Pearson's 1969 release, "Now Hear This," features a septet with a prominent horn section, leaning into a more accessible, soul-jazz sound with elements of R&B and funk. The album showcases his compositional skills and penchant for arrangements that balanced sophistication with a deep groove.
- "Now Hear This" was recorded on May 23, 1969, at the Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
- The album features veteran jazz musicians, including Blue Mitchell on trumpet and Lew Tabackin on tenor saxophone.
- While a solid effort, "Now Hear This" did not chart on the Billboard jazz albums chart.
Duke Pearson was a jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader, primarily known for his work with Blue Note Records in the 1960s. He was a significant figure in the label's hard bop and soul jazz output during that decade.
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