“Presenting Ernie Henry” is an album by Ernie Henry, recorded on August 23 (Side A) and 30 (Side B), 1956, at Reeves Sound Studios, New York, and originally released on Riverside Records (RLP 12-222). The Jazz Workshop Vinyl reissue as a 180-gram audiophile LP (JW-091) revives this record with remastering that highlights the saxophone’s brilliance. The lineup features Ernie Henry (alto saxophone), Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Kenny Drew (piano), Wilbur Ware (bass), and Art Taylor (drums). The album includes Henry’s originals like Gone With the Wind and standards. The music is hard bop with bebop roots, with Henry’s saxophone passionate and virtuosic, and Dorham adding warm trumpet parts. The Jazz Workshop reissue, limited to 500 copies, is prized for its clean, vibrant sound, capturing New York’s atmosphere. “Presenting Ernie Henry” is a powerful record, revealing Henry’s talent.
Ernie Henry (September 3, 1926 – December 29, 1957) was an American alto saxophonist, a brilliant hard-bop talent. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he began playing saxophone in his youth, inspired by Charlie Parker. In the 1950s, Henry became a notable figure, collaborating with Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, and Max Roach. His style featured expressive, rapid-fire playing and complex improvisations, setting him apart among bebop saxophonists. Though he recorded only a few albums as a leader, his work is cherished for its intensity and craftsmanship. His career was brief, but his jazz contribution remains significant.
TRACKLIST
Side One:
1. Gone with the Wind (Wrubel-Magidson) 3:20
2. Orient (Ernie Henry) 5:05
3. Free Flight (Ernie Henry) 5:44
4. Checkmate (Ernie Henry) 5:50
Side Two:
1. Active Ingredients (Ernie Henry) 4:58
2. I Should Care (Stordahl-Weston-Cahn) 5:03
3. Cleo’s Chant (Ernie Henry) 8:19
Personnel:
Ernie Henry (alto sax), Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Kenny Drew (piano), Wilbur Ware (bass), Art Taylor (drums).
Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City, on August 23 (Side A) & 30 (Side B), 1956
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