Soprano Summit was one of the hottest mainstream bands of the 1970s, a potentially explosive unit co-starring
Bob Wilber and
Kenny Davern on sopranos and clarinets. Their repertoire included both classics from the 1920s and '30s, and newer originals in a freewheeling style, but there was no need for strict re-creations; the musicians simply played like themselves. The second edition of
Soprano Summit also featured the great acoustic guitarist and
Fats Waller-inspired vocalist
Marty Grosz. For this Storyville CD (featuring a European concert not initially released until 1996), the trio is joined quite ably by bassist Eddie de Haas and drummer Bob Cousins. The
Grosz vocals and the interplay between the two reeds result in exciting versions of 11 songs, including "Stompy Jones," "How Can You Face Me," "Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland," and
Wilber's "Grenadilla Stomp." Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow