AUGUST 31

           GEORGE RUSSELL
          At Beethoven Hall
            
                Recording Date:
                     August 31, 1965

                Personnel:
                      Cameron Brown   B 
                      Don Cherry     TP,CT
                      Ed Blackwell       TP
                      Albert Heath       D
                      Bertil Lovgren    TP
                      Ray Pitts            TS
                      George Russell    P
                      Brian Trentham  TB 

                                                                        LINK

Review by Scott Yanow
This intriguing double LP (the music has not yet been reissued on CD) was innovative composer George Russell's first recording after breaking up his young combo of the early '60s. Recorded in Germany at a concert, Russell (who plays fairly basic piano) is joined by cornetist Don Cherry, trumpeter Bertil Lovgren, trombonist Brian Trentham, tenor saxophonist Ray Pitts, bassist Cameron Brown and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath for explorations of several lengthy pieces and a remake of "You Are My Sunshine." Most unusual is a suite dedicated to Russell's Lydian concept that includes abstract versions of "Bags' Groove," "Confirmation" and "'Round Midnight."