It is difficult to believe, listening to this enthusiastic bop date, that tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper would pass away only 41 days after the recorded concert. Cooper never declined, and he certainly seems right in his prime, jamming eight standards with trumpeter
Conte Candoli (long an underrated great), pianist
Ross Tompkins, bassist
John Leitham and drummer
Paul Kreibich. Whether it be a romping "Confirmation," "Airegin," "Hackensack" or a medium-tempo "Come Sunday," this is a highly enjoyable straight-ahead set with everyone in excellent form. Bob Cooper certainly went out on top.
