Featured Artist: Gust Spenos

CD Title: Swing Theory

Year: 2007

Record Label: Self-Released

Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic

Musicians: Gust Spenos (tenor sax), Eric Schneider (alto sax), Wycliff Gordon (trombone, vocals), Everett Greene (vocals), Marvin Chandler (piano), Frank Smith (bass), Kenny Phelps (drums)

Review:

Practicing neurologist and self-described, self-taught, saxophonist Dr. Gust Spenos puts together a small jazz group to explore and play swing music in this self-produced and self-released CD.   Bringing in heavy-hitter Wycliffe Gordon on trombone and vocals, the group also includes Chicago known saxophonist Eric Schneider, Indianapolis based vocalist Everett Greene, and a rhythm section including pianist Marvin Chandler, bassist Frank Smith and drummer Kenny Phelps.

Highlights include Greene’s incredibly rich bass/baritone voice.  His singing is the delight of this disc.  His delivery reminds one of the incredible singing Joe Williams did with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra.  That he only sings on two tunes, “Looking For Someplace To Be,” and “The Nature Of Love,” is a shame; when his cuts appear you forget everything else and just luxuriate in his perfect delivery and soulful inflections.

This isn’t to imply that Gordon’s marvelous trombone playing isn’t also wonderful.  He’s a true monster and his taking part in these sessions helps to raise the disc’s level of musicality immeasurably.  Whether playing lovely lines or just getting down and dirty, like he does on “Ow,” Gordon is the master of taste, civility and consummate jazz feel.

Schneider does a great job with his, at times wailing and mournful, and at times joyously exuberant, work.  His playing is full of the blues tradition and it’s obvious he’s studied. 

Spenos, on the other hand and unfortunately, becomes befuddled with his time feel on pieces like “Cheek To Cheek” and “Secret Love” and is out of tune on others.  That this disc had good intentions going into it is without question. The execution, however, leaves, at times, something to be desired.

Tracks:

Cheek To Cheek, Secret Love, Looking For Someplace To Be, Ow, Body And Soul, Tangerine, You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, At Long Last Love, Star Eyes, The Nature Of Love, Mountain Greenery and Billy Boy

Reviewed by: Thomas R. Erdmann

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