Were it not for the complete and total absence of
Lester Young
, this would, in fact, be a truly quintessential
Teddy Wilson
retrospective. The liner notes are informative and the diversity of material is impressive. Saxophonists include
Ben Webster
,
Chu Berry
Coleman Hawkins
Benny Carter
Hilton Jefferson
Johnny Hodges
Harry Carney
Tab Smith
Gene Sedric
Rudy Powell
, and even
Wardell Gray
. But where is
? This is a puzzling omission, given the crucial role
Young
played in
the Teddy Wilson Orchestra
and the work both men did with
Billie Holiday's Orchestra
in 1937, 1938, and 1940. Given the fact that each disc contains roughly one hour of music, there should have been plenty of room for Pres, who is conspicuously absent. It is the only flaw in an otherwise enjoyable compilation.
"Once Upon a Time,"
recorded in 1933 by an ensemble calling themselves
the Chocolate Dandies
, shows off
Wilson
's unique way of handling the piano as well as the warmth and charm of
Max Kaminsky
's trumpet.
's piano solos are well-represented, beginning with
"Somebody Loves Me"
from 1934. There's more than a little evidence here of
's influence on
Art Tatum
, or
Tatum
. (The obvious point is that they influenced each other.) Several tracks from 1937 illustrate how integral
was to the evolution of
swing
.
"Fine and Dandy"
finds
sporting an
Ellingtonian
front line of
Cootie Williams
, and
. Most exciting for collectors is the inclusion of the legendary
"Just a Mood,"
a
blues
in two parts starring
Harry James
Red Norvo
John Simmons
. The
Billie Holiday
selections are lovely, but anyone familiar with this music will sorely miss the presence of
"Liza,"
dating from 1939, showcases
's accelerated piano technique in front of a rather large and loud band. Drummer
J.C. Heard
joins bassist
Al Hall
in rigorously supporting
's lively
improvisations
during a pair of trio stomps from 1941.
vocally introduces a delightful 1943 V-Disc quartet performance of
"How High the Moon."
Unfortunately, this appears to be the only included example of
's remarkable collaborations with clarinetist
Edmond Hall
. As the turbulent decade of the 1940s unfolded,
continued to challenge himself by sitting in with the very progressive
(the example from Hawk's
Keynote
catalog is a smoker), and leading a series of small ensembles in suitably modernized updates of the
tradition. If
Roy Eldridge
Bobby Hackett
Buck Clayton
Jonah Jones
were the perfect choices earlier on,
Charlie Shavers
is about as advanced as a
trumpeter could get in 1945 without emulating
Dizzy Gillespie
's 1946 piano solo,
"Cheek to Cheek,"
reveals harmonically advanced ideas, which are in step with the times. As if to emphasize the point,
bop
legend
appears on
"Cookin' One Up,"
an aircheck from 1948. The leader on this track is
Benny Goodman
; his trios and quartets appear throughout this compilation, and the aircheck works well as the last word on
's important work with
Goodman
. This is a wonderful bundle of exciting and endlessly rewarding
jazz
from a period with which many Americans are all too unfamiliar. Once again, the French have done an excellent job of reissuing our music. The question, however, remains: Why does
not appear on this important quintessential history of
? ~ arwulf arwulf