In the early 1970s, Roland Hanna founded the original New York Jazz Quartet. It consisted of Hubert Laws (flutist), Ron Carter (bassist) and Billy Cobham (drummer). This particular group didn’t last long. However, Hanna managed to find success with a lineup that included flutist Frank Wess and bassist Carter (later replaced by George Mraz), as well as drummer Ben Riley. Grady Tate and Richard Pratt sometimes substituted for Riley. Straight-ahead was a band that lasted well into the ’80s. They recorded originals for the Japanese Salvation labels Enja, Sonet and Beehive (1981). Allmusic
