Bob Florence: Bebop Charlie

Bob Florences tuneful, swinging arrangements for his Limited Edition ensemble provide solid evidence that the modern-day big band is far from artistically moribund. Bebop Charlie, recorded before an appreciative live audience, exhibits Florences expertise as a composer-arranger as well as the superior performance skills of his band members, who were among the top players on the West Coast. In addition to fine solos by tenorist Bob Hardaway and trombonist Charlie Loper, the chart features the extraordinary lead trumpet of Buddy Childers and the propulsive beat of drummer Nick Ceroli and bassist Joel DiBartolo.