In the summer of 1956, Buddy Collette left Chico Hamiltons successful quintet to begin his own career as a leader. His first quartet stayed together for three months. Then, along with John Goodman, still on bass, Buddy found in pianist Dick Shreve, and drummer Bill Dolney, his ideal rhythm section. With such an outstanding group, Collette, on alto, tenor, clarinet and flute, developed a concept full of beauty, taste and strength, played with warmth and great feeling.
Dick Shreve, too, proves in these sessions that he was not only a talented and underrated pianist in a gentle and reflective manner, but also a fine composer. On the last date of this set, Eugene Wright and Bill Richmond, replacing Goodman and Dolney, sustain the mood just as impressively.
01. Makin Whoopee
02. Fall Winds
03. Minor Deviation
04. Change It
05. Ill Remember April
06. Winston Walks
07. If She Had Stayed
08. They Cant Take That Away From Me
09. Undecided
10. Flute In D
11. The Continental
12. Three And One
13. Night In Tunisia
14. Johnny Walks
15. Perfidia
16. Morning Jazz
17. Orlando Blues
18. Soft Touch
19. Old School
20. Debbie
Press reviews
-Nice Day with Buddy Collette
"A Nice Day is a nice recording for multireedist Buddy Collette who plays alto, clarinet, flute and tenor [...] The original runthroughs are excellent. Collette is the main voice throughout this set of lightly swinging music although he gets support from the fine rhythm sections (which include Dick Shreve on piano). Overall this set serves as a good all-around showcase for Buddy Collette's playing and writing talents.
Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
