The story behind puzzle No. 37
Kenny Burrell · Midnight Blue · Blue Note · 1963
Duke Ellington called Kenny Burrell his favorite guitar player. Chitlins con Carne shows why: a relaxed, bluesy guitar over a conga groove.
Burrell recorded Midnight Blue on January 8, 1963, at Rudy Van Gelder's studio, and Blue Note released it that May. Chitlins con Carne opens the album. NPR later included Midnight Blue in its Basic Jazz Library and called it one of the great jazzy blues records.
The title is a play on chili con carne, and the music mixes cultures too. Ray Barretto's congas give a Latin feel to a jazz blues.
Blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded his own version, released on The Sky Is Crying in 1991.
Who's on it
Keep listening
Play Sugar, puzzle No. 36, to hear Turrentine leading his own band in 1970.
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