As both a trombonist and a vocalist, Jack Teagarden was one of the greatest pure talents in the history of jazz, a consummate and fluent improviser who could enliven any pedestrian session he played on, or stand toe to toe with masters of the stature of Louis Armstrong or Coleman Hawkins. His trombone playing possessed extraordinary fluency, an effortless invention that communicated a warmth and wit born of a simultaneously wry and world-weary wisdom. This two-CD set touches on the range of Teagarden's musical experience throughout his career, including early work with groups that ranged from the scale of Paul Whiteman's orchestra to the novelty group the Mound City Blues Blowers and such period repertoire as "Christmas Night in Harlem." Along the way are brilliant renditions of "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "St. Louis Blues." The concluding tracks come from a 1957 session led by tenor saxophonist Budd Freeman and include a wonderful version of "I Cover the Waterfront" that is the essence of Teagarden's art. --Stuart Broomer