After more than a dozen sideman recording sessions in 1955 and a similar number in 1956–57, Silver's appearance on "Sonny Rollins, Vol. 2" in April 1957 was his last for another leader, as he opted to concentrate on his own band. For several years from the late 1950s, this contained Junior Cook (tenor saxophone), Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Gene Taylor (bass), and either Hayes or Roy Brooks (drums). Their first album was "Finger Poppin"', in 1959. Silver's tour of Japan early in 1962 led to the album "The Tokyo Blues", recorded later that year. By the early 1960s, Silver's quintet had influenced numerous bandleaders and was among the most popular performers at jazz clubs. They also released singles, including "Blowin' the Blues Away", "Juicy Lucy", and "Sister Sadie", for jukebox and radio play. This quintet's sixth and final album was "Silver's Serenade", in 1963.