Joe Henderson was one of the two major saxophonists who emerged in the 1960s. The other was Wayne Shorter. Joe's style came from Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane but was all his own. His facility and his original phrasing and ideas were all Joe. In 1962 Joe entered the New York scene after spending much time in Detroit and a few years in the US Army (playing music). Joe hooked up with trumpeter Kenny Dorham and through Kenny got a Blue Note contract. He made five albums under his own name and many many sideman appearances with artists like Lee Morgan, Andrew Hill, Grant Green etc. Tonight's Jazz Feature is Joe's last Blue Note album before he moved to leadership of his own bands and other labels. "Mode For Joe" is an all-star date but well organized by Joe. It's a septet with Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Cedar Walton on piano, Ron Carter on bass and the dynamic Joe Chambers on drums. Joe wrote three tunes, Cedar Walton wrote the title track and one more and Lee Morgan contributed one. This is a very cohesive date with a unity of thought and purpose and everyone brings their best game here. "Mode For Joe" stands as one of Joe Henderson's finest outings and it's on tonight!

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