The Collection Jazz Orchestra
, a 20-piece aggregation led by baritone saxophonist
Pete Petersen
, sounded impressive on
Playin' In the Park
, a 1985 release that featured them doing such pop and big band standards as the
Ellington
/Strayhorn vehicle
"Take The 'A' Train,"
and
Kurt Weill
's "Speak Low." The recording was expertly mastered and the unison arrangements marvelous. Solo quality varied, but
Peterson
and his group were pros, so things never dipped below the listenable level. ~ Ron Wynn