Russell Jacquet - The Chronological Classics: 1945-1949 (2000)

Trumpeter Russell Jacquet, a fine swing-to-bop player, spent his life in the shadow of his younger brother, tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet. However, during 1945-1946 and 1948-1949, the trumpeter led five all-star record sessions. These obscurities (cut for Globe, Modern Music, Jewel, Sensation, and King) have all been gathered together on this easily recommended CD. Along with the trumpeter/leader, such notables as Teddy Edwards (heard on alto rather than tenor), pianist Bill Davis, bassist Charles Mingus, drummer Chico Hamilton, the Count Basie Orchestra (with Bill Doggett on piano), tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon, trombonist J.J. Johnson, altoist Sonny Stitt, baritonist Leo Parker, pianists Charles Thompson and Gerald Wiggins, and brother Illinois are all heard from. Russell Jacquet takes four vocals and singer Numa Lee Davis is featured on two numbers. This is intriguing music that very much fits the time period and should have given the elder Jacquet some recognition, but these were all of his studio dates as a leader, despite living until 1990.