Don Byas was one of the great tenor saxophonists of the 1940s, a
Coleman Hawkins-influenced improviser who developed a complex style of his own. His permanent move to Europe in 1946 cut short any chance he had of fame, but
Byas recorded many worthy performances during the two years before his departure. On Classics' first
Don Byas CD (which contains his first 21 numbers as a leader),
Byas matches wits and power with trumpeter
Charlie Shavers on two heated sessions that include pianist
Clyde Hart and bassist
Slam Stewart. He also plays
swing with trumpeter
Joe Thomas and pianist
Johnny Guarnieri in a 1945 quintet and leads a quartet that, on four of its eight numbers, welcomes the great
blues guitarist/singer
Big Bill Broonzy. Highlights include "Riffin' and Jivin'," "Don's Idea," the two-part "Savoy Jam Party," "1944 Stomp" (which has been adopted by 1990s saxophonist
James Carter), "Pennies From Heaven," "Jamboree Jump," and "Just a Dream." This music was originally put out by Savoy, Jamboree, and Hub. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
