Chris Dawson - Put A Swing In Your Step

The deep intuitive swing that Duke Ellington called "bouncing buoyancy" is as difficult to perfect as it is satisfying, but for pianist Chris Dawson and friends – trombonist Dan Barrett, guitarist Denny Hardwick, bassist Christoph Luty, and drummer Hal Smith – inspired danceable improvisation is second nature. Although Chris has levitated recordings by Rebecca Kilgore and Marty Grosz, this is his first CD for Blue Swing, featuring solo, quartet and quintet performances.

As pianist and arranger, he draws inspiration from Teddy Wilson, Nat Cole and Hank Jones, but he doesn't recreate classic jazz records. Like his heroes Ruby Braff and Dave McKenna, he brings his own harmonic subtlety and rhythmic ease to the jazz tradition. His solos ring and chime, and the most familiar repertoire sounds fresh here, from a melancholy OH, YOU CRAZY MOON to a hot band version of HANDFUL OF KEYS. The quintet breathes as one, their jazz both delicate and intense. Dan Barrett and Hal Smith, the front and back of the band, ensure that this session will put a spring in anyone's step; Denny Hardwick and Christoph Luty recall Allan Reuss and Ray Brown. They're a rewarding all-star band, making it new while recalling the great record sessions for the Keynote label.

The Rebecca Kilgore Quartet
"Yes, Indeed"

Yes, Indeed! is the fifth CD by the unique, swinging quartet formerly called BED and now known--by unanimous decision--as the Rebecca Kilgore Quartet. (This new, improved name finally clears up the confusion about whether the group is a trio or quartet). The RK4 hasn't changed either their musical credo or their personnel, and still includes: guitarist/banjoist/vocalist Eddie Erickson; trombonist/cornetist (and occasional pianist and vocalist) Dan Barrett; and bassist Joel Forbes. As always, the group's performances center around the sublime and oh-so-swinging vocal artistry of vocalist Rebecca Kilgore (who also plays some in-the-groove rhythm guitar on one track here). As found in the band's previous CDs, Yes, Indeed! includes both well-known standards and long-ignored treasures, played with heart, humor, and plenty of swing. Find out more about the group at: www.rebeccakilgore.com and at www.world-classjazz.com

THE SUNSET MUSIC COMPANY
LIVE in ARNHEM- European Tour 1979

Here is the second authorized release by the legendary Sunset Music Company. This two-CD set presents the full concert the band played in Arnhem, the Netherlands, while on their third European tour. The personnel is the same as on the previously issued Blue Swing CD of the band's night in Dusseldorf (BSR 009), except: John "Butch" Smith, an exciting soprano and alto sax phenomenon--originally from Kansas City--replaced clarinetist Bill Carter, who had fallen ill with pneumonia during the tour. (By the way, Bill's fine, and continues to play his great New Orleans-imbued clarinet in and around northern California).

Just as on the previous CD, the band displays collective ensemble playing, and an esprit d'corps not heard from any but the best New Orleans and Chicago jazz groups of the '30s and '40s. Lueder Ohlwein's hard-swinging banjo playing and his soulful singing were the heart of the band, but everyone made important contributions. With John Smith in for Bill Carter, the band takes off into a "Small Group Swing" direction, often sounding like the jumping little bands from Harlem and Kansas City that put the 1930s "in the groove."

Just like the previous Sunset Music Company CD, this historical recording is a must for trad-to-swing buffs, and anyone who likes hot, honest jazz playing.

Thanks again to the Triangle Jazz Party, a non-profit organization which has produced jazz events and brought jazz into schools around the country, for making this CD possible.

THE SUNSET MUSIC COMPANY
Live in Dusseldorf-1979

Cornet legend Jim Goodwin has been known to Bay Area musicians for more than thirty years. What Dan Barrett calls Jim's "spitfire" cornet was first heard in Europe during Jim's first trip overseas, at the Oude Stijl  (Old Style) Jazz Festival in Breda, Holland in 1976.  Jim returned the following year with Lueder Ohlwein's Sunset Music Company for that band's trip to Breda, and its subsequent tour of Germany. In 1979, this great "New Orleans-cum-Swing" band was again touring Germany.  This recording is from the band's appearance at the "Doctor Jazz" club in Dusseldorf. It's some of Jim's finest playing on any recording.  However, Jim had a lot of help!
 
Throughout the CD, the band displays collective ensemble playing, and an esprit d'corps not heard from any but the best New Orleans and Chicago jazz groups of the '30s and '40s. Lueder Ohlwein's hard-swinging banjo playing and his soulful singing were the heart of the band, but everyone made important contributions. There's Bill Carter's New Orleans-styled clarinet work, heavily influenced by the great Willie Humphrey; young Dan Barrett's brash trombone; Mike Fay's acoustic bass work, reminding one of Pops Foster or Slow Drag Pavageau; Jeff Hamilton's expert drumming, at once conjuring up memories oif Cie Frazier and Big Sid Catlett; and of course Jim Goodwin's old King Silvertone cornet leading the fray.
 
Clarinetist Bill Carter discovered the original tapes from which this exciting new CD was made.  Engineer Bryan Shaw did his usual remarkable job at preparing this 1979 recording for 21st Century ears. The Triangle Jazz Party--a non-profit organization which has produced jazz events and brought jazz into schools around the country--made this CD possible.
 
This historical recording is a must for trad-to-swing buffs, and anyone who likes hot, honest jazz playing.

FOUR PLUS ONE
BED Jazz

BED is a quartet, and this is their fourth terrific CD.  For this session, they invited their friend Jeff Hamilton to join them on the drums; hence the title, Four Plus One. Jeff's subtle, swinging percussion work--featured on half of the selections--adds a new dimension to BED's "chamber-jazz" sound.  The CD features another interesting program of standards and "unexpected" material, as suggested by America's foremost songstress, Rebecca Kilgore. Eddie Erickson's guitar work here puts him in the top echelon of jazz guitarists today, but his very personal, swinging banjo work will amaze you! Like Rebecca, Eddie is also a world-class vocalist. Becky and Eddie are aided and musically abetted by their BED partners, Dan Barrett and Joel Forbes, (and for this release, honorary BED partner, Jeff Hamilton). You will certainly want this exciting new CD by Blue Swing Recordings!