Jim Galloway's Wee Big Band has been in existence for 30 years, but surprisingly,
Blue Reverie is only its third recording. The orchestra (which, despite its name, is a full-size, 17-piece jazz ensemble) is as swing-oriented as its leader. On
Blue Reverie, in addition to a few newer arrangements, vintage charts by
Jimmy Mundy,
Duke Ellington,
Billy Strayhorn,
Benny Carter,
Buck Clayton, and
Chico O'Farrill ("Chicago") have been transcribed from recordings. But rather than re-creations, these live performances sound very much alive, the solos are improvised, and the
Jim Galloway Wee Big Band has a musical personality of its own. All but three of the musicians have opportunities to solo, with the standout performances being
Gordon Evans' alto on "Isfahan," the swinging ensembles on
Benny Carter's "Symphony in Riffs," and the odd, floating
Gerry Mulligan arrangement of "If You Were the Only Girl in the World."