Junior Mance Albums (41)
'Groovin' with Junior'
Release Date 4/22/2008
Tracks 7
Label Sackville
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Among the many significant musical associations of pianist Junior Mance's long career have been stints with Gene Ammons (1947-1949), Lester Young, Dinah Washington, the first Cannonball Adderley Quintet, and Dizzy Gillespie (1958-1960). Mance has led his own trios pretty regularly since the early '60s. One of the great veterans of jazz piano, Mance was in his late seventies when he recorded this live trio set with bassist Don Thompson and drummer Archie Alleyne. He has sometimes been typecast as a blues player and he does dig well into the blues on this CD during a swinging "Bags Groove" and his original "Blues for the Bistro." But on "Falling in Love with Love" he plays a solo worthy of Oscar Peterson, he has no difficulty with Thelonious Monk's "Ask Me Now," and he romps on "The Theme." Most of the tempos are taken slower than expected (even a soulful "For Dancers Only"), but Mance still sounds very much in his playing prime. Bassist Thompson gets his share of solos and works perfectly with the pianist, as does the supportive drummer Alleyne. Groovin' with Junior is a tasteful, swinging, and happily bluesy set. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Shadow of Your Smile'
Release Date 5/5/2006
Tracks 9
Label Pony Canyon
See Album Tracklist and Review
'I Believe to My Soul'
Release Date 4/26/2005
Tracks 8
Label Atlantic
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Recorded in New York over three recording sessions from September of 1966 to August of 1967, the soul/blues-inflected pianist Junior Mance finds himself in a variety of instrumental combinations with a variety of musical stablemates. In the first he is in the company of top players, including David "Fathead" Newman, Frank Wess, Joe Newman, Haywood Henry, and Hubert Laws. This larger group is responsible for three of the tracks. Then Mance steps back into a trio mode with Richard Davis and Freddie Waits on bass and drums, respectively. They also do two tracks, including one of the more impressive ones on the album, an Erroll Garner-like "My Romance." This same group gets together once again, but backed by strings, for a different arrangement of "Home on the Range." Mance also combines with Bob Cunningham and Alan Dawson for two tracks. Vocalist Sylvia Shemwell joins in on the title tune, "I Believe to My Soul." Regardless of the setting and the company, Mance's piano dominates with its immediately recognizable rhythmically discerning style, which was strictly Mance's pianistic domain. Even on the Latin-cadenced "Sweets for My Sweet" with Ray Barretto doing his conga thing, Mance never ventures far from that jazzy soulfulness which characterized his playing. This is a good representative recording by an artist who was never able to raise himself to the top tier of jazz pianists. This album has been reissued on CD by the Collectables label in combination with Mance's Harlem Lullaby. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
'Second: Live at 3361 Black'
Release Date 10/11/2004
Tracks 5
Label Tokuma
See Album Tracklist and Review
'First: Live at 3361 Black'
Release Date 10/11/2004
Tracks 7
Label Tokuma
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Music of Thelonious Monk'
Release Date 4/8/2003
Tracks 8
Label Chiaroscuro
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Floating Jazz Festival, which takes place aboard the Queen Elizabeth II (previously held on the SS Norway), has been a regular source for outstanding live sets on the Chiaroscuro label. These excerpts from performances by Junior Mance and Joe Temperley are no exception, as they devote an entire program to works by Thelonious Monk. Accompanied by the highly in-demand young bassist Peter Washington and grizzled veteran drummer Mickey Roker, they've got a couple of surprises in store. First of all, Temperley, though known primarily as a baritone saxophonist, proves himself to be a capable bass clarinetist on the swinging opener, "Blue Monk," as well as a superb soprano saxophonist in the twisting blues "Straight, No Chaser." Of course, his hearty baritone is heard on the balance of the date, though the most obvious choice, "'Round Midnight," is unfortunately not present. Mance is featured with the rhythm section in a crisp workout of "Ask Me Now," and his strong chops are present throughout the disc. As an added bonus, one track ("Hackensack") from their 1996 concerts on the S/S Norway (with bassist Keter Betts and drummer Jackie Williams) wraps the CD. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
