For quite a few years in the 1950s, it was a tradition at the Lighthouse for music to be presented on Sundays from 2 p.m. until 2 a.m.
The Lighthouse All-Stars formed the core of the all-star group, but quite often other notable players would sit in. This CD reissue presents live performances from one such Sunday. In addition to the usual bandmembers of the time (trumpeter
Shorty Rogers, trombonist
Milt Bernhart,
Bob Cooper and
Jimmy Giuffre on tenors, pianist
Frank Patchen, bassist
Howard Rumsey, and drummer
Shelly Manne), trumpeter
Maynard Ferguson, pianist
Hampton Hawes, and
Carlos Vidal on conga have opportunities to be heard. The music is straight-ahead, generally cool-toned, but with plenty of heat; "Viva Zapata" is a Latin romp. Virtually everyone is featured. Highlights include "Four Others," and
Rogers' playing on "All the Things You Are" and "Bernie's Tune."