Nobody’s Sweetheart – 2011
Duke Heitger All-Stars
Exciting Dixieland from an all-star band
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Although it is rarely covered by the major jazz magazines, Dixieland (and such related forms of early jazz as Classic Jazz, Trad, and 1920s Jazz) has continued to excite audiences at jazz festivals and jazz parties up to the present time.
Classic jazz festivals often team together all-star groups and leave it up to the musicians to spontaneously play coherent jam sessions.
One can see the spontaneity in this ensemble from 2011, with the leader trumpeter Duke Heitger signaling during the final chorus for the musicians to switch keys.
Featured on a heated version of “Nobody’s Sweetheart” are trombonist Bob Havens, trumpeter Randy Reinhardt, clarinetist Dan Levinson, a surprise ensemble chorus in the middle of the performance, Heitger, pianist Romano Sportiello (who takes two superb choruses), and drummer Artie Kinsella with bassist Frank Tate keeping the music swinging.
It sounds very much like an organized band even though they were making it up as they go along.
-Scott Yanow
Stan Getz