Although the liner notes to this album state that these two sessions were
Jack Sheldon's first as a leader, he actually led two full sets for Jazz West during 1954 and 1956, plus three titles for Pacific Jazz in '55. However, this was the initial album to gain wide recognition and helped to introduce the L.A.-based trumpeter's talents to the East Coast. Five selections feature
Sheldon with a ten-piece band arranged by
Lennie Niehaus and some have spots for valve trombonist
Stu Williamson, pianist
Pete Jolly and baritonist
Billy Root. The later session features the writing of
Paul Moer and such fine soloists as trumpeter
Chet Baker (in a rare sideman outing for another trumpeter), altoists
Art Pepper and
Herb Geller, tenorman
Harold Land and valve trombonist
Williamson. High-quality and consistently swinging West Coast jazz.