Personnel: Johnny Varro (piano); Ken Peplowski (alto saxophone, clarinet); Scott Robinson (tenor saxophone); Randy Sandke (trumpet); Dan Barrett (trombone); Michael Moore (bass); Joe Ascione (drums).
Recorded at Nola Studios, New York, New York on August 22-23, 2000. Includes
liner notes by Duncan Schiedt.
Personnel: Johnny Varro (piano); Ken Peplowski (clarinet, alto saxophone); Scott Robinson (tenor saxophone); Randy Sandke (trumpet); Dan Barrett (trombone); Joe Ascione (drums).
Audio Mixer: Jim Czak.
Liner Note Author: Duncan P. Schiedt.
Recording information: Nola Studios, New York, NY (08/22/2000/08/23/2000).
Photographer: Mat Domber.
Arranger: Johnny Varro.
Johnny Varro's sixth release for Arbors is a swinging affair with a very strong septet that includes trumpeter Randy Sandke, trombonist Dan Barrett, clarinetist Ken Peplowski (who also makes a rare appearance on alto sax), tenor saxophonist Scott Robinson, bassist Michael Moore, and drummer Joe Ascione, all of whom have worked with Varro on stage during various jazz parties and/or in the studio. With the pianist contributing all the arrangements, the group explores a wide range of swing fare, including the familiar and the forgotten. Peplowski conjures comparisons to the legendary Johnny Hodges with his rich alto sax solo during "On the Sunny Side of the Street." The brisk take of "Old Fashioned Love" features a catchy series of brief solos by the group. Varro's enticing charts of obscure songs such as Fats Waller's "Caught," Johnny Hodges' blues "You Need to Rock," and Jess Stacy's loping "Complainin'" should entice other swing specialists into exploring them as well. Varro also contributed a tasty original to the date, "Hag's Blues," named in memory of bassist Bob Haggart, who died suddenly around the time the piece was written. Throughout the session, the pianist is in the center of things, delivering brief but effective solos as he leads his band through one brilliant take after another. This should be considered an essential CD for swing fans. ~ Ken Dryden
Professional Reviews
JazzTimes (5/02, pp.138-9) - "...There are so many highlights here...with most of them credited to Varro's writing..."
