Al Aarons & the L.A. Jazz Caravan

The Los Angeles Jazz Society has an annual awards dinner/concert each year that celebrates the accomplishments of several living jazz musicians. More importantly, the L.A. Jazz Society has organized programs that have resulted in special performances by jazz musicians in schools, introducing the music to teenagers. In 1995 the Society sponsored this CD by musicians who often perform for students. Trumpeter Al Aarons is the leader of a straightahead septet also including trombonist Thurman Green, tenor-saxophonist Carl Randall, pianist Phil Wright, guitarist Terry Evans, bassist Leslie Baker and drummer Jack Le Compte. Ray Armando guests on congas during two numbers while Barbara Morrison sings "Back Door Blues" and "Make The Man Love Me." Wright contributed five originals to the date which also includes Wes Montgomery's "Four On Six," Grant Green's Jean De Fleur" and "Soft Winds" among the highlights. The musicians play quite well and even if no innovations occur, it is nice to hear Aarons (a veteran of Count Basie's Orchestra) in this setting.