(Warren Vache’, cornet, vocal (tr. 7, 11); John Allred, trombone; Tardo Hammer, piano; Nicki Parrott, bass, vocal (7); Leroy Williams, drum)
Arbors continues their extensive series of putting together top caliber veteran jazz musicians with crack rhythm sections and letting them loose with well recognizable songs from the Great American Songbook and other well known composers. It’s a recipe for success and Arbors seems to have a patent on the formula. After all it’s a fail-safe proposition for mainstream fans. It provides a sweetness with a sure fire chance for swing and occasional bop to reach an appreciative audience. With Jubilation, Arbors has met expectations with spades.
Keeping the front line to brass instruments is a winning combination here, as well as mixing two Horace Silver hard bop numbers – Song for My Father and Strollin’ – with Songbook classics – Old Devil Moon, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Change Partners and Strike Up the Band.
This group can handle this mix with aplomb. Old Devil Moon jumps from the speakers swinging hard. The mix of cornet and trombone mix seamlessly before the solos kick in. Leroy Williams sets an assertive pace and Allred is right there with Leroy. The appreciative Swiss audience knows they are hearing top American talent and show their appreciation. The Gershwin chestnut, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, slows down the pace but Warren and John show their ballad chops with nice fills from pianist Tardo.
The horns on Song for My Father do justice to any of Horace Silver’s hard bop aggregations. Warren can blow with power, when needed and here he lets his warm assertive tone kick in. Allred, not to be outdone, has his moments here as well. It’s back to a gorgeous ballad on My One and Only Love, and Vache is centerpiece. Allred gets his time to take over on the subsequent, Change Partners taken as a bossa nova.
Strollin’ is more Horace Silver taken just right and Tardo Hammer shows he fits in with the front line with fills and shifting colors. Sweet Hunk O’ Trash has Vache and Parrott playing off each other as Parrott sings coquettishly in response to Warren’s bantering.
Jubilation from the pen of Junior Mance is sweet soul jazz, while Strike Up the Band is taken Dixieland style. Warren Vache ends our Swiss visit with a short vocal on We’ll Be Together Again. Kudos to Arbors and Vache/Allred Quintet.
TrackList: Old Devil Moon, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Song for My Father, My One and Only Love, Change Partners, Strollin’, Sweet Hunk O’ Trash, Jubilation, Strike Up the Band, Caravan, We’ll Be Together Again
– Jeff Krow
