The Swingcats: Get Happy

Although there is nothing particularly musically "outside" or adventurous about what the Swingcats perform on Get Happy, there is no doubt they are very competent musicians in great command of their instruments and demonstrate a superlative stylistic understanding of the music. All seventeen pieces on the recording represent jazz standards, including Dizzy Gillespie's "Be Bop," Charlie Parker's "Little Suede Shoes," Jelly Roll Morton's "King Porter Stomp," and selections from the Great American Songbook by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, and Sammy Kahn. Vocalist Shaunette Hildabrand is a standout on "I've Got a Crush on You," the title cut, "Tea for Two," and "Undecided." Of particular note to this listener is her swinging styling on "Fools Rush In" and "C'est Magnifique" and her beautiful rendition of the classic ballad "Laura." Throughout all of the tunes with vocals, Hildabrand is aptly accompanied by a consistent and tight rhythm section and Roberscheuten's musical asides on saxophone or clarinet.

Jazz aficionados who are particularly interested in groups which hold fast to a swinging groove right down the center of the jazz mainstream and also maintain the repertory and sensibility of jazz of the past will find the Swingcats right up their alley. The group provides an excellent clinic on maintaining the jazz tradition.

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