Cool Blues

Cool Blues is a live album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded at Small's Paradise in New York City in 1958 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1980. The album was rereleased on CD with three bonus tracks recorded at the same performance.

Cool Blues
Live album by Jimmy Smith
Released	1980
Recorded	April 7, 1958
Venue	Small's Paradise, New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	72:21
Label	Blue Note LT-1054
Producer	Alfred Lion
Jimmy Smith chronology
Softly as a Summer Breeze (1958) Cool Blues (1980) Six Views of the Blues (1958)
CD reissue cover

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 41⁄2 stars stating

"The repertoire is filled with blues and bop standards, and the soloing is at a consistently high and hard-swinging level. Jimmy Smith fans will be pleased".

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
The Penguin Guide to Jazz
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide

Track listing

1. "Dark Eyes" (Traditional) – 11:43
2. "Groovin' at Small's" (Babs Gonzales) – 12:01
3. Announcements by Babs Gonzales – 0:26 Bonus track on CD reissue
4. "A Night in Tunisia" (Dizzy Gillespie) – 17:04
5. "Cool Blues" (Charlie Parker) – 11:07
6. "What's New?" (Bob Haggart, Johnny Burke) – 6:18 Bonus track on CD reissue
7. "Small's Minor" (Jimmy Smith) – 6:44 Bonus track on CD reissue
8. "Once in a While" (Michael Edwards, Bud Green) – 6:46 Bonus track on CD reissue

• Recorded at Small's Paradise in New York City on April 7, 1958

Personnel

Musicians

• Jimmy Smith – organ
• Lou Donaldson – alto saxophone (tracks 1–6,8)
• Tina Brooks – tenor saxophone (tracks 1–5)
• Eddie McFadden – guitar
• Art Blakey – drums, (tracks 1–4)
• Donald Bailey – drums, (tracks 5–8)

Production

• Alfred Lion – producer
• Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
• Bill Burks – design
• Mark Lipson – photography
• Michael Cuscuna – liner notes