FIVE DISCS OF PETTIFORD S REMARKABLE TALENT FEATURING JAZZ LEGENDS SUCH AS LUCKY THOMPSON Double bassist, cellist and composer Oscar Pettiford was one of the true pioneers of his instrument in 1940s and 1950s jazz, being one of the earliest to play in the bebop idiom and, alongside Charles Mingus, remains one of the most recorded bassists of the genre. Born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on 30th September 1922 to a Choctaw mother and a half Cherokee, half African American father, Pettiford grew up in the family band for whom he sang and danced before moving onto piano aged 12. Throughout the majority of the 1950s, Pettiford performed primarily as bandleader, although his run-ins with other famous names were still frequent. He almost accidentally discovered Cannonball Adderley when the then-unknown saxophonist ended up on stage at one of his band s shows, amazing all those in attendance with his ability. Pettiford went on to ply his trade alongside the likes of Thelonious Monk on Brilliant Corners, Kenny Dorham on Jazz Contrasts (both Riverside, 1957) and Sonny Rollins of Freedom Suite (Riverside, 1958), before relocating to Copenhagen, Denmark. Despite suffering a fractured skull in an auto accident, Pettiford continued to perform in venues around France, Germany and Denmark. Sadly, the day after his final show at an art gallery in Copenhagen on 4th September 1960, he slipped into a coma and passed away from three days later from a Polio-like viral infection at the tragically young age of 37, leaving behind a wife and three children. This boxed set, containing a total of 11 remastered recordings, demonstrates clearly the depth of Oscar Pettiford s extraordinary talent over his decorated but unfortunately short career. Featuring appearances from the likes of Lucky Thompson, Coleman Hawkins and Kenny Clarke, the music contained on these five discs will continue to delight old and new jazz fans alike.