This nine-piece unit boasts quite a few strong talents. While leader
Rick Fay is fine on tenor and soprano, he is matched by flugelhornist
Jackie Coon, trombonist
Dan Barrett, Betty O'Hara (who plays bass trumpet, double-bell euphonium, cornet, and flugelhorn), clarinetist Bobby Grodon, and a four-piece rhythm section led by pianist
Johnny Varro. With
Fay,
Coon, O'Hara, and banjoist Eddie Erickson all contributing one or two vocals apiece, there is plenty of variety on this program of swing and Dixieland standards. It's enjoyable and generally hard-swinging music. ~ Scott Yanow