Benny Goodman - Rare Recordings (1935-1936)

As much as I enjoy Big Band jazz (by Goodman, as well as other bandleaders) there is something incredibly special about Benny's small group recordings. Three or four musicians involved as equal particpants in a jazz coversation - and a swingin' conversation at that. Although bop was still a decade away - I think the bop pioneers of the mid-40's and their ensembles owed a debt to the Benny Goodman Quartet for laying out the blueprint for a group of musicians to mutually improvise, communicate with, and inspire each other.
These are wonderful jazz oriented trio & quartet sessions featuing Gene Krupa on drums, Lionol Hampton on vibes, and Teddy Wilson on piano. All improvised and wondeful!

Tracklist:

1. Oh Lady Be Good (3:03)
2. Body & Soul (3:28)
3. Who (3:15)
4. Someday Sweethart (2:47)
5. China Boy (2:31)
6. More Than You Know (3:10)
7. Nobody's Sweetheart (2:47)
8. After You've Gone (2:48)
9. Dinah (2:44)
10. Vibraphon Blues (3:23)
11. Sweet Sue Just You (3:21)
12. My Melancholy Baby (3:27)
13. Stompin' at the Savoy (5:55)
14. Whispering (3:22)

Musicians:

Benny Goodman - clarinet
Teddy Wilson - piano
Lionel Hampton - vibraphone
Gene Krupa - drums