After too long a period in the studios, talented trumpeter
Jon Faddis returned to jazz with this brilliant effort. Best known for his ability to closely emulate his idol,
Dizzy Gillespie (far from an easy feat),
Faddis pays tribute to Gillespie with "Night in Tunisia" and "Things to Come." However, he also does a close imitation of
Roy Eldridge on "Little Jazz," pays homage to
Louis Armstrong on "West End Blues," shows sensitivity on Thad Jones' "A Child Is Born," and performs three other numbers. With the assistance of tenor saxophonist
Harold Land, pianist
Kenny Barron, bassist
Ray Brown, and drummer
Mel Lewis,
Jon Faddis is in superb form throughout this outstanding release, his definitive recording. ~ Scott Yanow