Eastern Rebellion

First formed in 1974 and continuing on an irregular basis ever since, Eastern Rebellion is a cooperative group with pianist Cedar Walton the first among equals. The band's original lineup was Walton, bassist Sam Jones, drummer Billy Higgins, and tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan. By 1975 and their first official recording, George Coleman was on tenor. In future years, trombonist Curtis Fuller would sometimes make the band a quintet, David Williams became the bassist, and Bob Berg (succeeded in the 1990s by Ralph Moore) took over the tenor spot; trumpeter Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros sat in on a 1983 recording. Eastern Rebellion has recorded for Timeless and (in 1990) Music Masters. Their debut recording from 1975 is definitive and has the classic version of Walton's "Bolivia." ~ Scott Yanow