Al Jackson (ldr), Al Jackson (t), unknown (tb, b), Hank O'Day (as), Oscar Bob Lowe (ts), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Phineas Newborn, Sr. (d), Dick "Cane" Cole (v)

Information on this session comes mainly from the 2023 Bear Family Memphis Blues box set which indicates the personnel as possible or probable, so additional confirmation is needed. This session is found in the Ruppli, Daniels, Novitsky, Cuscuna Capitol Label Discography (CD-ROM, 2005, p. 40) but personnel other than Jackson are not identified. The Newborns did record with Dick Cole on June 24, 1950, for Modern Records (see session below).

B.B. King (ldr), Sammie Jett (tb), Ben Branch (ts), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Tuff Green (b), Phineas Newborn, Sr. (d), B.B. King (v)

Personnel varies among sources, some indicating a trumpet is present. I hear no trumpet on any of the 4 tracks. To me, aural evidence is consistent with instrumentation shown.

This is B.B. King’s first recording session.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Richard Sanders (ts), unknown (bar), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), James Walker (b), Phineas Newborn, Sr. (d), Dick "Cane" Cole (v)

unknown (bar) on b; Dick "Cane" Cole (v) on b.

Phineas Newborn, Sr. (ldr), unknown (ts, b, v), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Phineas Newborn, Sr. (d)

The vocalist could be Phineas Newborn, Sr.

These tracks were probably made for Modern Records but not issued originally.

The specific recording date is unknown.

Track b is a blues and not the well-known Fats Waller/Andy Razaf tune of the same title.

Lou Sargent (Luther Steinberg) (ldr), Lou Sargent (Luther Steinberg) (t), unknown (ts), Tot Randolph (bar), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Les Mitchell (Wilbur Steinberg) (b, v), Jeff Greyer (d)

Les Mitchell (Wilbur Steinberg) (v) on b.

B.B. King (ldr), Richard Sanders (ts), unknown (bar), B.B. King (g, v), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), James Walker (b), Phineas Newborn, Sr. (d)

Big Walter "Mumbles" Horton (ldr), Big Walter "Mumbles" Horton (h, v), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Phineas Newborn, Sr. (d)

Tracks b and d were never issued as singles.

B.B. King (ldr), Richard Sanders (ts), unknown (bar), B.B. King (g, v), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), James Walker (b), Phineas Newborn, Sr. (d)

The personnel are not confirmed.

Only tracks b and c were issued originally.

Tracks g and h have not been auditioned.

Jackie Brenston (ldr), unknown (sax, b), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Phineas Newborn, Sr. (d), Jackie Brenston (v)

Sherman "Blues" Johnson (ldr), Richard Sanders (ts), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), unknown (b), Sherman "Blues" Johnson (v)

These tracks were not issued originally.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), unknown (b, d)

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

Track c has not been auditioned and the composer is not known.

Guitarist Calvin Newborn does not solo on any of the issued tracks and is hardly audible on tracks a, b and d.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

The unissued tracks have not been auditioned and may be piano solos. Tracks e and f are piano solos.

Charles Mingus (ldr), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Charles Mingus (b), Al Dreares (d)

Two other tracks were recorded but Phineas Newborn, Jr. does not perform on them. They are "Confirmation" (4:57) and "Just Bohemia" (1:34; probably the Mingus composition called "Bohemia"). Other musicians performing on these tracks include Bill Hardman (t), Ernie Henry and Jackie Mclean (as), Mal Waldron (p) and Willie Jones (d).

The date is uncertain. The drummer could be Willie Jones.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p)

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Jamil Nasser [George Joyner] (b), Philly Joe Jones (d)

Track a is listed as "Phineas’ Rainbow" on RCA (Fr.) 430 253.

