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In 1960 when Lee-Way was recorded, Lee Morgan was 21 years old and the brightest young trumpeter in jazz. He had already led at least nine albums of his own, toured the world with the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, and since 1958 had been a significant member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Morgan had not only filled the huge gap left by Clifford Brown's death in 1956 but was becoming one of the most influential of all trumpeters. Freddie Hubbard, who was actually a few months older, both admired and feared the fiery Morgan's playing. Not only was Morgan a master at playing hard bop but his soulful style and his cocky and assertive playing made him a distinctive giant as well as a natural leader.
Lee-Way is an often-overlooked classic. We all know about such Morgan recordings as The Sidewinder, Candy, The Cooker, Cornbread and The Gigolo. Lee-Way is on the same high level, with Lee being joined by the passionate altoist Jackie McLean, the funky pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Blakey for four memorable performances. Two of Calvin Massey's best compositions (including "These Are Soulful Days") are fully explored along with McLean's "Midtown Blues" and Morgan's "The Lion and the Wolff" (dedicated to the co-founders of Blue Note). The music is overflowing with timeless soul and inventive improvisations that look towards the future. Don't miss this one!
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