Trumpeter
Jon Eardley's first two sessions as a leader (he would only lead two others during the next 20 years) are combined on this reissue CD. A fine boppish player who mostly stuck to the middle register of his horn,
Eardley would soon be joining
Gerry Mulligan's group. He is heard on four selections heading a quartet with pianist
Pete Jolly (who was just starting his career), bassist
Red Mitchell, and drummer
Larry Bunker, and on four other numbers with tenor saxophonist
J.R. Monterose, pianist
George Syran, bassist
Teddy Kotick, and drummer
Nick Stabulas. The music (five originals and three standards) is essentially cool-toned bop and was quite modern for the period.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi