Buddy Collette Man of Many Parts

This CD reissue of a Contemporary session shows off the many parts of multi-reedist Buddy Collette. Collette is showcased on tenor, alto, clarinet, and his strongest ax, flute. He also contributed nine of the dozen selections. The cool jazz set (which sometimes uses advanced harmonies) also features among the sidemen trumpeter Gerald Wilson, guitarist Barney Kessel, and pianist Gerald Wiggins, ranking with Buddy Collette's best work of the 1950s.

Buddy Collette (switching between alto, tenor, flute and clarinet) performs ten songs associated with Paris on this 1958 session originally cut for Specialty. The CD reissue adds four alternate takes to what is still a brief program. Collette utilizes the tuba of Red Callender in some of the ensembles quite colorfully and there is solo space for trombonist Frank Rosolino, guitarist Howard Roberts and bassist Red Mitchell; Bill Douglass or Bill Richmond contribute tasteful support on drums. Such melodies as "I Love Paris," "La Vie En Rose," "C'est Si Bon" and the "Song from 'Moulin Rouge" are given concise but swinging treatment on this likable date.