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Donald Bailey
Donald "Duck" Bailey has helped define the pulse of jazz for more than five decades. Oddly, you're unlikely to find his name listed among fellow trap set innovators; but there is no doubt about Bailey's far-reaching and enduring influence, which dates back to his nine-year tenure with Hammond B3 legend Jimmy Smith from 1956-64. Bailey didn't just help cement the B3, guitar and drums as the definitive instrumentation of the organ combo; he created a lithe trap set vocabulary that gave Smith plenty of room to lay down fat, pedal-generated bass lines while expertly driving the thrilling crescendos that made Smith such a dynamic performer. The generations of musicians who came up in Bailey's wake have all received potent and enduring musical wisdom from the drummer via his work with Jimmy Smith, and he's still got plenty to teach. Bailey's handpicked band for this set includes pianist George Burton, bassist Tyrone Brown, tenor saxophonist Odean Pope, and special guest trumpeter Charles Tolliver.
Jazz fans know Bailey's sound, even if they don't always remember his name; he is one of the many important players who, for no good reason, haven't become all that famous. But that's Bailey floating beneath Smith on the organist's classic Blue Note albums: ...Back at the Chicken Shack, ...The Sermon! and ...Prayer Meetin'. That's Bailey setting time behind pianists Hampton Hawes and Jimmy Rowles, and as a member of the Three Sounds, on other classic dates.
From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Donald "Duck" Bailey, Sr., after being influenced by many great drummers, began learning the drums at the sweet tender age of 10. Style and concept of the musical drum came from the late legendary jazz pianist Haasan Ibn Alli and Donald's brother Morris. After this very heavy extensive training, he joined the JIMMY SMITH GROUP in 1953 and played eight years with Smith. Donald is credited with establishing the future drum accompaniment for Jimmy Smith.
Donald was shown and learned many things from other artists. Aside from Haasan Ibn Alli, Jimmy Smith opened his mind to new concepts and a variety of music. Thus, he is now able to fit in the many varieties of jazz with a few cymbals and drums. He can take you to South America and within moments transfer you to the peace and tranquility of the Orient rhythmically, as well as implying impeccable natural rhythms and moods drummingly. Not too Loud - Not too Soft - but just right!
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Back At The Chicken Shack
![Read "Back At The Chicken Shack" reviewed by Thomas Fletcher](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/20c6491bf639a8a877ca6880eb846ed2.jpg)
by Thomas Fletcher
Back At The Chicken Shack celebrates 60 years since its recording date at the Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs. The same session produced Midnight Special (Blue Note, 1961), though Back At The Chicken Shack would have to wait three years for its release. The label's co-founder, Alfred Lion, later revealed that the healthy sales of this album, alongside many others from Jimmy Smith, kept the record company afloat. The album features, at the time, a youthful but ...
read moreJimmy Smith: Home Cookin'
![Read "Home Cookin'" reviewed by Sean Patrick Fitzell](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/e80e9bfbc9c05825fe93c860b3278d04.jpg)
by Sean Patrick Fitzell
"The Incredible Jimmy Smith cemented his reputation as the king of jazz organ during his prolific residency at Blue Note from 1956-63, as both a leader and collaborator with labelmates. His popularity and record sales helped the label grow and foster new talent. When he returned to Blue Note later in his career, it was only appropriate that they revisit and restore those early releases so essential for Smith's, and Blue Note's, legacy. Home Cookin' is the ...
read moreJimmy Smith: The Boss
![Read "The Boss" reviewed by Germein Linares](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/a329d69f9b0b8ffd6dfd21e1a630cba2.jpg)
by Germein Linares
Recorded at Paschal's La Carousel in Atlanta, Georgia, this '68 date has Jimmy Smith's organ paired with George Benson and Nathan Page on guitar as well as Donald Bailey on drums. The three originals, Some of My Best Friends Are Blues," The Boss," and Fingers," are typical of Smith's compositions with organ and guitar conjuring electrified versions of the blues, soul and jazz. The Burt Bacharach tune, This Guy's In Love With You," comes with more sophistication in its chords ...
read more"He is without question one of the most unique drummers I've ever played with..." —Tyrone Brown, bassist