True Blue (Tina Brooks album)
True Blue is a jazz album by American hard bop tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks, released in 1960 on Blue Note Records. It is Brooks' second album as a leader and is widely considered to be one of his finest recordings.
Overview
The album features a quintet consisting of Tina Brooks on tenor saxophone, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Duke Jordan on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Art Blakey on drums. All five musicians were prominent figures in the hard bop scene, and their collective talent contributes to the album's high quality. The recording took place at the Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, on June 25, 1960.
Track Listing
- Good Old Soul
- True Blue
- Miss Hazel
- Nothing Ever Changes My Love For You
- Street Singer
All compositions are by Tina Brooks, except for "Nothing Ever Changes My Love For You" which is by Jack Segal and Marvin Fisher.
Musical Style and Significance
True Blue showcases Brooks' distinctive tenor saxophone sound, characterized by its warm tone, melodic phrasing, and improvisational skills. Freddie Hubbard's fiery trumpet playing complements Brooks' saxophone, creating a dynamic front line. Duke Jordan's piano provides a solid harmonic foundation, while Sam Jones and Art Blakey lay down a driving and swinging rhythm section.
The album is notable for its strong compositions, which blend blues, bop, and soul jazz elements. The title track, "True Blue," is a memorable melody with a catchy groove. "Good Old Soul" is an uptempo blues number that allows for extended improvisation. "Miss Hazel" is a ballad that showcases Brooks' lyrical playing. "Street Singer" is another highlight, featuring a sophisticated harmonic structure. "Nothing Ever Changes My Love For You" is a standard that receives a fresh and invigorating jazz interpretation.
True Blue is considered a classic of the hard bop genre and a testament to Tina Brooks' talent as a composer and improviser. Despite his tragically short career, Brooks left behind a small but significant body of work, and True Blue remains his most celebrated achievement. Its influence can be heard in subsequent generations of jazz musicians.