Meet the Jazztet

Meet the Jazztet was the debut recording of the Jazztet, a sextet co-led by Art Farmer and Benny Golson.[2]^: 2 The band had first performed in public in November 1959;[2]^: 2 the original drummer was Dave Bailey, but he was replaced by Lex Humphries prior to the recording sessions.[2]^: 3

The album's ten tracks were recorded for Argo Records at Nola Penthouse Studios over three days: February 6, 9, and 10, 1960.[2]^: 18 Argo knew the commercial value of having successful jazz singles; this may have influenced the length of the tracks on the album,[2]^: 3 only one of which exceeds five minutes.

The Jazztet consisted of Farmer (trumpet), Golson (tenor saxophone), Curtis Fuller (trombone), McCoy Tyner (piano), Addison Farmer (bass), and Humphries (drums).

"Serenata" has a chord structure that suits improvisation; Golson added an introduction and "a hard 6/8 groove on the theme chorus".[2]^: 3 Golson and Farmer each have a two-chorus solo.[2]^: 3 "It Ain't Necessarily So" is from Porgy and Bess, which had gained recent attention from the 1959 film version.[2]^: 3 The version recorded is at a medium tempo.[2]^: 3 "Avalon" is taken at a higher tempo, and features solos from piano, trombone, trumpet, and saxophone, all before the full melody is played.[2]^: 3 Golson's ballad "I Remember Clifford" is a feature for Farmer; he had already recorded it twice, but this version, in the words of Bob Blumenthal, is a "heartbreaking reading. The balance Farmer achieves between fealty to the melody and sympathetic variation make this [...] definitive."[2]^: 3 "Blues March" was also written by Golson, and first recorded two years before this version, which contains some double-timing from Farmer.[2]^: 3 "It's All Right With Me" is chiefly a feature for Fuller.[2]^: 4 "Park Avenue Petite" is a ballad written by Golson.[2]^: 4 "Mox Nix" is an up-tempo blues by Farmer.[2]^: 4 "Easy Living" features Golson's ballad playing, which was influenced by Lucky Thompson and Ben Webster.[2]^: 4 "Killer Joe" is "lean and mean, with Farmer's muted horn in the lead and horns blowing softly over a bridge where the rhythm is suspended".[2]^: 4

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]
New Record Mirror	[4]

In August 1960, the album was reported as having good sales, and a single from it, "Killer Joe", with "Mox Nix" on the B side, had reportedly sold over 40,000 copies.[5] Scott Yanow of Allmusic calls the album "a hard bop classic".[3]

The album's final track, "Killer Joe", helped the Jazztet gain attention, in Golson's opinion.[2]^: 4

All compositions by Benny Golson except as indicated

1. "Serenata" (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish) – 3:30
2. "It Ain't Necessarily So" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 4:26
3. "Avalon" (Buddy DeSylva, Al Jolson, Vincent Rose) – 3:29
4. "I Remember Clifford" – 3:10
5. "Blues March" – 5:16
6. "It's All Right with Me" (Cole Porter) – 3:53
7. "Park Avenue Petite" – 3:41
8. "Mox Nix" (Art Farmer) – 4:01
9. "Easy Living" (Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin) – 3:33
10. "Killer Joe" – 4:57