‘Aw-ite’, by The JFK Quintet
This relatively obscure and unknown quintet was another great discovery by Cannonball Adderley, who also brought attention to Wes Montgomery and the Mangione Brothers (my post about their debut can be found here). The group only lasted three years and recorded just two albums: today’s ‘New Jazz Frontiers From Washington’ from 1961 (made available again on the Riverside ‘limited edition’ series) and ‘Young Ideas’, recorded a year later.
Alto saxophonist Andrew White fuels this hard bop date by occasionally using Eric Dolphy-influenced tunes while trumpeter Ray Codrington plays the perfect foil, keeping the music swinging and straight ahead. Not to be excluded from praise is the top-notch rhythm section, along with the added presence of Cannonball Adderley as producer and mentor. Its unfortunate this quintet, named as a tribute to then president JFK’s ideology of change and new ideas, only lasted so briefly.
Andy White - Alto Saxophone
Ray Codrington - Trumpet
Harry Killgo - Piano
Walter Booker Jr. - Bass
Carl Newman - Drums
