Is Up at "Minton's" a good place to start with Stanley Turrentine?

Yes, Up at "Minton's" is recommended as a starting point for new Stanley Turrentine listeners. A vibrant blend of hard bop and soulful melodies that captures the energy of late-night jazz sessions. Released in 1961, Up at 'Minton's' marked Stanley Turrentine's rise as a prominent tenor saxophonist in the jazz scene following his earlier work with the Max Roach Quintet. This album came shortly after his debut on Blue Note, establishing him as a distinctive voice in hard bop and setting the stage for a prolific career ahead.

Who is Up at "Minton's" for?

Up at "Minton's" works well if you're into long, contemplative listening sessions, patient explorations of melody and evening relaxation with friends.

How many songs are on Up at "Minton's"?

Up at "Minton's" has 8 tracks, running approximately 89 minutes.

Up at "Minton's"

Stanley Turrentine · 1961

89 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of hard bop and soulful melodies that captures the energy of late-night jazz sessions.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
But Not for Me Start here — This track opens the album with a rich, melancholic narrative that highlights Turrentine's expressive playing and ability to convey deep emotion through his saxophone.
→
Stanley’s Time — Featuring intricate rhythms and a dynamic interplay between the musicians, this track exemplifies Turrentine's signature style and showcases his command over melodic improvisation.
→
Summertime — Turrentine's interpretation of this classic standard transforms it into a lush, soulful experience, demonstrating his flair for blending tradition with personal expression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, maintaining a cohesive sound throughout.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of bluesy motifs, with Turrentine's saxophone leading through each track while the rhythm section provides a steady backdrop.
Each track maintains a medium tempo, with only slight variations, creating a cohesive flow throughout the record.
The arrangements often include call-and-response patterns between the saxophone and piano, emphasizing interaction among the musicians.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, contemplative listening sessions
patient explorations of melody
evening relaxation with friends
soulful moments of introspection

Maybe skip if you

prefer quick, upbeat tracks
want fast-paced listening experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album helped establish Turrentine's reputation in the jazz genre.
Themes: late-night jazz sessions· soulful melodies· hard bop energy
Career context: Released in 1961, Up at 'Minton's' marked Stanley Turrentine's rise as a prominent tenor saxophonist in the jazz scene following his earlier work with the Max Roach Quintet. This album came shortly after his debut on Blue Note, establishing him as a distinctive voice in hard bop and setting the stage for a prolific career ahead.
Stylistic neighbors: Horace Silver· Joe Henderson· Cannonball Adderley