This is a decent session that, considering the lineup, does not live up to its potential. At what was essentially a jazz party held in a recording studio, the musicians (trumpeter
Buck Clayton, trombonist
Dicky Wells, tenor saxophonist Julian Dash, pianist
Sir Charles Thompson, bassist Gene Ramey, and drummer
Jo Jones) are all veterans of the famous series of
Buck Clayton jam sessions held in the 1950s and, along with singer
Jimmy Rushing, the majority are alumni of the Count Basie Orchestra. The problem is that their rendition of the blues and swing standards are often quite loose; there is a generous amount of missteps; and, although
Clayton is heroic under the circumstances (this was one of his final recordings before ill health caused his retirement), most of the musicians would have benefited from running through the songs an additional time. It's recommended only to completists. ~ Scott Yanow