After
Roy Eldridge
was forced to give up playing trumpet in 1980 due to his heart, the younger
Spanky Davis
took his place at his regular gig at
Ryan's
.
closed for good in 1983 (after a long run that had started in 1940) and in 1985 at the
Vineyard
, a special concert that paid tribute to the spirit of the legendary club. The last
house band, comprised of
Davis
on trumpet, pianist
Bobby Pratt
, bassist
Frank Tate
, and drummer
Eddie Locke
, were joined on some numbers by pianist
Dick Katz
(with
Pratt
switching to trombone) and clarinetist
Artie Baker
. In addition,
Eldridge
himself (who rarely performed during his last years) acted as an informal MC and is heard on this CD taking three good-humored vocals; at one point he trades comments with
Buck Clayton
, who was also involuntarily retired from playing. The music, which was originally broadcast on the radio but never released before, came out for the first time on this 1998 CD.
is the main star throughout, taking
-inspired solos on such tunes as
"I Can't Get Started,"
"After You've Gone,"
and
"Struttin' With Some Barbecue,"
but the shadow of
is felt throughout what could be considered his final recording. A colorful set that will be of interest to mainstream/swing collectors. ~ Scott Yanow