One of the key trombone innovators of the be-bop era, J.J. Johnson's recordings as a leader while small in number have been relatively hard to track down over the years. While his early Blue Note sides are easily obtainable, his later work for Verve and RCA has been much less widely disseminated. One of his finest works of the '60s, J.J.'s Broadway had been long overdue for reissue and it ranks as one of the better albums of show tunes done up in a jazz style thanks to Johnson's smart arrangements. While the quartet tracks offer Johnson full range to blow at will, it's the arrangements for trombone choir (Urbie Green, Lou McGarity, Tommy Mitchell, and Paul Faulise) that come off the strongest with some of Johnson's best writing in the offing. While not as well known as John Coltrane's iconic version, Johnson's take on "My Favorite Things" joins the ranks of inspired jazz fare based on the tune's workable structure.

01. Lovely
02. My Favorite Things
03. Mira
04. Make Someone Happy
05. Who Will Buy
06. Sleeping Bee
07. Put On A Happy Face
08. Nobody's Heart
09. A Second Chance
10. The Sweetest Sounds

Tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10:
J.J. Johnson-trombone, arranger
Urbie Green-trombone
Lou McGarity-trombone
Tommy Mitchell-trombone
Paul Faulise-bass trombone
Chuck Israels-bass
Walter Perkins-drums
Tracks 5, 6 and 8: add Hank Jones-piano
Recorded March 12, 1963 in New York City

Tracks 2, 4, 7, and 9:
J.J. Johnson-trombone
Richard Davis-bass
Walter Perkins-drums
Recorded April 6, 1963 in New York City

Produced by Jim Davis

Reissue produced by Bryan Koniarz
CD mastered by Bob Irwin and Jayme Pieruzzi at Sundazed Studios, Coxsackie, NY
Production assistance by Mark Smith