When 18 year old Splinter (Adolphus) Reeves joined Frank Coughlan's band at the Melbourne Trocadero in 1942, he quickly established himself as the Australian 'King Of The Tenors'.  Influenced by Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Johnny Hodges - Splinter bore their mantle proudly.  In March '49 his newly formed "Splintette' assembled in AWA's Melbourne studio to record '1 2 3 4 Jump' & 'The Good Earth'.  This widely acclaimed record launched the Splintette as Australia's first full-time working modern jazz band.  JFDU#4 provides a musical portrait of this early 'tenor titan' from his first Jazzart 78's through numerous orchestral performances to his final appearance at the 1982 'Splintette Reunion Concert'.  The sound clip is from a Melbourne Town Hall 'Rhythm Festival' performance in 1952.