Gene Ammons: Late Hour Special

This date from the early ’60s offers interesting examples of tenor saxophone directions at that time. Ammons was aware of what was contemporary. Ammons had a famous father, of course, and he sounds better and more relaxed with just a rhythm section on three titles than on the others with a nine-piece band playing Oliver Nelson arrangements. The pianist in that rhythm section was the excellent Patti Bown, who is not remembered often enough when the roll of talented jazz ladies is called. It is a shame she has not been heard from more often.

Ammons and his ilk are sometimes referred to as the basic inspiration for “acid jazz,” another idiot label fastened on a benighted music. (Has anyone yet come up with a halfway intelligent explanation of it?)

Originally Published April 1, 1998