Composer/arranger/pianist
Billy Strayhorn led surprisingly few sessions throughout his career, and this was only his second full-length album. Actually, the main star is altoist
Johnny Hodges (who goes here under the pseudonym of "Cue Porter"), while
Strayhorn (who plays piano on the seven songs) only co-wrote two basic tunes ("Cue's Blue Now" and "Watch Your Cue") with
Hodges and played a fairly minor role. Also in the septet are three fellow
Ellingtonians (trumpeter
Shorty Baker, trombonist
Quentin Jackson and clarinetist
Russell Procope), along with bassist
Al Hall and drummer
Oliver Jackson. The results are a fine mainstream session (which has been reissued on this CD) with highlights including "Gone With the Wind," the ten-minute "Cue's Blue Now" and "Rose Room."