This excellent tribute to the music of
Louis Armstrong has arrangements for an octet by
Randy Sandke and consistently strong trumpet solos from Sandke and
Byron Stripling. With strong assistance from clarinetist
Kenny Davern, trombonist
Joel Helleny and a four-piece rhythm section headed by pianist
Mark Shane, Sandke and Stripling mostly (but not exclusively) explore Satch's music of the 1920s. A special highlight is "Struttin' with Some Barbecue" which not only reproduces the great trumpeter's famous 1927 solo, but also finds Stripling playing Satch's usual solo from the 1950s. Other highlights include "Sugar Foot Stomp," "Cornet Chop Suey," "Potato Head Blues," "Weatherbird" and "Swing That Music." Easily recommended to
Louis Armstrong fans. ~ Scott Yanow