When this album was originally released, the May 15, 1953 was called “The Greatest Jazz Concert Ever” because of the all star lineup. On paper, it really was a dream to have the progenitors of bebop together one last time, about 7 years after its birth.
The concert consisted of two parts; first a trio led by pianist and bebop pioneer Bud Powell along with drummer Max Roach and the mercurial bassist Charles Mingus. Roach gets a solo spot on “Drum Conversation”, but after that, Powell waxes elegance on “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “Lullaby of Birdland” and “Embraceable You” before tearing into “Cherokee” and “Hallelujah”.
With Parker and Gillespie reuniting, the team warms up on a lightly swinging “Perdido” and Gillespie has fun on the vocals of the classic “Salt Peanuts”. Things really get rolling on “Wee”, “Hot House” and “A Night In Tunisia” with Parker (playing a plastic horn) in inspired mode.
There are two discs of the recordings, due to the fact that Mingus overdubbed his bass in order to sound better on the released recording. You can decide for yourself if that was needed or necessary, but that’s Mingus for you. No bebop fan should be without this very important testament of the last halcyon days of Bird and Diz together.