Tenor Madness cover

Tenor Madness

Released

Rollins borrowed the Miles Davis Quintet’s rhythm section of pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones for this 1956 album, and on its 12-minute title track, he invited John Coltrane in, too. This was the only time the two men ever recorded together, and it’s a brilliant encounter precisely because it’s early (Coltrane’s style was still forming; he hadn’t even recorded as a leader yet) and neither man sees it as a competition. They’re having fun, serving the tune, and still making meaningful statements in their own voices. The rest of the album is great, too, especially the ballad “When Your Lover Has Gone.”

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
The Fifties: A Prism (feat. Christopher Crenshaw) cover

The Fifties: A Prism (feat. Christopher Crenshaw)

Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Blue Train cover

Blue Train

John Coltrane
Two of a Mind cover

Two of a Mind

Paul Desmond, Gerry Mulligan
Without Deception cover

Without Deception

Johnathan Blake, Kenny Barron, Dave Holland
Apex cover

Apex

Bunky Green, Jason Moran, Rudresh Mahanthappa
Night Hawk cover

Night Hawk

Coleman Hawkins, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis