Track Listing

1. Open Sesame
2. But Beautiful
3. Gypsy Blue
4. All Or Nothing At All
5. One Mint Julep
6. Hub's Nub
7. Open Sesame (Alternate Take)
8. Gypsy Blue (Alternate Take)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3702 in Music
• Released on: 2002-01-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered

Amazon.com
Recorded in 1960, Freddie Hubbard's Open Sesame is not only a very good CD: it dramatizes history in the making. The trumpeter was not unknown then, but he was still in his early years; so was pianist McCoy Tyner, for whom a momentous association with John Coltrane was just around the corner. Indeed, the best-known musician at the time of this recording was bassist Sam Jones, and while he went on to bigger things with Cannonball Adderley and then Oscar Peterson, it was Hubbard and Tyner who would emerge as unambiguously major figures. That by rights should also have characterized tenorist Tina Brooks, but this superb player (his work on "But Beautiful" here is exquisite) never got the recognition he deserved, dying almost forgotten in 1974 at the age of 42. Further highlights include the leader's "Hub's Nub" and the two takes apiece of the title track and "Gypsy Blue," both excellent compositions by Brooks. Mention should also be made of drummer Clifford Jarvis, a young lion steeped in Blakey, and Rudy Van Gelder's predictably flawless engineering. The music both invigorates and enchants, and its reappearance, handsomely packaged, is most welcome. --Richard Palmer

Album Description
Freddie Hubbard's recording debut announced the arrival of an extraordinary trumpeter, both technically and artistically. This album teamed him with tenor saxophonist/composer Tina Brooks (they would reconvene a week later to record Brooks' "True Blue") and pianist McCoy Tyner a few months before he joined John Coltrane's quintet.

This is one of those stunning Blue Note records where the musicians mesh and the tunes, arrangements and solo get as close to perfection as one can. Alternate takes of both Tina Brooks tunes are added to the original album.

Produced by Alfred Lion. Recording engineer: Rudy Van Gelder. Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on June 19, 1960. Remastered in 2001 by Rudy Van Gelder. All transfers from the analog tapes to digital were made at 24-bit resolution.

The Players:
Freddie Hubbard: Trumpet
Tina Brooks: Tenor Sax
McCoy Tyner: Piano
Sam Jones: Bass
Clifford Jarvis: Drums

Customer Reviews

Hub's First Lead Role
Open Sesame is Freddie Hubbard's standout debut as a leader on Blue Note. Enlisting the help of the underrated Tina Brooks on tenor (who wrote "Open Sesame", "But Beautiful", and "Gypsy Blue"), as well as McCoy Tyner on piano, Clifford Jarvis on drums, and Sam Jones on bass. Freddie sounds amazing here, especially considering this was his first session assuming the leadership mantle. Brooks is fabulous as well and his three compositions shape the overall flavor of the album. "Open Sesame" and "Gypsy Blue" have some Eastern tinges and "But Beautiful" is an elegant ballad. "All or Nothing at All" is a fast paced version of the standard. The group turns in a funky performance of "One Mint Julep" before turning to Freddie's one contribution, the swinging "Hub's Nub", offering a brief glimpse at Hubbard's future contributions to the jazz lexicon. The RVG edition includes alternate takes of "Gypsy Blue" and "Open Sesame". This is a great album, well worth checking out.

Killin'
Your typical killin Freddie Hubbard. And with amazing side men too: Tina Brooks - T Sax; McCoy Tyner!!! - Piano; Sam Jones - Bass; Clifford Jarvis - Drums

HOT STUFF!!!!!
From the magnificent Rudy Van Gelder Edition is jazz brilliance at its greatest! In his early days, Freddie Hubbard had a pure sound and brilliant timing. He is without peer on this cd. Tina Brooks was the hottest tenor sax around in the 50's and 60's. McCoy Tyner, a reknown jazz pianist, is still a giant today in the jazz world. Sam Jones, a bassist who was in big demand in the mid-50's to early 60's can't be beat. And the drummer, Clifford Jarvis, equally as fine as the others, adds color and texture to the Latin songs. If you love Freddie Hubbard or just fine jazz from the early 60's, latch on to these infectious songs.