Numbered Edition: Freddie Hubbard - Open Sesame (2 reels)

Numbered Edition: Freddie Hubbard - Open Sesame

CREDITS:

Recorded June 19, 1960

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA

Original session produced by Rudy Van Gelder - Originally released 1960 by Blue Note Records

Remastered Hemiolia’s Stereo Edition by Pietro Benini (September 2025)

Hubbard was only 22 years old when he recorded this album that showed his prodigious talent and hints at the remarkable career he would go on to have. The album has become a classic in the hard bop genre, combining elements of bebop and blues with advanced harmonies and improvisational air and features a stellar lineup of musicians, many of whom were already influential figures in the jazz world or would go on to become: Freddie Hubbard, Tina Brooks, McCoy Tyner, Sam Jones, Clifford Jarvis.

"Open Sesame" is rooted in hard bop, a jazz style characterized by a mix of bebop's fast tempo and complex improvisations with blues, gospel, and R&B influences. Hubbard's trumpet playing is both aggressive and lyrical, marked by his technical precision and emotive phrasing. His performance is complemented by Tina Brooks' soulful tenor saxophone and McCoy Tyner's distinctive piano comping, which adds a rich harmonic layer. The album's compositions range from the upbeat and fiery title track "Open Sesame", to the lush ballad "But Beautiful", and the Marty groove of "One Mint Julep".

The track "Gypsy Blue", written by Tina Brooks, is a highlight with its sophisticated chord changes and melodic inventiveness. "Open Sesame" received critical acclaim upon release and established Hubbard as one of the premier trumpet players of his generation. This album is considered a cornerstone of Hubbard's career and a significant recording helped launch Hubbard into a long and successful career where he would collaborate with some of the biggest names in jazz including Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter and it remains an essential listen for anyone exploring Freddie Hubbard's discography.

TRACKLIST:

Reel one:

1 - OPEN SESAME - 07':11"
(Tina Brooks)

2 - BUT BEAUTIFUL - 06':27"
(Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen)

3 - GYPSY BLUE - 06':26"
(Tina Brooks)

Total Length - 20'04"

Reel two:

1 -ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL - 05':35"
(Arthur Altman, Jack Lawrence)

2 - ONE MINT JULEP - 06':03"
(Rudy Toombs)

3 - HUB'S NUB - 06':53"
((Freddie Hubbard)

Total Length - 18'31"

Reel one + reel two length: 38'35''

Technical Notes:

In collaboration with ERMITAGE DISTRIBUTION.

All the Master Tapes born from the collaboration with Ermitage Distribution are produced using Production Masters as a source (First Generation) in stereo, 2 tracks - 1/4”