Artist:Johnny Coles
Song:Heavy Legs
Album:Little Johnny C.
Johnny Coles was a very good trumpeter who rarely stepped out to lead a band. This 1963 album was rare for him. He was born July 3, 1926 in Trenton, NJ. He mostly played as a member of bands such as Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (1948-51), Bull Moose Jackson (1952), Earl Bostic (1955-56), James Moody (1956-58) & Gil Evans (1958-64). He also toured Europe with Charles Mingus in 1964. He went on to play with Herbie Hancock (1968-69), Ray Charles (1969-71), Duke Ellington (1971-74), Art Blakey and many others. He kept working so he was obviously a fine musician and reliable. but he wasn't a band leader. Little Johnny C was released on Blue Note in 1963. It's mostly arranged and composed by pianist Duke Pearson. Other musicians are Leo Wright on alto sax & flute, Joe Henderson on tenor sax, Bob Cranshaw on bass and either Walter Perkins or Pete LaRoca on drums. That Coles was a lesser known musician shouldn't deter you. It's great jazz. Johnny Coles died of cancer on Dec. 21, 1996 at age 70. Here he is with the Charles Mingus band in Oslo in 1964.
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