Oscar Pettiford: Lost Tapes – Germany 1958/1959

Oscar Pettiford was the bass player of his time (his association with Diz and Bird alone are enough to give Pettiford this respect), and this observation rings true on Lost Tapes – Germany 1958/1959. This unearthing of some of the final recordings (wishful thinking on my part) Pettiford committed to tape shows so much finesse this man exuded on bass and cello, and it also tells a story of reverence from the German jazz community for the distinctly American music.

Mostly standards, Lost Tapes shows these old standbys in a different light — an international light, which was just beginning to flicker outside of France in these years. The German accompanists are fluent and expertly capable of keeping up with Pettiford, whose lines and flourishes sound like one big inviting grin. Jazz bass enthusiasts should be rejoicing with this release. It’s essential.