No Dummies Allowed

With the exception of the drummer/leader, trumpeter Jack Walrath and the up-and-coming altoist Sue Terry and pianist Darrel Grant, Charlie Persip's Superband was full of obscure names in the late '80s. However, the drummer's sidemen were all quite talented. The arrangements on their CD are quite modern (often emphasizing dense ensembles) yet swing. Walrath's "Revenge of the Fat People" sounds a bit like Charles Mingus (often featuring simultaneous improvisations), Sue Terry does a fine job of weaving together three tunes for an unlikely Billie Holiday medley and the high-powered "Vital Seconds" is highlighted by a brief spot for Pablo Calajero's passionate baritone. Walrath has solos on several pieces (he is best on the stromy "Thurway Traffic") and other impressive voices include Orpheus Gaitanopoulos' tenor, Sayyd Abdul Al-Khabyyr's alto and pianist Grant. Charlie Persip deserved great credit for keeping this rather uncommercial orchestra together for over ten years. ~ Scott Yanow