One of the creators of “soul jazz”, pianist Les McCann is found here in his earliest and swingingest days with his trio on the Pacific Jazz label. He hits the ground running with Leroy Vinnegar/b and Ron Jefferson/dr with some gospel drenched pieces like “The Truth” and a rollicking “A 2/4 for God and Co.” Still in LA, at a coffee house on the Sunset Strip called The Bit, McCann and company mix bop (“A Night In Tunisia”) with Ellington (“C-Jam Blues”) and standards )”A Foggy Day”. The same year, 1960, he brings in replacement bassist Herbie Lewis for a recording in San Francisco for a baptized “Come on and Get That Church” as well as a coy reading of “Jeepers Creepers”. Continuing his concert recordings, McCann is caught at the Village Vanguard with the same team for some deep grooves on “Filet of Soul” and “Too Close For Comfort”. Back in the studio, McCann goes romantic with lyrical renditions of “Pretty Lady”, “On Green Dolphin Street” and a bluesy “Django”.
McCann pulls a ringer with guests Ben Webster/ts and Groove Holmes/org and sings with verve on standards such as “Deed I Do” and “But Not For Me”, sounding absolutely wonderful. He continues to sing with his trio of Vinnegar and Jefferson and adds guitarist Joe Pass for a thoroughly enjoyable “Bernie’s Tune” and his own “Fondue”, going modal on Miles Davis’ “So What”. Last but not least is a joining together with The Jazz Crusaders including Joe Sample/p, Stix Hooper/dr, Wilton Felder/ts Robert Haynes/b and Wayne Henderson/tb for some earthy reads of “Bluesette”, “This Here” and “All Blue”. He’s still alive and well, and his influence lives on in the hands of younger generations of pianists who have imbibed deeply from McCann’s waters.