Hank Mobley
Tenor Sax Solo on
Tenor Conclave

About

Hank Mobley's tenor saxophone solo opens the improvisation on the title track of the 1956 Tenor Conclave album, a composition he wrote on the chord changes of "I Got Rhythm." As the first of seven solos at a blazing 244 BPM, Mobley's three-chorus statement sets the pace for the four-way tenor battle that follows. His warm, fluid sound and rhythmic poise provide a strong opening statement before Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and John Coltrane each take their turn on the familiar rhythm changes. The session, recorded for Prestige Records, pairs the four tenors with Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Taylor on drums.

Hank Mobley was 25 to 26 years old at the time.