Butch Miles - Salutes Chick Webb (2014)

The third of seven Butch Miles Famous Door LPs is the first of three to "salute" a swing-era bandleader. Miles, whose biggest influence was Buddy Rich, performs eight numbers associated with Chick Webb, including "Stompin' at the Savoy," "If Dreams Come True," "Blue Lou," and "Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie." Eddie Barefield (the arranger for the date, heard here sticking to tenor) had been in the Webb orchestra 40 years earlier. He and Miles are joined by altoist Norris Turney, trumpeter Glenn Zottola, pianist John Bunch, and bassist Milt Hinton for some solid swing that still communicates pretty well. ~ Scott Yanow