BUCK CLAYTON — Goin' to Kansas City (1960-1990) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although trumpeter Buck Clayton gets top billing, this CD reissue actually features Tommy Gwaltney's Kansas City Nine, an unusual group sporting arrangements by Gwaltney and tenor-saxophonist Tommy Newsom (who decades later became famous for his work on The Tonight Show). The group has an unusual combination of major names (Clayton, trombonist Dickie Wells, guitarist Charlie Byrd, pianist John Bunch, bassist Whitey Mitchell and drummer Buddy Schutz) along with Gwaltney (who doubles on reeds and vibes), Newsom and Bobby Zottola (playing second trumpet and peck horn). Although the nonet performs a variety of songs associated with Kansas City Jazz of the swing era, the arrangements are modern and unpredictable. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Hello Babe 3:00
Written-By – Dickie Wells
2    An Old Manuscript 3:26
Written-By – Razaf, Redman
3    Kansas City Ballad 3:06
Written-By – Tommy Newsom
4    The Jumping Blues 4:07
Written-By – Jay McShann
5    Walter Page 4:27
Written-By – Tommy Gwaltney
6    Midnight Mama 4:39
Written-By – Jelly Roll Morton
7    John's Idea 3:09
Written-By – Count Basie
8    Steppin' Pretty 3:12
Written-By – Mary Lou Williams
9    Dedicated To You 3:34
Written-By – Zaret, Cahn, Chaplin
10    The New Tulsa Blues 4:37
Written-By – Bennie Moten
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Vibraphone, Xylophone – Tommy Gwaltney
Arranged By – Tommy Gwaltney (tracks: 2, 5, 7), Tommy Newsom (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10)
Bass – Whitey Mitchell
Drums – Buddy Schutz
Guitar – Charlie Byrd
Piano – John Bunch
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Tommy Newson
Trombone – Dickie Wells
Trumpet – Buck Clayton
Trumpet, Alto Horn [Peck Horn] – Bobby Zottola

BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938, Vol. 2 | The Classics Chronological Series – 961 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Benny Goodman was busy during the three-and-a-half-month period covered by this CD, cutting 22 selections for Victor including "Margie," "Bumble Bee Stomp," "My Honey's Loving Arms," and "Farewell Blues" with his big band and excellent quartet renditions of "Opus 1/2," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "'S Wonderful," and (as a trio) "I Must Have That Man." Artie Shaw may have been surpassing in the popularity polls by late 1938, but Goodman's band (with Harry James, Ziggy Elman, Martha Tilton, Jess Stacy, and Bud Freeman, not to mention Lionel Hampton and Teddy Wilson) was still a mighty swing machine. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938-1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 990 (1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

To a certain extent, Benny Goodman & His Orchestra were treading water during this period. Harry James and Teddy Wilson both departed to lead their own bands in early 1939 and Goodman's renditions of Fletcher Henderson arrangements, although still swinging, became more predictable than earlier. His band's music was excellent, but no longer leading the way. However, this CD still has many musical high points, including "Bach Goes to Town," "Undecided," "Blue Lou," and a Ziggy Elman/Martha Tilton hit in "And the Angels Sing." A rare quintet set on December 29, 1938 (with bassist John Kirby joining Goodman, Hampton, Wilson, and drummer Buddy Schutz), resulted in the two-part "Pick-a-Rib" and a classic rendition of "I Cried for You," and lyricist Johnny Mercer helps out with a couple vocals with the big band. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :