Julian “Junior” Mance, who died in January 2021 at the age of 92, was a modern jazz pianist who began his career in the bebop era, and whose playing was characterised by a soulful bluesy style.

He worked in the bands of Gene Ammons and Lester Young before army service, and then accompanied Dinah Washington, Cannonball Adderley and Dizzy Gillespie in the 1950s before forming his own trio.

This 64-track collection offers a substantial and enjoyable showcase for his notable skills as a distinctive piano stylist.

REVIEWS

Impossible in the space available to do justice to this excellent four CD collection which contains 54 tracks which comprise all the tracks from his albums recorded during the period 1959- 1962… Some excellent jazz in this collection which will repay many a listen. - Gerry Stonestreet (In Tune Issue 353)

Where this collection scores is firstly by including the big band tracks, On Green Dolphin Street being a highlight - notably for contrasting the trio with some exhilarating orchestral interludes plus searing solo trombone from Cleveland and whimsical from Cleveland and whimsical trumpet from Clark Terry. Secondly, it complements the previously reissued trio records with two of Mance's hardest swinging albums, Junior's Blues and Happy Time. - Alyn Shipton (Jazzwise Issue 266)

Everything you need to know about pianist Junior Mance is revealed barely a few tracks into this jam-packed collection. On Benny Golson's Whisper Not he unfurls an improvisation light yet funky in touch in which the melody keeps peeking through and the blues are never far away... While these are consistently good recordings, there is a danger that their concentration on the trio line-up makes them a tad monotonous. That said, it's all fine jazz and in very good sound. - Simon Spillett (Jazz Rag Issue 166)

The collection consists of albums recorded for Verve (Junior, The Soulful Piano Of Junior Mance, Junior Mance Trio At The Village Vanguard, Big Chief and The Soul Of Hollywood), for Jazzland (Junior’s Blues) and for Riverside (Happy Time). The repertoire comprises songbook tunes, jazz standards composed by his peers and pieces of his own. Despite the variety of material, his soulful, bluesy style is never too far away. This would be a great starting point for any newcomer to Mance's music, as well as a thoroughly deserved tribute to an exceptional yet often overlooked musician. - Thomas Fletcher (Jazz Journal August 2021)