The Max Roach-Clifford Brown Quintet started itstragically short run at the beginning of 1954. The firstformation included—in addition to Max and Brownie—tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, bassist GeorgeBledsoe and pianist Carl Perkins. This group wasrecorded only once, during a concert at the PasadenaCivic Auditorium on July 13, 1954, which is presentedhere along with an August 31, 1954 performance onwhich the first stable formation of the quintet is heard,with the piano and bass chairs filled by pianist RichiePowell (Bud Powell’s younger brother) and bassistGeorge Morrow, and with Harold Land as the tenorplayer. This fantastic formation was destined to end intragedy, for in the early morning hours of June 26, 1956,Clifford Brown died in a car accident (at the age of 25)along with pianist Richie Powell and the latter’s wife.

• 1. Jordu (Duke Jordan) 7:00
• 2. I Can't Get Started (Vernon Duke-Ira Gershwin) 3:55
• 3. I Get a Kick Out of You (Cole Porter) 7:14
• 4. Parisian Thoroughfare (Bud Powell) 7:57
• 5. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm (W.Jurmann-G. Kahn-B. Kaper) 6:
• 6. Tenderly (Walter Gross-Jack Lawrence) 5:00
• 7. Sunset Eyes (Teddy Edwards) 6:40
• 8. Clifford's Axe (Clifford Brown) 7:18