While working on the Uptown Mingus project, I spoke with him on the phone a couple times and he was really helpful identifying players involved - I played music (over the phone) and he gave a running commentary. I won't forget that.
They are relatively "unsophisticated" recordings but much of that is 'cause many are "artist produced" sessions sent to the label.
edit to say: musicians usually think of hearing the parts and not how it sounds to listeners. These can be different things.