Glenn Crytzer: The Songbook Sessions (Volume 1, 1920)

Peter DeVries once wrote that "nostalgia ain't what it used to be," and this is certainly true when it comes to music. The greater the time distance, the harder it is to maintain authenticity. As a result, recreating music from the past might come across as something gimmicky or disingenuous with some performers. However, this is not the case with guitarist Glenn Crytzer. With The Songbook Sessions Vol. 1, he brings early twentieth-century repertoire back to life with an authenticity that feels fresh rather than nostalgic.

Crytzer was studying classical music in college when the neo-swing movement started during the 1990s. He loved the music and even got into swing dancing during this time. Although the craze died out, his fascination with the music continued to develop over the years. Crytzer studied guitarists from the twenties into the swing era, ranging from Eddie Lang, Charlie Christian and Freddie Green. Over time, his style deepened into a level of proficiency that commands attention. Along with his musical talent, he is also a scholar and archivist of early twentieth-century jazz.

The Songbook Sessions concept grew out of the lockdowns of 2020—2021, when musicians were turning to livestreams to stay connected. Crytzer used the moment to launch a weekly broadcast in which each episode focused on a single year. The 25-week project covered music from 1920 through 1945. The broadcasts featured Crytzer along with Mike Davis on trumpet, Ricky Alexander on woodwinds and Ian Hutchison on bass. Unfortunately, none of those original broadcasts were recorded. With The Songbook Sessions Vol. 1, he revisits the project, but this time with the tapes rolling. It has been worth the wait.

Volume 1 focuses on 1920, featuring ten pieces first recorded during that year, and Crytzer's selections are both thoughtful and rewarding. While many of the tunes may be unfamiliar to modern listeners, they still sparkle more than a century later. Up-tempo numbers like "Whispering," "Margie," and "San" capture the upbeat spirit of the era, while pieces such as W.C. Handy's "Aunt Hagar's Blues" and Al Jolson's "Avalon" give the band room to stretch out and improvise. Throughout, the musicianship is crisp, lively, and deeply informed. Crytzer is in top form here. He has a natural, unforced feel on the instrument and moves easily between crisp rhythm work and melodic soloing.

For contemporary listeners, music from 1920 may take some getting used to. After all, this is pre-swing, pre-bebop, and far removed from the harmonic explorations that defined mid-century modern jazz. But this music is foundational. It laid the groundwork for the broader development of American jazz.

With The Songbook Sessions Vol. 1, Crytzer and his band capture the spirit of early jazz with precision, warmth, and genuine respect for the original compositions. This recording rewards repeated listening. Since it is the first in a planned series, it successfully launches a fascinating journey through the formative decades of jazz.