This CD has two classic sessions featuring the great tenor saxophonist
Lester Young. He is heard with the Kansas City Seven, a small group taken from the Count Basie Orchestra (which he had recently rejoined) and consisting of trumpeter
Buck Clayton, trombonist
Dicky Wells, pianist
Basie, guitarist
Freddie Green, bassist
Rodney Richardson, and drummer
Jo Jones. The full group plays three jump pieces (plus three alternate takes), but the high point of the session is Prez's romp with the rhythm section, trading off with
Basie on "Lester Leaps Again." However, that date is actually overshadowed by the four numbers (plus four alternate takes) that
Young performed with pianist
Johnny Guarnieri, bassist
Slam Stewart, and drummer Sid Catlett on December 28, 1943. "I Never Knew" and "Afternoon of a Basie-ite" are heated jams, and "Just You, Just Me" is definitive, but it is "Sometimes I'm Happy" (especially the originally released version) that is truly memorable. The charming
Slam Stewart solo (singing along with his bass) is surpassed only by Prez's absolutely perfect improvisation, which has been quoted many times by later jazz musicians. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow