Ride, Red, Ride

In a jaded world where not enough people have heard of Henry "Red" Allen, Living Era's outstanding compilation could serve as the perfect introduction to this fine trumpeter, vocalist, and bandleader. Proceeding in semi-chronological fashion, this survey covers the years 1930-1946, touching upon Allen's work with Panamanian pianist and bandleader Luis Russell; the brothers Fletcher and Horace Henderson; vocalist Billy Banks; guitarist and session organizer Eddie Condon; British bandleader Spike Hughes; trombonists Tommy Dorsey, J.C. Higginbotham, Benny Morton, and Dicky Wells; clarinetists Pee Wee Russell and Buster Bailey; saxophonists Gene Sedric, Earl Bostic, Coleman Hawkins, and Chu Berry; the Mills Blue Rhythm Band; Billie Holiday; pianists Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, and James P. Johnson; vibraphonist and bandleader Lionel Hampton; reedman Sidney Bechet; and jazz guitar legend Charlie Christian. This, then, is a mini-history of jazz from the beginnings of swing up to the exciting transitions of "rebop" and pre-bop. A splendidly presented portrait of a master musician, perfectly suited for jazz veterans and newcomers alike. [Note: track 21, originally entitled "Havin' a Ball" is erroneously identified here as "Swingin' at the Lido."]