Although this LP has drummer
Shelly Manne as the leader, in reality the 23-year old was just a sideman on these three four-song sessions; one of the main connecting threads.
Manne is heard with clarinetist
Barney Bigard and pianist
Eddie Heywood in a trio (including fine versions of "Tea for Two," and
Bigard's originals "Step Steps Up" and "Step Steps Down"), in another trio with the great altoist
Johnny Hodges and
Heywood (including a memorable version of "On the Sunny Side of the Street") and on four rare titles with an
Eddie Heywood group that includes
Ray Nance on trumpet and violin, clarinetist
Aaron Sachs,
Don Byas on tenor and bassist
John Simmons. These small-group swing performances are quite enjoyable but unfortunately out-of-print.