Jazz Articles about James L. Dean

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James L Dean Big Band: Swingin' at tbe Whiskey Cafe

by Jack Bowers
December 27, 2006

Here's a pretty good big band from New Jersey that suffers from an apparently incurable ailment that I call TMV (Too Many Vocals). I don't mean to disparage Van Martin, who gives each of his half-dozen numbers his best shot, but if it isn't Sinatra, Mel Tormé or Dick Haymes, Ella, Helen Forrest or Rosie Clooney, I'd much rather hear the band, which in this case is admirable whether out front or backing Martin.

The instrumentals (seven) are invariably lively ...