Jimmy Bruno Trio: Live At Birdland II

With guest Scott Hamilton sitting in on half the album, Jimmy Bruno’s session oozes with guitar and bass technique. However, as happens sometimes, the increased technical prowess causes Bruno’s session to lose some of its swing. His guitar pick produces blistering single-note runs that thrill the listener. In doing so, he’s overlooked the need for added variety and for the space to let things simmer. Bruno was born to a musical family. His mother was a singer and his father played jazz guitar at Philadelphia clubs throughout the ‘60s. At the age of 19 Bruno went on the road with Buddy Rich. Following that came stints in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and a return to Philadelphia.

"I Can’t Give You Anything But Love" is performed solo by the guitarist. On the classic Jimmy McHugh tune, Bruno provides a walking bass line and embellishes the melody. His style is a healthy one, with technical mastery serving to fill in gaps while the swing of the original melody is never forgotten. On his web site Bruno is described as one who "plays from within the tradition of straight-ahead jazz while taking the guitar to a new technical level." The site is at http://www.jimmybruno.com .

Through "Poinciana," "Joy Spring," and the other opening numbers of Bruno’s session, his fluid guitar blends with bass and drums for solid playing by the trio. "Broadway," "I Want To Be Happy" and "I Hear a Rhapsody" swing out, as the trio works behind Scott Hamilton. He and Bruno share the spotlight. "Darn That Dream," a ballad, gets a lush treatment with light bass and drum accompaniment. "Lover Man" is a guitar-sax duet with attention paid to the lyrical melody. The session swings in a few places, but for the most part relies solely on dry technique without a spark to light the fire.