Pianist Ted Des Plantes pays tribute to trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen on this well-conceived and consistently exciting set. Trumpeter Chris Tyle does an excellent job of emulating Allen, and the supporting cast includes a couple players from Banu Gibson's band (Tom Fischer on clarinet and tenor, and trombonist David Sager) plus clarinetist Barry Wratten, banjoist John Gill, Tom Saunders doubling on bass and tuba, and drummer Hal Smith. There are five vocals (four by Tyle and one from Smith), but these are brief and fit well ...
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Pianist Ted Des Plantes pays tribute to trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen on this well-conceived and consistently exciting set. Trumpeter Chris Tyle does an excellent job of emulating Allen, and the supporting cast includes a couple players from Banu Gibson's band (Tom Fischer on clarinet and tenor, and trombonist David Sager) plus clarinetist Barry Wratten, banjoist John Gill, Tom Saunders doubling on bass and tuba, and drummer Hal Smith. There are five vocals (four by Tyle and one from Smith), but these are brief and fit well into the music. The repertoire is particularly inspired -- all songs that Allen recorded during 1929-37, many of which are both hot and quite obscure. Among the highlights are "Get Rhythm in Your Feet," "On Treasure Island," "I Wish I Were Twins," two versions of "When My Dreamboat Comes Home," "Algiers Stomp," and the title cut. Highly recommended to trad jazz fans. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi
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