Campus Concert is not a live date, but instead a studio recording in which the Mitchell-Ruff Duo delivers an outstanding performance of nine popular standards. "Body and Soul" begins as an impressionistic piece, very formal, with
Willie Ruff on French horn accompanying
Dwike Mitchell's piano;
Mitchell then cuts loose with a Tatum-like run as
Ruff switches to bass and they convert to a furious swing tempo.
Ruff returns to the French horn to play the melody of "'Round Midnight" in support of the pianist's improvisation on the theme. They also delve into music by
George Gershwin and
Jerome Kern with equal success. Their interpretations of Rodgers & Hart's "My Heart Stood Still" and "Little Girl Blue" show off their respective conservatory backgrounds, as well as their brilliance as jazz musicians. This 1956 LP is long out of print and will be extremely tough to acquire.