This four-CD set has all of the recordings made as a leader by tenor-saxophonist Illinois Jacquet during a period when he was at the height of his popularity. After his classic solo made "Flying Home" a major hit for Lionel Hampton in 1942, Jacquet spent time with Cab Calloway's band, was a sensation with Jazz at the Philharmonic, and was featured as a star soloist with Count Basie. In 1946, Jacquet went out on his own and his combo (ranging from six to eight pieces) was extremely popular, featuring its leader's hard-swinging solos which utilized a liberal amount of honks and screams. The first real R&B tenorman, Illinois Jacquet was always a much more well-rounded soloist than the specialists who followed him. The 17 sessions that are included on this essential box draws its material from the Aladdin, Apollo, ARA, Savoy, and Victor catalogues. Some of the music has been readily available in recent years, but this is the best way to acquire the swinging performances. Among Jacquet's most notable sidemen are trumpeters Joe Newman, Emmett Berry (who was actually the leader of one of these dates), Russell Jacquet (who also contributes some bluish vocals), and Fats Navarro (who solos on one song); trombonists Henry Coker, Trummy Young, and J.J. Johnson; baritonist Leo Parker; pianists Sir Charles Thompson, Bill Doggett, and John Lewis; bassist Charles Mingus; drummers Johnny Otis and Shadow Wilson; and (on two songs) singer Wynonie Harris.
Disc 1 (51:22)
01. Flying Home (Part One) (2:49)
02. Flying Home (Part Two) (2:18)
03. Uptown Boogie (2:20)
04. Throw It Out Of Your Mind Baby (3:04)
05. Jacquet Mood (2:29)
06. Wondering And Thinking Of You (3:09)
07. Memories Of You (3:13)
08. Wynonie's Blues (2:48)
09. Here Comes The Blues (2:56)
10. Bottoms Up (LP Take) (2:59)
11. Bottoms Up (78 Take) (2:59)
12. Merle's Mood (LP Take) (2:56)
13. Merle's Mood (78 Take) (2:57)
14. What's This (2:39)
15. I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance (3:11)
16. Ladies Lullaby (Alt) (2:49)
17. Ladie's Lullaby (2:44)
18. Illinois Stomp (3:02)
Disc 2 (58:41)
01. Don't Blame Me (3:07)
02. Don't Blame Me (ALT) (3:17)
03. Jumpin' Jacquet (2:56)
04. Jumpin' Jacquet (ALT) (2:51)
05. Blue Mood (2:50)
06. Jacquet In The Box (2:56)
07. Jacquet In The Box (ALT) (2:50)
08. Savoy Blip (AKA Jacquet And No Vest) (2:51)
09. Savoy Blip (ALT) (3:10)
10. Illinois Goes To Chicago (2:59)
11. Doggin' With Doggett (2:59)
12. Doggin' With Doggett (ALT) (3:03)
13. Minor Romp (ALT) (3:09)
14. Minor Romp (AKA Jacquet And Coat) (2:49)
15. Berry's Blues (AKA Jacquet's Blues) (2:38)
16. Jumpin' At Apollo (2:57)
17. Jacquet Bounce (2:55)
18. She's Funny That Way (2:50)
19. 12 Minutes To Go (10' LP Take) (2:47)
20. 12 Minutes To Go (78 Take) (2:46)
Disc 3 (1:03:16)
01. For Europeans Only (2:45)
02. Big Dog (2:44)
03. You Left Me All Alone (3:02)
04. Jivin' With Jack The Bellboy (2:51)
05. Blow, Illinois, Blow (2:49)
06. Illinois Blows The Blues (2:34)
07. South Street Special (78 Take) (2:44)
08. South Street Special (LP Take) (2:48)
09. Diggin' The Count (2:51)
10. Robbins'Nets (2:56)
11. Music Hall Beat (2:48)
12. Jumpin' At The Woodside (Alt) (2:48)
13. Jumpin' At The Woodside (2:45)
14. Goofin' Off (2:27)
15. Riffin' With Jacquet (2:55)
16. Sahara Heat (Alt) (3:27)
17. Sahara Heat (2:44)
18. It's Wild (2:35)
19. Destination Moon (2:52)
20. For Truly (2:57)
21. I Surrender Dear (Alt) (3:48)
22. I Surrender Dear (3:05)
Disc 4 (49:43)
01. Jet Propulsion (2:56)
02. King Jacquet (2:36)
03. Try Me One More Time (3:02)
04. Embryo (2:42)
05. Riffin' At 24th Street (2:47)
06. Mutton Leg (2:18)
07. Symphony In Sid (3:04)
08. A Jacquet For Jack The Bellboy (3:05)
09. Big Foot (3:07)
10. Black Velvet (3:11)
11. B-Yot (2:18)
12. Adam's Alley (2:12)
13. Blue Satin (2:36)
14. Stay Away (3:04)
15. My Old Gal (2:48)
16. Slow Down Baby (2:40)
17. Hot Rod (2:28)
18. You Gotta Change (2:47)
