Now’s the Time compiles two of CharlieParker’s rare quartet dates (he usuallyrecorded in a quintet format). Both arespectacular sessions, full of intricateoriginals by Bird, complemented by twobeautiful readings of the standards “TheSong Is You” and “I Remember You”. A1950 quartet date (save for one track onwhich Bird is joined by the great ColemanHawkins) and a 1951 quintet session withRed Rodney on trumpet have been addedas a bonus.
1-6:Charlie Parker, alto sax
Hank Jones, piano
Teddy Kotick, bass
Max Roach, drums
New York, December 30, 1952.
7-13:
Charlie Parker, alto sax
Al Haig, piano
Percy Heath, bass
Max Roach, drums
New York, July 30, 1953.
*Bonus tracks
14-18: Coleman Hawkins (ts on 18 only), Hank Jones (p), Ray Brown (b), Buddy Rich (d).
New York, March-April 1950.
19-25: Red Rodney (tp), John Lewis (p), Ray Brown (b), Kenny Clarke (d).
New York, August 8, 1951.
All original sessions produced by Norman Granz.