Pianist, vocalist, composer Mose Allison: "Swingin' Machine"

Mose Allison was a man of many parts....a pianist, vocalist and composer of songs that touched upon life, fun, politics and down-home wisdom. He was a very popular artist and had a very long career in his 89 years on the planet. His music had very broad appeal but he came from a solid Jazz background. As we are featuring rare recordings this month, this one qualifies as it was Mose's first album with arrangements and horns. Mose most always performed with just himself and bass and drums. Here he is heard both vocally and instrumentally with his arrangements and compositions with horns. Mose wrote 6 originals and arranged the other two pieces that were lesser known standards. He is accompanied by the distinctive trombone of Jimmy Knepper and the solid tenor saxophone of Jim Reider. Addison Farmer is on bass and the great Frankie Dunlop is on drums. The album is divided between vocals and instrumentals and Mose's voice and fine piano playing is a standout. The album is called "Swingin' Machine". Sit back and enjoy tonight's Jazz Feature from the great Mose Allison.