gained some fame for his / recordings cut for and during 1979-1986. In those days he would often record an occasional straight-ahead number in the middle of his crossover sets; 1981's has a fine version of In 1986 was dropped by and since then he has become a commercial pilot. On the liner notes of his comeback album, he disavows his earlier recordings, saying that at heart he was a player all along. During this 1996 set , who is most influenced by , occasionally has inventive ideas that his chops cannot quite play; it can be tough being a part-time player. The music is strictly straight-ahead in the vein with plenty of solo space for 's tenor and pianist and fine support offered by bassist and drummer . With the exception of all of the numbers were either composed by or associated with a trumpeter, and even with an occasional misstep, 's playing in this setting is well worth hearing. ~ Scott Yanow