zodiac (and keeping in mind the personalities of a few jazz musicians born during each period), was composed and first recorded in 1945. With the assistance of bassist Al Lucas and drummer Jack “The Bear” Parker, pianist Williams performs these moody and often introspective (but occasionally playful) sketches in a forward-looking swing style. Six alternate takes have been added to the original program on this CD reissue which, although not quite essential, has its interesting moments. – Scott Yanow