FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1927-1931 | The Classics Chronological Series – 572 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 With its high musicianship and many talented soloists (including trumpeters Rex Stewart and Bobby Stark, trombonist Jimmy Harrison, Coleman Hawkins on tenor, and altoist Benny Carter), the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra should have prospered during this period, but unaccountably, its leader (never a strong businessman) seemed to be losing interest in the band's fortunes and made several bad decisions. The result is that by 1931, Henderson's orchestra was struggling while Duke Ellington's was becoming a household name. This Classics CD, in covering over three years, demonstrates how few recordings this band made (only four songs apiece in both 1929 and 1930), although the quality largely makes up for the quantity. The original band version of "King Porter Stomp" and an explosive "Oh Baby" are the high points of this satisfying collection. Scott Yanow
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