Roy Eldridge has been called the swing era's finest trumpet soloist, though he was also an adept jazz pianist, drummer, and vocalist. As a trumpet player, he was the premier mainstream stylist of the 1940s, and has often been credited with bridging the gap from Louis Armstrong's swing to Dizzy Gillespie's bebop through his aggressive, combative style. Known mostly for his stamina, fierce attack, and powerful high notes, Eldridge had complete control of the full register on his...