By Donald True Van Deusen
Delightful overtones of the golden age of jazz came to life Feb. 9th
with Pete Smyser on guitar and Larry McKenna on tenor sax at Chris' Jazz
Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., Philadelphia (215.568.3131). The session will launch
a fine new CD called simply "Pete Smyser & Larry McKenna." Steve Beskone on
bass and Mike DeMonte on drums are also on the CD. Copies, featuring such
time-tested standards as "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" and "Yardbird
Suite," will be available.
Smyser and McKenna will be joined tomorrow night by Warren Vache, a top
trumpeter influenced by Louis Armstrong and a past member of the famous
Benny Goodman and Eddie Condon bands. He was long associated with Scott
Hamilton. Accompanying them was Lee Smith, an exceptionally fine bassist
and the always dependable DeMonte on drums. McKenna is nothing less than a
Philadelphia living legend on tenor sax. His solo on the ballad, Don't Blame
Me was pure poetry. Vache's sterling horn shone in support.
Born and reared in this area, Smyser, notes WRTI disc jockey Bob
Perkins, "has become a virtuoso guitarist." Just Jazz guitar said: "A great
player. Smyser has a great tone, impeccable time and a natural flare for
improvisation." Jazz Improv said of him: "Jazz guitar as witnessed during
the best of the 30's, 40's and 50's." Listening to the CD or anytime Smyser
is playing provides the proof of this praise.
Smyser says he started "as a kid playing guitar with rock and pop
groups, but then going back in time to guys like Charlie Parker and even
dixieland and Django Rheinhardt," learning. "it's not all out front and
glory." He was influenced by Wes Montgomery and says, "Barney Kessel is
one of "my more recent heroes." His artful playing reflects this influence
and fits perfectly with the understated perfection of McKenna.
Valentine's Day, Smyser will be playing his heart out with his trio in
the Kimmel Center lobby at Broad and Spruce Streets from 5 to 7 p.m. and the
admission is free.
