Solos & Duets

, from whose Kansas City orchestra altoist emerged in 1940, has had a very viable career as a pianist and occasional vocalist in the 65 years since then. 's piano style, while emphasizing the , has often sounded at its best on , hinting at piano and but being in its own uncategorizable style. The two-CD set reissues in full three earlier LPs. , nine songs associated with , and (which has a few basic originals plus and ) are from the same two-day period in 1978. The 1980 album , featuring a couple of 's bluish originals plus five , is a duet outing with bassist . In addition, the "three-fer" adds previously unreleased vocal versions of to the very full program. Throughout this definitive reissue, is heard in prime form, displaying his own brand of rollicking musical joy. ~ Scott Yanow