Gleason's 1958 album Riff Jazz, released on Ancien Prodige, offered a swinging, bebop-infused take on jazz standards. The album captures Gleason and his orchestra exploring a more complex harmonic and rhythmic territory than his typical smooth jazz fare.
- Riff Jazz was recorded in New York City during a period when Gleason was also enjoying immense success with his television show. The album reached number 19 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. It featured arrangements of tunes by jazz luminaries such as Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie.
- The Ancien Prodige label, while not as widely known as Capitol or Capitol, was known for its commitment to high-fidelity recordings. Riff Jazz was part of a series of more adventurous jazz-oriented albums Gleason recorded in the late 1950s.
- This release showcased Gleason's ability to navigate different jazz idioms, moving beyond his signature "sound" to engage with the excitement of hard bop and cool jazz styles. It remains a favorite among collectors of his jazz work.
Jackie Gleason was an American conductor, composer, and actor, best known for his Easy Listening recordings. He was a towering figure in mid-century popular music and television.
Tracklist
More from Jackie Gleason
Velvet Brass1957
Lover's Rhapsody1953
Music for Lovers Only1952
The Torch With the Blue Flame1959
And Awaaay We Go!1954
Tawny1953
Today's Romantic Hits - For Lovers Only1963
Music for the Love Hours1957
Music to Make You Misty1953
To a Sleeping Beauty1957
Jackie Gleason Presents His Original Music for "Gigot"1962
Silk 'n' Brass1966