Chicago Calling in Bloomington, MN

Simply put, this is a great session. Pianist
Don Bennett
, a veteran pianist (48 at the time) with an advanced bop-based style, is heard leading a top-notch crew of talented Chicago players. This session, which (other than the lengthy
"All the Things You Are"
) originally came out on
Southport
, will be a bit of a revelation: not only does it show the somewhat obscure
Bennett
to be a major stylist, but it features
Art Porter
(best-known for his crossover efforts for
Verve Forecast
) as a high-powered bop soloist. Another star is the frequently exciting tenor man
Ed Peterson
(heard here before he recorded for
Delmark
), and alternating trumpeters (
Art Hoyle
and
Steve Smyth
) also fare well.
not only provided five originals (including "About Time," which sounds like a
Blue Note
standard from the early '60s), but arranged sections that give this CD a coherent unity. Considering the consistently strong and enthusiastic solos and the freshness of the music, straight-ahead jazz collectors can consider this release essential. ~ Scott Yanow