Lucky Thompson - Bop & Ballads (1960)

Dive into the smoky, soulful world of Lucky Thompson, the unsung hero of the saxophone, with “Bop & Ballads.“ These newly discovered sessions, recorded in Hamburg in 1959 and 1960, capture the essence of Thompson’s lyrical bebop approach, showcasing his mastery of both tenor and soprano saxophones. The album, featuring the Michael Naura Trio, Quintet, and a stellar lineup of guests, offers a rare glimpse into the melodic and intimately personal world of this jazz maestro. From the opening notes of “Summertime“ to the closing cadenzas of “Star Eyes,“ Thompson’s saxophone speaks a language of its own. A contemporary of giants like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, Thompson connected the swing era to the cerebral complexities of bebop. As Miles Davis once remarked, “Lucky was a hell of a saxophone player.“ This sentiment echoes through every note of “Bop & Ballads,“ where Thompson’s sophisticated, harmonically abstract approach takes