Bucky Pizzarelli salutes arranger
Bill Challis, who was responsible for many of the most important charts played by
the Jean Goldkette Orchestra and
Paul Whiteman's Orchestra, along with helping transcribe the handful of compositions by legendary cornetist
Bix Beiderbecke. In his eighties at the time of these sessions, the seven-string guitarist shows no signs of slowing down, joined by bassist
Jerry Bruno and on a few tracks adding his son
John on guitar or a swinging string quartet led by the talented young violinist
Aaron Weinstein with string arrangements by
Dick Lieb. Most of the repertoire includes music of the '20s and '30s, with two exceptions.
Pizzarelli's original "Challis in Wonderland" is a lush, laid-back ballad saluting the arranger performed as a guitar duet, while
Bob Haggart's timeless ballad "What's New" has long been a part of the leader's repertoire.
Zez Confrey (the novelty pianist and composer of "Kitten on the Keys") penned the obscure "Romanza," played as an intimate father/son duet. The trio's intricate reading of
Beiderbecke's "In the Dark" is a lyrical masterpiece.
Pizzarelli is buoyed by the strings in his breezy, toe-tapping rendition of
Beiderbecke's "Davenport Blues," while the cornetist's "In a Mist" has long been a brilliant, expected solo feature for the guitarist at jazz parties.
Weinstein switches to mandolin for a swinging setting of "Oh Baby" with the leader and
Bruno. These rewarding sessions by
Bucky Pizzarelli provide ample proof that the master guitarist keeps the spirits of
Bix Beiderbecke and
Bill Challis very much alive. ~ Ken Dryden