Red Mitchell & George Cables - Live at Port Townsend (2021)

Recorded just four months before bassist Red Mitchell's unexpected death, this set of duets with pianist George Cables is full of joy, virtuosity, wit, solid swing, and constant creativity. Cables and Mitchell run through five familiar standards, with Mitchell doing a humorous voice-with-bass vocal on his blues "Big'n the Bear." Mitchell has nearly as much solo space on some of these numbers as Cables, but there are no slow moments for he was a colorful bass soloist. This previously unreleased live set is a delight. ~ Scott Yanow