It's real simple. I don't care how wonderful a jazz player you THINK you are. Until you can play traditional jazz like Rich Matteson, you ain't squat!
Put on some headphones and just listen. Rich's incredible drive, his articulation, his ideas, his sound, his changes, his breathing - quite simply, they are about as close to absolute perfection as you're likely to hear in your lifetime!
Rich Matteson is, in my not-so-humble opinion, the Total Package.
This classic 1959 recording was done in Chicago and features a couple of ringers: Ray Bauduc on drums, Nappy Lamare on banjo, my old friend Rick "Cougar" Nelson on trombone and of course, Rich Matteson on his Boston Wonder helicon. Rounding out the band are RB5 regulars Ed Reed on clarinet, Dick Baars on trumpet (just this date, usually the trumpet player was Ed Tedder who also sometimes doubled on tuba) and Keller Merck on piano.
There are a couple of cuts on this album using a now forgotten Chicago bass player. While the band sounds great on these cuts, the sparkle and energy that Rich's playing added just isn't there. But then, I'm biased.
The RB5 enjoyed prominence during the late '50's and early '60's and always had great arrangements presented with spirit and tight ensemble work.
