Cal Massey: Blues To Coltrane (1961)

There's some doubt about the birthdate of composer and trumpeter Cal Massey, with some accounts having him born in 1928. But there's no question about his ability as a composer; Massey wrote some poignant and compelling material, and had works recorded by John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Lee Morgan, Philly Joe Jones and Archie Shepp, among others. Some Massey numbers that were cut included "Bakai," by Coltrane, "Fiesta" by Jones, "Assunta, Father and Son" by Hubbard, "Message from Trane" by McLean and "Cry of My People" by Shepp. Massey studied trumpet with Freddie Webster and worked in big bands led by Jay McShann, Jimmy Heath, and Billie Holiday. Massey then opted to concentrate on composing and didn't do much playing the rest of his career, though he did lead an ensemble that included Jimmy Garrsion, McCoy Tyner and Tootie Heath in the late '50s. This group played Massey's compositions, and had periodic guest appearances from Coltrane and Donald Byrd. Massey worked and toured with Archie Shepp from 1969 until his death in 1972, and he also worked with Romulus Francechini, co-founding The Romas Orchestra which also performed Massey compositions. His musical play "Lady Day: A Musical Tragedy" was Massey's final work. The Shepp albums Attica Blues, and Things Have Got To Change and Cry of My People contain several Massey compositions and there is a Candid CD featuring rare examples of Massey's fine trumpet playing. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

Blues To Coltrane is - I believe - Massey's only date as a leader and features "Bakai", "These Are Soulful Days" and "Father And Son", tunes that had been (or later would be) recorded by Coltrane, Morgan and Hubbard. As Wynn says, Massey was a fine trumpeter - as well as one hell of a arranger/composer!