From the timing of 2:32 shown on RCA RD 27051, track b is edited on that issue.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Jamil Nasser [George Joyner] (b)

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Victor Arno, Leonard Atkins, Israel Baker, Jacques Gasselin, Ben Gill, Henry Hill, Carl Lamagna, Marvin Limonick, Dan Lube, Alfred Lustgarten, Gerald Vinci, Eunice Wennermark (vn), Cecil Figelski, Allan Harshman, Louis Kievman, Paul Robyn (vl), Ralph Kramer, Edgar Lustgarten (vc), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Jamil Nasser [George Joyner] (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Dennis Farnon (con)

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Victor Arno, Leonard Atkins, Israel Baker, Jacques Gasselin, Ben Gill, Henry Hill, Carl Lamagna, Dan Lube, Alfred Lustgarten, Ralph Schaeffer, Gerald Vinci, Eunice Wennermark (vn), Abraham Hochstein, Harry Hyams, Joe Rellich, Paul Robyn (vl), Edgar Lustgarten, George Neikrug (vc), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Jamil Nasser [George Joyner] (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Dennis Farnon (con)

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Ernie Royal (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Sahib Shihab (as, bar, cl, bcl), Jerome Richardson (ts, f), Les Spann (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), George Duvivier (b), Osie Johnson (d), Francisco "Chino" Pozo, Willie Rodriguez (bo, cng), A. K. Salim (con)

This is music from the 1957 Broadway show Jamaica.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Ernie Royal (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Sahib Shihab (as, bar, cl, bcl), Jerome Richardson (ts, f), Les Spann (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), George Duvivier (b), Osie Johnson (d), Francisco "Chino" Pozo, Willie Rodriguez (bo, cng), A. K. Salim (con)

This is music from the 1957 Broadway show Jamaica.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Joe Ferrante (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Sahib Shihab (as, bar, cl, bcl), Jerome Richardson (ts, f), Les Spann (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), George Duvivier (b), Osie Johnson (d), Francisco "Chino" Pozo, Willie Rodriguez (bo, cng), A. K. Salim (con)

This is music from the 1957 Broadway show Jamaica.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Jamil Nasser [George Joyner] (b), Denzil Best (d)

Calvin Newborn (g) on a-c.

Track a is listed as "Sweet Lorraine" on the earlier issues.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Jamil Nasser [George Joyner] (b), Denzil Best (d)

Calvin Newborn (g) on a-b; Jamil Nasser [George Joyner] (b) on a-b; Denzil Best (d) on a-b.

J. J. Johnson, Lee Konitz, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Oscar Pettiford, Zoot Sims, Kai Winding (ldr), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Lee Konitz (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Red Garland, Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

J. J. Johnson (ldr) on f-h, (tb) on f-h; Lee Konitz (ldr) on b, d, h, (as) on b, d, h; Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr) on a, (p) on a, e-g; Oscar Pettiford (ldr) on e; Zoot Sims (ldr) on c-d, h, (ts) on c-d, h; Kai Winding (ldr) on f-h, (tb) on f-h; Red Garland (p) on h.

RLR 88631 indicates that tracks a-c and f-h were recorded on September 16, 1958. I can confirm a Jazz from Carnegie Hall at the Manchester Free Trade Hall on September 20 but not September 16. It seems doubtful, although not impossible that concerts were held at that venue on both nights.

RLR 88631 indicates that track e was recorded in Berlin on September 28, but the performance is identical to the one on IAJRC 1010, recorded on September 20.

Personnel by track:
Tracks a, e - Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
Track b - Konitz, Pettiford, Clarke
Track c - Sims, Pettiford, Clarke
Track d - Konitz, Sims, Pettiford, Clarke
Tracks f, g - Winding, Johnson, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
Track h - Winding, Johnson, Konitz, Sims, Garland, Pettiford, Clarke

Red Garland, J. J. Johnson, Lee Konitz, Oscar Pettiford, Zoot Sims, Kai Winding (ldr), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Lee Konitz (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Red Garland, Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

Red Garland (ldr) on a, (p) on a, d-e; J. J. Johnson (ldr) on i, (tb) on i; Lee Konitz (ldr) on b-c, (as) on b-c; Oscar Pettiford (ldr) on f-h; Zoot Sims (ldr) on d-e, (ts) on d-e; Kai Winding (ldr) on i, (tb) on i; Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p) on f-i.

