Benny Carter - Jazz Giant (Vinyl)

Jazz Giant is an album by saxophonist Benny Carter that was recorded in 1957 and 1958 and released by Contemporary Records

"Jazz Giant" is an appropriately titled album. Benny Carter is definitely one, having been in the jazz limelight at the time of this recording (1957-58) for more than twenty years. But what makes "Jazz Giant" special is that Carter's bandmates are giants in their own right -- Ben Webster, Shelly Manne, Barney Kessel, Leroy Vinnegar and Andre Previn (in the days before he became a giant of classical music).

There is also trombonist Frank Rosolino, a giant talent with a tragic story, who was sadly underrepresented on album but holds his own easily with these other greats. (Those curious about Rosolino would be well served to check out his OJC CD "Free For All.")

In terms of the album's songs, there are two Carter originals, "A Walkin' Thing" and "How Can You Lose," and five standards. A final note, Benny Carter trades in his alto sax for trumpet on two tracks, and Andre Previn is replaced by Jimmy Rowles on a couple of numbers.