CHICAGO HARD-CORE JAZZ

E. PARKER McDOUGAL
BLUES TOUR

LP GRITS GR2002         USA, 1981

Elmer Parker McDougal, (August 6, 1924- July 18, 1994), Chicago "tough tenor" jazz saxophonist, was the founder of Chicago Hard-Core Jazz Inc. and owner of Grits Records.  He played the blues with various groups (Sonny Thompson, a.o.) and performed with many outstanding Chicago tenorists, including Johnny Griffin, Von Freeman and Gene Ammons.

E. Parker McDougal recorded only two albums, both on his own GRITS label.  No nonsense, straight-ahead jazz in the purest Chicago tradition.  I haven’t heard the first one (Initial Visit – GR2001, recorded in 1975) but this one is a very satisfactory album featuring strong playing by pianist Willie Pickens (on side A) and guitarist George Freeman (on side B).  To the best of my knowledge, these albums were never re-issued on CD.

SIDE A

Tenor saxophone: E. Parker McDougal

Piano: Willie Pickens

Bass: Dan Shapera

Drums: Robert Shy

A1.      Blues Tour (E. Parker McDougal)

A2.      Irma’s Waltz (E. Parker McDougal)

A3.      All too soon (Ellington)

SIDE B

Tenor saxophone: E. Parker McDougal

Guitar : George T. Freeman

Bass: Eddie Calhoun

Drums: Jim Cottrell (B1 & B3) / Robert Shy (B2 & B4)

B1.      P’s Blues

B2.      For Cuz

B3.      Love Tap

B4.      Skokie Swift

(B1 to B4: composed by E. Parker McDougal)

UPDATED LINK 18/07/17

And I renew the request below:
If anyone has the album GR 2001 "Initial Visit", I'd love to hear it / post it.  Thanks.