Two great reed men are spotlighted on in a pair of swinging sessions, one from the studio, and the other from a jazz cruise aboard ship, recorded 18 years apart. John Kenneth “Kenny” Davern and Joseph Edward Filipetti, better known as Flip Phillips are the John & Joe in question. Separated by about 20 years in age, both were steeped in the great swing traditions, and had a long musical friendship.
The first disc features an all-star 1977 New York studio session which has been out of print for decades, featuring pianist Dave McKenna, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Bobby Rosengarden, performing both standards and a joint original. Both reed men “triple” with Davern on clarinet, soprano and C-Melody saxes, with Phillips on sax, clarinet and bass clarinet. With the blue-chip rhythm section, the swinging never stops.
Disc 2 is a 1995 live performance from the Floating Jazz Festival with a sextet featuring Derek Smith on piano, Howard Alden on guitar, Milt Hinton on bass and Joe Ascione on drums, with special guest Phil Woods joining for a “burning” version of “Lover Come Back to Me.”
The 12-page booklet contains the original liner notes from both Dan Morganstern and Gene Lees.
Disc 1 (1977 session):
1. Elsa's Dream
2. Sweet Lorraine
3. Mood Indigo
4. If Dreams Come True
5. Squeeze Me
6. Candy
7. Cottontail
Disc 2:
1. Elsa's Dream (live in 1995)
2. Flip's Dido
3. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
4. Royal Garden Blues
5. Miki's Dream
6. All of Me
7. Lover Come Back to Me (feat. Phil Woods)
