CiTR

One of Jazz music's greatest drummers was Joseph Rudolph Jones who was better known as "Philly Joe" Jones to distinguish him from the older drummer who was associated with Count Basie: Jo (Jonathan) Jones. One of Philly Joe's last major projects was organizing a 10 piece band to play and revive the music of one of the most important composers in Jazz: Tadd Dameron. The band was called "Dameronia" and recorded two fine albums for the independent Uptown label. One has just been re-issued on CD and has won many accolades this year as "Re-issue of The Year". It was recorded in 1983 and features along with Philly Joe, who was one of Dameron's closest friends, many people who had worked with Tadd. Tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin is one of the prominent soloists but others are heard to good advantage like pianist Walter Davis Jr.,baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne, alto saxophonist Frank Wess, trombonist Benny Powell and others. The original Dameron arrangements were collated by trumpeter Don Sickler who was a great help to Philly Joe in putting this project together. This is a great tribute to Tadd Dameron, who not only was one of pioneers of Modern Jazz but one of it's greatest composers who should be mentioned along with Monk, Mingus and Ellington. Enjoy Dameronia!