Ira Sullivan's first album as a sideman was on Red Rodney's Modern Music From Chicago. Recorded in June 1955 for the Fantasy label, the album featured Red Rodney (tp,vcl), Ira Sullivan (tp,ts,as), Norman Simmons (p), Victor Sproles (b) and Roy Haynes (d). At the time Rodney was appearing at Chicago's Bee-Hive Club along with the musicians on this record date, which helps explain why they were so tight on the record. [Photo above of Ira Sullivan]
It's a strong bebop session, and what all of these tigers have in common is that they all had played with Charlie Parker. Sullivan was an exceptional multi-instrumentalist, shifting from trumpet to alto and tenor saxophone. He began as a trumpeter but gigs slowed in the early '50s so he took off 18 months to learn the reed instrument to diversify his recording and playing opportunities. [Photo above, from left, Red Rodney and Ira Sullivan]
The tracks on the album are Taking a Chance on Love, Dig This, Red Is Blue, Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie, On Mike, The Song Is You, You and the Night and the Music, Laura, Hail to Dale, Jeffie, I Love the Rhythm in a Riff and Daddy-O. Three were dedicated to radio DJs—Hail to Dale was for Rex Dale in Cincinnati, Daddy-O was for Midwest DJ Daddy-O Daylie and On Mike was for Mike Repchak in Chicago. A shrewd way to get airplay.
Each one of these 13 tracks is a flawless gem. The charts are tight and inventive, and the blowing is aggressive and beautiful. This quintet was quite something. I can only imagine what they were like to hear live.
In addition to Rodney's blistering trumpet, joined at times by Sullivan on horn, we also have Sullivan's seamless saxophone playing, Simmons's swinging piano, Sproles's popping bass and Haynes kicking away. Together, they sounded as good as any quintet around at the time. There isn't a bad track in the bunch, making this a perfect album. [Photo above of Red Rodney]
Ira Sullivan died in 2020. I regret not interviewing him.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Modern Music From Chicago on Red Rodney collection from Fresh Sound here.
JazzWax clips: Here's a taste...
