Lester Young: All of Me

Propelled by Jo Jones's dynamic sticks, this tune (originally from the album Pres and Teddy) finds Pres in great shape, far from the brooding mood that was sometimes his at that period of his life. No wonder, when he's so well surrounded by familiar partners. His two solos before and after Wilson's are marvelously built and inventive, and Jones is most supportive and empathic all along, up to the "fours" he trades with the tenor. In fact, on this track, Papa Jo may be the second great of this master's quartet, and it's a wonder to hear the way he switches to brushes without losing a bit of drive behind the piano solo.