The Illinois Concert (1999)

Avant-garde reedman Dolphy was a jazz stylist of rare individuality and integrity. Because his output was relatively modest — he only recorded as a leader in the last five years of his brief life — this hitherto unknown live 1963 recording is significant. It's not Dolphy at his most inspired, but he sounds as modern as anyone working today. And he brings out the best in his not-yet-famous 22-year-old pianist: Herbie Hancock. B