Butch Miles - Straight on Till Morning (2003)

Butch Miles, the longtime drummer of the Count Basie Orchestra, leads a hard bop-oriented session on the Nagel Heyer CD Straight on Till Morning. Although Miles is most associated with modern swing, this set is a bit more up-to-date while swinging hard. Trumpeter Bob Ojeda arranged eight of the 11 selections and contributed six originals. Doug Lawrence takes some fine tenor solos, trombonist Bill Porter displays some inventive ideas, pianist Kenny Drew, Jr. plays some powerful improvisations, and Lynn Seaton's bowed bass solos are a highlight. Alex Saudargas guests on classical guitar during "Dreamsville" while Frank Wess is on one song. With Miles pushing everyone, this is a frequently exciting set full of subtle surprises, including a humorous boppish reworking of "When You Wish Upon a Star." ~ Scott Yanow