These two swinging reed legends join forces for two sessions separated by 18 years with a supporting cast of “All Star Jazz Friends” on John & Joe, a two-disc set which will appeal to fans of classic swing-era jazz and sax duos.

John Kenneth “Kenny” Davern and Joseph Edward Filipetti, better known as Flip Phillips are the John & Joe in the spotlight on these sublime swinging sessions - one taken in the studio the other from a jazz cruise aboard ship. Disc one features an all-star 1977 New York studio session which has been out of print for decades.

Featuring pianist Dave McKenna, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Bobby Rosengarden, the collective perform standards and a joint original. Both reed men “triple” with Davern on clarinet, soprano and C-Melody saxes, with Phillips on sax, clarinet and bass clarinet. With the blue-chip rhythm section, the swinging never stops.

Disc two is a 1995 live performance from the Floating Jazz Festival with a sextet featuring Derek Smith on piano, Howard Alden on guitar, Milt Hinton on bass and Joe Ascione on drums, with special guest Phil Woods joining for a “burning” version of Lover Come Back To Me.

Kenny Davern was a radically traditional jazz clarinettist and soprano saxophonist whose liquid tones linked him to the classical sound of New Orleans but who could also play free jazz. With a style which,  according to Warren Vaché, “was derived from Dixieland but weaved in everything else”, Davern was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997.

Phillips is best remembered for his work with Norman Granz’s Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts from 1946 to 1957. He was a member of bands led by Frankie Newton, Red Norvo, Benny Goodman, Wingy Manone and Woody Herman. He also accompanied Billie Holiday on her 1952 album Billie Holiday Sings. Kenny passed away in 2006, five years after Flip, but you can enjoy the pair in sparkling form here on this specially priced 2CD set.

TRACKS

Disc 1 (1977 session):

Elsa’s Dream

Sweet Lorraine

Mood Indigo

If Dreams Come True

Squeeze Me

Candy

Cottontail

Disc 2:

Elsa’s Dream (live in 1995)

Flip’s Dido

Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone

Royal Garden Blues

Miki’s Dream

All of Me

Lover Come Back To Me