Squeeze Me

This underrated Chiaroscuro CD is a joy from start to finish. Flügelhornist Clark Terry is teamed with an unusually talented group of all-stars (trumpeter Virgil Jones, trombonists Al Grey and Britt Woodman, altoist Phil Woods, Red Holloway on tenor, baritonist Haywood Henry, pianist John Campbell, bassist Marcus McLaurine, and drummer Butch Ballard) which is filled with distinctive and colorful swing stylists. The standards and riff tunes give all of the horn players solo space and it is a particular joy to hear Britt Woodman and Haywood Henry (the latter near the end of his life) getting some feature spots. Highlights include "Swinging the Blues," "For Dancers Only," and "Just Squeeze Me." After 55 minutes of music Clark Terry is heard on the 19-minute "Jazzspeak," verbally telling informative stories about his lengthy career, some of which are quite humorou