J.J. Johnson & Kai Winding- The Great Kai & J.J. (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series)

Label: Impulse!

Reissued 2/21/2025, Originally released 1960

The first-ever Impulse! release (catalog number A-1) and known as one of the best efforts of Kai Winding and J.J. Johnson, this 1960 session features a collection of jazz heavyweights, including Bill Evans (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Art Taylor & Roy Haynes (drums). Bill Evans' playing in particular raises this album beyond a mere Kai & J.J. set and spotlights the group as a whole.

Track listing:

1. This Could Be the Start of Something Big
2. Georgia on My Mind
3. Blue Monk
4. Judy
5. Alone Together
6. Side By Side
   
7. I Concentrate on You
8. Theme from Picnic
9. Trixie
10. Going Going Gong
11. Just for a Thrill