Cherry-picking highlights from his mid-'50s dates for the Bethlehem label,
The Trumpet Artistry of Stu Williamson represents a superb introduction to this underappreciated West Coast jazz great. A remarkably supple, nuanced trumpeter,
Williamson captures the absolute essence of the left-coast sound. His solos are expansive yet efficient, speaking volumes in a minimum of phrases. Brother
Claude plays piano on all 14 cuts, while
Charlie Mariano,
Jimmy Giuffre, and
Bill Holman rotate guitar duties. All are in top form, crafting soulful renditions of "Yardbird Suite," "Red Cross," and "Darn That Dream."