For a brief time, tenor saxophonist
Bill Holman and drummer
Mel Lewis led a hard-swinging quintet based in Los Angeles. Trumpeter
Lee Katzman, pianist
Jimmy Rowles and bassist Wilford Middlebrook complete the group, a band that benefits greatly from the arrangements of
Holman.
Rowles contributed "502 Blues Theme,"
Holman brought in two songs, and the unit also performs the obscure "Mah Lindy Lou" and two originals. This album (originally on the Andex label) serves as proof that not all jazz recordings from Los Angeles in the 1950s are quiet and cool. ~ Scott Yanow