BILLY BUTTERFIELD: The Issued Recordings 1944-1947

Billy Butterfield is best remembered as a talented sideman, playing trumpet with various groups including Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Les Brown, and the World's Greatest Jazz Band. But for a brief time between 1944 and 1947, he led his own big band. This European compilation gathers tracks he recorded commercially for Capitol and additional selections made strictly as radio transcriptions. Johnny Mercer is added on vocals for a swinging take of "It Ain't Necessarily So," while the leader's peppy playing is a highlight of "Oh! Lady Be Good." Butterfield also penned or co-wrote several songs, though none of them is particularly memorable. "Bugle Call Rag" was a jazz favorite long before bluegrass musicians discovered it, and this arrangement features Butterfield's sassy muted horn. Among the many musicians present are pianist Johnny Guarneri, bassist Bob Haggart, drummer Cozy Cole, guitarists Carl Kress and Barry Galbraith, trumpeter Chris Griffin, and baritone saxophonist Ernie Caceres. ~ Ken Dryden

1. Billy Butterfield - Moten Stomp 4:20
2. Billy Butterfield - It Ain't Necessarily So 2:50
3. Billy Butterfield - Do It Again 3:05
4. Billy Butterfield - They Can't Take That Away from Me 3:00
5. Billy Butterfield - Oh, Lady Be Good 2:54
6. Billy Butterfield - Billy the Kid 2:40
7. Billy Butterfield - Wild Oats 2:31
8. Billy Butterfield - Sooner or Later 3:18
9. Billy Butterfield - Stardust 3:05
10. Billy Butterfield - Steamroller 3:10
11. Billy Butterfield - Jalousie 2:48
12. Billy Butterfield - Ain't Misbehavin' 2:39
13. Billy Butterfield - My Heart Stood Still 3:06
14. Billy Butterfield - Until the Real Thing Comes Along 3:07
15. Billy Butterfield - Billy's Boogie 2:55
16. Billy Butterfield - Bugle Call Rag 2:32
17. Billy Butterfield - Narcissus 3:16
18. Billy Butterfield - Malagueña 2:54
19. Billy Butterfield - Begin the Beguine 3:08
20. Billy Butterfield - Afternoon in August 3:15
21. Billy Butterfield - What's New? 2:24
22. Billy Butterfield - Flip Flop 3:13
23. Billy Butterfield - Blue Moon 4:00