Liner Notes

Leo Parker was the first baritone saxophonist on the bebop scene and gained prominence in Billy Eckstine’s band as a member of the “Unholy Four” saxophone section that also included Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon, and Gene Ammons in the mid-1940s. Rollin’ With Leo had been prepared for release, including an album cover design by Reid Miles, but wound up being shelved and not released until 1980 as part of the LT Series. The 8-song set includes swinging Parker originals like “The Lion’s Roar” and “Jumpin’ Leo” performed by a band including Dave Burns on trumpet, Bill Swindell on tenor saxophone, Johnny Acea on piano, Stan Conover and Al Lucas on bass, and Wilbert Hogan and Purnell Rice on drums.

Personal troubles sidelined Parker in the 1950s, but in 1961 he made a tragically brief comeback on Blue Note when he recorded two excellent sessions— Let Me Tell You ‘Bout It and Rollin’ With Leo —before he died of a heart attack just months later at age 36.