This is a Birthday celebration to one of our great living Jazz Masters. Today (January 25) marks the 87th Birthday of tenor saxophonist/composer/arranger and Jazz Master Benny Golson. Golson has been a part of Jazz history since breaking into the bands of Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and then forming his own groups along with his important band The Jazztet with trumpeter Art Farmer. Tonight's Jazz Feature is an album that features his mellifluous tenor saxophone playing unfettered by complex arrangements hence the album's title..."Free". Golson is heard here with the "poet of the piano", Tommy Flanagan, bassist Ron Carter and the ubiquitous Arthur Taylor on drums. Two Golson originals are on this set and an intriguing original by obscure pianist Will Davis called "Sock Cha". The rest of the six tunes are made up of good quality standards. "Free" is a testament to the wonderful playing of Benny Golson who somehow combines the sound of his early mentors, Don Byas and Lucky Thompson with his very modern concept. No one sounds like Benny and a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mr. Golson!

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