Jimmy Rowles

Jimmy Rowles never achieved widespread fame during his long jazz career, but musicians knew he was something special. The intimate small-group sessions which make up this CD find Rowles in top form as a pianist and with his friendly, somewhat smoky vocals. The rhythm section includes Ray Brown and Donald Bailey, while trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison and flügelhornist Stacy Rowles (Jimmy's daughter) each sit in with the trio on several tracks each. Along with his strong interpretations of popular standards such as "Stardust," "For All We Know," and "Sometime's I'm Happy," there are many wonderful songs that are much less familiar to most jazz fans, such as "Restless," "It Must Be True," and "Sleepytime Gal." Rowles also is a consummate composer, as heard in his instrumentals "502 Blues (Drinkin' and Drivin')" and the gorgeous ballad "Pigmy Lullaby," which is a piano solo. This French CD may be a little more difficult to find than most CDs by Jimmy Rowles, but it is well worth the extra effort. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide