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The audio excerpt starts with the introduction, which is notated on all lead sheets. This sets up Harold's shuffle blues head that alternates between the melody (horns in octaves), which is the call, and the guitar and organ response line, which is also indicated in all lead sheets. After the head, Harold solos for one chorus which leads into an interlude section (indicated in all lead sheets).
Harold played and recorded a lot with Grant Green in the bass-less organ quartet format. They first recorded together on organist Brother Jack McDuff's 1961 Prestige Records session. Then, in the month previous to the "Steppin' Out" date, they recorded on Big John Patton's "Along Came John" session, also for Blue Note.
Harold Vick is a quintessential example of a great saxophonist and composer who never gained wide public recognition, but was always highly regarded by his fellow musicians. Even jazz legend Sonny Rollins paid compositional tribute to him in 1998 with Did You See Harold Vick?
Harold was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, which is also the birthplace of Thelonious Monk. At 13, Harold received a clarinet and inspiration from his uncle Prince Robinson, a well-respected clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who played with the likes of Duke Ellington, Roy Eldridge and Louis Armstrong from the 1920s-1950s. Read more...
