Dumpy Mama in Bloomington, MN

Although
Sonny Stitt
(sticking to tenor except on "It Might as Well Be Spring" where he plays alto) teams up with a variety of musicians on this LP who he had rarely played with previously (including tenor saxophonist
Pee Wee Ellis
, altoist
Frank Strozier
, pianist
Mike Wofford
, bassist
Brian Torff
, and drummer
Shelly Manne
), he plays in his usual bebop style. In addition to his alto feature there is a duet with
Wofford
on a sensitive "Danny Boy for Ben," the funky title cut (penned by
Oliver Nelson
) and boppish renditions of "Just Friends" and
Stitt
's original, "Jason." The playing is up to par if not overly memorable. ~ Scott Yanow