His All Stars

This CD reissues one of the last band dates headed by the impeccable swing pianist Teddy Wilson who was usually featured with trios during the era. He performs with an all-star sextet that also includes trumpeter Harry Sweets Edison, trombonist Vic Dickenson, Bob Wilber on clarinet and soprano, bassist Major Holley and drummer Oliver Jackson. Instead of jamming on the set of standards and obscurities (which includes such tunes as Hallelujah, Alice Blue Gown, Just Friends and I'll Get By), the musicians mostly play Bob Wilber's arrangements. Other than Blues in D Flat, the performances are quite concise (most clock in around the three-minute mark) and some of the charts make the group sound like a dance band rather than a spontaneous jam. The music overall is less exciting than one would expect but it has it's moments and is quite pleasing. This CD adds a 7-minute Jazz speak from August 11, 1995 that features Bob Wilber reminiscing about both Teddy Wilson and this session.