Energy galore from all participants in this virtual Ellington extra-vaganza, which features many of his iconic opuses and some less- played or well known numbers that show the composer’s varying range of stylish moods. John Pizzarelli, for the most part, wisely plays the vocal comfortable and cool with strategic shots of steam when extra heat is called for and, for example, gives headway to the insistent snares, the seductive trumpet, and dextrous piano for an altogether insouciant “East St. Louis Toodle-oo”/”Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” (Duke Ellington, Bob Miley). To the superlative house band (John P./guitar, Martin Pizzarelli/double bass, Tony Tedesco/drums, Larry Fuller/piano, Tony Kadleck/trumpet, John Mosco/alto horn, Andy Fusco/alto sax and clarinet and Kenny Berger/baritone sax and bass clarinet) add guest Aaron Weinstein’s violin and, truth told, it couldn’t get much better.

“Satin Doll” (Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Johnny Mercer) musically scintillates at a similar level with Bucky Pizzarelli sitting in for a supple-stringed guitar solo. Aaron and Bucky return to help support a sinuous-voiced John for “In My Solitude” (Ellington, Irving Mills, Eddy DeLange).

“Perdido” (Juan Tizol, Ervin M. Drake, Hans Lengsfelder, with additional lyrics by Jessica Molaskey) teams John’s voice with Kurt Elling and Jessica Molaskey in harmonies that give Manhattan Transfer a run for their money, and perfection rears its elusive head with John’s gorgeously offered “I’ve Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)” (Ellington, Paul Francis Webster) with Harry Allen on shimmering tenor sax and Bucky back once again on guitar.

What with the real kinships and long-lived musical relationships in this group, does it not come to mind—the family that plays together...?

Noah Tree
Cabaret Scenes
July/August 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org