Izzi Does It: Izzi Does It (2004)

Michael P. Gladstone

Senior Contributor since 2003

I came out of my musical hibernation circa 1960 and hit the streets for a new education on the past, present and future.

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Published: August 17, 2004

Izzi Does It is a septet consisting of five members of the Izzi family with some help from Frank Cramblitt, bass and Scott Rich, trumpet and flugelhorn. They perform in the Annapolis and Southern Maryland area. Chris is the keyboardist and trumpeter, while Greg is the drummer. Marc plays both tenor and alto sax, while Rob appears on guitar on "All Blues." Cathy is the featured vocalist.

The music on this album consists of seven jazz standards and, to their credit, the members of Izzi Does It imbue each track with as much of the original spirit of the song as possible. While some of the tracks retain some bite, much of the album is set at mid-tempo takes on such titles as "Little Sunflower," "All Blues," and "Cantaloupe Island." Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder" conveys the mid-'60s original and Cathy Izzi provides the vocal on "Corcovado."

The production information advises us that Izzi Does It plays music that is "...reminiscent of the jazz played at New York's Five Spot and Village Vanguard during Cool Jazz Era of the mid-50s..." From a technical standpoint all of the tunes here were introduced after 1960, but the intent of the group is noble. The music and performances are pleasant and confirm the timelessness of these compositions. I would suggest that this album is perfect for your social needs. While it is not dinner music or muzak, it is, for the most part, non-intrusive and literate. Under these circumstances, and while subconsciously tapping their feet, someone is bound to ask, "Who is that playing?"

Visit Izzi Does It on the web.

Track Listing: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars(Corcovado), Little Sunflower, All Blues, Cantaloupe Island, Girl Talk, Sidewinder, Lonnie's Lament.

Personnel: Chris Izzi, piano, keyboards, trumpet; Greg Izzi, drums and percussion; Marc Izzi, tenor and alto sax; Rob Izzi,guitar; Cathy Izzi, vocals; Frank Cramblitt,bass; Scott Rich, trumpet,flugelhorn

Record Label: Izzi Does It
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream