Pianist, singer, and jazz scholar Jeff Barnhart is in better shape than Thomas “Fats” Waller, which is a good thing for him, for his wife Anne, and for all of us. But Jeff has a good deal of Waller’s two great qualities: his ebullient swing (the joint can always be encouraged to jump) and his less-acknowledged tenderness. Both qualities and more were in evidence throughout a very joyous set of music Jeff and friends performed at the 2013 Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party on November 1, 2013. His Continental Rhythm (my title) here is comprised of Richard Pite, drums; Henri Lemaire, string bass; Spats Langham, guitar and vocal on SAY IT WITH YOUR FEET; Matthias Seuffert, reeds; Duke Heitger, trumpet.
And the Wallerizing includes some beautiful compositions you rarely hear — not the usual two or three that, although memorable, get done to death:
HOLD MY HAND:
AT TWILIGHT:
PLEASE TELL ME WHY:
RUMP STEAK SERENADE:
SAY IT WITH YOUR FEET:
MOPPIN’ AND BOPPIN’:
KEEP A SONG IN YOUR SOUL:
DO YOU HAVE TO GO?:
TWELFTH STREET RAG:
Tender and juicy. Just like Mama made!
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 