Trumpeter
Bobby Shew, a long underrated but talented bop-oriented trumpeter, helped to launch the new Double-Time label with this fine release.
Shew teams up with saxophonist Jamey Aebersold (world renowned for his series of play-along instructional recordings) in a quintet with pianist
Steve Schmidt, bassist Tyrone Wheeler and drummer Ed Soph for a set of music paying tribute to a variety of jazz composers (
Horace Silver,
Benny Golson,
Thelonious Monk,
Dave Brubeck,
Charlie Parker,
Clifford Brown,
Duke Ellington,
Hank Mobley and
Dizzy Gillespie). Nothing all that surprising occurs (the standards are given conventional and respectful treatment) but the solos are of a consistently high level and the music always swings. Bop fans will enjoy this CD. ~ Scott Yanow