Yokahama Concert finds J.J. Johnson (1924-2001), the progenitor of modern jazz trombone, reunited with a old front-line partner and friend, the trumpeter Nat Adderley. (Adderley was with Johnson's small group from 1957 to 1959, after the band led by his late alto saxophonist brother "Cannonball" suspended operations.) These performances also comprised Johnson's first jazz recording in eight years; he'd been busy in Hollywood, composing and arranging for films and television.
For his return to the jazz arena, Johnson offered a repertoire that included both his best-known composition (the beautiful "Lament") and Adderley's ("Work Song"), as well as the hard-bop jam session staple "Walkin'" and a passel of originals. The veteran front line was solidly backed by a young rhythm section headed by keyboardist Billy Childs and including Johnson's son Kevin on drums. Even after the lengthy lay-off, Johnson showed that he was still the standard against whom all other improvising trombonists must be measured.

with Nat Adderley, Billy Childs, Tony Dumas, Kevin Johnson