Keep Swingin’
Outside In, 2024
9/10
A tribute to the legendary jazz educator Charlie Banacos, Garry Dial and Rich DeRosa re-imagine these 10 tracks with an incredible line up illuminating Banacos’ esteemed vision.
The aptly titled “Keep Swingin’” starts the listen with Dial’s fluid piano alongsid Dick Oatts’ lively sax and Terrell Stafford’s soulful trumpet for the rich climate, and “Great Awakening” follows with Joe Hubbard’s intricate bass and David Witham’s dreamy keys complementing the rhythmic vision.
“Mummy’s Curse” arrives in the middle, and allows for Jerry Bergonzi’s animated sax and Luther Gray’s strategic drums to shine in the textured album highlight, while the frisky “Bernie Burnola” benefits much from Anne Drummond’s airy flute, not to mention DeRosa’s well timed triangle.
Landing near the end, the very meticulous “Pluto Language” is populated by Victor Provost’s warm steel pan, Drummond’s flute acrobatics and Mauricio Zottarelli’s adventurous drums, and “Pelaghia” exits with a stirring intimacy that radiates via poetic keys thanks to Barbara Banacos and Margaret Banacos.
A project that truly captures the brilliance of Banacos’ methods and attention to detail, Dial and DeRosa guide us through plenty of timeless and exciting jazz.
Travels well with: Lucas Pino- Covers; Anthony Hervey- Words From My Horn