LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

No one among Lester Young's imitators (dozens, hundreds, thousands) "did" the great tenor saxophonist with more joy, authenticity, and exuberance than Paul Quinichette. Other tenor players, from Budd Johnson to Zoot Sims, used Pres as a point of departure for their styles. Quinichette unabashedly and enthusiastically adopted Young's style lock, stock, and barrel. He used it to such great effect that rather than criticize him for the appropriation, his fellow musicians praised him and called him the Vice President. In this 1957 date, Quinichette is supported by the legendary "All American" rhythm section of bassist Walter Page, guitarist Freddie Green, and drummer Jo Jones, with Nat Pierce filling Count Basie's piano chair. Joining him in the front line is veteran Basie trumpeter Shad Collins, a swing trumpeter with hints of bebop in his style.
Track listing: Rock-a-Bye Basie, Texas Shuffle, Out the Window, Jive at Five, Diggin' for Dex