J.J. Johnson & Kai Winding’s ‘The Great Kai and J.J.’ Set For Reissue
The first-ever release on Impulse! Records is coming back to vinyl through Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Series.
In 1960, trombonists J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding teamed up on an album called The Great Kai and J.J., which became the first release on the storied jazz label Impulse! Records. Sixty-five years later, the album is coming back to vinyl as the latest reissue in Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Series.
The Great Kai and J.J. features some of Winding and Johnson’s most celebrated playing, as well as appearances from some of jazz’s biggest names. Pianist Bill Evans, bassists Paul Chambers and Tommy Williams, and drummers Art Taylor and Roy Haynes all contributed to the record, which boasts Impulse! catalog number A-1. Founded by producer Creed Taylor, the label was an offshoot of ABC Records. Impulse! would go on to release classic recordings from artists ranging from John Coltrane to Ray Charles to Genesis.
Johnson, an American born in Indianapolis, and Winding, a Danish-American born in Aarhus, were trombone masters known for their creative partnership. Recorded in November 1960, The Great Kai and J.J. marked their much-anticipated reunion after about half a decade performing and recording separately. In a retrospective review, All Music Guide’s Scott Yanow enthused that “the two trombonists are in melodic and witty form” throughout the album, which includes standards such as “Georgia On My Mind,” “Alone Together,” and “Side By Side” as well as originals including “Judy,” “Trixie,” and “Going, Going, Gong!”
The Acoustic Sounds Series is Verve and UMe’s all-analog vinyl reissue series, launched in 2020 to supply audiophile-grade pressings of some of the most iconic jazz albums in history. The series has recirculated titles from legends such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Sonny Rollins, Mel Torme, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and many more.
