Lavere (1910-1983) was a busy man-about-music, an able Waller-influenced stride and boogie pianist, bandleader, composer and singer whose well-regarded small group sessions mostly badged as his Chicagoans or Chicago Loopers are assembled together for the first time.

Otherwise, he was employed in the studios, often with Gordon Jenkins or as accompanist to Bing Crosby and others. Two of his recordings with Jenkins are also here, one forgettable, the other from an Armstrong/Jenkins session which features Lavere trading phrases memorably with the on-form Louis himself.

Teagarden’s opening pair tracks are from 1933 and feature the leader and brother Charlie, plus Lavere and Freeman in pleasingly swinging form, the tidy arrangements by the young David Rose. Lavere’s Chicagoans are from 1935 and were recorded in the Windy City, and highlight hot moments from the brothers Marsala and pianist Stacy, the latter on ‘Smiles,’ the only non-Lavere composition out of five. Jabbo misses out (he failed to show for the follow-up session) and Zutty has fun.

Thereafter Ray Crick’s selection jumps forward to 1944/1945 with four sessions by Lavere’s Chicago Loopers, now transplanted to Los Angeles, and made for the local Jump label, these cast in Crosby Bob-Cats style, with ex-Crosby clarinettist Matlock the star turn throughout and Fatool, as ever, dynamic at the drums. Their final session is the best, with Jack T in peerless form and the little-known Vallese lyrical and calm.

Engaging certainly, but not essential perhaps.