4 1/2 STARS DOWNBEAT

This release presents Junior Mance's complete 1959 album Junior (Verve MGVS6057), which marks the pianist's first album as a leader. As a bonus, the only two existing tracks from a 1954 trio session, as well as Mance's trio interpretation of “Stella by Starlight”, which was the only trio track from a Cannonball Adderley Quintet date.

PERSONNEL:

JUNIOR MANCE, piano
RAY BROWN, bass
LEX HUMPHRIES, drums

New York, April 9, 1959.

[11-12] BONUS TRACKS:

(11-12) Junior Mance (p), Israel Crosby (b), & Buddy Smith (d).
New York, March 1954.
(13) Junior Mance (p), Sam Jones (b) & Jimmy Cobb (d).
New York, February 7, 1957.

TRACKS:

01. A Smooth One
02. Miss Jackie's Delight
03. Whisper Not
04. Love For Sale
05. Lilacs In The Rain
06. Small Fry
07. Jubilation
08. Birk's Works
09. Blues For Beverlee
10. Junior's Tune
11. Hot Springs
12. 111 East Ontario
13. Stella By Starlight

Total Time: 53:51