Composer,theorist, pianist, arranger George Russell occupies an important place in Jazz history. He wrote the influential theory book called "The Lydian Concept of Tonal Organization" and many influential musicians studied the ideas in that book. George Russell had a working band from the years 1960-64 and all of the players that passed through his band learned his theories. This rare date was only issued on LP and had no domestic issue on CD (it was issued in Europe). It's called "The George Russell Sextet in Kansas City" which is a bit of a misnomer as it was actually recorded in New York on February 23,1961 after a two week gig in Kansas City. There are no Russell compositions on this date but his sound is all over this set. The personnel is George Russell on piano, Don Ellis on trumpet, Dave Young on tenor saxophone, Dave Baker on trombone, Chuck Israels on bass, and Joe Hunt on drums. Baker has one tune and a young Carla Bley has two (she was a student of Russell's), Clifford Brown's blues called "Sandu" is here as is Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson's "Tune Up" and finally a collective improvisation called "Theme" leads to a fade out ending. The band sounds as modern as tomorrow and reflects the concepts of the one and only George Russell. I'm sure Kansas City was never the same after Russell's visit!

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