Additional information
Personnel includes: Rex Stewart (vocals, trumpet); Vernon Story (tenor saxophone); Carlton Riley, Benny Vasseur (trombone); Bernard Peiffer, Gerry Moore, Claude Bolling (piano); Ted Curry (drums); The Peters Sisters. Recorded in Europe between 1948 and 1949. Includes liner notes by Anatol Schenker. During 1947-49, the former Duke Ellington cornetist Rex Stewart spent time overseas, playing in Europe and Australia. The music on this CD is quite obscure, featuring Stewart as a leader on dates recorded in Basel, Berlin, Paris, and London. Most of the performances are swing oriented, although there are hints of bebop here, and there and bits of Dixieland. Stewart is in fine form in a quartet with tenor saxophonist Vernon Story, with the Hot Club of Berlin, showcased in an 9-11 piece group organized by pianist/arranger Claude Bolling, and as the only horn in a quintet. Lots of rarities are heard from on this CD, part of the Classics label's complete Rex Stewart series. ~ Scott Yanow
