The Lucky Thompson Discography 1951-1956
by Noal Cohen

Back to my Lucky Thompson page at Noal Cohen's Jazz History Website

Note: For conventions and abbreviations used in this discography, please see: Discography Key.

Ida James, Herb Lance, Dick Vance (ldr), Dick Vance (t), George Dorsey (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Andrew Brown (bar), Sammy Benskin (p), Al Hall (b), Jimmy Crawford (d), Ida James, Herb Lance (v)

Ida James (ldr) on c-d; (v) on c-d; Herb Lance (ldr) on a-b; (v) on a-b.

This session involves the Dick Vance Orchestra backing vocalists Herb Lance and Ida James. The Tony Williams Lucky Thompson discography as well as the Lord and Bruyninckx discographies all incorrectly give the catalog number for the issue of tracks c and d as 38267 which was actually a release by Happy Johnson and the Jive Five. See Online Discographical Project, Columbia 38000-38500 and Online Discographical Project, Columbia 39000-39500.

Count Basie (ldr), Bobby Mitchell, Al Porcino, Clark Terry, Lamar Wright, Jr. (t), Leon Comegys, Matthew Gee, Booty Wood (tb), Reuben Phillips, Marshal Royal (as), Wardell Gray, Lucky Thompson (ts), Charles Fowlkes (bar), Freddie Green (g), Count Basie (p), Jimmy Lewis (b), Gus Johnson (d)

Lucky Thompson does not solo on any of these tracks. Wardell Gray is the featured tenor saxophone soloist.

Bette McLaurin, Eddie Wilcox (ldr), Andrew 'Fats' Ford, Taft Jordan, Abdul 'Chiefie' Salam (t), Elmer Crumbley, Clarence Johnson (tb), Jackie Fields, Dave McRae (as), Freddie Mitchell, Lucky Thompson (ts), Eddie Wilcox (p), Aaron Bell (b), Osie Johnson (d), Bette McLaurin (v)

Bette McLaurin (v) on a.

Although the Lord and Bruyninckx discographies as well as the liner notes to Official 6045 give June 5, 1951 as the recording date of this session, the Tony Williams, Dieter Salemann and Bob Weir Lucky Thompson discographies all give the date as June 5, 1950. But Eddie Wilcox did not sign with the Derby label until June 1951. Lucky Thompson does not solo on track a. There is a tenor saxophone solo on track b but probably by Freddie Mitchell and not Thompson.

Harry 'Hot Lips' Johnson (ldr), Frank Galbreath (t), Bernie Peacock (as), Harry 'Hot Lips' Johnson (ts, v), Lucky Thompson (ts), Numa 'Pee Wee' Moore (bar), Howard Biggs (p), Aaron Bell (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d), The Winky Dinks (bkv), Melvin Moore (v)

The Winky Dinks (bkv) on c; Harry 'Hot Lips' Johnson (v) on c; Melvin Moore (v) on d.

The tenor saxophone soloist on tracks c and d is undoubtedly Hot Lips Johnson. The 78 issue of tracks a and b has not yet been located.

Bette McLaurin (ldr), Andrew 'Fats' Ford, Taft Jordan, Abdul 'Chiefie' Salam (t), Elmer Crumbley, Clarence Johnson (tb), Jackie Fields, Dave McRae (as), Freddie Mitchell, Lucky Thompson (ts), Eddie Wilcox (p), Aaron Bell (b), Osie Johnson (d), Bette McLaurin (v)

The personnel is uncertain but assumed to be similar to that of the June 5, 1951 McLaurin/Wilcox session. The Lord and Bruyninckx discographies give a recording date of June 5, 1951 for this session while the Dieter Salemann and Tony Williams Lucky Thompson discographies indicate June 1950. The August 1951 date comes from the liner notes to Official 6045. Lucky Thompson does not solo on either track.

Discographies indicate that Lucky Thompson is present on other sessions with Bette McLaurin in 1951-1952 but I have not included them because of lack of information. Aural evidence suggests that Thompson is not the tenor saxophonist on "Lover Come Back To Me" (Derby D 790) and "Cry" (Derby D 791).

Johnnie Ray (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Mundell Lowe (g), Stan Freeman (p, cel), Eddie Safranski (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d), The Four Lads (bkv), Johnnie Ray (v)

Lucky Thompson (ts) on c; Stan Freeman (p) on a, c-d; (cel) on b.

Lucky Thompson plays a four bar introduction on track c and a bit on the ending of that track but is not heard on the other three tracks. The 10" LP Columbia CL 6199 had no title. All issues of the tracks from this famous session are not listed.

Annisteen Allen, Gene Redd (ldr), Gene Redd (t, vib), Reuben Phillips (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Pete Clark (bar), Cliff Smalls (p), Ike Isaacs (b), Jimmy Cobb (d), Annisteen Allen (v)

Annisteen Allen (ldr) on a-b; (v) on a-b; Gene Redd (t) on a-b; (vib) on b-d.

The Bruyninckx and King Label Discographies give the date of this session as October 31, 1951 while the Lord Discography indicates November 14, 1951. Tony Williams' Lucky Thompson discography also gives November 14, 1951 for tracks c and d (showing matrix numbers 1088, 1089) but "ca. 1951" for tracks a and b. Federal was a King subsidiary. Lucky Thompson plays accompaniment behind Allen on track a and solos on track b. Redd is the featured soloist (vibraphone) on tracks c and d.

Thelonious Monk (ldr), Kenny Dorham (t), Lou Donaldson (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Thelonious Monk (p), Nelson Boyd (b), Max Roach (d)

Kenny Dorham (t) on a-k; Lou Donaldson (as) on a-k; Lucky Thompson (ts) on a-k.