Personnel by track:
a - Garland, Pettiford, Clarke
b-c - Konitz, Pettiford, Clarke
d-e - Sims, Garland, Pettiford, Clarke
f-h - Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
i - Johnson, Winding, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Benny Bailey (t), unknown (tb, bar), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Rune Carlsson (d), Monica Zetterlund (v)

m, n  performed as medley

Benny Bailey (t) on a, c-d, f-h, j, l, n-q; unknown (tb) on h, (bar) on a; Oscar Pettiford (b) on a-l, n-w; Rune Carlsson (d) on a-l, n-w; Monica Zetterlund (v) on e, k, r.

Information on the unissued tracks was graciously provided by Nils Winther of Steeplechase Records. They have not been auditioned.

An unidentified baritone saxophonist is heard on the themes of track a but does not solo. An unidentified trombonist is heard on the last chorus of track h but does not solo. Winther’s notes indicate that vocalist Monica Zetterlund is present on tracks e, k and r but is "off-mic."

Track d is listed as Tadd Dameron’s "Lady Bird," but the main theme is Miles Davis’ "Half Nelson." The two songs have very similar chord sequences. "Lady Bird" is played (one chorus) at the end of the track.

The track listed as "My Ship" is really a medley of that ballad played by Newborn, Jr. alone and his composition, "Sugar Ray" performed by the quartet. The pianist does not seem to know "My Ship" and never includes the song’s bridge.

Track j is listed as "Vierd Blues."

Red Garland, Lee Konitz, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Oscar Pettiford, Zoot Sims (ldr), Lee Konitz (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Red Garland, Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

Red Garland (ldr) on h-j, (p) on h-l; Lee Konitz (ldr) on d-e, j, (as) on d-e, j; Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr) on a-g, (p) on a-g; Oscar Pettiford (ldr) on k-l; Zoot Sims (ldr) on f-g, j, (ts) on f-g, j.

Personnel by track:
a-c - Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
d-e - Konitz, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
f-g - Sims, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
h-i, k-l - Garland, Pettiford, Clarke
j - Konitz, Sims, Garland, Pettiford, Clarke

Kenny Clarke, J. J. Johnson, Lee Konitz, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Oscar Pettiford, Zoot Sims, Kai Winding (ldr), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Lee Konitz (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

Kenny Clarke (ldr) on g; J. J. Johnson (ldr) on j-n, (tb) on j-n; Lee Konitz (ldr) on b-c, f, (as) on b-c, f, n; Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr) on a, i, (p) on a, d-e, g-n; Oscar Pettiford (ldr) on g-i; Zoot Sims (ldr) on d-f, (ts) on d-f, n; Kai Winding (ldr) on j-n, (tb) on j-n.

The RLR CD indicates these tracks were recorded in Berlin, but the announcer speaks in English with a British accent.

Personnel by track:
a, g-i - Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
b-c - Konitz, Pettiford, Clarke
d-e - Sims, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
f - Konitz, Sims, Pettiford, Clarke
j-m - Johnson, Winding, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
n - Johnson, Winding, Konitz, Sims, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke

Red Garland, Lee Konitz, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Zoot Sims (ldr), Lee Konitz (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Red Garland, Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

Red Garland (ldr) on c-d, (p) on c-d, f-g; Lee Konitz (ldr) on g, (as) on g; Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr) on a-b, (p) on a-b, e; Zoot Sims (ldr) on e-g, (ts) on e-g.

Performers by track:
a - Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
b - Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
c - Garland, Pettiford, Clarke
d - Garland, Pettiford, Clarke
e - Sims, Garland, Pettiford, Clarke
f - Sims, Garland, Pettiford, Clarke
g - Konitz, Sims, Garland, Pettiford, Clarke

Unique Jazz UJ 25 is described in discogs.com as an "unofficial release" and neither it nor Membran 233662 provide any specific information regarding the performance date and venue of these tracks.

"Daahoud" is listed as "Bauhaus" on Unique Jazz 25 and Membran 233662.

SFB Radio broadcast.

These tracks may be part of the September 28, 1958 concert.

