Although veteran tenor saxophonist
Teddy Edwards was having serious health problems by 2001, he is in excellent form throughout this set, showing no signs of decline or age. Playing in New York with a top-notch quartet that includes pianist
Richard Wyands,
Edwards caresses some of the melodies (his long tones are impressive), he swings hard in spots, and he shows great affection for the material. Although it was not planned that way, quite a few of the songs could be considered tributes to past tenor saxophonists, including
Ben Webster ("All Too Soon"),
Hank Mobley ("Hank's Tune"), the still active
Illinois Jacquet ("Robbin's Nest"),
Coleman Hawkins ("It's the Talk of the Town"),
Arnett Cobb ("Smooth Sailing"), and
Lester Young ("Polka Dots and Moonbeams"). Throughout,
Teddy Edwards shows that in 2001 he was still in his musical prime. ~ Scott Yanow