Jon Eardley Quintet
Namely Me
Spotlite (UK) 1979
SPJLP17 (LP)
sleeve : EX(SRW, slightly wear on corner.)
media : EX/EX(some slightly noise.)
A leader album released in 1979 on the UK label Spotlite by American trumpeter Jon Eardley, who made his name in the ’50s alongside Phil Woods and Gerry Mulligan, later relocating to Germany in the late ’60s and performing with the likes of Chet Baker, leaving behind a string of classic recordings on labels such as Prestige. This quintet features top-tier British jazz musicians Pete King (alto sax), John Taylor (piano), Ron Mathewson (bass), joined by American drummer Micky Rocker. Rooted in an authentic hard-bop tradition, the album also reveals a more contemporary touch on the ballad sides B1 and B2, where Eardley’s mystical trumpet tone, King’s glossy alto, and Taylor’s elegant piano — well known from his work with Azimuth on ECM — truly shine. A beautifully balanced session of deep jazz sophistication. Highly recommended.
B1: Laugh Little Boy
B2: Konigswenz