CiTR

This well organized session featured two great Chicago-born musicians who went to the famous DuSable High School and learned the nuts and bolts of music from the redoubtable Captain Walter Dyett. Green went onto play with the great Earl Hines' band in 1943 and Ammons became a star in the famous Billy Eckstine band in 1944-45. Ammons' birthday was April 14 (1925-1974) and Green's was April 16 (1923-1977. Tonight's program broadcast on April 15 honours their birthdays. Along with trombonist Green and tenor saxophonist Ammons....two of the most recognizable voices on their horns...are cornettist Nat Adderley and the "two Franks" from the Basie band Frank Foster and Frank Wess. Both are great tenor saxophonists and Wess is also heard on flute. The rhythm section is fine with Tommy Flanagan on piano, Eddie Jones (also from the Basie band) on bass and the youngest member of the musical Heath Family, drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. Green penned two tunes and Ammons did one and Foster contributed the opener ("Juggin' Around") and Wess contributed one plus there is a delightful version of Cannonball Adderley's tune called "Sermonette". Foster and Wess helped arrange some of the tunes . This is a well run date that doesn't sprawl and is cohesive but leaves plenty of blowing room for everyone. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bennie Green and Gene Ammons. This date wasn't called "The Swingin'est" for nuthin'!