Pianist
Jay McShann has spent much of his career being classified as a blues pianist when in fact he is a flexible swing stylist. On this excellent release,
McShann appears with two groups of all-stars. His original "Crazy Legs and Friday Strut" and "Georgia on My Mind" find him joined by
Herbie Mann (on flute and tenor), baritonist
Gerry Mulligan and a rhythm section that includes guitarist
John Scofield. The other selections (two standards,
Duke Ellington's "Blue Feeling" and
McShann's own "Jumpin' the Blues") are performed by an octet also featuring
Mann, altoist
Earle Warren, trumpeter
Doc Cheatham, trombonist
Dicky Wells and
Scofield. The unusual grouping of swing, bop and modern stylists is successful (the material is pretty basic) and
Janis Siegel's guest appearance for a vocal duet with
McShann on "Ain't Misbehavin'" works. ~ Scott Yanow