Shake Down The Stars

Vic Lewis gathered together a remarkable all-star group of top Los Angeles-based musicians for this date and had the great Bill Holman contribute some very complex but swinging arrangements. With strong solos from the likes of trumpeters Conte Candoli and Jack Sheldon, valve trombonist Rob McConnell, altoist Bud Shank, Bob Cooper on tenor, Bill Perkins on various reeds, either Mike Lang or Alan Broadbent on piano, bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton along with guest spots for pianist Dudley Moore, trombonist Andy Martin and altoists Lennie Niehaus and Lanny Morgan, it is not surprising that the music is often quite magical. But even with the major individual voices, it is Holman's writing that consistently takes honors for his charts are full of surprises and unusual twists and turns. Performed in 1989 (except for Ruth Price's more recently re-recorded vocal on "When I Fall in Love"), this set is highly recommended and a particularly strong example of the brilliance of Bill Holman's writing.