Herb Geller Quartet Featuring Kenny Drew - Birdland Stomp (1991)

Herb Geller was part of the mid-fifties West Coast jazz scene butmoved to Europe and for many years has led a busy musical life from his Hamburg base.

The well balanced selection of tunes chosen for this, Geller's first album as leader for some time, is one of his rare outings as leader and a first class example of his all round abilities as arranger, soloist and leader.

This studio set was originally recorded in Barcelona in 1990 and it was clear that Geller knew exactly what he wanted, exactly what he expected from the other musicians: Kenny Drew, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen and Mark Taylor. Every track is full of interest, be it the short but delightful duo "Autumn Nocturne", the driving Parker theme "Cheryl", or his sincerely felt tribute to Duke Ellington.

It all adds up to a very musical jazz album, having lots of funand it shows in the way he will talk with infectious enthusiasm about music.