Artist description A jazz quartet in the Dixieland swing style of Pete Fountain

Music Style Dixieland

Musical Influences Benny Goodman, Pete Fountain

Similar Artists Benny Goodman, Pete Fountain

Group Members ANDY's STORY === When I was ten years old and producing mostly squeaks as a beginner on clarinet, my mother bought me a Pete Fountain record, and I heard the sounds of Dixieland. Trying to emulate the virtuosity of Pete Fountain was the motivator for a kid learning to play clarinet. Later in High School, I arrived home in time to hear Benny Goodman’s Carnegie Hall Concert on Roy Leonard’s program on WGN Radio in Chicago. I was hooked, and rushed home every day after that to hear more Benny Goodman and other recordings of timeless jazz. Two times I have had the pleasure of hearing the great Benny Goodman perform in person. Whenever my schedule allows, I go to New Orleans to see and hear Pete Fountain in his own club. In 1994 after a performance at his club, Pete Fountain invited me to play with his "Half Fast Walking Club" on Mardi Gras morning! That is one of my most cherished memories. In planning this recording, I searched for a rhythm section that would accompany me with an energetic swing style in the tradition of Pete Fountain and Benny Goodman. ======== THE RHYTHM SECTION: = IAN FRENKEL, a native of Moscow, Russia, is a talented pianist, arranger, and composer. Equally adept in all jazz styles, he approaches Dixieland with extraordinary spirit. Playing with the mastery of a musician well beyond his 27 years, he adds to this recording his great rhythmic sense and superb soloing abilities. = STEVE BULMER provides excitement with the impetus of swinging bass lines and well-crafted lyrical improvisation. He performs in jazz festivals across the U.S., with regional orchestras in Connecticut, and as a substitute bass player for the Broadway show "Chicago." = A creative and masterful drummer, TOM BRIGGS is an award winning arranger and composer as well as a highly sought after vibraphonist and pianist. Tom’s drive, precision, and clarity are exceptional and contribute exceedingly to the energy and spirit of this project. It was a thrill for me to work with these fine musicians. Their support, along with the support from my family and other musicians through the years, has been my inspiration. We had fun in the studio making this recording. Hope you have fun listening to it.

Instruments Clarinet, Piano, Bass, Drums

Albums While We Danced at the Mardi Gras

Press Reviews "While We Danced at the Mardi Gras" ==== Andy Sherwood is a very talented clarinetist and here he delivers a very enjoyable album which keeps his instrument in the fore. He opens with the title track, a nice smooth effort. The tones from the clarinet are lovely indeed. On "Jazz Me Blues" the mood is different, much more a mix of blues and the Dixieland jazz flavor. One will immediately think of Pete Fountain or the great Benny Goodman. Next on "Basin Street Blues" (6:00) the feel is a lush laid back aura with rich colors painted by the relaxed playing of this talented artist. The band lends solid support, as all play in harmony and know just what to do. "Back Home Again in Indiana" is a solid number with rapid playing and a solid forward moving beat and feel. I really liked the bass and piano segment which showed some strong musicianship. The song "Wolverine Blues" is a five-minute long tune that displays lovely notes and impressive playing. A really nice work shows us the beauty of this instrument [clarinet], which we hardly hear much of nowadays. "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans" (7:18) is a long rolling, relaxed track that lulls one into another dimension. The playing has a different quality and Andy brings out fresh sounds from that "pipe." This is one of the nicest cuts on the CD, the feel is more free, almost more of an improvisational delivery by the band. A fine nuanced work. By the way, this is not the longest song on the album. The 7th number "China Boy" (3:36) is a faster tune with rapid playing. A very strong performance. This is followed by another short number that again delivers great sounds. Then we come to the longest track on the CD, the inspirational, traditional song "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" (7:35). It is nice to see such a talented artist with such lovely tones do a hymn, adding a whole new flavor and feel to this classic. This is great playing by the entire group. While this is a lovely effort, it is more often done in churches, but the next selection "When The Saints Go Marching In" is synonymous with New Orleans and it is performed everywhere, though most people today probably think it is the theme for a football team or city, instead of a gospel song. Sherwood’s version here is bright and peppy with a taste of jazz class. This closes a fine album and a showcase for the clarinet. This instrument that was once a popular feature, is rarely heard much at this time. It is one of the loveliest instruments when played well and here we get a strong dose of excellent playing. Highly recommended. Playing time: 46:57 === (Copyrighted) === THE CRITICAL REVIEW, 2523 Montana, El Paso, TX. 79903, USA. URL= http://criticalreviews.com

Location Waterford, Connecticut - USA

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