Rex Stewart: Trumpet In Spades - His 48 Finest 1930-1959

"Ray Crick set himself quite a task in selecting the ’48 Finest’ of so prolific and versatile a player as Rex Stewart, but even a cursory glance at this double-CD compilation suggests he’s got in about right! Tom Lord’s discography has Stewart down for 420 sessions; granted that the meat of these cover his years with Duke Ellington, there’s plenty more to choose from. I looked for the masterpiece collaborations with Sidney Bechet, Jack Teagarden, Django Reinhardt as well as such later gems as The Big Challenge, with Cootie Williams, and The Talkative Horns with Dicky Wells and yes, they’re all here. Let alone the many Ellingtonian small groups, often led by Stewart and including many of his perky originals, typified by Rexatious with Johnny Hodges on soprano. Given that Stewart never abandoned the cornet and perfected a unique, highly vocalised sound on the instrument using his notorious ‘half-valve’ technique, sometimes plaintively, often joyously, and thus became a wholly distinctive soloist, it’s little wonder that Ellington featured him so extensively…If space precludes more that a cursory over-view of this marvellous collection just reflect on the way in which Stewart’s career story emphasizes both his innate creativity but also the value of voices as individual as his in enhancing the rich tapestry of jazz. So many personalities. So much extraordinary music. So many favourites!" - Peter Vacher, The Jazz Rag

“Here is an essential collection of recordings by Rex Stewart remembered as one of jazz’s greatest, hottest soloists; one who brought a new dimension to the art of jazz cornet playing, Retrospective’s ‘Trumpet In Spades’ offers a comprehensive survey of his forty eight finest performances, stretching from his early days in the 1930s with Fletcher Henderson and McKinney’s Cotton Pickers through to 1959.

Central to an extraordinary career was his many years bringing a new, distinctive voice to Duke Ellington’s wonderful orchestra and no fewer than twenty three classics feature either the Duke’s full orchestra or spin-off groups such as Rex’s 52^nd Street Serenaders. In addition are four glorious tracks from his 1939 Feetwarmers session in Paris with Django Reinhardt and highlights from historic collaborations with such as Sidney Bechet and Jack Teagarden.

The selection closes with six memorable numbers representative of his playing in the late 50s, which included such notable sessions as ‘The Big Challenge’ with Cootie Williams and ‘The Big Reunion’ with the Fletcher Henderson All-Stars. Altogether a superb addition to Retrospective’s remarkable series of the great jazz trumpeters” Pete Lay, Just Jazz

"Rex Stewart (1907-67) is still most famous for his work with Duke Ellington during 1934-45 and his unconventional half-valve technique which had him bending notes in a very distinctive and speechlike fashion.  However, while his twofer Trumpet In Spades has 11 selections that feature Stewart with the Ellington Orchestra, he is also heard during his earlier years with Fletcher Henderson and McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, on small groups from the Ellington period, and on six numbers from 1956-59. Missing are examples of Stewart’s work during his first of two stints with Henderson, his exciting playing on “Old Man River” with Luis Russell in 1934, and his colourful recording of “Rasputin” from 1960, but those are minor reservations. Stewart was prolific in the recording studios during his prime years and most of the highpoints are on this set. Surprisingly, the original recording of his trademark hit with Ellington, “Boy Meets Horn,” is not here but a live and more extended version from 1940 is an excellent substitute. Among the other highlights are four numbers with Henderson (including “New King Porter Stomp” and a tribute to Bix Beiderbecke on “Singin’ The Blues” that has him nearly playing Bix’s solo note-for-note), many songs from his small-group dates with Ellington’s sidemen (including “Rexatious” and “Tea And Trumpets”), an overseas session with Django Reinhardt, separate projects led by Sidney Bechet and Jack Teagarden, and later dates with Cootie Williams, trombonist Dicky Wells, and Eddie Condon. It is a joy getting to hear so much prime Rex Stewart." -Scott Yannow, Syncopated Times

Here is an essential collection of recordings by Rex Steward (1907-1967) remembered as one of Jazz’s greatest, hottest soloists; one who brought a new dimension to the art of jazz cornet playing. Retrospective’s ‘Trumpet In Spades’ (the title of Duke Ellington’s 1936 Rex’s Concerto) offers a comprehensive survey of his forty eight finest performances, stretching from his early days in the 1930s with Fletcher Henderson (Just Blues) and McKinney’s Cotton Pickers (Rocky Road) through to 1959.

Central to an extraordinary career was his many years bringing a new, distinctive voice to Duke Ellington’s wonderful orchestra and no fewer than twenty three classics feature either the Duke’s full orchestra (Boy Meets, Horn, Morning Glory) or spin-off groups such as Rex’s 52^nd Street Serenaders (Rexatious). In addition are four glorious tracks from his 1939 Feetwarmers session in Paris with Django Reinhardt (Montmartre) and highlights from historic collaborations with such as Sidney Bechet (Ain’t Misbehavin’) and Jack Teagarden (The Big Eight Blues).

The selection closes with six memorable numbers representative of his playing in the lat 50s, which included such notable sessions as ‘The Big Challenge’ with Cootie Williams and ‘The Big Reunion’ with the Fletcher Henderson All-Stars. Altogether a superb addition to Retrospective’s remarkable series of the great jazz trumpeters. - Peter Lay, Just Jazz