A great collection of Bigard’s best work with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1928-1948 is a perfect introduction to the great clarinetist, and presents a definitive overview of one of the great prewar instrumentalists. While Bigard worked extensively outside Ellington’s group, his best work was always with the Duke, stretching from the “jungle” music of “Black Beauty” to the sublime “A Portrait of Bert Williams.” Bigard is magnificently lyrical throughout, giving a series of outstanding performances. It’s a tribute to the compilers that these performances run so well together, and this collection cannot be recommended highly enough. – Thomas Ward
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