Tom Collier. Origin Records, Cat. No. 82436
Teaming up with old friends Emil Richards, Don Grusin, and Joe Porcaro from his Los Angeles studio days, Seattle-based vibraphonist Tom Collier puts together a rollicking set of originals to challenge his colleagues. Featuring a two mallet frontline with marimbist Emil Richards, "Mallet Jazz" also stars Brubeck clarinetist Bill Smith, with pianist Mike Lang, bassist Dan Dean & drummer John Bishop sharing the bill on an alternately swinging and funky session.