Out Front

Out Front is probably the greatest realization on record of trumpeter Booker Littles scope as a musician and composer. It is also one of only five sessions led by Little as a band leader before his premature death at the age of 23 in 1961. The fact that this is only Littles third outing as a leader is further testament to the talents of this young artist. Arguably, the seven original compositions here might be more widely known today had his life not been so tragically cut short. Little is mostly known for this association with Max Roach, who he began playing with as early as 1955. But it was not until 1958 that he officially joined Roachs outfit and began recording with him. Little made 8 albums with Roach between 1958 and 1961. And it is Roachs ground breaking We Insist! album that is the precursor to the Out Front sessions, as this is where Littles talents fully caught the attention of Candid Records A&R and producer Nat Hentoff. The sextet on these dates include the great Max Roach on drums, Eric Dolphy on reeds, and Julian Priester on drums. At the time, a growing number of younger jazz artists were exploring ways to further expand the range and depth of communication in jazz. This album is a perfect example of that new wave. Born in Memphis, Little started out on trombone and then clarinet before taking up the saxophone. While studying formally at the Chicago Conservatory, Little met Sonny Rollins, who was notably a huge influence on Littles development as an artist, and who introduced him to Max Roach. Recorded at the Nola Penthouse Sound Studios, in New York City and produced by Hentoff in the spring of 1961, the album was released just months before Littles passing