After too long a period in the studios, talented trumpeter Jon Faddis returned to jazz with this brilliant effort. Best known for his ability to closely emulate his idol, Dizzy Gillespie (far from an easy feat), Faddis pays tribute to Gillespie with "Night in Tunisia" and "Things to Come." However, he also does a close imitation of Roy Eldridge on "Little Jazz," pays homage to Louis Armstrong on "West End Blues," shows sensitivity on Thad Jones'"A Child Is Born," and performs three other numbers. With the assistance of tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Mel Lewis, Jon Faddis is in superb form throughout this outstanding release, his definitive recording. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. West End Blues (King Oliver/Clarence Williams)
2. Little Jazz (Roy Eldridge/Buster Harding)
3. A Night in Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie/Frank Paparelli)
4. Instigator (Jon Faddis)
5. Things to Come (Gil Fuller/Dizzy Gillespie)
6. A Child Is Born (Thad Jones)
7. Lil' Darlin' (Neal Hefti)
8. Whisper Not (Leonard Feather/Benny Golson)
RAY BROWN bass
MEL LEWIS drums
KENNY BARRON piano
HAROLD LAND tenor saxophone
JON FADDIS trumpet, flugelhorn
Recorded August 1985 at Clinton Recording Studios, New York City
Concord Jazz - CCD-4291