Recorded on February 5 and 8, 1962, 2, 3, 4 is one of drummer Shelly Manne’s most celebrated small group sessions and a standout in the Impulse! catalog, produced by Bob Thiele and featuring an intergenerational ensemble of Manne, tenor legend Coleman Hawkins, pianists Eddie Costa and Hank Jones, and bassist George Duvivier. The album blends swing tradition with modern improvisation, highlighting Hawkins in a late-career resurgence, Manne’s subtle rhythmic guidance, and the ensemble’s flexible interplay across duet, trio, and quartet settings. With extended readings of standards like “Take the A Train” and “Cherokee,” alongside “I’m Coming Virginia” and “Avalon,” the record showcases expressive tenor, sophisticated harmonies, and impeccable time, offering a relaxed yet richly textured session that remains a favorite among Impulse! devotees and a key document of Hawkins’ later prime.
Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.
