Clive Peacock gives his view of Swing From Paris at Kenilworth Jazz Club

The annual February visit by Swing from Paris ensured a full house at Kenilworth Jazz Club on Monday night.

My goodness, they now deliver such a polished performance of an extensive playlist of 17, composers from the 30's, 40's and 50's, ranging from Django Reinhardt to Astor Piazzolla via Fats Waller.

Fenner Curtis steers the evening from the violin providing excellent continuity with wit and much improved anecdotal material which maintains momentum.

Driving rhythms are delivered by Andy Bowen (electric guitar) and Sam Hughes (classical guitar) with Tomasz Williams on double bass, all combining splendidly throughout that extensive playlist. 

"Scuttlebutt" made famous by clarinettist Artie Shaw - a rival to Benny Goodman - gave Williams an early opportunity to establish his credibility, whilst exciting chord structures showcased the talents of Hughes and Bowen in a song from the film "Under the Skies of Paris", often associated with Edith Piaf, who would have thoroughly enjoyed the very delicate finish.

Swing from Paris, pay tribute to the admiration Django Reinhardt felt for Fats Waller with one of his most memorable works "Honeysuckle Rose" from a 1929 Off-Broadway review, Load of Coal.

The group tackles the works of classical composers, too, recently recording a clever interpretation of Claude Debussy's "Reverie", one of his early piano works which had inspired Reinhardt to record the piece in 1950 with his Quintette du Hot Club de France.

advertisement

Piazzolla revolutionised the traditional tango into a new style termed "nuevo" tango, a collaboration of classical and jazz genres, something Swing translate into a melancholic version of "Oblivion" - a charming dance known as Milonga. 

Notable among the many positive characteristics of this quartet is the manner in which the foursome "get on with the job in hand"! Each acknowledges creative solos by a team player, there is a strong feeling of coherence and a close bonding amongst them. 

Sir George Shearing, Britain's renowned blind pianist, living in Chipping Campden when he was knighted, wrote "Lullaby of Birdland" in 1952.

This is a highlight of the Swing's repertoire. And what better way to end than with "Sweet Georgia Brown", one of Django's favourites!