Arguably the biggest star in the Venus Records roster, pianist Eddie Higgins has released numerous trio recordings from the label. He also has an ongoing collaboration with veteran tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton, beginning with the 2001 quartet album Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and continuing with My Foolish Heart and My Funny Valentine.

Wonderful clarinetist and tenorist Ken Peplowski joined this union to make it a quintet on It’s Magic, which won the Swing Journal 2007 Best Compilation Award. Now, the golden quintet returns with their latest, A Handful of Stars. The three giants, assisted ably by Jay Leonhart and Joe Ascione, create beautiful and romantic music in a relaxed mood.

They are not breaking any new ground here, but their masterful tastes, gentle swing and warm interactions are as lovely and comfortable as a fireplace in the middle of winter.