One Step at a Time

Ray Crawford played tenor and clarinet with Fletcher Henderson during 1941-1943 but tuberculosis forced him to switch to guitar. He was an important part of Ahmad Jamal's early groups and introduced the technique of making the guitar sound like bongos by hitting it, which was later adopted by guitar guru Herb Ellis. Crawford also recorded with Gil Evans and Jimmy Smith, and led his own groups beginning in the early 1960's. Presented here is Crawford's rare, critically acclaimed recording in the soul jazz vein, "One Step at a Time," originally released in 1978 featuring Crawford's guitar with Henry Franklin (bass); Ronnell Bright (piano) and Donald Dean (drums). Newly re-mastered.