A really great little live jazz date from the mid 50s – one that features a unique pairing of east
and west coast players, working together as part of a Birdland Stars package tour! The group's an exceptionally balanced one – with players who are all strong enough to work together seamlessly, but who each bring together something different to the date – especially in the blend of west coast cool
and east coast hot that comes up during some of the horn passages! Trumpets are by
Kenny Dorham and Conte Candoli, tenor by
Al Cohn, alto by
Phil Woods, piano by Hank Jones, bass by John Simmons,
and drums by
Kenny Clarke –
and with a balance like that, there's probably a bit more "east" than "west" on the set – but that's ok with us! The style is similar to some of the RCA work cut by
Cohn or
Woods, but a lot more open overall – tracks that are looser
and less arranged, with some really great room for solos. CD features volumes 1
and 2 of the albums – 14 titles that include "
Phil Er Up", "Roulette", "Last Lap", "Hip Boots", "For Kicks Only", "Playboy", "Ah Funky New Baby", Birdland Fantasy",
and "Minorin The Blues". Tracks are all originals by Manny Albam
and Ernie Wilkins!