This is a very rare 1963 album with a sort of twist. It contains 12 outstanding songs (1 through 12) with a creative combination of Booker Ervin and Pony Poindexter plus company. The final 4 songs excludes Poindexter altogether, with music recorded on a later date, 1964. The record company (Prestige) decided to add these unreleased 4 songs from a trio (Booker Ervin, Larry Young and Jerry Thomas) which really has no connection with the title of the album and with the theme, New Orleans. Nevertheless, “Gumbo” is a great album and all the Jazz Con Class listeners will definitely enjoy it! Check the schedule link for play times.
About the Album:
Tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin joined alto and soprano saxophonist Pony Poindexter in 1963 on Gumbo, based around the sights and sounds of Poindexter’s birthplace, the Crescent City. Poindexter penned the majority of these compositions, providing them with evocative titles of the city: “Creole Girl,” “French Market,” and “Gumbo Filet.” Gumbo finds Ervin playing more straight-ahead than on his exploratory “Book” sessions, which he had begun recording under his name by this time. The rhythm section on the first 12 cuts include Gildo Mahones on piano, George Tucker on bass, and Jimmie Smith on drums…….Learn More
More on Pony Poindexter:
One of the first bop-oriented jazz musicians to start doubling on soprano, Pony Poindexter should have been much better known during his lifetime. As with many saxophonists, the clarinet was his first instrument before switching to alto and tenor. Poindexter worked very early on with Sidney Desvigne in New Orleans (1940) and later attended the Candell Conservatory of Music in Oakland. He was with the 1947 Billy Eckstine Big Band and toured with Eckstine a few times during 1948-1950. Poindexter was based in the San Francisco Bay Area during much of his life, traveling a bit while with Lionel Hampton during 1951-1952. He worked steadily as both a sideman and a leader in local clubs throughout the 1950s. Neal Hefti, who was aware of Poindexter’s talents early on…..Learn More
