This limited-edition CD features small-group swing originally issued on the H.R.S. label from three different sessions in 1946. On one date, the great trumpeter
Buck Clayton heads an octet with both
Trummy Young and
Dicky Wells on trombones; on another occasion he leads an unusual pianoless quartet that also includes clarinetist
Scoville Brown, guitarist
Tiny Grimes and bassist
Sid Weiss. In addition,
Clayton is heard as a sideman with
Trummy Young's septet, which also features clarinetist
Buster Bailey. Swing was going very much out of style at the time, and these somewhat obscure dates can be considered among the final small-group swing sessions of the classic era. More importantly, all of the principals sound creative and full of spirit. ~ Scott Yanow