In December 1955, “Signal” label released “Nica’s Tempo”, album by Gigi Gryce Orchestra and Quartet (the second Gigi Gryce album overall). It was recorded in October 1955, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Hackensack, New Jersey, and was produced by Ozzie Cadena.

Personnel:

Gigi Gryce Orchestra

• Gigi Gryce – alto saxophone
• Cecil Payne – baritone saxophone
• Danny Bank – baritone saxophone
• Art Farmer – trumpet
• Jimmy Cleveland – trombone
• Eddie Bert – trombone
• Julius Watkins – French horn
• Gunther Schuller – French horn
• Bill Barber – tuba
• Horace Silver – piano
• Art Blakey – drums
• Oscar Pettiford – bass
• Kenny Clarke – drums
• Ernestine Anderson – vocals

Gigi Gryce Quartet

• Gigi Gryce – alto saxophone
• Thelonious Monk – piano
• Percy Heath – bass
• Art Blakey – drums

• Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
• Ira Gitler – liner notes

Track listing:

Gigi Gryce Orchestra

1. Speculation – Horace Silver
2. In a Meditating Mood – Gigi Gryce
3. Social Call – Gigi Gryce, Jon Hendricks
4. Smoke Signal – Gigi Gryce
5. (You’ll Always Be) The One I Love – Gigi Gryce
6. Kerry Dance – traditional

Gigi Gryce Quartet

1. Shuffle Boil – Thelonious Monk
2. Brake’s Sake – Thelonious Monk
3. Gallop’s Gallop – Thelonious Monk
4. Nica’s Tempo – Gigi Gryce