Saturday Night Function

This 1981 date was the first of three albums by this truly all-star lineup of Buddy Tate (tenor sax, clarinet), Jim Galloway (soprano, tenor, baritone sax), Jay McShann (piano), Don Thompson (bass) and Terry Clarke (drums). "The music is at a high level throughout, though a trio of tunes from the vast band book of Duke Ellington, Mercer Ellington's "John Hardy's Wife," a strutting take of Johnny Hodges' "Good Queen Bees," and a gospel-flavored "Saturday Night Function" particularly stand out on this highly recommended disc." Ken Dryden, Also available: The Sackville All Stars Christmas Record (SAC 3038).