Saturday, July 04, 2009

The Crazy Rhythms, 2 Chucks, Savoy Jazz

The 2 Chucks are Charlies Kennedy, who passed in April, and Ventura, the former a little bit Chu and a little bit Pres, the latter by way of Hawk, Ike Quebec and Bird. C.K. makes his horn dance on the title track and he's nifty throughout. But the supporting cast really strikes me in his five selections, Al McKibbon on bass in particular. He doesn't really solo or do anything fancy yet is so solid in the foundation he lays, I can't help but marvel at it. Pianist Johnny Guanieri and guitarist Bill De Arango produce some nice solos on what is small group swing advanced enough for the time (1945) to display elements of bop. Lovely version of I Can't Get Started. De Arango has some Django in him.

Ventura's five songs are dandy, too, starting with a wailing Dark Eyes. He's likewise pyrotechnical on Charlie Comes On and Jackpot, but leavens those with a ballady Ever So Thoughtful and a swift yet less frenetic Big Deal. Specs Powell does some laudable drumming.

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