Benny Carter Meets Oscar Peterson (1987)

"The pairing of Oscar Peterson and Benny Carter in the studio turns out to be a neat and trim session of mutual respect between these two titans of American music. Six standards and a blues jam has Peterson deferring to Carter's alto sax in most instances, as the horn takes the lead with Peterson happy to follow. Guitarist Joe Pass seems an afterthought on most of this material, while Toronto bassist Dave Young and British drummer Martin Drew turn in a reliable and steady rhythmic performance. Young is particularly inspired, with big shoes to fill treading footprints of the brilliant Peterson at the time, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and is more than up to the task. Considering his age (almost 80,) Carter sounds splendid, as lyrical as ever, and with a slight hint of vibrato or legato inflections and flourishes. This is a sturdy album, spectacular in spots, consistently tasteful, and swinging from top to bottom." (Michael G. Nastos, Allmusic)