Milestones

Some good guesses here. I note Frisell's name popping up a couple of times. He is on #5, but another well-known guitarist on #13. The majority of the selections have been previously identified. You took care of the full ID on #9: The Nurturer by Geri Allen (with Garrett on sax).

Chick was certainly fond of Monk, with renditions throughout his career--including in the trio with McBride and Blade.

Yes, sir. You also had Chick Corea and Roy Haynes on #7 (with Vitous on bass). This was a notable trio, and I personally quite enjoy their take on Monk.

Jsngry, Some interesting responses, especially on the tracks that sound like they belong on a soundtrack or would benefit from lyrics. You mentioned Ron Carter on #4. Of course it is him. I'm expecting an ID on the drummer, which should be easy. You correctly named George Benson, though not the title.

On #4, I think that you should NOT say "definitely not Tommy." Track 6 is Gil Evans from 1964--and it is Wayne Shorter and it is Elvin and it is Kenny Burrell (you were confident on him, but not much on the others). You are correctly hearing Kenny Garrett on #9. He is not the leader.

Jimmy Heath is correct! It's a record from the 1990s.

Not Frisell on #3.

BillF did not have the correct tenor player on the J.J. Johnson track (#2). He guessed "Let's Call This" on #7, which mjzee later noted was actually "Think of One." The other guesses are correct.

One can hardly say that Frisell is not adaptable.

Track 4 is "Angel Eyes." The players have not yet been identified.

You did a full ID on Baron and Scofield. The Monk piece is indeed "Think of One," but it is not The Great Jazz Trio (although it is a trio of great players).

Of those responding so far, BillF has been doing quite well. Clearly folks are hearing Art Pepper on track #1.

Yes, that's what I remember.

Wasn't there a version by Clark Terry late in his career?

Right you are!

Anyone care to identify the guitarist on #6?

I love Eric Dolphy's playing here and almost everywhere. I was exposed to him pretty early, because I heard him on a lot on Mingus records. Back then, I thought the bass clarinet and alto sounded quite strange and even unpleasant; I always loved his work on flute. It took time, but I have come to recognize what an important figure he was and how he deserves to be heard on all instruments.

All 13 tracks are now available.

I know. I informed Thom a few minutes ago.

Welcome to BFT #209 and the third one that I have created. I would say that this is the easiest of the three, but I have never been mainly about making tough blindfold tests. The idea is to share and enjoy. I doubt this will spark a large number of responses on anything like the scale of Thom’s #208, but that’s OK. There are 13 tracks and a span of just under 50 years. http://thomkeith.net/index.php/blindfold-tests/

Does anyone know how many people have been awarded as NEA Jazz Master?

Clarke is so devoid of accomplishments? All that work with Chick Corea, several appearances with McCoy Tyner, Rite or Strings, Manhattan Project with Wayne Shorter. I've not followed him much as a leader, but the trio record with Hiromi is quite respectable. To my ears, he's rather impressive on both electric and acoustic.

I tend to agree with your original statement: "I feel like I am being suddenly snapped from a dreamworld into something much more literal." One recent album that I enjoyed was Charles Lloyd's Vanished Gardens, on which Lucinda Williams sang on half of the tracks.

Not a fan of "Nothing Like You" on Sorcerer. I never listen to that track. On the other hand, I recall liking Helen Merrill's vocal on the Lee Konitz album Rhapsody, which I think is the only vocal (other than Lee's odd scatting).

I certainly need to add that tune with James Newton to my collection. I'm a big fan, and he has not recorded enough as a jazz player.