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Bob Wilber and Friends: What Swing is All About

Wilber takes his friends through a program of good material (“Goody Goody” excepted), some of it familiar and some not. He himself plays both straight and curved soprano and clarinet, his able student, Antti Sarpila, tenor and clarinet. These doubles account for airy ensemble effects, and many pleasing solo contrasts. At times, too, one is reminded a little of the really classic reed duos on records Jimmie Noone made nearly 70 years ago. The rhythm section consists of Mark Shane, Phil Flanigan and Joe Ascione, and there are several vocals by Pug Horton, who does well on “I’ve Got a Crush on You.”

Originally Published