Jolly Good
William Faust | Columbus, Ohio | 02/10/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pete Jolly was a member of the west coast jazz fraternity in the 1950's and along with his piano contemporaries - Lou Levey, Jimmy Rowles, Marty Paich and others - left his mark on many a recording session from that era and genre. This effort as a leader, one of several on the RCA Jazz label being reissued by BMG Spain, is a very nice trio date with 12 charts that showcase Jolly's flexibility and range. Influences of Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson can be heard throughout this 1956 date supervised by trumpeter and west coast jazz dean Shorty Rogers. The tunes are mostly standards at up tempo swing speeds with a few ballads thrown in for good measure. Supported by Bob Bertaux on bass and Bob Neal on drums this CD is an excellent example of timeless piano jazz. Highly recommended."