The simplest definition of jazz at my disposal is blues based with swing. You won't find a better example than the two disc release of the Grant Green Quartet with Sonny Clark. I love the very idea of this kind of package. In early '62 guitar master Green and pianist Clark went into Ruddy Gelder's studio with Sam Jones on bass and Art Blakey on drums. Much as I love horns, it was good to get them out of the way on this occasion.
Jazz history has more than its share of tragedies. Blue Note kept this music in the can until after both Green and Clark were gone. I won't pass judgment. Business is business. This music is fundamental. You could put it next to Gerry Mulligan's Original Quartet, with Sonny Rollins' Village Vanguard recordings on the other side, and no one would be uncomfortable.
Here is a sample.
Grant Green with Sonny Clark/It Ain't Necessarily So/Complete Quartets
You gotta love that Blue Note cover image.
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