Personnel:
Gene Quill (as), Jimmy Cleveland, Jim Dahl, Frank Rehak (tb), Hank Jones, Nat Pierce (p), Whitey Mitchell (b), Charles Persip (d)
Reference: FSRCD 1646
Bar code: 8427328616461
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The smoothness of the three trombones and the jaggedness of Quills alto combine to make of this session a stimulating one. Back then, the four leaders were key members of the Johnny Richards orchestra. Of the trombone trio, Rehak often goes for broke into the upper register, Cleveland works within his facile frame of reference, while Dahl seems to pace himself, playing with taste and awareness. Quill carries the strident voice in the group. Some of his entrances are so vicious and biting, that they manage by temperament alone to have an almost rhythmic propulsion. The rest of the band is of a piece with the Bones and the Quill. The two pianists, Hank Jones and Nat Pierce, combine swift taste with swinging time, while Whitey Mitchell and Charlie Persip are excellent. It was a challenging assignment skillfully accomplished by a more than capable group.
"Gene Quill led very few dates of his own during his career, but this session made for Roost feature the alto saxophonist in an unusual setting with a trio of trombonists (Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland, and Jim Dahl) and a rhythm section consisting of drummer Charlie Persip, bassist Whitey Mitchell, and either Nat Pierce or Hank Jones on piano. Quill, who sounds very similar to frequent musical partner Phil Woods (though he is a bit more laid-back), is obviously stimulated by both groups, while the solo baton is passed around a good bit with no one being left out. Highlights include the sauntering take of Horace Silver's "The Preacher," a lively arrangement of Thad Jones' "Three and One," and a swinging interpretation of Duke Ellington's "In a Mellotone." Liner note writer Barry Ulanov takes the time to identify the soloists track by track, which is always a welcome touch."
Ken Dryden -All Music Guide
