Swinging Scorpio

AMG Review of Swinging Scorpio

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Although Buck Clayton was no longer playing trumpet by 1974 due to health problems, he was still writing swinging compositions. On this CD reissue, tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate and trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton (both of whom double on clarinet) perform eight of Buck's tunes in an English septet also including altoist Bruce Turner, Kathleen Stobart (on tenor and baritone), pianist Mick Pyne, bassist Dave Green and drummer Tony Mann. The material (and many of the sidemen) may be obscure, but the music is fairly enjoyable; Clayton's arranged ensembles are an added plus.