Clark Terry/Ernie Wilkins: Live at Montmartre

The previously unreleased Live at Montmartre (Storyville) captures Clark Terry and Ernie Wilkins at a co-led Copenhagen gig in June 1975, with Horace Parlan on piano, Mads Vinding on bass and Bjarne Rostvold on drums. In his liner notes, Mark Gardner provides some context: Terry and Wilkins were Navy buddies going back to the early ’40s; it was Terry who, in 1951, finagled a spot (on alto) for Wilkins in the Basie band. Their brotherly bond comes through on this cheerful disc, which opens with a 15-minute reading of “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and continues with a short, slightly shaky “When I Fall in Love” and a grooving, stretched-out “Satin Doll.” Terry then pauses to acknowledge the presence of Kenny Drew, Ed Thigpen and others, but it’s Richard Boone and Dexter Gordon he calls up to sing on the slow “Boone’s Blues.” (“You didn’t bring your ax, Dex?” cajoles Terry.) The jive-vocal exchange that follows between Boone and Terry is simply priceless. “Misty” and “The Theme” round out a riotously fun session.

Originally Published January 1, 2004