Eddie Costa Quintet

by Ken DrydenEddie Costa made only a few dates as a leader prior to his sudden death as a result of an automobile accident at the age of 31; this 1957 session is the best of them. Alternating between piano and vibes, Costa leads a quintet that includes Phil Woods, Art Farmer, Teddy Kotick, and Paul Motian, featuring enjoyable interpretations of "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" and Dave Brubeck's still fairly new "In Your Own Sweet Way," the latter of which focuses on Costa's vibes and Farmer's muted trumpet, with Woods switching to the piano. Each of the originals by Costa, Woods, and Farmer is stimulating, although they have undeservedly languished in obscurity. Recorded for the long-defunct Mode label, V.S.O.P. reissued this forgotten treasure on CD in 1992.