CiTR

This album was recorded by the great tenor saxophonist/arranger/composer Teddy Edwards (April 26,1924-April 23,2003) who was asked to put together a band of relative unknowns for a session for Lester Koenig's Contemporary Records. Koenig paid for the rehearsals and the band recorded over three dates in December of 1960 in L.A. Upon listening to the finished product, Edwards and Koenig shelved to date as the solos were good but the ensembles playing Teddy's charts sounded a bit ragged. It wasn't until 1995 that the tape box was heard again by Teddy and a new producer at Contemporary and they reevaluated the session and decided to put it out. We should be glad they did as Teddy is at his early peak and the band is fine and energetic albeit a bit rough but ready! Edwards chose some good players from the L.A. underground like Nathaniel Meeks on trumpet, the fiery Jimmy Woods on alto saxophone, Modesto Brisenio on baritone sax, Lester Robertson on trombone and Danny Horton on piano, Richard Alderson on bass and the great Larance Marable on drums. A worthy discovery called "Back To Avalon". The band plays some Edwards' originals and also his arrangements of some solid standards. An excellent session all round...enjoy the music of Teddy Edwards.