They All Had Rhythm, '45-'46

Although Benny Carter gets first billing, three swing orchestras (all based in Los Angeles) are actually featured on this CD, which is comprised of music taken from Jubilee radio broadcasts of 1945-1946. The first six numbers are by Jimmy Mundy & the Jubilee All Stars, a part-time big band that includes altoist Willie Smith and tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson. Mundy, who wrote four of the six numbers and arranged all six tunes, also takes a rare vocal on "Rhythm Was All I Had." Trumpeter/arranger Gerald Wilson's band is heard on three numbers, including extended versions of "Stardust" and "Out of This World." The remaining 11 selections are from a couple versions of Benny Carter's orchestra. Carter, who also provided the arrangements, is heard on alto and trumpet and his soloists included trombonist J.J. Johnson, trumpeter Emmett Berry, tenor saxophonist Bumps Myers, pianist Sonny White, and drummer Max Roach. Despite it being the mid-'40s, very little influence is heard from bop at this point, just little hints here and there, so this is very much a late-period swing set featuring three underrated orchestras.