RTR 4203 - Billy Butterfield - What's New

Billy Butterfield (1917-1988) – the very name belongs in the pantheon of jazz trumpet giants. To quote another trumpeter, Digby Fairweather: “Butterfield’s gifts were a natural extension of Armstrong’s strengths: warm, buttered tone, and a magician’s ability to pull melodic creations of arresting originality from battered jazz hats. He remains the most artistic swing trumpeter of post-war America”.

Yet much of his music has been unavailable for far too long. What’s New? (the title of his first big success, with Bob Crosby), in addition to featuring all the milestones of his career from 1938 to 1959, presents many gems from long-deleted 10” LPs of the 50s made when he was at the peak of his powers. There are also choice selections from his short-lived big band of the 40s, plus a trio of his sensitive accompaniments to singers Margaret Whiting (the million-selling Moonlight In Vermont), Lee Wiley and Frank Sinatra. As Digby says: “every track here represents a richer legacy from one of jazz’s greatest-ever trumpet masters”.

Label: Retrospective
Copyright: 2012 Wyastone Estate Limited.
Catalogue number: RTR 4203
UPC/EAN: 0710357420320
Format: CD
Analogue / Digital recording: ADD
Number of discs: 1
Total playing time:
Price: £ 10.99 (+ postage & packing)