Pete Rugolo's early recordings as a leader after leaving
Stan Kenton's Orchestra are quite rewarding and innovative in their own way, yet have been long underrated and out of print. This LP finds
Rugolo leading all-star groups filled with such top West Coast jazz stars as trumpeters
Pete Candoli,
Shorty Rogers, and
Maynard Ferguson; trombonists Milt Bernhart and
Herbie Harper;
Bob Cooper on tenor and oboe; altoist
Bud Shank; baritonists
Jimmy Giuffre and
Bob Gordon; pianist
Claude Williamson; guitarist
Laurindo Almeida; and drummer
Shelly Manne. On such numbers as "Mixin' the Blues," "Rugolo Meets Shearing," "Jingle Bells Mambo," and "King Porter Stomp," Pete Rugolo's arrangements are full of surprises while leaving space for his sidemen's short solos. Well worth searching for. ~ Scott Yanow