Following on from the pioneering Dick Cathcart CD (RTR 4308), Retrospective presents more buried jazz treasure with The Imaginative Johnny Windhurst. Of the label’s many rewarding Digby Fairweather collaborations, this one performs the greatest service in throwing the spotlight on a relatively little-known musician of unsurpassed brilliance, yet who seldom visited the recording studio. New York-born Johnny Windhurst (1926-1981) was playing alongside Sidney Bechet as a teenager, apparently destined for jazz immortality, and he was among the most highly regarded of the Eddie Condon ‘school’, one whose skill and imagination was spoken of with awe by fellow musicians. Yet somehow his career didn’t take off and he eventually opted to play in local obscurity. This collection of his rare studio recordings, plus a few spectacular live concert broadcasts, is a revelation, demonstrating the artistry of a true jazz master. The release happily joins a string of Retrospectives (now 16-strong!) spotlighting the trumpet greats of jazz: Humphrey Lyttelton (RTS 4108), Louis Armstrong (RTR 4129), Bunny Berigan (RTR 4139), Nat Gonella (RTR 4146), Bix Beiderbecke (RTS 4154), Billy Butterfield (RTR 4203), Bobby Hackett (RTR 4208), Don Goldie (RTR 4216), Red Nichols (RTS 4227), Henry Red Allen (RTS 4248), Muggsy Spanier (RTS 4254), Wingy Manone (RTS 4267), Harry Sweets Edison (RTS 4271), Harry James (RTS 4281) and Dick Cathcart (RTR 4308).

Tracklisting:
1. A Hundred Years From Today
2. Sweet Georgia Brown
3. Lazy River
4. Swing That Music
5. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me
6. Louisiana
7. Struttin’ With Some Barbecue
8. It All Depends On You
9. California, Here I Come
10. Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen
11. My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms
12. I’m Coming, Virginia
13. Back In Your Own Backyard
14. You Do Something To Me
15. Memphis Blues
16. Strut, Miss Lizzie
17. Georgia On My Mind
18. Lover, Come Back To Me
19. Bonus Track: Nobody’s Sweetheart (Sidney Bechet & His New Orleans Rhythm Kings)