Violinist
Claude Williams, at the age of 86, shows that he is still in his musical prime during this quintet date with
Bill Easley (who switches between tenor, clarinet and flute), pianist
Sir Roland Hanna, bassist Earl May and drummer
Joe Ascione.
Williams was with both
Andy Kirk and
Count Basie shortly before they made it big but has spent most of his long career in Kansas City in obscurity. Fortunately he has made several worthy recordings in his later years and this is one of his best, a well-rounded set ranging in repertoire from one of the first songs he ever learned ("You've Got to See Your Mama Ev'ry Night or You Can't See Mama at All") to
Ellington,
Monk ("Straight No Chaser") and even
Stevie Wonder ("You Are the Sunshine of My Life"). The emphasis is on swing and
Claude Williams is heard near the peak of his powers. ~ Scott Yanow