Arranger
Per Husby investigates seven
Tadd Dameron originals plus four of his own songs, three of which have lyrics by Chan Parker.
Husby utilizes a 13-piece all-star American big band and provides swinging arrangements in
Dameron's style. Most of the selections have vocals from
Karin Krog and/or
Georgie Fame, and some of the
Dameron pieces have been outfitted with new lyrics. Because of the quality of the instrumentalists, it is a pity that vocals take up so much of the time, but there are some fine solos along the way from (among others) tenor saxophonist
Frank Wess, trombonist
Jim Pugh, trumpeter
Michael Leonhart, pianist
Ted Rosenthal,
Jerome Richardson on soprano, and
Chris Potter on tenor and alto.
Fame adds spirit to his interpretations, and
Krog shows that she is one of the most underrated of veteran European singers. All in all, this is a successful if not quite essential project. ~ Scott Yanow