by Scott Yanow
This is a very enjoyable set. The veteran cornetist Ruby Braff is teamed with the hot, young, swing tenor player Scott Hamilton in a quintet for a set of nine songs associated with Benny Goodman. Braff and Hamilton are both in top form, playing off of each other and sounding mutually inspired. Backed by a supportive drumless rhythm section led by pianist John Bunch, the two classic horn players are subtle and often a bit restrained but bring out some fresh insights to these familiar standards. This is a fine release from the Swedish Phontastic label.