Avalon – 2008
John Pizzarelli
A rapid and exhilarating version of the swing tune
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John Pizzarelli has long been a superior swing guitarist and a personable singer who has little difficulty doing both simultaneously.
He is generally heard with his trio, making this outing with the Thilo Wolf big band a rare experience.
On a very uptempo version of “Avalon” which was arranged by Don Sebesky, Pizzarelli sings a chorus and then takes an outstanding solo.
The big band riffs while the guitarist plays rhythmically, the late and brilliant pianist Ray Kennedy takes an impressive solo, bassist Martin Pizzarelli has a spot, the orchestra plays some tricky phrases flawlessly, and John Pizzarelli returns for a final vocal chorus, concluding five minutes of musical excitement.
-Scott Yanow
Stan Getz