The Cats: A Jazz Collaboration Featuring Tommy Flanagan, John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, and Idrees Sulieman

Released in December 1959 on New Jazz, a subsidiary of Prestige Records, The Cats is a captivating jazz album that showcases the extraordinary talents of pianist Tommy Flanagan, saxophonist John Coltrane, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and trumpeter Idrees Sulieman. This album emerged from a vibrant Detroit jazz scene where these musicians collaborated for an unforgettable session.

While Tommy Flanagan was primarily known as a sideman during his career, The Cats allowed him to shine with nearly all tracks composed by him. The empathetic solos from Coltrane, Burrell, and Sulieman create a delightful interaction with Flanagan’s rhythm section. This 180-gram reissue is cut from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray, pressed at RTI, and packaged in a premium tip-on jacket with Obi.

John Coltrane (1926-1967) is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in jazz history, known for his relentless pursuit of musical evolution. Kenny Burrell (b. 1931) stands as a prominent jazz guitarist, whose collaborations with legends like Billie Holiday and Oscar Peterson have defined his career. Idrees Sulieman (1923-2002) was known for his exceptional work in bop and hard bop, contributing significantly to jazz with icons like Thelonious Monk. Tommy Flanagan (1930-2001), a Detroit native, began playing with giants such as Miles Davis and later became Ella Fitzgerald’s full-time accompanist, earning his place among the great jazz pianists.