A fine straightahead arranger-composer, Canadian
Phil Nimmons has long had an underground reputation in the U.S., based on his memorable "Atlantic Suite" of 1975. This two-CD set from 1997 reissues that five-part work and the 17-minute "Suite P.E.I.," which was part of an obscure Candian sampler LP, and adds a full CD of previously unreleased material. The "Suite P.E.I.," a showcase for Nimmons' clarinet, utilizes a nonet, while the other pieces are played by big bands filled with notable Canadian jazzmen. Among the many soloists are trumpeters
Herbie Spanier and Mike Malone, tenorman Art Ellefson, altoist Dave Caldwell and trombonist Dave McMurdo. Although the music is largely straight-ahead, it has its unpredictable moments filled with plenty of interesting surprises. Surprisingly,
Phil Nimmons has not recorded much since this period, so the welcome twofer is his definitive release. ~ Scott Yanow