Some album titles so accurately describe the contents that there's almost nothing meaningful that a poor review can say about it. Such is the case with Swingtime!, wherein what is advertised is precisely what one gets—a baker's dozen of inflexibly swinging sorties by trumpeter Warren Vaché and his New York City All—Star Big Band (underweight division). The band includes only two trumpets (Vaché and Randy Reinhart), two trombones, four saxophones and rhythm, but after listening for a few moments you won't care about that, as these gentlemen more than compensate for fewness of numbers by pouring their heart and soul into every note on the page. Mind you, this isn't "contemporary" Jazz—no one is trying to plant fresh seeds or set new standards—but sure as the sunrise, it does swing! A large measure of credit for that must go to the intrepid rhythm section, anchored by drummer Jake Hanna and crowned by Steve Ash's tasteful piano and Murray Wall's walking bass. But everyone has a hand in making this engine go, and the band's consistently sparkling section work is complemented by emphatic solos from Vaché, Ash, tenors Rickey Woodard and Harry Allen, trombonist John Allred and clarinetist / baritone Alan Barnes, each of whom has technique and resourcefulness to burn. Besides playing sublime trumpet, Vaché discloses solid albeit unpolished vocal talent on "I've Got My Fingers Crossed," "Saturday Night Fish Fry" and "Let the Good Times Roll." Swingtime! reminds me of another superb Nagel—Heyer album released some five years ago, The Buck Clayton Swing Band Live from Greenwich Village, on which Vaché also played. Clayton's band was larger (16 members) but the payoff was about the same—pure, unvarnished swing from first note to last. If swing's your bag, open this one for a bushelful of pleasure.
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All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
