Producer Graham Carter deserves high praise for pairing alto sax legend
Phil Woods with trumpeter/ flügelhornist
Carl Saunders in a CD tribute to
Henry Mancini. The two veterans gelled quickly with the rhythm section (pianist Jeff Jenkins, bassist Ken Walker, and drummer Paul Romaine), though
Woods had never worked with any of them, and
Saunders only with Romaine. A variety of arrangers scored the music for this session. "The Pink Panther" was the inevitable opener, though
Woods and
Saunders put their own stamp on this slinky, swinging masterpiece. Likewise, the gorgeous "Dreamsville" has been a favorite of jazz musicians, and this interpretation features some of the lushest solos by the two leaders on the date. The extended rendition of "Two for the Road" has several magical exchanges between
Woods and
Saunders (here on flügelhorn). But most of the tunes aren't as well known. The breezy "Lightly" is given a Latin flavor, while "Walkin' Bass" is a blues featuring Ken Walker's tasty bassline underneath
Woods and
Saunders (on muted trumpet). Their jaunty take of "Goofin' at the Coffee House," like "Lightly," is another hidden gem originally written for the Peter Gunn television series. This rewarding salute to what would have been
Henry Mancini's 80th birthday should be considered essential. ~ Ken Dryden