Johnny Guarnieri - Plays the Music of Walter Donaldson [CD]

One of America's foremost jazz and stride pianists, Johnny Guarnieri is perhaps best remembered for his big band stints with Benny Goodman in 1939 and with Artie Shaw in 1940. Guarnieri was a busy sideman throughout the 1940's and also led his own group which included Lester Young, Hank D'Amico, Billy Butterfield and Cozy Cole. In his later years, Guarnieri turned his attention to jazz education while continuing to record with numerous artists and held down a steady engagement at the "Tail of the Cock" nightclub in Studio City, California until 1982. He died onstage during a performance with renowned jazz trumpeter Dick Sudhalter. Presented here is Guarneri's rare 1978 release, on which he plays the music of the great jazz songwriter of the swing era, Walter Donaldson. Accompanying Guarnieri's piano are Ray Leatherwood (bass) and Danny Pucillo (drums). All selections newly remastered.