This is such a logical combination. When vibraphonist
Milt Jackson
and the
Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
appeared together at the
Jazz Bakery
near Los Angeles during the same period as this CD was recorded,
Jackson
(who usually frowns when he plays) could not stop smiling. He loved both
John Clayton
's arrangements and the sound of the 19-piece orchestra.
, a major voice on his instrument since at least 1946, seemed as happy listening to the band as he did playing with it. And although he has the most solos, he does not overshadow the mighty ensemble on this CD. Longtime fans of the big band are used to hearing the orchestra feature drummer
Jeff Hamilton
's brushes on a slow rendition of
"Indiana,"
and both the bowed bass of
and the lyrical alto of
Jeff Clayton
on
Johnny Mandel
's classic
"Emily."
Both of those selections are give definitive treatment on this CD and some of the other better numbers are
's trademark
"Bags' Groove,"
Thelonious Monk
's
"Evidence,"
"Along Came Betty,"
and a few originals. Throughout, the swinging by the
Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra
is worthy of
Count Basie
,
often sounds exuberant, and together they have collaborated in creating an instant classic. ~ Scott Yanow