Mark Elf, a quiet guitarist who is quite capable of taking burning bop-based solos, debuted on his own Jen Bay label in 1996 with the initial release of an older session from 1988.
Elf is matched with four veterans (pianist
Hank Jones, tenorman
Jimmy Heath, bassist
Ray Drummond and drummer
Ben Riley) and together they perform tunes by
Sonny Stitt,
Freddie Redd (the attractive "So Samba"),
Tadd Dameron ("Hot House"),
Benny Golson,
Kenny Dorham,
Duke Ellington,
Jerome Kern and
Gordon Jenkins along with a pair by the leader. It is a major achievement that
Elf holds his own solo-wise with the notable supporting cast for
Hank Jones in particular is in inspired form. Easily recommended to fans of the pre-fusion jazz guitar. ~ Scott Yanow