Rex Stewart & Dicky Wells - Chatter Jazz

All Music Guide

These 1959 sessions paired two potent soloists, trumpeter Rex Stewart (an alum of Duke Ellington's band) and trombonist Dicky Wells (a veteran of Count Basie's orchestra). Backed by pianist John Bunch, bassist Leonard Gaskin, and drummer Charlie Masterpaolo, the two horn players exchange ideas through a series of "conversations" utilizing various mutes, never going for very long without giving time to the other. These friendly studio dates are somewhat lowkey but consistently swinging; the only drawback is that the tracks are rather brief, with only two of the 12 songs exceeding three minutes. Highlights include their humorous exchanges in "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" and "Show Me the Way to Go Home" (featuring some fine stride piano by Bunch). This long unavailable RCA Victor LP is extremely hard to find.

- Ken Dryden, All Music Guide