Customer Reviews

Ain't Misbehavin'

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30 years his junior, American cornetist Warren Vaché had long hoped for the chance to duet with his boyhood hero, British trumpet virtuoso, Kenny Baker. He wish was granted in 1996/7, two years before the great man's death at the age of 78.

At the age of 78 Kenny Baker still held his place as Europe's foremost lead trumpet player and jazz soloist. On this CD, his last full recording session, you can hear why as he plays his trumpet in duet with Vaché's cornet on a selection of fourteen prime standards from the pens of American composers such as Fats Waller, George Gershwin, Sammy Kahn and Ilinois Jacquet.

The delicate yet swinging accompaniment is provided by an AngloAmerican backing group comprising Brian Lemon - Piano, Dave Green - Bass, Allan Ganley - Drums and Howard Alden - Guitar. All world renowned jazz musicians in their own right.

This is joyful, tasteful jazz, and the admiration each soloist holds for the other shows through.

Baker's trumpet virtuosity and Vaché's supreme confidance on the cornet are in evidence from After You've Gone - the first track, until Broadway - the last. There is a marked similarity in the melodious improvising of these top brass musicians from different sides of the Atlantic and a generation apart. The brasher sound of Baker's trumpet blends well with the round tones of Vaché's cornet.

It would be difficult to choose a favourite track from such a selection of gems, but perhaps the up-tempo versions of Spencer Williams', Royal Garden Blues, and the final track, Broadway, with its modernistic begining, serve well to display the combined artistry of six great musicians.

62 minutes and 11 seconds of marvellous music.

More excellent mainstream jazz from two great trumpeters, playing together I believe for the first time. Kenny Baker should need no introduction for lovers of Brit jazz from the 50s, 60s etc.Regarded by some as the best of all Brit trumpeters (this is debateable of course) he is consistently good here.He is joined by American trumpeter Warren Vache who is a superb mainstream and big band player. A little tip here - if you haven't seen it, search out a U.S. film from the 80s called "The Gig" Vache did the musical score for the film and also acts in it. He plays, what else, the trumpet player in the band. And he is GOOD - never outshone by an excellent cast of character actors. I've watched it several times and it is funny and sad in equal measure. However, regarding this CD,an entertaining mix of jazz standards is performed by our two stalwarts backed by a first class British rhythm section. What more can I say? Buy it!