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September 25, 2009 - Trumpeter, composer and singer Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge was one of the most exciting musicians to emerge from the Swing era. Eldridge first met Marian McPartland in 1950, when she invited him to play with her one night at The Embers in New York. By the time he joined her for this 1986 Piano Jazz session he had laid aside the trumpet, but was still performing on his other instruments — drums and piano — and singing.

Having played with Fletcher Henderson, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, Eldridge has great stories to tell, including an eye-opener about the time he and Krupa recorded one of Eldridge's great hits, "Rockin' Chair." He also brings along a number of his own tunes, two of which he plays with McPartland: "Ball of Fire" (written with Krupa) and "Fast Boogie."

Eldridge accompanies himself as he sings a sly version of his song "Petite Laitue," telling McPartland, "Laitue means 'milk.' The rest of the lyrics I don't know, but they're all nice 'n' clean." She counters, "What a shame!"

McPartland offers a tribute to Eldridge with an elegant version of "Rockin' Chair," a hit he had in Krupa's band and a first-time solo performance for her. Then she accompanies Eldridge as he sings "I Want a Little Girl" in his colorful, inimitable style. Much to Eldridge's delight, McPartland does a gently swinging version of "Indian Summer." Then they wrap up the session by improvising on a fast boogie they call "M & R Blues."

Originally recorded Aug. 18, 1986.