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| Terry Blaine and Friends in Pasadena  swingin the Benny Goodman Songbook. Take an exploration of one of the richest periods in jazz history and combine that with three of the most skillful and exciting interpreters of the Jazz Age, and, well, youve got a match made in Swing Heaven. This toe-tappin show stars the talented trio of Terry Blaine (see photo), Allan Vach, and Mark Shane. As vocalist, Blaine pays tribute to the many stellar ladies who sang with the Goodman band, illuminating the work of great Goodman singers like Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Helen Forrest, and Ella Fitzgerald. " title="Terry Blaine and Friends in Pasadena">Terry Blaine and Friends will perform in Pasadena, CA on March 31, 2007swingin' the Benny Goodman Songbook. Take an exploration of one of the richest periods in jazz history and combine that with three of the most skillful and exciting interpreters of the Jazz Age, and, well, you've got a match made in Swing Heaven. This toe-tappin' show stars the talented trio of Terry Blaine (see photo), Allan Vach, and Mark Shane. As vocalist, Blaine pays tribute to the many stellar ladies who sang with the Goodman band, illuminating the work of great Goodman singers like Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Helen Forrest, and Ella Fitzgerald. Vach, an acclaimed clarinetist who needs no introduction among swing fans, handles the role of Benny Goodman with aplomb. His latest album as a bandleader, Ballads, Burners and Blues (Arbors), was picked as one of last year's best recordings on O's Place, a prominent jazz website. His crisp clarinet has enabled him to secure feature solo spots in jazz festivals worldwide. Pianist Mark Shane, the Teddy Wilson figure in this trio, actually sat in with Goodman and was invited to play at the 50th anniversary Benny Goodman Memorial Concert at Carnegie Hall. Shane's vibrant solo piano CD Riffles (Amber Lake) was selected as one of Jazz Journal International's records of the year in 2003. The trio came together organically. Each year on Memorial Day Weekend, Blaine, Vach and Shane played the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. It was during these celebratory collaborations that the Benny Goodman material and featured vocalist ideas emerged. Naturally, both Shane and Vach understand how best to underscore Blaine's spot-on vocals and lauded knack for fresh interpretation. Together, the trio's performances strike the perfect balance of playfulness and musicality. On songs like the coy “Would You Like to Take a Walk” and the sassy “Miss Brown to You,” Goodman's sense of humor and musical ebullience are in full evidence. And while the trio's arrangements remain faithful to Goodman's, there's plenty of room to pepper the proceedings with a little of their own spice. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |