Swing'39
Live from...WHERE?
© 2005 JAS Productions
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
Swing Jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt.
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Yes, it's finally here! You've all been waiting very patiently...and now the waiting is OVER! The newest LIVE recording of Swing'39, the swingin'est trio on the planet!
Swing'39 wishes to thank the staff at WPKN-FM 89.5 in Bridgeport, CT and all the folks who braved the snowstorm of January 19, 2005 and came down to the station to be part of the live audience and to those who listened on the web at www.wpkn.org. The band had a really great time, and this incredible live recording, their second live recording, was the result! Recorded in Studio 207, WPKN FM, Bridgeport, CT. Special thanks to Cliff Furnald, Railroad Dave Schwartz, Chris Teskey, Harry Minot, Phil Bowler, the guy whistling in the hallway during 'Dark Eyes', and the rest of the staff at WPKN, listener-supported radio.
You may have seen them live at the Great Traditional Jazz Festival in Moodus, CT, or heard them on NPR and various radio shows, but when you close your eyes and listen to this newest live recording of Bill Lezotte on vocals and guitar, Steve Jones on vocals and guitar, and David Bobo Lavorgna on acoustic bass and witty banter you imagine you are sitting right there in the studio audience! This broadcast is the same raw, untouched broadcast that went out over the air that snowy night. No studio enhancements, retakes or overdubs here...you can even hear the chairs squeaking...just the real deal--Swingin' Jazz Guitars-LIVE from...WHERE?
Bill Lezotte, rhythm guitar, vocal stylist. He played with the Galvanized Jazz Band in Northford, CT for 22 years. In addition, he has led his own bands, including The Good Tymes Jazz Band, Le Hot Club Of The Treasure Coast, and presently Swing'39. Bill has also performed with many of the greats including Wild Bill Davison, Kenny Daverne, and studied and played with Carmen Mastren. Lezotte's flowing vocals and commanding rhythmic presence serves as the anchor of the Swing'39 outfit. He has performed at dozens of festivals, including the BIG one in Sacramento. Bill's also performed with many internationally known groups and musicians, including the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Band, Joe Ashworth, Bill Barnes, Richie Barron, Vince Giordano, Noel Kaletsky, Rick Knittel, Randy Morris to name a few. His major influences include Django Reinhardt, Marty Grosz and Carmen Mastren.
Steve Jones, Swing'39 lead guitar and vocalist, grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and has been playing guitar since age 7. His parents both taught music professionally, and encouraged music at a young age. Steve's father started him out playing the coronet and piano, but it wasn't until Steve discovered the guitar that his love for music was to be fully realized. The one person who had the most profound influence on Steve was the late Ervin Ollila (known to most as "Heinie"). He was a self taught musical genius, unknown by most of the world. Heinie recognized Steve's talent and cultivated it until about age 18. It was from Heinie that Steve learned that without feeling, it's not music! The two played together at establishments and special events throughout the U.P. until 1998 New Years Day, when Heinie passed away. Steve was a typical teen and delved into rock & roll bands and even heavy metal, however he did finally discover real music!
After Heinie passed away, Steve began playing with another guitarist by the name of Rob Fritz. Rob is a great rhythm guitarist/singer who played the Detroit circuit before moving north. Steve and Rob then hooked up with drummer Jeff Oldiges and formed the band "On The Fritz." Steve also was an original member in the band "Fat Cow," a more modern jazz/funk/blues group from Michigan. Steve played with these two groups throughout the 90's and into 2000, until September 2001, at which time Steve took a job in Connecticut and moved east with his wife and three children. This was to be a trying time, as Steve had to in essence start his musical career over. Then, in the early spring of 2002 Steve's musical career was to take yet another turn when he met rhythm guitarist Bill Lezotte. This was to be a great match up of two distinct styles. Bill and Steve hit it off right away when they learned of each other's love for the music of Django Reinhardt. They began working out tunes and are now playing two nights a week around the Farmington Valley in Connecticut. Steve has six CD's to his credit both solo and with various groups. His major listening influences are: Lenny Breau, Django Reinhardt, Oscar Moore, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Chet Atkins, & Barney Kessel, just to name a few.
