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George Shearing: Conception

Rating: 97/100 (learn more)

The luminous Shearing Quintet of 1949-51 shone most brightly on refashioned standards taken at medium or slow tempos, but George's penchant for boppish originals such as "Conception" provided a welcome change of pace. This group was as remarkable demographically as musically. For one thing, it was racially integrated (40% black) in an era of few mixed groups. For another, its vibist was female, and no slouch; dig her swinging turn abetted by drummer Best, whose brushwork rivaled Caravaggio. Shearing, though, was his own star soloist, masterfully at ease with both single-note and block-chord techniques. Fans loved this group. Rightly so.

Reviewer: Alan Kurtz

If you liked this track, also check out

• Miles Davis: “Deception” (1950)
• Miles Davis: “Conception” (1951)
• Bill Evans: “Conception” (1956)

Tags: conception