With John Defferary's Quartet & Quintet

by Alton Purnell, John Defferary

Overview

Put out for the first time on this 1997 CD, the two happy dates on the release both match veteran pianist Alton Purnell (who takes occasional vocals) with British clarinetist John Defferary (they're sometimes joined by bassist Brian Turnock and drummer Barry Martyn). The first eight numbers are a blues and a variety of swing and traditional standards including "Sweet Georgia Brown," "It's Only a Paper Moon" and "Rose Room." The final four selections (which include a surprisingly effective rendition of "Mr. Sandman" and "On Treasure Island") team up Purnell, Defferary and Martyn with Japanese trumpeter Yoshio Toyama and banjoist Keiko Toyaman but no bass. In both cases the combination works. Although Purnell (best-known for his long association with George Lewis) gets top billing, the main star is the swing-based clarinetist John Defferary, who makes one wonder why he is not better-known. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	12/25/1999
Label:	Ghb Records
UPC:	0762247536628

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Alton Purnell   Primary Artist
John Defferary   Primary Artist