Lucky Thompson solos on all issued tracks except l. Horns are out on track l. Information on the three rejected takes comes from "Brilliant Corners: A Bio-Discography of Thelonious Monk" by Chris Sheridan. These are not shown in the Ruppli/Cuscuna Blue Note Discography.

Jimmy Scott (ldr), Gil Askey (t), John Sanders (tb), Curby Alexander (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Clarence Williams (bar), unknown (g), Ed Swanston (p), Peck Morrison (b), Herb Lovelle (d), Jimmy Scott (v)

This is Little Jimmy Scott accompanied by Lucky Thompson's Orchestra. Track c features ensemble vocal responses. Lucky Thompson plays obbligati behind Scott on track d.

Benny Carter, Savannah Churchill (ldr), Doc Cheatham, Taft Jordan, Dick Vance (t), Tyree Glenn, Claude Jones, Frank Rehak (tb), Eddie Barefield, Benny Carter (as), Art Drellinger, Lucky Thompson (ts), Willard Brown (bar), Rene Hall (g), Billy Taylor (p), Ray Brown (b), Christopher Columbus (d), Savannah Churchill (v)

Savannah Churchill (v) on c-d.

Tracks c and d were issued under Savannah Churchill's name. An unidentified vocal group is present on these two tracks. Several sources indicate that a version of Georgia On My Mind was recorded at this session but that title was actually recorded on August 18, 1952 in Los Angeles with a different ensemble. Lucky Thompson does not solo on any of the tracks.

Gene Redd (ldr), Gene Redd (t, vib), Reuben Phillips (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Pete Clark (bar), Cliff Smalls (p, or), Ike Isaacs (b), Jimmy Cobb (d), Valerie Carr (v)

Valerie Carr (v) on c.

The Lord and King Label Discographies give December 14, 1952 as the date of this session while Bruyninckx indicates December 14, 1951. The Tony Williams Lucky Thompson discography gives November 14, 1951 for tracks c and d. The matrix numbers are possibly consistent with the 1952 date and Federal 12119 was issued in 1953. On the other hand, the personnel is identical to that from the above October or November 1951 Annisteen Allen session suggesting a more likely 1951 recording date. Valerie Carr's vocal on track c is described as a "vocal obbligato."

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Harold Johnson (t), John Sanders (tb), Jimmy Powell (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Clarence Williams (bar), Joe Earl Knight (p), Beverly Peer (b), Percy Brice (d)

This ensemble was Lucky Thompson and His Lucky Seven. Title d is a composition by Lucky Thompson and not the Tadd Dameron piece of the same name. Lucky Thompson solos on the issued tracks.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Gil Askey (t), George Matthews (tb), Curby Alexander (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Clarence Williams (bar), Al Williams (p), Beverly Peer (b), Percy Brice (d)

This is Lucky Thompson and His Lucky Seven. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Miles Davis (ldr), Miles Davis (t), J. J. Johnson (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Horace Silver (p), Percy Heath (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

Lucky Thompson solos memorably on both tracks.

Dizzy Gillespie (ldr), Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Nottingham, Ernie Royal (t), Leon Comegys, J. J. Johnson, George Matthews (tb), George Dorsey, Hilton Jefferson (as), Hank Mobley, Lucky Thompson (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Ray Concepcion, Wade Legge (p), Lou Hackney, Robert Rodriguez (b), Charli Persip (d), Jose Mangual (bo), Candido Camero De Guerra, Ramon 'Mongo' Santamaria (cng), Ubaldo Nieto (tim)

a, b, c, d performed as medley.

These four tracks constitute a suite, each section being a different variation on Manteca (which is called "Manteca Theme"). Lucky Thompson solos on track d. All discographies list a fifth title, "6/8", with a matrix number 1715-2 being issued on Norgran 1003 but inspection of that LP reveals no such track. The issued Rhumba Finale is actually a composite of 1714-4 (Rhumba Finale, Part 1, 3:12) and 1715-2 (Rhumba Finale, Part 2, a.k.a. 6/8, 1:29).

Terry Pollard, Clark Terry (ldr), Norma Carson, Clark Terry (t), Urbie Green (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Corky Hale (hrp), Terry Pollard (vib, p), Tal Farlow, Mary Osborne (g), Beryl Booker, Horace Silver (p), Percy Heath, Oscar Pettiford, Bonnie Wetzel (b), Kenny Clarke, Elaine Leighton (d)

Terry Pollard (ldr) on e-g; (vib) on e-g; (p) on d; Clark Terry (ldr) on a-d; (t) on a-d; Norma Carson (t) on d-g; Urbie Green (tb) on a-d; Lucky Thompson (ts) on a-d; Corky Hale (hrp) on e-g; Tal Farlow (g) on a-d; Mary Osborne (g) on d-g; Beryl Booker (p) on e-g; Horace Silver (p) on a-d; Percy Heath (b) on c-d; Oscar Pettiford (b) on a-b; Bonnie Wetzel (b) on e-g; Kenny Clarke (d) on a-d; Elaine Leighton (d) on e-g.

Lucky Thompson solos on tracks a and c. Although Irving Berlin's melody is heard on track d, soloists employ the standard I Got Rhythm chord progression.

Dizzy Gillespie (ldr), Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Nottingham, Ernie Royal (t), Leon Comegys, J. J. Johnson, George Matthews (tb), George Dorsey, Hilton Jefferson (as), Hank Mobley, Lucky Thompson (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Wade Legge (p), Lou Hackney (b), Charli Persip (d)

Lucky Thompson solos on tracks a and c.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Jimmy Hamilton (cl), Sidney Gross (g), Billy Taylor (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Osie Johnson (d)

Jimmy Hamilton (cl) on a, c-e; Sidney Gross (g) on a.

Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks. This was his first LP as a leader.

Jimmy Hamilton (ldr), Ernie Royal (t), Lucky Thompson (ts), Jimmy Hamilton (cl), Sidney Gross (g), Joe Earl Knight (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Osie Johnson (d)

Track d is incorrectly listed as "Prelude To a Kiss" on Urania 1003 and Jazz Kings 1208. Lucky Thompson solos on tracks a, c and d.

Jack Teagarden (ldr), Ruby Braff (t), Jack Teagarden (tb, v), Lucky Thompson (ts), Sol Yaged (cl), Sidney Gross (g), Kenny Kersey (p, cel), Milt Hinton (b), Denzil Best (d)

Ruby Braff (t) on a-f; Lucky Thompson (ts) on a-f; Sol Yaged (cl) on a-f; Kenny Kersey (p) on a-f; (cel) on g; Jack Teagarden (v) on b-e, g.

Teagarden's trombone is the only horn heard on track g. Lucky Thompson solos on tracks a-f.

King Pleasure (ldr), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Jimmy Jones (p), Paul Chambers (b), Joe Harris (d), Quincy Jones (dir), Jon Hendricks, Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure, The Three Riffs (v)

Jon Hendricks (v) on a; Eddie Jefferson (v) on a-b; The Three Riffs (v) on b.

Lucky Thompson solos on tracks a, c and d.

John Lewis (ldr), J. J. Johnson (tb), Gunther Schuller (frh), Stan Getz, Lucky Thompson (ts), Aaron Sachs, Tony Scott (cl), James Politis (f), Manuel Zegler (bsn), Janet Putnam (hrp), Percy Heath (b), Connie Kay (d, tmp, tri)

Stan Getz (ts) on a-b; Lucky Thompson (ts) on c-e; Aaron Sachs (cl) on c-e; Tony Scott (cl) on a-b; Connie Kay (tmp) on a-b; (tri) on b-c.

This ensemble was called "The Modern Jazz Society." Lucky Thompson solos on tracks c-e. The Verve CD reissue 314 559 827-2 includes three rehearsal takes which the liner notes indicate were recorded on this date; however, they were recorded on November 18, 1955 with a slightly different ensemble - see that session below.

Jo Jones (ldr), Emmett Berry (t), Bennie Green (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Freddie Green (g), Count Basie, Nat Pierce (p), Walter Page (b), Jo Jones (d)

Count Basie (p) on a, f; Nat Pierce (p) on b-e.

This recording was part of the Jazz Showcase Series under the direction of John Hammond and was recorded in a church. The track "Caravan," which appears on most issues, was recorded at a different session and did not involve Lucky Thompson. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Jimmy Cleveland (ldr), Ernie Royal (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Cecil Payne (bar), Barry Galbraith (g), John Williams (p), Paul Chambers (b), Max Roach (d)

Barry Galbraith (g) on b-c.

Lucky Thompson solos on all 3 tracks.

John Lewis (ldr), J. J. Johnson (tb), Gunther Schuller (frh), Lucky Thompson (ts), Tony Scott (cl), James Politis (f), Loren Glickman (bsn), Janet Putnam (hrp), Milt Jackson (vib), John Lewis (p), Percy Heath (b), Connie Kay (d, tmp, tri)

b, c, d performed as medley.

J. J. Johnson (tb) on a, d-j, l-m; Gunther Schuller (frh) on f-m; Lucky Thompson (ts) on a, c, e-m; Tony Scott (cl) on a-b, e-m; James Politis (f) on f-m; Loren Glickman (bsn) on f-m; Janet Putnam (hrp) on f-m; Milt Jackson (vib) on f-h; John Lewis (p) on a-h, k; Connie Kay (tmp) on k-m; (tri) on j, l.

This is a rehearsal for a concert held the following day (November 19, 1955) at Town Hall in New York City. The concert itself, which featured the Modern Jazz Quartet as well as the Modern Jazz Society ensemble, was not recorded. The personnel and track information were generously provided by George Schuller and Michael Fitzgerald (the latter also responsible for the discovery that tracks k-m were really recorded on this date and NOT on March 14, 1955 as indicated in the liner notes to Verve CD 314 559 827-2). George Schuller reports that although this was a rehearsal, the tracks are complete performances with the exception of i which has a breakdown during Tony Scott's solo.

On the ballad medley, track b features Tony Scott, track c features Lucky Thompson and track d features J.J. Johnson. Milt Jackson only appears on tracks f-h.

Jimmy Cleveland (ldr), Ernie Royal (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Cecil Payne (bar), Barry Galbraith (g), Hank Jones (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Osie Johnson (d)

Barry Galbraith (g) on a-d.

Lucky Thompson solos on tracks d and e.

Milt Jackson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Milt Jackson (vib), Wade Legge (p), Wendell Marshall (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

CD SV-0110 gives Milt Jackson as the composer of track c but LP SJL 2204 lists the composer of this tune as Kenny Clarke. U.S. Copyright Office records support Clarke being the legal composer. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Milt Jackson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Milt Jackson (vib), Clifton 'Skeeter' Best (g), John Lewis (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

Lucky Thompson solos on all 3 tracks.

Milt Jackson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Milt Jackson (vib), Hank Jones (p), Wendell Marshall (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

h, i, j performed as medley.

Lucky Thompson (ts) on a, c-e, g, i, k-l; Milt Jackson (vib) on a-e, g-h, k-l.

Tracks h-j comprise a medley of 6:43. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks except h and j.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Clifton 'Skeeter' Best (g), Oscar Pettiford (b)

In the ABC-Paramount ledger, track d is called "Deep Passion" and assigned matrix no. 5073. Apparently these titles were mistakenly interchanged. I am showing the matrix numbers associated with the title as listed in the label's ledger even though they are then out of order in this and the following session. See also the comments for the session below of January 30, 1956.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Hank Jones (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Osie Johnson (d)

Jimmy Cleveland (tb) on a-c.

Jimmy Cleveland is listed as "Jim Whatsmyname" on the original LP issue, ABC 111, on Jasmine 1037 and probably other issues that I have not examined as well.

Regarding the matrix number assignment for track d, see the notes for the previous session (Jan. 24, 1956).

Track d is the same song as "Deep Passion" recorded on June 11, 1956 by the Oscar Pettiford Orchestra (see that session below). On ABC 111, this track is listed as "Deep Passion" (LP side one, track 3) and "Body and Soul" is listed as "A Lady's Vanity" on the LP jacket but "Body and Soul" on the disc label (LP side 2, track 3). On Jasmine 1037, "Deep Passion" is listed as "A Lady's Vanity" (LP side 1, track 3) and "Body and Soul" is listed as that (LP side 2, track 3).

On the CD reissue Impulse GRD-135, "Body and Soul" is listed as "Deep Passion" (track 4 on the CD) and "Deep Passion" is listed as "A Lady's Vanity" (track 8 on the CD). Hans Jensen reports the following additional variations on other issues:
Impulse ASH-9307/2 - "A Lady's Vanity" is "Body and Soul"; "Deep Passion" is really that.
Impulse (Ger.) GRP 11352: "Deep Passion" is "Body and Soul"; "A Lady's Vanity" is "Deep Passion."
HMV Jazz (Eng.) CLP 1237 - "A Lady's Vanity" is "Deep Passion"; "Body and Soul" is really that.

So there is considerable confusion regarding these song title assignments. What is "A Lady's Vanity"? It could either be Thompson's title for his improvisations on "Body and Soul" (the melody of that classic song is never really stated in the January 24, 1956 trio performance) or it could be an earlier title for the song "Deep Passion." But it is also possible that "A Lady's Vanity" is a separate, unrecorded or unissued Lucky Thompson composition the title of which mistakenly found its way to these sessions.

Dizzy Gillespie (ldr), Dizzy Gillespie, Ermet Perry, Ernie Royal, Idrees Sulieman (t), Billy Byers, Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Rehak (tb), Jerome Richardson (as, f), Sahib Shihab (as), Lucky Thompson, Ernie Wilkins (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Wade Legge (p), Nelson Boyd (b), Charli Persip (d)

Jerome Richardson (f) on c.

"Jessica's Day" is called "Quincy's Tune" on ARS G 423. Discographies indicate that these titles are also found on ARS G 405 but that is not the case. Lucky Thompson solos on tracks b and c. According to Norman Granz files, Matrix no. 2772 was not used, Quincy Jones arranged track a and both Jones and Billy Byers contributed to the arrangement of track c. The arrangements of tracks a and c are very close to but not identical with those recorded on June 6, 1956 and issued on Dizzy Gillespie World Statesman (Norgran MGN 1084). On the June session, the arrangement of Doodlin' is credited to Ernie Wilkins and that of Jessica's Day to Jones.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Emmett Berry (t), Lucky Thompson (ts), Henri Renaud (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

f, g performed as medley.

Emmett Berry (t) on c-e, g-i; Henri Renaud (p) on c-i.

Another title, "Blues for Frank," was recorded at this session but Lucky Thompson does not perform on it. Part of this session may have been recorded on February 21, 1956. Tracks f and g constitute a ballad medley of 6:20 in duration.

Fred Gérard, Roger Guerin (t), Benny Vasseur (tb), Teddy Hameline (as), Jean-Louis Chautemps, Lucky Thompson (ts), William Boucaya (bar), Henri Renaud (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Roger Paraboschi (d)

This ensemble was called Modern Jazz Group. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Fred Gérard, Roger Guerin (t), Benny Vasseur (tb), Teddy Hameline (as), Jean-Louis Chautemps, Lucky Thompson (ts), William Boucaya (bar), Henri Renaud (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Roger Paraboschi (d)

This ensemble was called Modern Jazz Group. Lucky Thompson solos on tracks a and c.

Lucky Thompson (ts), Henri Renaud (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Roger Paraboschi (d)

The drummer may be Christian Garros or Dave Pochonet. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet, Lucky Thompson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Michel Hausser (vib), Jean-Pierre Sasson (g), Martial Solal (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Eddie Busnello (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Johnny Hot (p), Jean Warland (b), Léon 'Bodash' Demeuldre (d)

Eddie Busnello (as) on a-c, f; Johnny Hot (p) on a-c, e-g; Léon 'Bodash' Demeuldre (d) on a-c, e-g.

The information on this session comes from discographer Bob Weir.

Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet, Lucky Thompson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Michel Hausser (vib), Jean-Pierre Sasson (g), Martial Solal (p), Pierre Michelot (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

The recording date comes from the Weir discography. Some discographies indicate March 2 or 12 for this session. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Jean-Pierre Sasson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Jean-Pierre Sasson (g), Paul Rovére (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Fernand Verstraete (t), André Paquinet (tb), Jo Hrasko (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Marcel Hrasko (bar), Jean-Pierre Sasson (g), Martial Solal (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Guy Lafitte, Lucky Thompson (ts), Martial Solal (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Roger Paraboschi (d)

Guy Lafitte (ts) on a-c.

