Live at the Hillcrest Club (1958)

by Billy Higgins, Charlie Haden, Ornette Coleman, Paul Bley, Don Cherry

Overview

This out of print LP is quite valuable, for it features altoist Ornette Coleman live in concert shortly after making his first studio sessions. Musicians from what would be the Coleman Quartet (with trumpeter Don Cherry, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Billy Higgins) are heard at a live gig in Los Angeles under the leadership of pianist Paul Bley. Bley's piano is mostly pretty sparse, and Coleman is the dominant force, particularly on his melodic "The Blessing" and the well-titled "Free." It is particularly interesting to hear Coleman and Cherry improvising freely on Charlie Parker's "Klactoveesedstene" and Roy Eldridge's "I Remember Harlem." The recording quality is decent for the period, and avant-garde collectors will want to search for this pioneering effort. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	08/19/2014
Label:	Doxy Records
UPC:	0889397040017

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Klactoveesedstene
2. I Remember Harlem
3. The Blessing
4. Free

Disc 2

5. When Will the Blues Leave
6. How Deep is the Ocean
7. Ramblin'
8. Crossroads

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Paul Bley   Primary Artist
Ornette Coleman   Primary Artist
Don Cherry   Primary Artist
Billy Higgins   Primary Artist
Charlie Haden   Primary Artist