by Marce

videos by Harold McAleer

Dave Whitney promised us Louis Armstrong-style old tunes that go way back – and he delivered, with the help of Marc Carlson bass, Jon Wheatley guitar, Reid Jorgensen drums, and special guest trumpeter/vocalist Christine Fawson. But Whitney called upon many of the great trumpeters of that (our) time.

Guitar intro to the first tune, Ted Fio Rito’s  I Never Knew (that roses grew, until I met you).   1935 Thanks a Million, Dave’s vocal and trumpet reminiscent of Bobby Hackett – this was one Bobby’s favorites. 

Dave introduced a talented entertainer who was often his guest at Angelica’s, where The Dave Whitney Band played for many years, Christine Fawson, on trumpet and vocals.

Christine teaches at the Berklee College of Music and  also sings with the vocal jazz group, Syncopation.  Christine started with a vocal on All of Me.

Christine led on trumpet, Dave responding on Don’t Fence Me In. 

She called this “my theme song”, but her priorities might change.  This was her first appearance since having a baby girl ten weeks ago. 

She was glowing!!

Louis’s Hot Five with No One Else But You,  was followed by examples of more famous trumpeters: a tune synonymous with Clyde McCoy, Sugar Blues.  Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass What Now My Love.  Dick Cathcart’s Singing The Blues, from Pete Kelly’s Blues (in the 50’s.)

Dave had the vocals on his theme song, recorded by Fats Waller in 1935, When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful

What’s better than one great trumpeter? Two – Christine and Dave together, playing What Now My Love, and an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times, Smile.  Written by Charlie Chaplin, it didn’t become famous until the 1950’s when John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title, and Nat King Cole amongst others popularized it.   Christine sings Smile with intense emotion.

Playing it very slowly, Dave on muted trumpet, Christine on open bell, their interpretation of Smile made this whole evening at the Amazing Things Arts Center worth while!  Magnificent!

But there was more.  Dave and Christine duet on You’re Just In Love, and Avalon – Christine playing trumpet and scatting the vocals. The Preacher, great trumpet duet, backed by the lively rhythm boys. 

There was a request for Earl “Fatha” Hines’ Rosetta, from a lady named Rosetta in the audience, Jon sneaking in many other tunes on guitar.  He was featured with the rhythm section on It Might As Well Be Spring, Mark Carlsen’s string bass solo clearly heard by the attentive audience.   This crowd doesn’t talk while the music is playing!

String bass introduced I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket for the quartet- Easter was just around the corner.

Dave brought in the 1934 standardSavoy, straight out of the Louis Armstrong repertoire.

Reid’s routine was suggestive of band drummers Cozy Cole and Sid Catlet.

An inventive drummer, he backed Chris’s  trumpet solo on I Love You by putting down the sticks and playing finger drums.

They closed with both trumpets on a barn-burning Swing that Music and What a Wonderful World sung by Christine. 

An inveterate entertainer, we can always count on Dave’s small groups to deliver fine Classic Jazz, as they did tonight, and on his Big Band for some great Swing!  Watch  for them on the Calendar.

Marce

Christine with another Dave Whitney Quartet at the Sherborn Inn, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWa-Bp4q1kI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5WZHUfNLPw&lr=1

Tijuana Brass – I’ve got a lot of Living To Do.