- Recorded
- July 1962, Los Angeles (July 15–17, 1962 in the dissertation discography; July 14 and 16, 1962 on the Fresh Sound reissue)
- Releases
- Pacific Jazz ST-55/PJ-55 (1962)
Tracks
- 1. Johnny Come Lately (Strayhorn)
- 2. Slow Space (Ellis)
- 3. Ostinato (Ellis)
- 4. (Wrong Key) Donkey [sic] (Carla Bley)
- 5. Form (Ellis)
- 6. Angel Eyes (Dennis-Brent)
- 7. Irony (Ellis)
- 8. Lover (Rodgers-Hart)
Personnel
- Paul Bley – Piano
- Don Ellis – Trumpet
- Nick Martinis – Drums (tracks 3–5)
- Gary Peacock – Bass
- Gene Stone – Drums (tracks 1–3, 6–8)
Notes
Essence: Don Ellis Quartet
“Johnny Come Lately” is Billy Strayhorn’s composition; the Fresh Sound reissue credits Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, and earlier versions of this page credited Ellington alone. The session dates are unsettled: the dissertation discography (p. 173) gives July 15–17, 1962, while the Fresh Sound reissue says July 14 and 16, 1962. Both drummers play on “Ostinato.”
Sources for dates and awards on this page: Fresh Sound Records: Essence (FSRCD 1662; recording dates, drummers, composer credits); Billy Strayhorn estate: About Billy Strayhorn (“Johnny Come Lately” among his compositions).
Notes on this page are adapted from The Exotic Rhythms of Don Ellis: discography, p. 173 (printed page numbers; the PDF opens at the page).