Cunningbird is an album led by trombonist Jimmy Knepper, recorded in 1976 and released on the Danish SteepleChase label.[1][2][3]

Cunningbird
Studio album by
Released1977
RecordedNovember 8, 1976
StudioC.I. Recording, NYC
GenreJazz
Length58:25 CD with bonus tracks
LabelSteepleChase SCS 1061
ProducerNils Winther
Jimmy Knepper chronology
The Pepper-Knepper Quintet
(1958)
Cunningbird
(1977)
Jimmy Knepper in L.A.
(1977)

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [4]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings    [5]

The Globe and Mail wrote that "Knepper is one of the most individual stylists of mainstream jazz trombone, with a tone so soft-centred that it sometimes seems to slow down his articulation to a mumble."[6]

In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow said: "Trombonist Jimmy Knepper, who had not had the opportunity to lead his own record session in 19 years, is in top form during this quintet outing with tenor saxophonist Al Cohn... Knepper contributed all six compositions, which include a couple of haunting ballads, a blues, and a few songs based on the chord changes of standards. However, it is for the excellent solo work of Knepper and Cohn that this hard bop release is most highly recommended."[4]

Track listing edit

All compositions by Jimmy Knepper.

  1. "Figment Fragment" – 7:41
  2. "Languid" – 5:34
  3. "Just Tonight" – 8:25
  4. "Noche Triste" [take 1] – 8:07 Bonus track on CD reissue
  5. "Spotlight Girl" [take 2] – 6:43 Bonus track on CD reissue
  6. "Cunningbird" – 6:33
  7. "Noche Triste" – 7:33
  8. "Spotlight Girl" – 7:44

Personnel edit

References edit

  1. ^ Jimmy Knepper Leader Entry, accessed April 7, 2017
  2. ^ SteepleChase Records discography, accessed April 7, 2017
  3. ^ SteepleChase Productions ApS, accessed April 7, 2017
  4. ^ a b Yanow, Scott. Cunningbird – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  5. ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 831. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
  6. ^ Miller, Mark (26 July 1980). "Cunningbird Jimmy Knepper". The Globe and Mail. p. F6.