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Great Chamber Jazz

B. D. Tutt | London, UK. | 03/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Classic Jazz Quartet (Dick Sudhalter, Joe Muranyi, Marty Grosz and the superb Dick Wellstood) recorded albums for Jazzology and Stomp Off in the mid 1980s, re-issued in this double CD set in their entirety along with a set of live recordings from 1986.The set won't be to everyone's taste. The CJQ specialised in witty arrangements of 1920s - 1930s obscurities along with some originals in the same style, somewhat reminsicent in approach, if not in instrumentation, of the Lang / Venuti Blue Four. Some will find these performances over-arranged, although the 1986 sides are more relaxed and free-wheeling. However, all four participants are at the top of their form, with Wellstood in particular being consistently brilliant. His piano is well to the fore here, and is especially featured in tracks like "Chloe", where he transforms the rather insipid arrangement with two choruses of blistering stride. Marty Grosz takes a number of characteristic vocals, & Sudhalter's lyrical cornet work is fine throughout.Jazzology is to be commended for this release. The album is strongly recommended for fans of Wellstood and of Grosz, and for all those who enjoy the jazz of the 1920s and 1930s but are bored with sterile dixieland performances."