Say hooray for straight-ahead big band music. Trombonist Scott Whitfield breezed through NYC’s Birdland March 10, 2003 and these are the recorded results. First, the lion’s share of the disc’s nine compositions are uniquely Whitfield’s own. Not trying to plow new fields, Mr. Whitfield plays with a post-swing era 1950s style that is very accessible and pleasant to listen to. A gentle swing pervades this recording, even on the faster, more upbeat pieces. Mr. Whitfield’s trombone style is understated and amiable. His scoring talent is well represented in both his brass and reeds sections, where he is able to weave gold thread from the vibrations of his band.
Mr. Whitfield’s songs are contemporary without being experimental, exploratory without being intrusive. He does sport a single standard, and what a wild one. Whitfield throws all caution to the wind and rearranges Bix Beiderbecke’s "In a Mist." The results are mostly good, but purists are sure to be offended. (As they should be, deal with it!). One-Way Street" and "Mimosa" are fun romps and "The Gift of Love" (one of the disc’s two vocals by Whitfield) has a light bossa personality. Whitfield is a serviceable singer but a better trombonist, to be sure.
After having reviewed a score of contemporary big band albums, it is very much fun to get back to basics and see what swing is all about. That is the experience Live At Birdland provides.
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.