ROY ELDRIDGE
Little Jazz And The Jimmy Ryan All-Stars (OJC)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Originally recorded in 1975 when he was 64, Roy Eldridge's Little Jazz And The Jimmy Ryan All-Stars has just been remastered. Jimmy Ryan's was a New York City Jazz Club where Roy Eldridge and the musicians on this disc played nightly. Eldridge, a masterful trumpet player, also sang on several tunes. He was joined by Joe Muranyi on saxophone, Bobby Pratt on trombone, Dick Katz on piano, Major Holland on bass, and Eddie Locke on drums.

Eldridge attempted to recreate the spontaneity of a club setting in the confines of a recording studio. Thus the music approached the energy, intimacy, and spirit of a small club setting. Eldridge, one of the most competitive and exciting trumpet players in jazz history, sounded engaged and in great spirits for this session and he carried his band mates along with him. Make no mistake, though the other horn players are good, this was Eldridge's show and he responded with inspired playing. At times, his playing and vocals strongly reminded me of Louis Armstrong, which is no small compliment.

Eldridge focused on swing and Dixieland numbers for this date, and the tunes included "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea," "St. James Infirmary," "Beale Street Blues," "Bourbon Street Parade, and "All of Me." Not everyone is a fan of Dixieland or swing, so this music might not be your cup of tea. But Eldridge was one of the greats of Jazz, and his sensitive and joyous playing is always worth hearing.

© 2001 - Ron Saranich