Joe Henderson Trio with Ron Carter and Al Foster - The Village Vanguard NYC November 12, 1985

I saw Joe Henderson at the Village Vanguard in March of 1985 with a sextet and it was great to see one of my favorite sax players live for the first time. So when he came back to the Vanguard in November with the same amazing bassist and drummer, I had to go. This recording is the first set of a five-night stand that was memorialized on the two Blue Note albums, "State of the Tenor Vols. 1 and 2." Perhaps because it was the first night, the band really stretched out, and the hour-long set consisted of only four tunes, none of which versions were included on the Blue Note albums. Although three of these four tunes were included on the albums, much shorter versions were selected. The Charlie Parker tune was not represented on the albums. So here you have a lot more Joe and Ron soloing. Ron Carter's bass playing really blew me away (as did Joe's tenor, of course). Ron's solos were so inventive I didn't tune out the way I sometimes do when the bassist steps out front. Coincidentally, Joe Lovano was sitting at the table next to mine, so I got to say hello and tell him how much I appreciated his playing.

Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
Ron Carter - bass
Al Foster - drums

00:00 Introductions
00:30 All the Things You Are (J Kern O Hammerstein)
19:00 Beatrice (S Rivers)
31:45 Ask Me Now (T Monk)
45:32 Relaxin' At Camarillo (C Parker)

Recorded on a Sony Walkman Pro D6C with Sony ECM-102 stereo microphone. This is uploaded solely for educational purposes and historical interest. Enjoy.

[RonCarterBassist]

Good times... Thank you for sharing :)

[shariffroberts]

A Supreme trio ..Al as always is incredible, Joe is inventive and builds and builds, Ron is Ron incomparable

[inklesswells]

A lot of my musician friends used to prefer the Red sessions with Charlie Haden, but to me this is peak Joe. (And arguably peak Foster.) Thanks for posting.

[vova]

I was there the whole week. Good as the music was the nights with Ron Carter, the best night in my estimation was Sunday night when Cecil McBee took over from Ron on bass. Perhaps because that night they weren't recording and everybody felt free.

[jameseason]

I was there the last night (Sunday)of that week in '85. Cables from the recording session were still on the floor. Cecil McBee subbed for Ron Carter. Very different vibe than with Roc Carter on the subsequent album(s). Wish I had a recording of that too!

[pierrepicot]

The Ron Carter solo on Rellaxin' At Camarillo is very great

[JimMetzendorf]

A truly amazing piece of history. Thank you for sharing it!

[jmori]

Your content is incredible..
thank you for sharing these amazing documents. My GOD..JOE!! ❤

[JimStitt]

Thank you for sharing! I was fortunate enough to hear many of Henderson's performances in this time period but never heard this lineup in person. Truly amazing!

[pierrepicot]

This music make me think at Brandford Marsalis with Ron Carter and Mulgrey Miller (the first piece : a C improvisation)

[pierrepicot]

Why (like in France) the audience dosen't standing anymore for applause ? It's one of stupid thing who drive me crazy