Dick Cary's Tuesday Night Friends - Got Swing? (2001)

Dick Cary was a composer and arranger who gathered a rehearsal band in southern California, referred to as his Tuesday Night Friends. Although Cary died in 1994, this informal group lived on, continuing to explore gems from the huge stockpile of compositions and arrangements which the pianist and baritone horn player left behind. Trumpeter Dick Hamilton, who also doubles on piano and alto horn, has taken over as the leader of these sessions; the supporting cast isn't made up of recognizable stars, but musicians who have played important roles in various big bands and backing popular singers. The music covers a wide range of jazz, ranging from classic jazz and swing to cool and bop, all of which will be sure to put a smile on the listener's face. Kudos to Arbors for making a strong effort to share the music of Dick Cary with a wider audience. ~Ken Dryden