Harold Land (tenor sax), Clifford Brown (trumpet), Richie Powell (piano), George Morrow (bass) and Max Roach (drums). From the album Clifford Brown & Max Roach (1954).
Harold Land was an underrated American tenor saxophonist specializing in hard bop and post-bop styles. He perfected the way he played the instrument as a member of the Max Roach and Clifford Brown’s group, and achieving a musical personality of his own.
Harold Land
Harold Land
His tone was energetic and sensitive, with a delicacy that made him easy to recognize. He often rivaled Brown’s instrumental skilfulness thanks to the creativity and whim of his solos. He had the dark accent characteristic of the hard bop and modal jazz. He died in 2001 of a heart attack at the age of 72.
The piano gives an introduction and the saxophone and trumpet expose a joyful theme. Land begins his solo supported by the walking of the double bass. His phrases sometimes accelerate and his dialogue is serene. Next comes Brown with his solo and his discourse is also relaxed. Suddenly he jumps with the trumpet and then continues on his previous path until he gives way to Powell. His subtle way of playing the piano makes it difficult to recognize him in a hard bop environment, although sometimes he also picks up speed. Then Brown exchanges four-bar solos with the drummer taking turns with Land and then release Roach to demonstrate his abilities. To conclude, the piano repeats the introduction and the group re-exposes the theme.
