Basket Full of Blues (CD - 1992)

Personnel: Jeannie Cheatham (piano, vocals), Jimmy Cheatham (bass trombone), Dinky Morris, Curtis Peagler (saxophone), Rickey Woodard (saxophone, clarinet), Frank Wess (tenor saxophone, flute), Nolan Smith, Snooky Young (trumpet, flugelhorn), George Callender (bass), John Harris (drums).

For their sixth Concord recording, there was a major change in the personnel of the Cheathams' Sweet Baby Blues Band. Jimmie Noone, Jr. had passed away, and his replacement was the popular tenor Rickey Woodard, who on this set also plays some effective alto and clarinet (the latter on "Buddy Bolden's Blues"). But Woodard is only one of a bunch of colorful soloists, which include pianist/singer Jeannie Cheatham, Jimmy Cheatham on bass trombone, altoist Curtis Peagler, Snooky Young and Nolan Smith on trumpets, baritonist Dinky Morris and guest Frank Wess on tenor and flute. With bassist Red Callender and drummer John "Ironman" Harris keeping the ensembles swinging and driving, this is a particularly memorable set. Three standards are joined by nine originals by the Cheathams, including "Blues Like Jay McShann," "Baby, Where Have You Been," "Ballad of the Wannabes" and "Don't Cha Boogie with Your Black Drawers Off." ~ Scott Yanow minimize