The trio of banjo player
Bill Crofut, electric bassist and bass trombonist Chris Brubeck, and guitarist
Joel Brown combined elements of folk, jazz, rock, and a few other genres in a blend that was continuously pleasing during its existence in the 1990s. All three musicians are first-rate players and pleasing singers. The jazz highlights include the vocal version of
Dave Brubeck's tricky "Unsquare Dance" with lyrics by Chris as well as a swinging instrumental of his father's huge hit "Blue Rondo à la Turk," boogie-woogie pianist
Jimmy Yancey's "How Long Blues," and Chris Brubeck's overdubbed piano and bass trombone with
Crofut's profound vocal on "Black And Blue." There are also enjoyable interpretations of works by Bach, rags by James Scott and
Scott Joplin, and "The Ivy," a poem by Robert Penn Warren set to music with finesse by
Crofut. Highly recommended! ~ Ken Dryden