1964 was an important year for the jazz saxophone. John Coltrane recorded the seminal A Love Supreme and Eric Dolphy made Out to Lunch, a masterpiece of the early jazz avant-garde. With that in mind, it’s not as surprising as it is unfortunate that saxophonist Sam Rivers’ debut Fuchsia Swing Song doesn’t get much press. Rivers went on to become one of the most original and important saxophone voices after Coltrane, but in 1964, he was virtually unknown and had just finished a very brief stint with Miles Davis. Rivers is joined here by two members of that band, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams. The quartet is completed by Rivers’ old friend Jaki Byard on piano. Though he became known for also playing soprano saxophone and flute, Rivers sticks to his main ax, the tenor, for this album. [Source]

Opening track from Sam River’s “Fuchsia Swing Song” original album. Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on December 11, 1964. Originally released as BST (84184). Sam Rivers (tenor saxophone); Jaki Byard (piano); Ron Carter (bass); Tony Williams (drums).

[In memory of Sam Rivers]