Four different groups are heard on this compilation from the
Jazz in Paris series. Although all groups were promoted as
bop-oriented when they were overseas, the only bona fide
bop musicians on the first two sessions are tenor saxophonist
Don Byas and pianist
Billy Taylor. The first date is jointly credited to
Byas and trombonist
Tyree Glenn (known for his work with
Duke Ellington and
Louis Armstrong);
Glenn is an effective soloist, even though he's firmly a swinger at heart. But it is
Byas' big-toned solos that stand out, especially in
Dizzy Gillespie's "Dynamo A" (also known as "Dizzy Atmosphere"), along with the effective comping and solos of the relative youngster
Billy Taylor, who also contributed "Mad Monk." Trumpeter
Howard McGhee leads a sextet, featuring alto saxophonist
Jimmy Heath and bassist
Percy Heath, sticking primarily to the leader's compositions.
McGhee's writing is insignificant (especially when compared to
Jimmy Heath's output over the decades which followed); better are the interpretations of
Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee" and
Tadd Dameron's loping "Big Will." The last four tracks feature tenor saxophonist
James Moody, with
Byas, trombonist
Nat Peck, and pianist
Bernard Peiffer along for the ride. Only one is a
Moody original, but in spite of the strong performances, the lousy work of the session's engineer produced consistently overmodulated recordings. The musicians deserved better. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
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