Lucky Thompson is the first tenor saxophone soloist on tracks a-c.

Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet, Lucky Thompson (ldr), Charles Verstraete (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Michel de Villers (bar), Jean-Pierre Sasson (g), Martial Solal (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

Charles Verstraete (tb) on a, c-d; Michel de Villers (bar) on a, c-d; Jean-Pierre Sasson (g) on a, c-d.

Track b features Thompson and only the rhythm section. He solos on all tracks.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Christian Bellest (t), Charles Verstraete (tb), Jo Hrasko (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Marcel Hrasko (bar), Martial Solal (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

Most sources (with the notable exception of Kurt Mohr's 1956 Paris discography of Lucky Thompson [The Discophile, no. 48, June 1956]) list Jean-Pierre Sasson as present on this session. No guitar is audible on any of the tracks. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet, Lucky Thompson (ldr), Charles Verstraete (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Martial Solal (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

Charles Verstraete (tb) on a-c, e; Martial Solal (p) on a-d.

Thanks to Claude Schlouch, I have finally obtained a copy of this LP to audition and the information now shown, which differs from what I previously reported, should be considered definitive. Track f is not listed in the liner notes to C.A.D. 3.001 and is Thompson improvising on the chord changes of Cherokee with introduction, interlude and coda. He is accompanied only by bass and drums on this track. Martial Solal is listed as "Martin Royal." The matrix numbers come from the Bruyninckx discography. This LP was reviewed in Bull. du Hot Club de France, No. 71, October 1957, p. 30. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Martial Solal (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Christian Garros (d)

Most sources indicate that the drummer is Christian Garros but the liner notes to EMI 7243 5 39651 2 9 list Roger Paraboschi. The matrix numbers come from Kurt Mohr's discography of Lucky Thompson's 1956 Paris recordings published in The Discophile, No. 48, June 1956. Mohr gives the same matrix no. to tracks a and b. The letters in parentheses are my arbitrary additions. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet, Lucky Thompson (ldr), Charles Verstraete (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Michel de Villers (bar), Martial Solal (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

Charles Verstraete (tb) on a, c-d; Michel de Villers (bar) on b, e-f.

Thanks to Claude Schlouch, I have finally obtained a copy of this LP to audition and the information now shown, which differs from what I previously reported, should be considered definitive. The matrix numbers come from the Bruyninckx discography. Track b is the well-known I Got Rhythm variant composed by Dizzy Gillespie and not "O.W." recorded by Thompson on January 15, 1959. Track a is improvising on the chord changes of Fine and Dandy. Martial Solal is listed as "Martin Royal." Michel de Villers is listed as "Michel Low Reed." This LP was reviewed in Bull. du Hot Club de France, No. 71, October 1957, p. 30. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Stan Kenton (ldr), Phil Gilbert, Lee Katzman, Ed Leddy, Sam Noto, Vinnie Tanno (t), Bob Fitzpatrick, Carl Fontana, Kent Larsen, Vic Lewis (tb), Don Kelly (bt), Fred Fox, Irving Rosenthal (frh), Jay McAllister (tu), Lennie Niehaus (as), Bill Perkins, Don Rendell (ts), Lucky Thompson (bar), Ralph Blaze (g), Stan Kenton (p), Curtis Counce (b), Mel Lewis (d)

Bob Fitzpatrick (tb) on h-r; Vic Lewis (tb) on a-g.

Information on this live concert comes from Ed Chaplin. Tracks a-g constituted the first half of the performance in which Vic Lewis substituted on trombone for an ailing Bob Fitzpatrick. The latter was able to play the second set. Only track c has been issued and that on a very limited edition CD privately produced and distributed by Lewis but apparently other titles were taped and have circulated. Track h ends prematurely during the guitar solo. Lucky Thompson was substituting for baritone saxophonist Jack Nimitz who had returned to America. Thompson solos on track g. He remained with Kenton through the Cuban Fire recordings.

Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet, Lucky Thompson (ldr), Fernand Verstraete (t), Charles Verstraete (tb), Michel de Villers (as, bar), Jo Hrasko (as, cl), Lucky Thompson (ts), Marcel Hrasko (bar), Jean-Pierre Sasson (g), Henri Renaud (p), Benoit Quersin (b), Gérard 'Dave' Pochonet (d)

Fernand Verstraete (t) on a, c-e; Charles Verstraete (tb) on c-e; Michel de Villers (as) on b-e; (bar) on b-e; Jo Hrasko (as) on b-e; (cl) on c; Marcel Hrasko (bar) on b-e; Jean-Pierre Sasson (g) on b-e.

Lucky Thompson returned to America on this date but according to Kurt Mohr's 1956 Paris discography of the saxophonist (The Discophile, no. 48, June 1956), left by plane in the evening after this session.

It is not known with certainty which of the French saxophonists appear on tracks b-e and what horn they actually play. There are alto saxophone solos on tracks b-d and baritone saxophone solos on tracks c and e. Liner notes indicate the alto saxophone solo on b is de Villers and those on c and d are Jo Hrasko. But aural evidence suggests the soloist on tracks b and d are the same person and the one on c someone else. And it is not known which of the baritone players are the soloists on c and e. A clarinet is heard only in the ensembles on track c during the bridge section of the 32-bar tune. Lucky Thompson solos on all tracks.

