Session for Six

AMG Review of Session for Six

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This obscure 10" LP has eight selections by Benny Goodman's small groups of 1947 and 1949, recorded during his period in Capitol. A couple of the selections (particularly "Blue Lou") are boppish, while the numbers from 1947 are solid swing. Sidemen on various selections include vibraphonist Red Norvo, pianist Mel Powell, tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray, and even the accordion of Ernie Felice. All of the music has much more recently been reissued by Mosaic in a limited-edition CD box set, but swing fans who run across this attractive LP will want to pick it up anyway.