Bob Haggart - All-Stars at Bob Haggart's 80th Birthday Party (CD)

All Music Guide

The first annual ~March of Jazz celebration and concert took place in 1994 and served double duty as a birthday tribute to the great bassist Bob Haggart on his 80th birthday. To call the contributing players "The All Stars" is no exaggeration in this case -- they include trombonist Dan Barrett, clarinetist Kenny Davern, guitarists George Van Eps and Bucky Pizzarelli, drummer Jake Hanna, and many others. The two-disc program is, as one might expect, a joyful look back at jazz history, from pre-swing standards like "Muskrat Ramble" and "Wolverine Blues" to big band classics like "Air Mail Special" and "The Mooche." Don't be put off by the cover photo -- this is not a bass showcase filled with endless boring and barely audible solos, but rather a joyful jazz party in which camaraderie and ensemble sense shape the music far more than any one musician's ego. Highly recommended.

- Rick Anderson, All Music Guide