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George Wettling as band leader

01/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"George Wettling was one of the very best white drummers of the pre-bop era. On this cd he leads his own bands. There is a famous session with, amongst others, Charlie Teagarden and clarinettist Danny Polo which produced four superbly integrated performances which stand as models of their kind. There are sensitive duets with pianist Dick Cary, lively trio dates matching Wettling with Cary and the distinctive clarinet of Mezz Mezzrow, and some full-blooded sides with a band including Ed Hall and trumpeter Billy Butterfield. To round out the cd, Wettling leads a remarkable gathering which has Jack Teagarden on top form vocally and instrumentally, and Coleman Hawkins matching him with impassioned solo contributions. And all this sparked by Wettling's wonderful drumming, which repays careful listening on account of a subtlety and variety reminiscent of his mentor, Baby Dodds. A fine cd which will not disappoint any connoisseur of jazz of the classic variety."