(Scott Lavender, piano; Roger Shell, cello; David Fink, bass; Paul Pizzuti, drums)
These two friends planned as teens in high school in Ohio to one day work together as professional musicians. In 2006 the time was finally right, and Scott – who had been pianist and music director for Johnny Mathis – and Roger – an orchestral cellist in NYC – found a way to combine their mutual love both both classical music and jazz in making this album.
The Great American Songbook is the source of most of their 13-track CD. I’ve long been a special fan of jazz cello – back to first hearing Fred Katz in the Chico Hamilton Quintet – and recently there have been several cellists gaining attention, if not strictly for jazz, at least for expanding the repertory for cello, both solo and with a few other instruments. There used to be several jazz groups featuring instruments usually associated with concert music, such as the cello, French horn, bassoon and so on. New groups today such as The Classical Jazz Quartet seem to be reviving the idea. The Duo’s arrangements are all swinging and very expressive, without a hint of corniness. They fit right into the rebirth of classical jazz. This is my sort of jazz!
TrackList:
As Time Goes By, Over the Rainbow, My Funny Valentine, Misty, ‘Round Midnight, The Peanuts Medley, Body & Soul, In My Solitude, Waltz for Debby, Take the “A” Train, Blue Skies, Christmas All Over Again, Donna Lee.
– John Sunier
