Little Jazz [Inner City]

This excellent LP consists of a pair of fairly rare Paris sessions featuring the fiery trumpeter. Eldridge is heard in a quintet with the swinging tenor Zoot Sims and pianist Dick Hyman, and well-showcased in a quartet with pianist Gerry Wiggins. At the time Eldridge, who was touring France with the Benny Goodman Sextet, was suffering from a bit of an identity crisis, concerned that the younger bop players were more advanced than he was. The strong reaction of European jazz fans to his playing made him realize his style was both timeless and very individual, and that there was no reason to change it. His confident solos on this fine set (highlighted by "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams," "Ain't No Flies on Me" and "Easter Parade") are well worth hearing. ~ Scott Yanow