undergroundagent Posted March 18, 2004 Report Posted March 18, 2004 (edited) I never see any mention of Junior Mance on this board, so I figured I'd start a thread to see what everyone thinks of him. When I personally think of Mance, the name Dizzy Reece comes to mind. Sure, they don't even play the same instrument, but the point is that both men were unfortunately, and undeservedly, relegated to obscurity behind some of the giants of the piano and trumpet. I have four discs including "Junior," "Soulful Piano of Junior Mance," "Live at the Village Vanguard," and "Happy Time." Great stuff, IMHO! Check it out if you get a chance. Edited March 18, 2004 by undergroundagent Quote
John L Posted March 18, 2004 Report Posted March 18, 2004 Junior Mance is one of those pianists who ALWAYS sounds good. Quote
Dmitry Posted March 18, 2004 Report Posted March 18, 2004 I don't think Mance was ever underrated. Perhaps not as frequently recorded as of some time now because he concentrates on teaching, but not underrated. I saw him at the New School guiding a student concert 4 or 5 years ago. Jon Hendricks was in the audience, and then the two of them *really* jammed. Quote
jlhoots Posted March 18, 2004 Report Posted March 18, 2004 I have a very cool Japanese release called Groovin' Blues (M&I MYCJ-30152). Group is Mance, Eric Alexander, Chip Jackson & Idris Muhammad. Recorded Dec. 2001. Night Train Blueberry Hill Blues In The Closet Lonely Avenue Blue 'N' Boogie I Got My Mojo Workin' All Blues Bags Groove America The Beautiful Great CD. Worth the price. Quote
jazzbo Posted March 18, 2004 Report Posted March 18, 2004 Hmmm. . . going to be of a little different opinion here. I like Mance. .. a lot. But. . . I don't think he's of the top teir as a leader especially. Some good sideman appearances for sure (I dug what he did with Cannon a LOT) and one or two leader dates that were really good. . . but. . . . I don't think he's underrated, I don't think he needs to be a household name. Sorry! Just my opinion. Quote
JohnS Posted March 18, 2004 Report Posted March 18, 2004 (edited) "Junior" is a great session. One of my favourites since it's first issue. It could well do with domestic release. I should add that overall I'm with Lon on this one despite his fine playing with Adderley and Dizzy. Edited March 18, 2004 by JohnS Quote
catesta Posted March 18, 2004 Report Posted March 18, 2004 Junior is playing here in Phoenix in early April. This will be the first time I have ever seen him live, I'm looking forward to it. Quote
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