Bobo Lavorgna, acoustic bass and vocals is a veteran in the Connecticut blues, jazz and swing band. He met Bill Lezotte at a gig in 2000 and Steve Jones at a gig in June of 2002 when Bill called Bobo and said "you gotta HEAR this guy PLAY!" Bobo rounds out the rhythm section of the Swing'39 jazz trio with solid, kickin' bass lines. Born in New Haven, CT at a very early age, Bobo began playing the radio at age 2, then progressed to 4th chair tonette and 2nd chair trumpet with the Spring Glen School Band in the early 1960's. Bobo's descent into the bass clef region began in 1964 when he picked up valve trombone, baritone horn, and then on to tuba and sousaphone with the support and encouragement of his mentor and director, Don Reutenauer, to whom Bobo dedicates his playing on this CD. Bobo did a stint with the New York Military Academy Band in Cornwall, NY in the mid-60's. Some other famous NYMA attendees include Stephen Sondheim, Leonard 'Red' Balaban, Donald Trump, Les & Stumpy Brown, to name a few...also with the 19th Army Band, Fort Dix, NJ and the 102nd Army Band, Hartford, CT under Chief Warrant Office Ted Karsmarski. The majority of his early music schooling came from many, many hours in the Lavorgna, the Crotty and the Menta families' basements. Bobo wishes to thank the Lavorgna's, the Crotty's and the Menta's for letting music be a part of their lives and for allowing music to become a major force in his life.
Bobo has performed on both US coasts with various blues, jazz, folk and rhythm & blues outfits over the decades, most notably with Bill Lezotte & Steve Jones, Sammy Rimington, The 1917 Jazz Band, John Russell's Big Easy Rhythm, Red Balaban & Cats, Michael Capezzone, The Stormin' Norman & Suzy Band (with whom he performed at Carnegie Hall, NYC opening for Manhattan Transfer and on ABC-TV's 'Gabe Kaplan presents: 'Future Stars' special, a Dick Clark Production!!!); Robert Crotty, Robert Silverman, The Wayward Six, Anne Marie Menta, Richard Hodgkins, The Blake Street Gut Band, Homesick John O'Leary, John McCurry, The Phabulous Pheromones, The Pearly Grates, Everett Silver & Silver Skull Blues Band, Gordon Emerson & New Haven Civic Orchestra, Karen & The Pistons, Tony Mason and More Bulk; David Mills & The Winchester Special (opened for Ray Charles at the Shubert Theater in New Haven, CT - Bobo got to ride in the elevator with the Ray-lettes, but that's another story...!!!DUDE!), Jake & The Family Jewels, Sportin' Life, The Convertibles, The Barrelhouse Boys, The Bill's Seafood All-Stars, Tom Sharp, Bill Sinclair, Charlie Weyant, Tommy Palinko, Scott Black, Noel Kaletsky, Bob Card, Tom Schmutzler, Peter Davis, Muriel Havenstein, Bob Bequillard, Noel Kaletsky.
Bobo has opened for Sam & Dave, Martha Reeves, Ian Mathews, Eddie Money, NRBQ, Good Rats, Beaver Brown, The Joe Perry Project, Aztec Two-Step, Jeff Muldauer, Bobby Neuwirth, Buzzy Linhart, Ritchie Havens, Howlin' Wolf & the Wolfpack (Eddie Shaw, Bobby Anderson, Hubert Sumlins.)
Together, these three musicians create magic...although they have only known each other a short time, each member of Swing'39 brings a lifetime of experience, chops and soul, all mixed together in a scrumptious stew, called LIVE from...WHERE? -- so give it a listen, get up and DANCE!
"No one plays Django better!"
-Ken Rabac, 'Afternoon Jazz' WUCF-FM 89.9 Orlando, FL
"Great sound...great music..." -Phil Bowler, Program Director, WPKN-FM Bridgeport, CT
WARNING: The playing of Django Reinhardt style music may cause random bouts of euphoria and wild foot-tapping. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or make important decisions while listening to this recording.
reviews
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great sound, enjoyed music will buy more of these cds
author: bruce borremanscd was excellent will be buying more with this sound
Love both CD's
author: Bob PaivaSaw the group at the Ct. Jazz Fest and bought the first CD. LOved it. When the new Cd was released I couldn't wait to get it and it has not disappointed. Now I'm looking forward to #3
very impressed by playing and the recording quality right on the money
author: Tom SharpI was very impressed, both by the group's playing and the recording quality. Steve Jones is very talented, and Bobo's playing is right on the money.