This CD starts off with four selections from a date led by tenor saxophonist
Bill Perkins
that features altoist
Art Pepper
; the remainder of the quintet is comprised of pianist
Jimmy Rowles
, bassist
Ben Tucker
and
Mel Lewis
. While they perform boppish versions of two standards and a pair of
Pepper
originals, the remainder of the CD has a particularly strong set that showcases
in a nonet arranged by
Shorty Rogers
. The music in the latter date are all
Rogers
originals and there are alternate takes of
"Diablo's Dance"
"Popo"
to round out the program. The other soloists include trumpeter
Don Fagerquist
,
Bill Holman
on tenor, baritonist
Bud Shank
, valve trombonist
Stu Williamson
and pianist
Russ Freeman
. Highly recommended to fans of
and West Coast jazz. ~ Scott Yanow