Bronislaw Kaper's "Invitation"

[Late]

What a gorgeous tune. Did Kaper ever compose another of its magnitude?

Do you have a favorite version? I just got done listening to Coltrane's (with Wilbur Harden), and like it, but I think that Joe Henderson's version is still my favorite.

Who's version should we make sure not to miss?

[JSngry]

Three favorites:

Joe on Roy Hanes' VISTALITE

Roemary Clooney/Nelson Riddle on LOVE

Jimmy Heath on THE GAP SEALER

[Chuck Nessa]

Dexter Gordon on Something Different.

[Late]

(which of the Henderson's by the way?)

I was thinking of the version from Tetragon. Ron Carter is dyno-mite on that one.

[marcello]

Jimmy Heath on THE GAP SEALER

I was just about to add this one also!

Albert "Tootie" Heath Drums, Tambourine

James Mtume Conga, Percussion

Jimmy Heath Flute, Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor )

Bob Cranshaw Bass

Kenny Barron Piano, Piano (Electric)

[JohnJ]

Anyone here familiar with the Japan based pianist Tom Pierson? He does a very nice solo version of "Invitation" on the disc 'Live II'.

[JSngry]

Another favorite: Joe Sample, from the album INVITATION. Call it "smooth jazz" if you like, but there's a lot of harmonic and textural inventiveness going on, and they make an already atmospheric melody even moreso.

[brownie]

There is an eerily beautiful version of this on the Stan Getz 'Dynasty' album. The tune is a feature for Rene Thomas on guitar. Getz does not play on this one!

And I'm with Late. I like the John Coltrane version of 'Invitation' on the Prestige 'The Standard Coltrane' album.

Edited January 27, 2005 by brownie

[SEK]

I've been quite fond of Billy Bang's version of "Invitation" on his 1982 Soul Note album of the same name with Charles Tyler, Curtis Clark, Wilber Morris, and Dennis Charles.

[A Lark Ascending]

Ronnie Scott on the still-unreleased-on-CD gem 'Serious Gold'. Lovely mid-tempo version.

[Joe]

Rostasi -- concur re: Lee Konitz and Andrew Hill, SPIRAL, high point of that particular LP, IMO.

Also, the AShby recording you mention... is that the solo harp disc from '84?

Edited January 27, 2005 by Joe

[DMP]

The first time I heard the song was on the Art Blakey "Impulse" album, Bobby Timmons last appearance with the band (underwhelming) and on an Elvin Jones "Blue Note" (with Joe Farrell?). My current favorite version is the Maynard Ferguson disco-jazz performance on the recently reissued "New Vintage" (or maybe it was "Primal Scream" - they're pretty much the same album) - they pull out all the stops!

Edited January 29, 2005 by DMP

[DMP]

Wait a minute - I think I'm wrong about the Elvin Jones "Blue Note" - the song might have been "A Time For Love." Also a nice tune, but it gets forgotten - it was pushed at the time as a sort-of follow-up to "Shadow of Your Smile." But I'm standing by Maynard, female vocals and all.

[Chas]

Two of my favorites :

1) Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers on Impulse from 1961 .

Doleful , moody , atmospheric version with a muted Lee Morgan taking the melody ,

Curtis Fuller with a muted solo and best of all , Wayne Shorter , whose plangent tone

is so well suited to this material . Well recorded as well .

2) Stan Getz on Columbia from 1975 ( album called " The Master " ) .

This is an exuberant , swinging quartet with Albert Dailey and Billy Hart providing

terrific support .

[Chuck Nessa]

Great to see you diggin' thru our history Chas.

[John Tapscott]

One of the first versions of the tune I remember hearing, and it's still one of my favorite versions to this day is on tenor saxophonist David Schnitter's mid's 70's album "Invitation" (Muse).