At a Carnegie Hall concert, Clint Eastwood's love of jazz and use of it in many of his films was saluted. The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, a string section, and many jazz all-stars participated. Since there was a lot of spontaneity in the performances, some things worked better than others. This two-CD set (which has inexcusably microscopic liner notes and personnel listings) contains most of the music, which ranges from a suite of songs taken from Eastwood-sponsored films (including Bird, Play Misty for Me and Round Midnight) to some jam sessions. There are appearances by pianists Kenny Barron and Barry Harris, singers Jimmy Scott and Kevin Mahogany, pianist Jay McShann, violinist Claude "Fiddler" Williams (who for some reason was featured on "San Antonio Rose"), trumpeter Jon Faddis and trumpeter Roy Hargrove. However, it is the saxophonists who make the biggest impression. "Lester Leaps In" features solos by tenors Joshua Redman, James Rivers, James Carter and Flip Phillips (in fine form) and altoists Charles McPherson and James Moody. In addition, Carter and Redman battle it out inconclusively on "Straight No Chaser," and the closing "After Hours" (with most of the mentioned players) starts off with Clint Eastwood himself taking a couple of decent piano choruses. An interesting concert that was probably more enjoyable in person, although some of the excitement does come through on CD. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide