Health problems had long since forced
Buck Clayton to give up the trumpet by the time these live recordings were made in early 1990, but he still had a lot to offer as a composer and arranger. Leading a 16-piece big band made up of some of the best musicians playing regularly in New York City -- including trumpeter
Warren Vache, alto saxophonist Jerry Dodgion, tenor saxophonist
Frank Wess, baritone saxophonist
Scott Robinson, and pianist
Dick Katz (to name just a few) -- the leader's dozen originals provide fertile ground for his musicians. Sadly, this date also proved to be somewhat of a swan song for
Buck Clayton, who died the year following the making of this CD. Promoted as a limited-edition reissue, this recommended CD initially appeared in 1996 as The Buck Clayton Swing Band Live From Greenwich Village, NYC. ~ Ken Dryden