January 24 is the birthday of one of the great unsung drummers....his name....Leonard Louis McBrowne. He was born in New York on Jan. 24,1933 and passed away after a short illness in San Francisco in the mid-90's. Lenny had played with many people of note: Billie Holiday, Sonny Rollins, Randy Weston, Thelonious Monk,Paul Bley, just to name a few. Lenny studied with Max Roach and reflected Roach's teaching by playing in a swinging and very melodic manner, something few drummers accomplish. McBrowne loved the West Coast and spent much time there playing in the two major Jazz centers, L.A. and San Francisco. He formed his own band in 1959 and called it Lenny McBrowne and The Four Souls. They only recorded two albums, the first for Pacific Jazz was fine but tonight's Feature was much better. It was produced by Julian "Cannonball" Adderley for Riverside Records and called "Eastern Lights". It has never been reissued on CD. McBrowne wanted to take the band to New York and show the easterners that West Coast guys could play with fire and soul but alas, the trip east never happened and eventually the group disbanded and McBrowne began a freelance career. This recording is a fine document and features the incisive trumpet work of San Diegan, Don Sleet and the great tenor saxophone work of fellow San Diegan, Daniel Jackson. Mr. Jackson was the defacto musical director of this band and did seven of the eight tunes and arranged them all. He is still alive and well and was recently honored in his home town of San Diego with "Daniel Jackson Day"! Pianist Terry Trotter displays a fine touch and technique. Terry became very sought after and went on to a long career in the Hollywood film studios. Bassist Jimmy Bond is solid as a rock. The leader, Lenny McBrowne demonstrates why he became one of the finest drummers on the planet. It's a bit sad that his life ended in relative obscurity. "Eastern Lights" deserves a place among those albums that we call "minor classics".

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