Bud Shank performs a collection of jazz standards and originals on the alto, the horn he loves most.

Bud Shank always did have a good well-rounded sound, which he developed in the maelstrom of the Stan Kenton orchestra. But in small group work with the Lighthouse All Stars and numerous other ensembles during the 1950s, he projected a smooth, unruffled tone. In the following decade, notably in a memorable quintet that included trumpeter Carmell Jones and stylistic revisions carried on with a clear logic typical of this fine player.

The title of this first Candid album by Bud is inspired by the Charles Schulz Peanuts comic strip in one particular sequence in which the Charlie Brown character was offered psychiatric counselling at five cents a session when 'The Doctor Is In'. Jazz musicians share an affinity with the great laughter-makers so this vibrant session starts with Dr. Shank in the chair....

Here Bud is excellent at tipping his hat at the bop old masters. His tone varies from harsh cutting edge to a mellow and very tenor like sound. He seems to have abandoned the flute, but this contacts some definitive alto for today.