Jazz For Dancing

by Scott Yanow Although trumpeter Maynard Ferguson's Roulette recordings are generally considered among his best, a few of the dates (including the music on this LP) were recorded strictly as background music for dancers who were nostalgic for the swing era. Sticking mostly to veteran standards and emphasizing melodic statements (but not recreating the past), Ferguson and his excellent orchestra purposely play it safe, performing pleasing but unadventurous music that is not as exciting as their more jazz-oriented sessions of the era.