Avars

Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Wynton Kelly (piano), Sam Jones (bass) and Roy Brooks (drums). From the album Blue’s Moods (1960).

Sam Jones was an American jazz bassist with impeccable technique, cellist and composer. He was very sought after and was often associated with the drummer Louis Hayes. He was also a very gifted jazz cello soloist. He moved to New York in 1955 and was part of the groups of Kenny Dorham, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard and Thelonious Monk among others, but he’s best known for his work with Cannonball Adderley from 1959 to 1965.

From 1960 to 1962 he recorded three albums playing the cello. He joined the Oscar Peterson Trio from 1966 to 1970 replacing Ray Brown and worked extensively as a sideman for the rest of his life for several record labels, like Interplay and SteepleChase. He died in 1981 at 57 years of age.

The theme is short and could be part of the soundtrack of a thriller. Mitchell begins his solo with energy on the blues harmonies and then the group plays a riff to give way to Jones, who makes a fast and uncompromising solo. Then the band plays the riff again and Kelly enters with a very well elaborated melodic line. Mitchell returns showing his skill and finally the group re-exposes the theme.