Open Sesame was the first album Freddie Hubbard(1938-2008) made as a leader. Before that LP,however, he had participated on many albums asa sideman beginning with his debut recording onThe Montgomery Brothers and Five Others, tapedin his home town of Indianapolis on December30, 1957. Open Sesame was the trumpeter’s firstproject with pianist McCoy Tyner, who during thesame month would perform his first gig ever withthe John Coltrane Quartet (at the Jazz Gallery,in New York). It was also the first collaborativerecording between Hubbard and saxophonistTina Brooks, who would only record together onone other occasion, for Tina’s own album TrueBlue, recorded less than a week later on June 25,1960. Even though many of his previous works asa sideman were important, Open Sesame markedthe beginning of Hubbard’s career as his own man,and helped him to overcome his major influencesand establish his own musical voice.

FREDDIE HUBBARD, trumpetTINA BROOKS, tenor saxMcCOY TYNER, pianoSAM JONES, bassCLIFFORD JARVIS, drumsEnglewood Cliffs, New Jersey, June 19, 1960.Original session recorded by Rudy Van Gelder& produced by Alfred Lion.*BONUS TRACK:Freddie Hubbard (tp), Walter Benton (ts), Wynton Kelly (p),Paul Chambers (b), Jimmy Cobb (d).New York, September 19, 1960.Originally issued on the Walter Benton Quintet LP Out of ThisWorld (Jazzland JLP 928S).

• 1. Open Sesame
• 2. But Beautiful
• 3. Gypsy Blue
• 4. All or Nothing At All
• 5. One Mint Julep
• 6. Hub's Nub
• 7. Azil