Ike Quebec’s *The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions* is getting a reissue as part of Blue Note’s Tone Poet Series. This collection features the New Jersey-born saxophonist’s work from 1959 to 1962, aimed at the jukebox market. Produced by Joe Harley, the album is cut directly from Rudy Van Gelder’s original master tapes by Kevin Gray. The all-analog LPs will come in a deluxe tip-on trifold jacket, complete with a booklet that includes never-before-seen photos by Francis Wolff and an essay by scholar Loren Schoenberg. There will also be a 2CD edition available. The release date is set for October 10.
Quebec started his career as a pianist and dancer before switching to the tenor saxophone. He rose to fame in the 1940s big band era, playing with artists like Roy Eldridge, Ella Fitzgerald, and Benny Carter. He recorded for Blue Note during this time, with hits like “Blue Harlem” and “If I Had You.” Quebec also worked as a talent scout for the label, helping to launch the careers of jazz legends like Dexter Gordon and Thelonious Monk. After facing personal challenges, he stepped away from music but made a comeback in 1959 when Blue Note reintroduced his music with a series of 45 singles.
Sadly, Quebec passed away in 1963 shortly after his return. The Tone Poet Series, launched in 2019, features carefully selected reissues, and Quebec joins artists like Stanley Turrentine and Chet Baker. Don’t miss your chance to order *The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions* on vinyl or CD!
