Billy Maxted

With the exception of his two 1966 Liberty albums (which are of much lesser interest than his earlier recordings), pianist Billy Maxted's records have long been difficult to find, and none have been reissued on CD. This particular set was cut when Maxted's Manhattan Jazz band also included trumpeter Chuck Forsyth, trombonist Lee Gifford, clarinetist Sal Pace, bassist Charlie Treager, and drummer Sonny Igoe. They perform six Dixieland standards, a drum feature ("Big Crash from China") and a hot version of "Yankee Doddle Dixie," which finds Forsyth playing some heated phrases over the closing vamp. Some of the ensembles on this date were arranged by Maxted, but the more freewheeling moments are of greatest interest. An interesting if now forgotten band. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide