Search - Jimmy Cleveland :: Introducing Jimmy Cleveland & All Stars

A "Must Have" Album For Any Serious Jazz Lover

Bryan Weiss | Laguna Niguel, CA United States | 07/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I had to choose ONLY ONE jazz trombone recording for my collection, as hard (and ridiculous) as that would be, "Introducing Jimmy Cleveland and his All Stars" would be the one. "My One and Only Love", alone, is worth the price of the album, and if Jimmy were still performing today, I would pay many times the price of the album to her him play it again, just once!His approach, his sound, his improvisational ideas, and his execution were unique. His ability to execute at fast tempos is unsurpassed, even after 30 years of great players. I have never heard anyone duplicate what I refer to as his "vertical glissando" passages. His interpretation of a ballad is capable of making "Iron John" cry like a baby. Jimmy Cleveland was (and is) a beautiful spirit, and this 1955 recording is a masterpiece.I, too, am a jazz trombonist, and have heard all of the celebrated players (and many who are not celebrated). I really don't believe it is possible to declare anyone as "the best". It is enouth to simply say that Jimmy Cleveland's debut album as a leader is a work of art. And as with any world-class art, those who are lucky enough to encounter it are immeasurably richer for the experience."