(JLP Records)

For this recording, David Weiss assembled a group of veteran sidemen who have played with every major name in jazz over the past 45 years. The group known as The Cookers is comprised of drummer Billy Hart, bassist Cecil McBee, alto saxophonist Craig Handy, tenor saxophonist Billy Harper, with Eddie Henderson and Weiss on trumpet. Together, they’re a powerhouse unit taking on a range of mostly original tunes composed by McBee, Harper and Cables. They also include a Freddie Hubbard tune. As one might expect from musicians of this calibur, the interplay is  impeccable and makes for a thoroughly captivating listen.