He is accompanied by guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank, both deservedly busy and active on the LA jazz scene. Tempos are nearly all bright and upbeat with Dechter throwing in a little percussion with some snappy finger-drumming, presumably on his guitar. Dave McKenna, Bobby Hackett’s favourite pianist, had been an early major influence on Mike’s energetic and rhythmically charged style. Capri 74178-2Billie Holiday: Songs For Distingué LoversAfter signing with impresario Norman Granz in 1952, Billie made a succession of albums backed by top-class jazz musicians. The original Verve album was included in 2019 on Avid’s Four Classic Albums (Second Set), but this latest reissue on vinyl adds two bonus tracks from the same sessions, unissued on the original album.