Vibraphonist
Red Norvo was among the most flexible of improvisers from his generation. On this Bluebird CD,
Norvo is heard with three very different groups. He interacts with trumpeter
Harry "Sweets" Edison, tenor saxophonist
Ben Webster and pianist
Jimmy Rowles in a swing-oriented sextet; their performances are highlighted by the memorable "Just a Mood." In addition,
Norvo plays four songs that have the word "Blue" in their titles with a quintet that is an outgrowth of his trio of a few years earlier (this group consists of flutist
Buddy Collette, guitarist
Tal Farlow,
Monty Budwig or
Red Callender on bass and drummer
Chico Hamilton) and four "Rose" songs with the who's who of West Coast Jazz: trumpeter
Shorty Rogers, clarinetist
Jimmy Giuffre, pianist
Pete Jolly,
Farlow,
Callender and drummer
Larry Bunker. No matter what the setting,
Norvo fits in quite comfortably and the consistent high-quality of the formerly rare music makes this a highly recommended set to bop collectors.