Baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne never got much of a chance to record as a leader – but every time he did, he came up with gold – as on this smoking 70s session with pianist Duke Jordan! At the time of the set, both musicians are working past the period of their initial fame – but still very much at the height of their powers – with Payne blowing baritone with the fluidity and sharpness of most tenorists – and Jordan bringing in lots of those wonderfully-crafted notes full of feeling, as he was using on some of his European sessions of the time. The balance of feeling between the two is really wonderful – definitely in the spirit of their photo on the cover – and remaining members of the group are great, too – with the mighty Sam Jones on bass and Al Foster on drums. Titles include "Jazz Vendor", "Cerupa", "No Problem", "Egg Head", and "I Should Care". CD

As you'd expect from the title, this one features Cecil Payne performing a number of Charlie Parker compositions – and for the Charlie Parker label, no less! The session has a slightly off-beat quality, given that Payne's horn is a baritone, and not an alto, like Parker's – but given the fluid approach that Cecil always used, the sound is great – thanks also to support from a great combo that includes Duke Jordan on piano, Clark Terry on trumpet, Charlie Persip on drums, and Ron Carter on bass. Titles include "Cool Blues", "The Hymn", "Communion", and "Bongo Beep". LP, Vinyl record album

A warmly crafted set that features Cecil Payne at the height of his powers on baritone sax – blowing with a sense of soul and timing that's right up there with some of the hipper tenor players of his generation! Payne's sound on the instrument is amazingly precise and wonderfully fluid – blown beautifully in two different settings for the album – one in a quartet with Duke Jordan on piano, Tommy Potter on bass, and Art Taylor on drums – the other in the same group, but with Kenny Dorham added in on trumpet! Dorham's tones further emphasize the sweeter sound of Cecil on his chosen instrument – and titles on the set include "Arnetta", "Chessman's Delight", "Bringing Up Father", "Groovin High", "Saucer Eyes", and "Man Of Moods". CD

A really well done memorial to the (then) recently-departed Charlie Parker – cut with an unusual lineup that features Cecil Payne on baritone sax, Phil Woods on alto, and Frank Socolow on tenor – all working through long, laidback takes of 4 of Bird's best known compositions! There's a really relaxed feel to the record that's totally great – and the players aren't so much aping the sound of Charlie Parker's work, as they are working in the newer freedoms allows by it – stretching out in freely creative lines that never fail to please, and working here with a rhythm section that includes Duke Jordan on piano, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. The album was recorded live at the Five Spot – and titles include "Parker's Mood", "Steeplechase", "Buzzy", and "Scrapple From The Apple". Great 80s pressing – done on 2LPs – with lots of unissued material! LP, Vinyl record album

Way more than just the promised tribute to Charlie Parker – and the group features Johnny Griffin on tenor, Jackie McLean on alto, Cecil Payne on baritone, Duke Jordan on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – all directed by Don Sickler! CD

Way more than just the promised tribute to Charlie Parker – and the group features Johnny Griffin on tenor, Jackie McLean on alto, Cecil Payne on baritone, Duke Jordan on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – all directed by Don Sickler! CD

Way more than just the promised tribute to Charlie Parker – and the group features Johnny Griffin on tenor, Jackie McLean on alto, Cecil Payne on baritone, Duke Jordan on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – all directed by Don Sickler! CD