New from the Gerry Beaudoin Trio, Swing Cafe
Featuring guest musicians David Grisman, Bucky Pizzarelli, Billy Novick and Duke Robillard.

New England Jazz Guitarist and Berklee-bred Bandleader, Gerry Beaudoin has recently remastered and re-released through the "Wine Country Collection" (North Star Music) a wonderful compilation of jazz standards and some catchy Beaudoin originals in their CD, "Swing Cafe." Since his line-up of guests include mandolin innovator David Grisman on seven of the twelve tracks, we thought it fitting to bring this collection to your attention.

Also featured in this release are legendary jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, road-warrior blues guitarist Duke Robillard, and one of the country's foremost jazz clarinetists, Billy Novick. The extra addition of personnel does well for the East Coast trio core, Pizzarelli with his veteran command of the genre, Novick in a wonderful clarinet complement to the string band sound, and of course Grisman with his own special blend of mandolin jazz vocabulary. Some of our own favorite standards are playfully presented, including the Jobim classic "Girl from Impanema," Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," a shimmery rendition of Erroll Garner & Johnny Burke's "Misty," and even a tasty Gypsy diversion with "Django's Castle."

The music of the disk is enchanting yet at the same time, permeated with joviality. These Tuxedo musicians appear to be having fun with these tunes "playing" at work, though each song professional and tastefully executing.

A presentation of the Bill Wither's pop tune "Ain't no Sunshine" gives Grisman the opportunity to show off his minor blues prowess, and the rest of the ensemble follows suit. The boys also strut their stuff masterfully well through the classic Rollins samba "St. Thomas."

The album is filled with "Cool Swingin' Jazz" as the CD cover promises. It would do well for the jazz mandolinist particularly to hear and study the way David Grisman fits into a group of jazz veterans like these, a melodic sensibility with the recognizably distinct Grisman tone and sustain, and his laid back comping contributions that complement yet don't compete.

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Selections:
Just Among Friends
Ain't No Sunshine
St. Thomas
Swing with Dr. Jake
The Girl From Impanema
In a Mellow Tone
Nashville Nod
Misty
Baby Boy Blues
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Django's Castle
Ariola