J. J. Johnson, Lee Konitz, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Oscar Pettiford, Kai Winding (ldr), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Lee Konitz (as), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

J. J. Johnson (ldr) on g-k, (tb) on g-k; Lee Konitz (ldr) on d, (as) on d; Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr) on a-c, (p) on a-c, e-k; Oscar Pettiford (ldr) on e-f; Kai Winding (ldr) on g-k, (tb) on g-k.

Although pianist Red Garland is listed as being present, all the piano solos heard on the CD sound like the work of Phineas Newborn, Jr.

Personnel by track:
a-c, e-f - Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
d - Konitz, Pettiford, Clarke
g-k -Johnson, Winding, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke

Recording is credited to Europe 1 (radio station).

J. J. Johnson, Lee Konitz, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Kai Winding (ldr), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Lee Konitz (as), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

J. J. Johnson (ldr) on c-f, (tb) on c-f; Lee Konitz (ldr) on a, (as) on a; Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr) on b; Kai Winding (ldr) on c-f, (tb) on c-f.

The 3 CD compilation RLR 88631 includes a version of Bill Holman’s "Zoot’s Suite" (5:37) indicated to be part of this session. But the sound is much different from everything else and 2 tenor saxophonists are present. I have not included this track in the discography because its provenance is uncertain.

It is possible that some of these tracks may have been recorded in Berlin, on September 28-29, 1958.

Personnel by track:
a - Konitz, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke
b - Newborn, Jr., Pettifor, Clarke
c-f - Johnson, Winding, Newborn, Jr., Pettiford, Clarke

Zoot Sims (ldr), Zoot Sims (ts), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

The track fades out at the end of Sims’ solo.

This title is really just improvising on 12-bar blues chord changes.

Roy Haynes (ldr), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Paul Chambers (b), Roy Haynes (d)

Some issues were mono and others stereo.

Booker Little, Louis Smith (t), Frank Strozier (as), George Coleman (ts), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Jamil Nasser [George Joyner] (b), Charles Crosby (d)

Booker Little (t) on a-c; Louis Smith (t) on a-c; Frank Strozier (as) on a-d; George Coleman (ts) on a-c; Calvin Newborn (g) on a-c, e.

The recording date comes from the Ruppli/Cuscuna Blue Note Label Discography CD-ROM. Fresh Sound 1642 gives the recording date as April 15, 1959.

It has recently come to my attention* that the mono and stereo versions of "Things Ain’t What They Used to Be" are actually different takes! The mono take is about 20 seconds longer and has different and more adventurous solos. Most issues of this session seem to contain the stereo version.

*Email from Bertrand Uberall, June 24, 2021, communicating information disclosed by Ben Young at a virtual meeting that day.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Carlo Loffredo (b), Sergio Pissi (d)

Carlo Loffredo (b) on a, d-f; Sergio Pissi (d) on a, d-f.

Tracks b and c are piano solos. Newborn, Jr. is the only soloist throughout. On the trio tracks, the drummer uses only brushes.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), John Simmons (b), Roy Haynes (d)

Track i is listed as "Blues Theme for Left Hand Only."

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), John Simmons (b), Roy Haynes (d)

Like the previous session, the tracks are short and Newborn, Jr. generally stays close to the melodies.

Teddy Edwards, Howard McGhee (ldr), Howard McGhee (t), Teddy Edwards (ts), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Ray Brown (b), Ed Thigpen (d)

Howard McGhee (t) on a-d, f.

Howard McGhee (ldr), Howard McGhee (t), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Leroy Vinnegar (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Teddy Edwards, Helyne Stewart (ldr), Teddy Edwards (ts), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Leroy Vinnegar (b), Milt Turner (d), Helyne Stewart (v)

Phineas Newborn, Jr. is not present on the 4 remaining tracks of the album which were recorded on January 20, 1961 with a septet.

Teddy Edwards (ldr), Teddy Edwards (ts), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Leroy Vinnegar (b), Milt Turner (d)

Phineas Newborn, Jr. is not present on the other 7 tracks of the Good Gravy album. On those (recorded August 24-25, 1961) the pianist is Danny Horton.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Paul Chambers (b), Philly Joe Jones (d)

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (ldr), Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Sam Jones (b), Louis Hayes (d)