Stanley Turrentine – In Memory Of (Blue Note Tone Poet)

In Memory Of is an album by tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, recorded in 1964 at Van Gelder Studio but not released until 1979. The session brought together an all-star line-up with Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass and Otis “Candy” Finch on drums. The tracklist includes Wes Montgomery’s Fried Pies, Randy Weston’s In Memory Of and Bobby Benson’s Niger Mambo, alongside other covers that highlight Turrentine’s soulful tone and versatility.

The music bridges hard bop and soul jazz, full of swinging horn lines, expressive solos and rhythmic vitality. Turrentine’s warm and lyrical playing is complemented beautifully by Hancock’s piano and Mitchell’s trumpet, creating a set that feels fresh and dynamic even years after its recording. Though delayed in release, the album stands as a strong example of Turrentine’s artistry during the peak of the 1960s jazz scene.