George Coleman with his Octet

Memphis-born George Coleman, like his friend Booker Little, first made his mark as a member of the Max Roach Quintet. But through the years, he has made his mark playing with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Slide Hampton, Lee Morgan and many others. He is a consummate musician and improviser whose primary outlet is his own quartet and occasionally his octet. Here’s a wonderful performance of Bobby Watson’s “Conservation” from a 1981 British concert with Watson, Harold Mabern and Billy Higgins among the octet members.

-Michael Cuscuna