This CD reissue matches together trumpeter
Clark Terry (before he switched to flugelhorn) with tenor saxophonist
Johnny Griffin, pianist
Wynton Kelly, bassist
Paul Chambers and drummer
Philly Joe Jones. Most notable about the music is that
Terry wrote five of the eight selections (including the colorful title cut which pays tribute to life on the road with
Duke Ellington); the other numbers are "Donna Lee," a pretty version of "Stardust" and a slightly Latinized "That Old Black Magic."
Terry and
Griffin were a potent team, making one regret that they did not record together much through the years. This set contains excellent straightahead jazz performed with plenty of spirit. ~ Scott Yanow