John Cipolla and Doc Livingston: Misbehavin' (2006)

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: October 3, 2006

John Cipolla and Doc Livingston: Misbehavin'

I could think of worse things to do with 42 minutes than listening to a relaxing set from the duo of clarinetist John Cipolla and pianist David "Doc" Livingston. Cipolla lives and teaches in Bowling Green, Kentucky and has had considerable experience in the Broadway pit band for the musical Cats (nine years) and as part of the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra in New York (22 years). Cipolla divides his time between jazz and classical music. Livingston, also a Bowling Green resident, is an eighty-year-old pianist who also plays clarinet (and joins Cipolla on two tracks here for a duet on that instrument). Livingston has a touch of stride piano in his playing.

The album was recorded live at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Beginning with a surprisingly modern jazz title, Artie Shaw's "Moon Ray," the duo moves on to ten other pieces from the Great American Songbook, including Fields/McHugh's "On The Sunny Side Of The Street," Johnny Green's "Body and Soul," Porter's "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" and Sidney Bechet's "Blackstick." The set list is largely played at medium or ballad tempo.

Track Listing: Moon Ray; On The Sunny Side Of The Street; Willow Weep For Me; It Don't Mean A Thing; Body and Soul; Blackstick; On A Clear Day; Deep Purple; You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To; Comes Love; Lady Be Good; Ain't Misbehavin'.

Personnel: John Cipolla: clarinet; David "Doc" Livingston: piano, clarinet (9,10).

Record Label: Self Produced
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream