One for Bird

by Ken Dryden Nearing the end of a career that was hampered for a time by drug addiction, Red Rodney had shaken his habit and was in top form on these 1988 live performances recorded at Slukefter in Tivoli, Denmark. Joined by two underrated musicians, alto saxophonist Dick Oatts and pianist Garry Dial, plus bassist Jay Anderson and drummer John Riley, Rodney is heard on both trumpet and flugelhorn, demonstrating that he still had plenty of chops this late in his career. While it is not surprising that a lot of material was previously played or recorded by Charlie Parker, with whom the leader toured and played long stands early in his career, Rodney also delves into later songs, such as an explosive update of his original bop vehicle "Red Arrow 88" (yet another "I Got Rhythm" variation) and a brief sign-off of Thelonious Monk's "Let's Cool One." Another CD of music from these nightclub dates appeared on Red Snapper, while both releases are combined in the later Steeplechase compilation Tivoli Session.