From the 1920s into the 1950s it was not unusual for two skilled pianists to perform duets of arranged music that, while inspired by the syncopations of jazz, fell into its own category of music. The trend really got going with the piano team of Victor Arden and Phil Ohman in 1924. The tradition of piano duets included show tunes, novelty ragtime, cocktail music, and classical themes, yet was difficult to classify as anything but classy and accessible music.
Cocktails For Two, which features the virtuosos Frederick Hodges and Richard Dowling performing a wide variety of pieces, includes arrangements by Hodges, Jacques Fray, and Cy Walter among others.
