Urbie Green has spent most of his career as a studio musician rather than leading many of his own recordings, but this early date as a leader (originally issued by Bethlehem) showed that the trombonist had lots of promise. With arrangements and several strong compositions by the now-obscure Marion Evans,
Green is accompanied by a strong group, including
Danny Bank,
Oscar Pettiford,
Osie Johnson, and
Al Cohn (identified on the initial release under the pseudonym
Ike Horowitz). The very hushed take of "On Green Dolphin Street" features the leader's mellow trombone and the fine muted trumpet of Doug Mettone, while "Three Little Words" is an effortless swinger.
Cohn adds a twist with several top-notch bass clarinet solos. Finally reissued by Avenue Jazz in 2001, this rewarding cool jazz date has stood the test of time rather well and is worth purchasing.