Rex Stewart: Rendezvous With Rex

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

This interesting and well-rounded LP has two separate sessions originally cut for the Felsted label. Cornetist Rex Stewart is fiery on the first date, jamming on a trio of his worthy but obscure originals (when was the last time anyone played "Tillie's Twist" or "Tell Me More?") with trombonist George Stevenson, Haywood Henry (on clarinet and baritone), tenorman George Kelly, either Willie "The Lion" Smith or Dick Cary on piano, bassist Leonard Gaskin and drummer Arthur Trappier; Stewarttakes a pleasant vocal on "My Kind of Gal." The three numbers from the later date have moody arrangements by Cary (who doubles on trumpet) and find Stewart in a septet with Hilton Jefferson(heard on clarinet and alto), clarinetist Garvin Bushell (whose bassoon work makes the date most memorable), guitarist Everett Barksdale, bassist Joe Benjamin and drummer Mickey Sheen. Superior music that will hopefully resurface on CD someday.

Rex Stewart Rendezvous With Rex

Set List 00:00 A1 Tillie's Twist (Edwin,Stewart) 04:40 A2 Pretty Ditty (Cary,Stewart) 11:08 A3 Tell Me More (Edwin,Stewart) 19:41 B1 Danzon D'amor (Cary,Stewart) 27:06 B2 My Kind Of Gal (Goodman,Stewart) 32:19 B3 Blue Echo (Cary,Stewart)


Musicians Bass – Leonard Gaskin (A1-A3-B2) Joe Benjamnin (A2-B1-B3) Clarinet, Baritone Sax – Haywood Henry (A1-A3-B2) Alto Sax, Clarinet - Hilton Jefferson (A2-B1-B3) Bassoon, Clarinet – Garvin Bushell (A2-B1-B3) Cornet – Rex Stewart (A1-A2-A3-B1-B3) Cornet, Vocals – Rex Stewart (B2) Drums – Arthur Trappier (A1-A3-B2) Mickey Sheen (A2-B1-B3) Piano – Willie "The Lion" Smith (A1-A3) Piano, Trumpet – Dick Cary (A2-B1-B3) Piano - Dick Cary (B2) Tenor Sax – George Kelly (A1-A3-B2) Trombone – George Stevenson (A1-A3-B2) Guitar – Everett Barksdale (A2-B1-B3)

Recorded New York, January 28th and 31st, 1958
Felsted