Stan Kenton (ldr), Phil Gilbert, Lee Katzman, Ed Leddy, Al Mattaliano, Sam Noto, Vinnie Tanno (t), Bob Fitzpatrick, Carl Fontana, Don Kelly, Kent Larsen (tb), Irving Rosenthal, Julius Watkins (frh), Jay McAllister (tu), Lennie Niehaus (as), Bill Perkins, Lucky Thompson (ts), Billy Root (bar), Ralph Blaze (g), Stan Kenton (p), Curtis Counce (b), Mel Lewis (d), Mario Alvarez, Roger Mozian (per), Willie Rodriguez (bo), Tommy Lopez (cng), George Laguna (tim), Sol Gubin (tmp), Johnny Richards (con)

Lucky Thompson does not solo on track a.

Stan Kenton (ldr), Phil Gilbert, Lee Katzman, Ed Leddy, Al Mattaliano, Sam Noto (t), Vinnie Tanno (t, fh), Bob Fitzpatrick, Carl Fontana, Don Kelly, Kent Larsen (tb), Irving Rosenthal, Julius Watkins (frh), Jay McAllister (tu), Lennie Niehaus (as), Bill Perkins, Lucky Thompson (ts), Billy Root (bar), Ralph Blaze (g), Stan Kenton (p), Curtis Counce (b), Mel Lewis (d), Mario Alvarez, Roger Mozian (per), Willie Rodriguez (bo), Tommy Lopez (cng), George Laguna (tim), Sol Gubin (tmp), Johnny Richards (con)

Vinnie Tanno (t) on a, c; (fh) on b.

Lucky Thompson solos on tracks a and b. The Ruppli/Daniels/Novitsky Capitol Records Discography on CD-ROM indicates that track a was begun during the previous session and completed at this one.

Stan Kenton (ldr), Phil Gilbert, Lee Katzman, Ed Leddy, Al Mattaliano, Sam Noto, Vinnie Tanno (t), Bob Fitzpatrick, Carl Fontana, Don Kelly, Kent Larsen (tb), Irving Rosenthal, Julius Watkins (frh), Jay McAllister (tu), Lennie Niehaus (as), Bill Perkins, Lucky Thompson (ts), Billy Root (bar), Ralph Blaze (g), Stan Kenton (p), Curtis Counce (b), Mel Lewis (d), Mario Alvarez, Roger Mozian (per), Willie Rodriguez (bo), Tommy Lopez (cng), George Laguna (tim), George Gaber (tmp), Johnny Richards (con)

Lucky Thompson does not solo on any of these tracks.

Oscar Pettiford (ldr), Art Farmer, Ernie Royal (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), David Amram, Julius Watkins (frh), Gigi Gryce (as), Jerome Richardson (ts, f), Lucky Thompson (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Tommy Flanagan (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Osie Johnson (d)

Lucky Thompson solos on Track b.

Oscar Pettiford (ldr), Art Farmer, Ernie Royal (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), David Amram, Julius Watkins (frh), Gigi Gryce (as), Jerome Richardson (ts, f), Lucky Thompson (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Oscar Pettiford (vc, b), Janet Putnam (hrp), Tommy Flanagan (p), Whitey Mitchell (b), Osie Johnson (d)

Oscar Pettiford (vc) on d-e; (b) on b-e; Janet Putnam (hrp) on a-b, d; Whitey Mitchell (b) on a.

Oscar Pettiford's cello solos are overdubbed. Lucky Thompson solos on tracks a and d.

Oscar Pettiford (ldr), Art Farmer, Ernie Royal (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), David Amram, Julius Watkins (frh), Gigi Gryce (as), Jerome Richardson (ts, f), Lucky Thompson (ts), David Kurtzer (bar), Oscar Pettiford (vc, b), Janet Putnam (hrp), Tommy Flanagan (p), Osie Johnson (d)

Jerome Richardson (f) on d; Oscar Pettiford (vc) on a; Janet Putnam (hrp) on c-d.

Oscar Pettiford's cello is overdubbed. Lucky Thompson solos on track c. Liner notes indicate that Thompson is the tenor saxophone soloist on track a but it sounds much more like Jerome Richardson to this discographer. Track b is a feature for the French horns.

Dinah Washington (ldr), Don Elliott (t, vib), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Anthony Ortega (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Quincy Jones (con), Dinah Washington (v)

This is Dinah Washington accompanied by Quincy Jones' Orchestra. The rest of the ensemble remains unidentified. Lucky Thompson has a brief solo on track b.

Lionel Hampton (ldr), Ray Copeland (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Lionel Hampton (vib, mar), Oscar Dennard (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Gus Johnson (d)

Ray Copeland (t) on a-i, k-n; Lucky Thompson (ts) on a-i, k-n; Lionel Hampton (vib) on c-n; (mar) on a-b, f.

It should be noted that some US and European Jazztone issues having the same catalog number are not the same LPs. For example, the domestic Jazztone J-1238 is "Accent On Clarinet" (Jimmy Hamilton). These performances are probably the result of several sessions the exact dates of which are not known.

Several other tracks were recorded at these sessions but Lucky Thompson does not perform on them. Reindeer is listed as "Raindeer" on many issues.

Track a is called "Lionel's Choo Choo" and track b, "What's Your Hurry." These are different takes of the same blues line. On the longer take (b), Thompson, Cleveland, Dennard and Copeland each take 3 solo choruses and Hampton 8. On the shorter version (a), horns and piano each take only 2 choruses and Hampton 6.

The tracks denoted as stereo edits are not different recordings but rather shortened, simulated stereo versions of the mono tracks. The short edit of Undecided (n) deletes Pettiford's one chorus bass solo and shortens the last chorus from 32 to 24 bars by removing the second A section. The short edit of the blues Romeo's Gone Now (d) deletes entirely Cleveland's 2- and Thompson's 4-chorus solos. The short edit of the I Got Rhythm variation Reindeer (l) reduces Johnson's full chorus drum solo to one-half chorus (16 bars), and deletes entirely the following: Hampton's second solo (2 choruses), a chorus of 8-bar exchanges between Hampton and Thompson, a chorus of 4-bar exchanges (Cleveland, Hampton, Copeland, Thompson, Hampton, Cleveland, Copeland, Thompson). Also, the final 16-bar ensemble section is reduced to 12-bars in the edited version.

Information on these sessions can be found in several sources:
Oscar Pettiford 1956
Coover Gazdar's Oscar Pettiford Discography
Geoffrey Wheeler's "Jazz By Mail: Record Clubs and Record Labels, 1936-1958," Hillbrook Press, 1999

Quincy Jones (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Gene Quill (as), Herbie Mann (ts, f), Zoot Sims, Lucky Thompson (ts), Jack Nimitz (bar), Milt Jackson (vib), Hank Jones (p), Charles Mingus (b), Charli Persip (d)

Zoot Sims (ts) on a; Lucky Thompson (ts) on b.

Lucky Thompson solos on track b which also has hand-clapping provided by Father John Crawley.

Quincy Jones (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Phil Woods (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Jack Nimitz (bar), Herbie Mann (f), Billy Taylor (p), Charles Mingus (b), Charli Persip (d)

Lucky Thompson solos on track b.

Quincy Jones (ldr), Art Farmer, Bernie Glow, Ernie Royal, Joe Wilder (t), Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, Frank Rehak (tb), Phil Woods (as), Bunny Bardach, Lucky Thompson (ts), Jerome Richardson (ts, f), Jack Nimitz (bar), Hank Jones (p), Paul Chambers (b), Charli Persip (d), Quincy Jones (con)

Lucky Thompson solos on track b. Track a features an orchestration of Clifford Brown's trumpet solo from a 1953 recording of this tune.

Johnny Hartman (ldr), Howard McGhee, Ernie Royal (t), Frank Rehak (tb), Anthony Ortega (as), Jerome Richardson (ts, f), Lucky Thompson (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Hank Jones (p), Milt Hinton (b), Osie Johnson (d), Ernie Wilkins (dir), Johnny Hartman (v)

Jerome Richardson (f) on e-h.

This is Johnny Hartman acccompanied by the Ernie Wilkins Orchestra. Studio chatter is audible on the alternate takes. Lucky Thompson solos on Tracks a and b and plays obbligati behind Hartman on tracks g and h.

Jo Jones (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Dick Katz (p), Tommy Potter (b), Jo Jones (d)

Lucky Thompson (ts) on b-d.

This is a Mutual 'Bandstand USA' radio broadcast. The announcer (and the CD) refers to track d as "Band Stand Beat" but it is the same line as "Lincoln Heights" recorded on August 11, 1955 (see above). This track fades out after about one chorus under the announcer's credits. Bob Weir's Lucky Thompson discography dates this broadcast as January 26, 1957. He also indicates two additional unissued titles, What Is This Thing Called Love and These Foolish Things.

Dinah Washington (ldr), Don Elliott (t, mel, vib, bo), Ernie Royal, Charlie Shavers, Clark Terry, Joe Wilder (t), Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, Quentin Jackson (tb), Tom Mitchell (bt), Hal McKusick (as, f), Anthony Ortega (as, cl), Jerome Richardson, Lucky Thompson (ts, cl), Danny Bank (bar, bcl), Barry Galbraith (g), Clarence 'Sleepy' Anderson (p), Milt Hinton (b), Jimmy Crawford (d), Quincy Jones (con), Dinah Washington (v)

Don Elliott (vib) on c-d, f; (bo) on e.

This is Dinah Washington accompanied by the Quincy Jones Orchestra. Lucky Thompson can be heard soloing briefly behind Washington on track e.

Dinah Washington (ldr), Don Elliott (t, mel, vib, bo), Bernie Glow, Charlie Shavers, Clark Terry, Nick Travis (t), Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, Quentin Jackson (tb), Tom Mitchell (bt), Hal McKusick (as, f), Anthony Ortega (as, cl), Jerome Richardson, Lucky Thompson (ts, cl), Danny Bank (bar, bcl), Barry Galbraith (g), Clarence 'Sleepy' Anderson (p), Milt Hinton (b), Osie Johnson (d), Quincy Jones (con), Dinah Washington (v)

Hal McKusick (as) on b-d; (f) on b-d; Anthony Ortega (as) on b-d; (cl) on b-d; Jerome Richardson (ts) on b-d; (cl) on b-d; Lucky Thompson (ts) on b-d; (cl) on b-d; Danny Bank (bar) on b-d; (bcl) on b-d; Don Elliott (vib) on b-d; (bo) on a.

This is Dinah Washington accompanied by the Quincy Jones Orchestra. Lucky Thompson plays an obbligato behind Washington on track c. The woodwinds are out on track a.

Dinah Washington (ldr), Don Elliott (t, mel, vib, x), Jimmy Maxwell, Doc Severinsen, Charlie Shavers, Clark Terry (t), Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, Quentin Jackson (tb), Tom Mitchell (bt), Hal McKusick (as, f), Anthony Ortega (as, cl), Jerome Richardson, Lucky Thompson (ts, cl), Danny Bank (bar, bcl), Barry Galbraith (g), Clarence 'Sleepy' Anderson (p, cel), Milt Hinton (b), Osie Johnson (d), Quincy Jones (con), Dinah Washington (v)

Don Elliott (t) on b-d; (vib) on c; (x) on b; Jimmy Maxwell (t) on b-d; Doc Severinsen (t) on b-d; Charlie Shavers (t) on b-d; Clark Terry (t) on b-d; Hal McKusick (as) on b-d; (f) on b-d; Anthony Ortega (as) on b-d; (cl) on b-d; Jerome Richardson (ts) on b-d; (cl) on b-d; Lucky Thompson (ts) on b-d; (cl) on b-d; Danny Bank (bar) on b-d; (bcl) on b-d; Clarence 'Sleepy' Anderson (p) on b-d; (cel) on a.

