Essential Jimmy Rushing

Personnel: Freddie Green, Roy Gaines (guitar); Ben Richardson , Rudy Powell (clarinet, alto saxophone); Buddy Tate (tenor saxophone); Emmett Berry, Pat Jenkins (trumpet); Henderson Chambers, Lawrence Brown , Vic Dickenson (trombone); Clarence Johnson , Pete Johnson , Peter Johnson , Sam Price, Sammy Price (piano); Malowe Morris, Marlowe Morris (organ); Jo Jones (drums).
Recording information: 12/01/1954-03/05/1957.
This single CD reissues an earlier Jimmy Rushing two-LP set, leaving off two cuts due to lack of space. Jimmy Rushing, who may very well have been the definitive male big band singer, sticks mostly to blues and Kansas City swing on the release and is backed by a variety of top swing all-stars, including most notably tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate, trumpeter Emmett Berry, and trombonists Lawrence Brown and Vic Dickenson. The sidemen receive plenty of space for concise solos, particularly pianists Pete Johnson and Sammy Price. The performances (plus the 11 other songs that are awaiting reissue someday) are among the most rewarding of Jimmy Rushing's post-Basie career and are full of joy and timeless swing. ~ Scott Yanow