Jack Teagarden was such a marvel — ask any trombonist. And his singing is still a marvel: so full of feeling, with no tricks. I cherish the comment his friend Bobby Hackett made (in conversation with Dick Sudhalter) after Jack had been gone, that “the Good Lord” had told Jack, “Now you go on down there and show them how to do it.” Bobby recognized Jack as an angelic emissary of heartfelt melodies.
I don’t think anyone has completely mastered what Jack seemed to do with such ease, but the young trombonist Kristoffer Kompen does a wonderful job here of evoking him, and Duke Heitger’s singing is another delightful tribute.
Stick around for BABY, WON’T YOU PLEASE COME HOME? — which turns into a joyous jam session.
The players are Kristoffer Kompen, trombone; Duke Heitger, trumpet / vocal; Norman Field, Michael McQuaid, Matthias Seuffert, reeds; Martin Litton, piano; Spats Langham, guitar; Manu Hagmann, string bass; Richard Pite, drums.
STARS FELL ON ALABAMA:
SHE’S A GREAT, GREAT GIRL:
SWINGIN’ ON THE TEAGARDEN GATE:
ROCKIN’ CHAIR:
BABY, WON’T YOU PLEASE COME HOME?:
May your happiness increase.
