A Nice Day is a nice recording for multireedist
Buddy Collette who plays alto, clarinet, flute and tenor during the three sessions heard on the CD reissue. Five of the ten selection's are
Collette's originals and, although the title cut and "Fall Winds" (which was renamed "Desert Sands") are both better-known for the versions he recorded with the
Chico Hamilton Quintet than for these renditions, the original runthroughs are also excellent.
Collette is the main voice throughout this set of lightly swinging music although he gets support from the fine rhythm sections (which include either
Don Friedman, Dick Shreve or
Calvin Jackson on piano). Overall this set serves as a good all-around showcase for
Buddy Collette's playing and writing talents.