Celebrating Bix!
Turtle Bay, 2023
9/10
This 20th Anniversary Edition of Celebrating Bix! brings us an entire CD of tracks that didn’t fit on the original, where an indeed all star cast helps celebrate the short existence of the jazz luminary, Bix Beiderbecke.
“At The Jazz Band Ball” opens the listen with Randy Reinhart’s lead cornet guiding the flowing brass, as Joe Ascione’s agile drumming helps cultivate the playful mood, and “Proud (Of A Baby Like You)” follows with Jack Stuckey handling lead alto sax, where Mark Shane’s lively piano helps add a frisky flavor to the retro qualities.
Deeper into the first half, “Blue River” benefits much from Howard Alden’s warm guitar and Vince Giordano’s skilled bass for the calmer moment, while “Clementine (From New Orleans)” exits this portion with Dick Hyman’s inimitable piano playing populating the cozy finish to Disc 1.
Disc 2 opens with the precise interaction of Dan Levinson’s saxophone and Dan Barrett’s trombone on “Trumbology”, and it isn’t long until the swift “China Boy” recruits a festive spirit thanks to Randy Reinhart and Randy Sandke’s cornet solos.
“San” and “Deep Down South” exit the listen, where the former is populated by The Manhattan Rhythm Kings on vocals for the nostalgic fun, and the latter allows James Langton’s smooth pipes to shine in the memorable finish.
The three part harmonies for the cornets, wealth of winds and brass and infectious rhythm section make this version the best yet, and it sure does pay homage to the movers and shakers from the project who are no longer around, and, of course, Beiderbecke, who was one of the most revered jazz soloists of the ‘20s.
Travels well with: Sweet Megg- Santa Baby; Hannah Gill- Everybody Loves A Lover