Album Notes

Double Scotch was founded when a world class group of versatile musicians, with a mutual love for the hot jazz bands of the late 20's, 30's and 40's, came together for a recording in 1998. "Double Scotch", the independent release featuring the guitar work of Tom Mitchell and violin player, Kevin Wimmer, with the stellar rhythm section of John Previti, Robert Redd and Brooks Tegler, garnered a WAMA (Washington Area Music Award) nomination for Best Traditional Jazz recording as well as a spot on the Washington Post's "Top 10 Favorite Local Releases for 1998". The recording can best be described as Count Basie meets Django. The band draws heavily on the compositions of the great French jazz guitarist, Django Reinhardt while giving the music a more relaxed Basie feel by using a traditional Jazz Rhythm section. The Washington Post's Mike Joyce declared, "particularly enjoyable are... Mitchell's warm tone, fleet lines and engaging rhythmic pulse. And when he turns to crooning...exudes a relaxed, off the cuff charm that is equally hard to resist." French Guitare & Chanson gave "Double Scotch" a Triple Heart rating, "Pas d'esbrouffe ri de chorus spectacularies mais des exchanges limpides, brillants, des relectures personnelles inspirees sur fond de swing decontracte' bigrement efficiance. Un tres bon disque et un groupe qui fait prevue d'une sacree maturote." Take our word for it, they liked it. DOUBLE SCOTCH Bios Guitar and Vocals Tom Mitchell has been performing in the Washington area for over 20 years. He also tours nationally with Folk Swing Jokester, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks and can be heard on Dan's new CD, "Beatin the Heat". Known for being a hard-driving swing/jazz guitar player and singer, he can be seen around DC performing with Brooks Tegler's Hot Jazz and the Hot Club style string, swing group called The Blue Rhythm Boys as well as Double Scotch and in the acoustic swing trio, Blue Rhythm Boys with Jim Stephanson and Ralph Gordon. Violin Kevin Wimmer, who plays lead fiddle in the internationally renowned Cajun band, Balfa Toujours, has been playing music since early childhood. When he first heard Dewey Balfa, he fell in love with the Cajun fiddle and very quickly became a master of it. He spent a great deal of time playing with Dewey and learning the music first hand. Kevin's skill on the fiddle has led him to record with some of the most successful groups in the United States. To his most recent collaboration, "Double Scotch", with swing guitarist Tom Mitchell, Kevin brings his vast talent and versatility to the jazz genre with considerable ease, style and elegance. He is considered by many to be one of the finest fiddlers playing today. Drums Brooks Tegler has been playing music in the Washington DC area for over 20 years. He has traveled the world with his group Hot Jazz, and been the featured drummer at many large jazz festivals. He has also appeared on 30 recordings made in the US, France, Holland, Japan, and Belgium. His main musical influence is Gene Krupa with obvious attention paid to all the great drummers of the 30,s 40,s and 50's. He has played with many jazz greats such as Frank Foster, Jack Mcduff, Wild Bill Davidson, Art Hodes, Keter Betts, Bob Haggert, Rex Allen, Bill Potts and many more. Bass John Previti spent 15 years playing with guitar legend Danny Gatton and was recently hired by the great Paul Simon for work on a movie sound track. He can currently be seen with Brooks Tegler's Hot Jazz and with the phenomenal Rick Whitehead Trio. John is a much sought after sideman and bandleader and can be found right in the middle of some of the hottest music in and out of town. Piano Robert Redd was born and raised in the Washington, DC area, where he continues to base his musical career. He co-leads a group with his brother, Chuck Redd, and as a free-lance musician, frequently appears at Blues Alley with local and national artists. He is a r