Donald Byrd | Chant | Vinyl

Cut on April 17, 1961 at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio and produced by Alfred Lion, Chant teams trumpeter Donald Byrd with baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, bassist Doug Watkins, drummer Lex Humphries, and, in a historic first, a 21-year-old Herbie Hancock making his Blue Note recording debut on piano. Blue Note shelved the session for nearly two decades; producer Michael Cuscuna finally pulled it from the vault for a 1979 Japanese release, and it has remained a favorite of Byrd and Hancock completists ever since. The six tracks, including the driving title cut and a warm reading of ‘Sophisticated Lady,’ capture the hard-bop mainstream at its most confident, with Watkins — who would die in a car accident later that year — turning in one of his last great recorded performances. This Tone Poet Series edition gives the session its first true audiophile vinyl treatment.

Track List

Side A

1. I’m an Old Cowhand
2. You’re Next
3. Chant

Side B

1. That’s All
2. Great God
3. Sophisticated Lady

Release Details

• UPC: 0602577661365
• Label: CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP
• Format: LP Vinyl — Blue Note Tone Poet Series
• Genre: Jazz
• Release Date: 9/6/2019