Warren Vaché has never been an innovator, but he's always been impressively consistent. Recorded in January 2000, this German release finds the cornetist leading a swing-oriented 11-piece band that includes, among others,
Rickey Woodard and Harry Allen on tenor sax, Randy Reinhart on trumpet, Steve Ash on piano, and
Jake Hanna on drums.
Swingtime! is more arranged than Vaché's small group recordings, which means that he doesn't have as much room to stretch out and blow. But the arrangements are tasteful, and Vaché's band (which he calls the New York City All-Star Big Band) swings passionately on two Louis Jordan classics ("Saturday Night Fish Fry" and "Let the Good Times Roll") and warhorses like
Benny Goodman's "Stompin' at the Savoy,"
Fats Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'," and
Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside." Vaché's least likely choice is "Mr. Bojangles," which isn't typical swing band fare, but works well for this outfit. One wishes that his band would surprise us more often; but all things considered,
Swingtime! is an enjoyable, if less than essential, addition to his catalogue. ~ Alex Henderson