Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 7, 2026

Blue Gator

Blue Gator is the third album led by saxophonist Willis Jackson featuring organist Jack McDuff and guitarist Bill Jennings which was recorded in 1959 and 1960 and released on the Prestige label.

Last revised
Aug 7, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
261 w
Citations
3
Source
Blue Gator
Studio album by
Released1960
RecordedMay 25, November 9, 1959; February 26 and August 16, 1960
StudiosVan Gelder Studio, Hackensack and Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
GenreJazz
LabelsPrestige
PR 7183
ProducerEsmond Edwards
Willis Jackson chronology
Cool "Gator"
(1961)
Blue Gator
(1960)
Cookin' Sherry
(1960)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar1
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record GuideStarStarStar2

Blue Gator is the third album led by saxophonist Willis Jackson featuring organist Jack McDuff and guitarist Bill Jennings which was recorded in 1959 and 1960 and released on the Prestige label.3

Track listing

All compositions by Willis Jackson except where noted.

  1. "Blue Gator" – 9:12
  2. "Try a Little Tenderness" (Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, Harry Woods) – 5:57
  3. "Gator's Tail" – 3:39
  4. "This Nearly Was Mine" (Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers) – 4:31
  5. "East Breeze" (Esmond Edwards) – 10:01
  6. "She's Funny That Way" (Neil Moret, Richard Whiting) – 5:10

Note

  • Recorded at Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey on May 25, 1959 (tracks 3 & 6), and at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on November 9, 1959 (track 5), February 26, 1960 (track 4) and August 16, 1960 (tracks 1 & 2)

Personnel

References

References

  1. AllMusic listing accessed February 15, 2013
  2. Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. pp. 110. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
  3. Prestige Records discography accessed February 15, 2013