The next-to-last Atlantic album by
Wilbur DeParis' band features his octet performing at the 1960 Antibes Jazz Festival. With the exception of "Tres Moutarde," all of the selections are Dixieland warhorses (including fairly lengthy versions of "Fidgety Feet" and "St. Louis Blues") but the colorful frameworks and enthusiastic solos make the music sound both lively and fresh. At this late stage, the band consisted of the leader-trombonist, Sidney DeParis and
Doc Cheatham on trumpets, clarinetist Garvin Bushell (who also plays a bit of bassoon), pianist Sonny White, guitarist John Smith, bassist Hayes Alvis and drummer Wilbert Kirk. It is a pity that all of this group's valuable Atlantic recordings have been out of print for decades. ~ Scott Yanow