From the mid-'50s until
Coleman Hawkins's death in 1969, the tenor-saxophonist frequently teamed up with trumpeter
Roy Eldridge to form a potent team. However,
Hawkins rarely met altoist
Johnny Hodges on the bandstand, making this encounter a special event. Long versions of "Satin Doll," "Perdido" and "The Rabbit in Jazz" give these three classic jazzmen (who are ably assisted by the
Tommy Flanagan Trio) chances to stretch out and inspire each other. The remainder of this CD has
Eldridge and Hodges absent while
Coleman Hawkins (on "new" versions of "Mack the Knife," "It's the Talk of the Town," "Bean and the Boys" and "Caravan") heads the quartet for some excellent playing. Timeless music played by some of the top veteran stylists of the swing era. ~ Scott Yanow