Kevin Whitehead

Irabagon brings an infectious sense of fun to music-making, even when the playing is dead serious — as is the case on his "mildly subversive" new album.

The 4 CD compilation of 1957 recordings on Verve showcase Armstrong with a lush studio orchestra and with pianist Oscar Peterson. It also includes a wealth of alternate and incomplete takes, warm-ups and rehearsal sequences.

Critic Kevin Whitehead remembers the late musician, who was known for his animated piano recitals and group improvisations, and who sometimes used his forearm to play dense clusters on the keys.