Dave Bennett's debut as a leader celebrates the centennial of the birth of
Benny Goodman, who left an extensive record legacy during his long career. The danger in doing such a tribute is overtly copying
Goodman's style, which
Bennett manages to avoid. He also helps himself by utilizing a variety of groups: a trio with veteran pianist
Dick Hyman (a former
Goodman sideman) and drummer
Ed Metz, Jr., a pianoless trio with
Bucky Pizzarelli (another
Goodman sideman) and bassist
Jerry Bruno, along with live tracks featuring a sextet with (vibraphonist
Jim Cooper, guitarist
Hugh Leal, bassist
Paul Keller, drummer
Pete Siers, and pianist
Bill Meyers) and one quartet track omitting
Keller and
Leal.
Bennett has plenty of chops on his instrument but doesn't hog the program (like
Goodman sometimes did), generously featuring his sidemen. The trio tracks stand out, especially the rousing "Sing, Sing, Sing!" with
Hyman and
Metz and the lush treatment of "In a Sentimental Mood" with
Pizzarelli (a consummate, lyrical accompanist) and
Bruno. The sextet performance of "Stompin' at the Savoy" is also a crowd pleaser. Expect to hear more from
Dave Bennett. ~ Ken Dryden