• Track Listing

American jazz alto saxophonist and pioneer of the post-war American rhythm and blues style, Earl Bostic was an enormous influence in the development of jazz since he emerged as a maverick musician within the genre, in the early 1940s. He would go on to inform major and unique players as diverse as John Coltrane (on whom he was a profound influence), Gerry Mulligan, Hank Mobley and numerous other sax-men. Bostic had a number of popular hits such as 'Flamingo', 'Harlem Nocturne', 'Temptation', 'Sleep', 'Special Delivery Stomp' and 'Where or When', all of which showed off his characteristic 'growl' on his instrument. The multi-disc collection features what are almost certainly the finest albums Earl Bostic ever recorded. Released between 1953 and 1963 - the great man's ultimate heyday - these records, featured here in beautiful re-mastered quality, illustrate clearly the musical prowess of Earl Bostic, and the huge contribution he made to jazz music throughout his life.