1936, Vol. 5

• Artist: Benny Carter
• Rating:
• Release Date: April 26, 1995
• Total Time: 70:13
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Jazz

Review

This is volume five in a Masters of Jazz retrospective focusing upon the musical adventures of saxophonist, trumpeter, arranger, and bandleader Benny Carter. It charts his progress through London and Paris between January and April of 1936, leading his own band and sitting in with Willie Lewis and His Orchestra and the BBC Dance Orchestra directed by Henry Hall. Tracks eight through twenty-three allow for a close-up, in-depth appreciation of the superb English ensemble Carter led during April of 1936. This is accomplished by means of multiple takes; in fact, four of the titles are played thrice, which might seem repetitive to those who only want a little taste. True devotees of authentic swing music from the '30s, however, will surely want to hunker down and get a concentrated dose of this marvelous jazz. That's because Carter demonstrates his facility on piano, trumpet, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophones. Listen for his warm tenor sax solo on "Nightfall." A rare treat, not to be missed. ~ arwulf arwulf, Rovi

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