Cookin' - Complete 1956-1957 Sessions

This compilation includes the contents of two LPs and part of a third, all featuring Paul Gonsalves and Clark Terry, though only one of them, Cookin', was originally issued under the tenor saxophonist's name. The CD opens with four songs from The Jazz School, one side of a 1956 recording featuring the two Ellingtonians with pianist Junior Mance, bassist Chubby Jackson, the little known baritonist Porter Kilbert, and drummer Gene Miller. Gonsalves contributed "Take Nine" with the other tracks being enjoyable, if unremarkable arrangements of familiar standards. The ten tracks from Cookin' include fellow Duke Ellington bandmembers Jimmy Woode on bass and Sam Woodyard on drums, with Willie Jones on piano. The date consists of originals by either Gonsalves or Terry, with the tenorist taking lots of long solos, as was typical for him. None of the compositions ended up becoming lasting vehicles in either man's repertoire. The final six tracks actually represent the entire contents of Jimmy Woode's sole recording as a leader, with fellow Ellington sidemen Gonsalves, Terry, and Woodyard, in addition to Kilbert (on alto sax) and flautist Mike Simpson. This session was a rare opportunity for Woode to showcase his songwriting abilities, with one standard, "The Way You Look Tonight," becoming a vocal feature for the bassist.