Smith & Co

Seen by many as the greatest trumpet virtuoso of his time, Clifford didn’t live long enough to be defined by any other form of jazz than bebop. Although bebop was over in the eyes of the purists by the time of his death in June 1956, his entire recording career had only spanned (with the exception of playing trumpet for Chris Powell And The Five Blue Flames in 1952) the three years from his first recording session in June 1953. This recording span can be divided up into two halves, the first for Blue Note records and the second for EmArcy, although his output was more substantial for the latter label, which he joined in August 1954. We have divided the tracks amongst the two labels accordingly, concentrating on his instrumental work, and ignoring the favoured populist sessions with Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Helen Mirrell on vocals. Also, we have not included any recordings from the Clifford Brown with Strings sessions of January 1955. One last note, we have included his final performance in his home town of Philadelphia, recorded only two hours before the fatal car crash that deprived jazz of such a gifted performer.

1. Carvin’ The Rock
2. Brownie Speaks
3. You Go To My Head
4. Capri
5. Turnpike
6. Get Happy
7. Cherokee
8. Minor Mood
9. Brownie eyes
10. Easy Living
11. Wail Bait
12. Hymn To The Orient
13. Come Rain Or Come Shine
14. Blue And Brown
15. I Can Dream, Can’t I
16. The Song Is You
17. It Might As Well Be Spring
18. You’re A Lucky Guy
19. Darn That Dream
20. I Don’t Stand A Ghost Of A Chance

1. I’ll String Along With You
2. Mildama
3. Daahoud
4. Coronado
5. Caravan
6. Gerkin For Perkin
7. Take The “A” Train
8. Land’s End
9. Swingin’
10. George’s Dilemma
11. If I Love Again
12. What Am I Here For
13. Jacqui
14. Sandu
15. Gertrude’s Bounce
16. Step Lightly (Junior’s Arrival)
17. Powell’s Prances
18. Donna Lee (live)