Valve trombonist
Bob Brookmeyer's musical partnerships in the 1950s with
Stan Getz and especially
Gerry Mulligan were celebrated but he also recorded three fine albums with tenor-saxophonist
Zoot Sims in 1956 that are quite enjoyable, feature colorful jammed ensembles and hard-swinging yet cool-toned solos that owe as much to the swing tradition as to the innovations of bebop. This Storyville CD finds
Zoot and
Brookmeyer accompanied by pianist
Hank Jones, bassist Wyatt Reuther and drummer
Gus Johnson. Highlights include "I Hear a Rhapsody," "Blue Skies" and
Sims's first ever recorded vocal on a "Blues." This release is easily recommended as is its companion Storyville CD Morning Fun. ~ Scott Yanow