Search - Jackie Cain, Roy Kral :: Jackie & Roy

Impressive Beginning for a Classic Duet.

John G. Geier | Sherman, TX United States | 07/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The title of this CD is JACKIE AND ROY - JAZZ CLASSICS BY CHARLIE VENTRUA'S BAND. It is taken from an LP (with one additional track) of recordings by the Charlie Ventura band of 1948 which included Jackie Cain and Roy Kral as featured vocalists. Jackie and Roy are heard on most tracks of this CD but there are some instrumentals as well.

All eleven of the tracks on this collection are enjoyable. Jackie and Roy do some impressive vocals in the classic bebop style (classic now, but quite novel back then) and the Ventura band plays all of the arrangements as a solid unit. There are also some fine solos by trombonist Bennie Green (listed as "Benny" in the album notes) and the leader himself.

Since these recordings were made Jackie and Roy had gone on to be headliners themselves for half a century. This CD provides the listener with an opportunity to hear the duet at the time when they were first gaining recognition."