Warne Marsh - 1950s Collection

Born in Los Angeles in 1927, American tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh's playing first came to prominence in the 1950s as a protégé of pianist Lennie Tristano; he earned major attention in the 1970s as a member of Supersax. Though he remains something of a cult figure among jazz fans and musicians, his influence has grown since his death; younger players such as Mark Turner have borrowed from his music as a way of counterbalancing the pervasive influence of John Coltrane. Marsh's discography remains somewhat scattered and elusive, as much of it was done for small labels, but more and more of his work has been issued on compact disc in recent years. This collection brings together Warne Marsh's work as leader or co-leader during the decade when his star shone brightest. Featuring eight original albums all here re-mastered and presented on 4CDs, the set illustrates what a fascinating and gifted player Marsh was, despite never receiving the plaudits often placed on his less-talented contemporaries. A perfect starting point for beginners to this great musician's music and a welcome reminder for these somewhat more accustomed, this collection provides the ultimate compilation of Warne Marsh's finest work.