Pianist
Dick Hyman
pays tribute to small-group swing with a collection of 15 swing-era tunes.
Hyman
is joined by vibraphonist
Peter Appleyard
, who sometimes purposely emulates
Lionel Hampton
, as well as clarinetist
Ken Peplowski
(nodding toward
Benny Goodman
), trumpeter
Randy Sandke
, veteran tenorman
Frank Wess
(whose solos are actually the most modern of the date), guitarist
Bucky Pizzarelli
, bassist
Jay Leonhart
and drummer
Butch Miles
.
Nancy Marano
contributes a few pleasing vocals. Nothing all that unexpected occurs, and the performances of such numbers as
"I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music,"
"Dickie's Dream" and "Jive at Five" do not dwarf the original recordings. But mainstream fans should enjoy the well-played and often spirited outing. ~ Scott Yanow