Blue Mitchell possessed one of the truly individual trumpet sounds: richly melodic but always strong--clearly in the tradition of Clifford Brown, but very much his own voice. The series of Riverside albums that established him on the jazz scene, beginning at the end of the 1950s, usually presented him in at least three-horn ensembles; this was his only quartet set. Fully in the spotlight, Mitchell moves most effectively through a widely varied repertoire that covers standards, blues, originals, and a Charlie Parker classic. There is flawless rhythm support from all-stars Wynton Kelly and Sam Jones, and drummer Roy Brooks (Blue’s bandmate during part of his many years with the Horace Silver Quintet).

with Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones, Roy Brooks