Fats Navarro, Sonny Stitt, Bud Powell - The Bebop Boys

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Review by Veon (Nyambura) Ngugi

Album Review: The Bebop Boys by Fats Navarro, Sonny Stitt, Bud Powell Released in 1997 under the UK-based label Indigo Recordings Ltd., The Bebop Boys is a treasure trove of jazz bop that feels like it was plucked straight outta some smoky late-night club where legends were born. Featuring heavy hitters like Fats Navarro on trumpet, Sonny Stitt on alto saxophone, and Bud Powell tickling those ivories, this compilation stitches together live performances from different sessions into one cohesive journey through bebop's golden age. It’s raw, unfiltered, and full of life. One standout track for me is “Blues In Bebop.” Right off the bat, you’re hit with Kenny Dorham’s sharp trumpet lines weaving around Sonny Stitt’s fiery alto sax riffs. There’s something about how they play off each other—it’s not just music; it’s a conversation. You can almost picture them nodding at each other mid-solo, throwing ideas back and forth like old friends who don’t need words anymore. And let’s not forget Bud Powell holding everything down on piano—he doesn’t just accompany; he elevates every damn note. This tune sticks because it’s got grit but also groove, making it impossible to sit still while listening. Another gem is “Fat Boy,” which ironically has nothing to do with body size (thank goodness). What makes this track unforgettable is its energy. Denzil Best lays down a drumbeat so tight it could hold water, while Fats Navarro blows his trumpet as if he’s daring anyone to keep up. Spoiler alert: no one does. The interplay between him and Eddie Davis on tenor sax is pure magic—chaotic yet controlled, loose yet precise. It’s the kind of song that reminds you why bebop became such a big deal in the first place. These guys weren’t just playing notes; they were telling stories without saying a word. Joop Visser deserves props for compiling these tracks and writing sleeve notes that give context without sounding pretentious. Raven Design nailed the cover art too—it’s simple but screams vintage cool. One quirky detail worth mentioning? The bassists switch halfway through the album: Al Hall handles tracks 1-12, then Gene Ramey takes over for the rest. Not sure why exactly they swapped duties, but hey, variety keeps things interesting! In hindsight, what strikes me most about The Bebop Boys isn’t just the technical brilliance or historical significance—it’s the humanity behind it all. These musicians weren’t perfect, and sometimes their imperfections shine brighter than any polished studio recording ever could. Listening to this record feels less like admiring art and more like stepping into a moment frozen in time. And honestly? I kinda wish I’d been there when they recorded “Fat Boy.” If only to see whether anyone cracked a smile during those blazing solos.

Table of Contents

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Filename: fats-navarro-sonny-stitt-bud-powell-the-bebop-boys.zip
  • MP3 size: 70 mb
  • FLAC size: 1006 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Hollerin' And Screamin'2:38
Bombay2:54
Everything's Cool5:32
Bebop In Pastel2:59
Spinal2:29
Serenade To A Square2:38
Good Kick2:43
Just A Mystery2:13
Ray's Idea2:45
Red Pepper3:02
Fracture2:51
Maternity3:01
Calling Dr. Jazz2:49
Fat Boy5:35
Fool's Fancy2:34
Webb City5:41
Boppin' A Riff5:50
Seven Up3:00
Stealin' Trash2:46
Blues In Bebop2:45

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Catalog Numbers

IGOCD 2071

Labels

Indigo Recordings Ltd.

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Formats

  • CD
  • Compilation

Credits

RoleCredit
Alto SaxophoneSonny Stitt (tracks: 1 to 12)
BassAl Hall (tracks: 1 to 12), Eddie de Verteuil (tracks: 9 to 12), Gene Ramey (tracks: 13 to 20)
Compiled ByJoop Visser
Sleeve NotesJoop Visser
DesignRaven Design
DrumsDenzil Best (tracks: 13 to 20), Kenny Clarke (tracks: 5 to 12), Wally Bishop (tracks: 1 to 4)
GuitarHuey Long (tracks: 13 to 20)
PianoAl Haig (tracks: 13 to 20), Bud Powell (tracks: 1 to 12)
Tenor SaxophoneEddie Davis (tracks: 13 to 20), Morris Lane (tracks: 9 to 12)
TrumpetFats Navarro (tracks: 13 to 20), Kenny Dorham (tracks: 1 to 12)

Notes

  • Tracks 1-8: New York City, August 23, 1946
  • Tracks 9-12: New York City, September 25, 1946
  • Tracks 13-16: New York City, December 18, 1946
  • Tracks 17-20: New York City, December 20, 1946

Barcodes

Barcode: 7 66126 40712 2

About Fats Navarro, Sonny Stitt, Bud Powell

Fats Navarro (born September 24, 1923, Key West, Florida, USA - died July 7, 1950, New York City, New York, USA) was an American bebop trumpeter.

Real Name

    • Theodore Navarro
    • Jr.

Name Vars

  • \
  • Navarro
  • Fats Navarro
  • F. Navaro
  • F. Navarro
  • F.Navarro
  • Fats Navarro Sextet
  • Novarro
  • T. \
  • T. Navarro
  • The Fabulous Fats Navarro
  • Thedore \
  • Theo. Navarro
  • Theodore \
  • Theodore 'Fats' Navarro
  • Theodore Fats Navarro
  • Theodore Navarro
  • Thos. Navarro

Aliases

  • Slim Romero
  • Théodore De Navarre

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a cool fact: The album *The Bebop Boys* is like a jazz time capsule. It wasn’t released until 1997, but the recordings feature legendary musicians like Fats Navarro, Sonny Stitt, and Bud Powell laying down tracks way earlier. These giants of bebop were known for their fiery improvisation and tight chemistry. One standout detail? The album combines sessions from different lineups, with players switching in and out, like Gene Ramey on bass for tracks 13 to 20 or Kenny Dorham adding his trumpet brilliance to tracks 1 to 12. It’s wild to think this UK-released gem stitched together these performances decades later, giving fans a chance to hear bebop legends collaborate as if they were jamming in the same room. Oh, and track 4, “Hollerin’ And Screamin’,” totally lives up to its name—pure energy!