This is Dinah Washington accompanied by the Quincy Jones Orchestra. Lucky Thompson has a brief solo on track c and plays an obbligato behind Dinah Washington on track d. Woodwinds and trumpets are out on track a.

Sammy Davis, Jr. (ldr), Ernie Royal, Charlie Shavers, Paul Webster (t), Bob Alexander, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway (tb), Sid Cooper, Rudy Tanza (as), Sam 'The Man' Taylor, Lucky Thompson (ts), Dave McRae (bar), George Barnes (g), Dave Martin (p), Sandy 'Sid' Block (b), Jimmy Crawford (d), Sy Oliver (con), Sammy Davis, Jr. (v)

The tenor saxophone solo on track b is probably Sam Taylor and not Lucky Thompson.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Lucky Thompson (ts), Clifton 'Skeeter' Best (g), Oscar Pettiford (b)

The matrix number assigned to track d is out of order because the ABC-Paramount ledger incorrectly places this title in the session of Dec. 12, 1956 below. The ledger also indicates that "Little Tenderfoot" (matrix 5352) and "The Plain But the Simple Truth" (matrix 5353) were recorded on Nov. 8, 1956 with an unidentified ensemble but those versions were not issued.

Louis Armstrong (ldr), Louis Armstrong (t, v), Trummy Young (tb), George Dorsey (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Dave MacRae (bar), Edmond Hall (cl), Everett Barksdale (g), Billy Kyle (p), Squire Gersh (b), Barrett Deems (d), Sy Oliver (con)

Lucky Thompson has a two bar break on track c but otherwise, does not solo. Decca DXM 155 is a 4-LP set made up of DL 8604 (volume 1 = Brunswick (Eng.) LAT 8211), DL 8605 (volume 2 = Brunswick (Eng.) LAT 8212), DL 8606 (volume 3 = Brunswick (Eng.) LAT 8213) and DL 8607 (volume 4 = Brunswick (Eng.) LAT 8214). DXB 183 is made up of DL 4523 and DL 4524.

*An edited version of track d (matrix number 102618 - Armstrong vocal deleted) has been used on many issues.

Lucky Thompson (ldr), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Don Abney (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Osie Johnson (d)

Jimmy Cleveland (tb) on c-e; Osie Johnson (d) on c-e.

The matrix numbers for tracks a and b are out of order because the ABC-Paramount ledger incorrectly places this title in the session of Dec. 11, 1956. Track e was later recorded as "Glamour Game."

Louis Armstrong (ldr), Louis Armstrong (t, v), Trummy Young (tb), George Dorsey, Hilton Jefferson (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Dave MacRae (bar), Edmond Hall (cl), Everett Barksdale (g), Billy Kyle (p), Squire Gersh (b), Barrett Deems (d), Sy Oliver (con)

George Dorsey (as) on a-f; Hilton Jefferson (as) on a-f; Lucky Thompson (ts) on a-f; Dave MacRae (bar) on a-f; Louis Armstrong (v) on b-f.

Lucky Thompson does not solo on any tracks from this session. Decca DXM 155 is a 4-LP set made up of DL 8604 (volume 1), DL 8605 (volume 2), DL 8606 (volume 3) and DL 8607 (volume 4) (see previous session for Brunswick (Eng.) equivalents). DXB 183 is made up of DL 4523 and DL 4524.

*Edited versions of tracks b and e (Armstrong vocals deleted), with the higher matrix numbers shown, have been used on some issues.

Louis Armstrong (ldr), Louis Armstrong (t, v), Trummy Young (tb), George Dorsey (as, f), Hilton Jefferson (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Dave MacRae (bar, bcl), Edmond Hall (cl), Everett Barksdale (g), Billy Kyle (p), Squire Gersh (b), Barrett Deems (d), Sy Oliver (con)

George Dorsey (as) on b-d; (f) on a; Dave MacRae (bar) on b-d; (bcl) on a.

Lucky Thompson has an 8-bar solo on track c, following Armstrong's vocal, that is very close to the melody line but a solo nonetheless. Decca DXM 155 is a 4-LP set made up of DL 8604 (volume 1), DL 8605 (volume 2), DL 8606 (volume 3) and DL 8607 (volume 4) (see previous session for Brunswick (Eng.) equivalents). DXB 183 is made up of DL 4523 and DL 4524.

Louis Armstrong (ldr), Louis Armstrong (t, v), Trummy Young (tb), George Dorsey (as, f), Hilton Jefferson (as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Dave MacRae (bar, bcl), Edmond Hall (cl), Everett Barksdale (g), Billy Kyle (p), Squire Gersh (b), Barrett Deems (d), Sy Oliver (con)

George Dorsey (as) on a; (f) on b; Dave MacRae (bar) on a; (bcl) on b.

Lucky Thompson does not solo on either track from this session.

Chris Connor (ldr), Al Cohn, Lucky Thompson (ts), Eddie Costa (vib), Ralph Sharon (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Osie Johnson (d), Chino Pozo (bo), Ramon 'Mongo' Santamaria (cng), Chris Connor (v)

Most of the tenor saxophone solos on this session are by Al Cohn but Lucky Thompson takes the second tenor saxophone solo on track c and plays obbligati behind Connor on tracks a and b.

Back to my Lucky Thompson page at Noal Cohen's Jazz History Website