I don't know the difference between the 'small group' vs 'solo' category but I have a CD from a local guy here in Oregon who used to play down in CA name of Steve Cannon. Its a small group/solo CD called "No Where Man" and Steve is really melodic player, and his solos are great. You can pick up that CD by going here
http://stevecannon.net/indexframes.html. This CD has got some smooth jazz type backgrounds (only better) with hard bop type solos.. its very cool.
I really dig all the albums on the Pablo label that Count Basie did recorded in the '70's and '80s.
Those albums are "Fancy Pants"- mentioned above, "Warm Breeze", "I Told You So"... more.
The section players for trumpet are really unsung heros here. None of the solos are mentioned who did them. I'm guessing Sonny Cohn played the Fancy Pants solo. I think its common for those Sammy Nestico charts to get played in high school and college big bands.
I recommend any school band member get those albums and listen to the swing of those great Nestico arrangements.
To echo Larry's comments about learning more, I'm a huge fan of jazz trumpet, instrumental jazz and would love to see more details on the who/when/why.
I have on my list of CDs many to buy, all of which I learned about from the trumpet forums/internet discussions... Pat Harbison, Carl Saunders, Chuck Findley. These CD's don't really get much promotion, so lets hear it!!
later,
Rob