In The NewsJazz Around Townby Scott Yanow LA Jazz Scene February 16, 2004 I spent this past New Yearâs Eve at Spazio seeing a very entertaining all-star band, Judy Chamberlainâs Society Swing Orchestra. The lineup of musicians was impressive: Bandleader Chamberlain on vocals â including an early dinner duo set with pianist Frank Collett â joined by the great Al Viola on guitar, Ben May on bass, Steve Wilkerson on tenor, clarinet and flute, trumpeter Kye Palmer, pianist Bill Cunliffe and drummer James Gadson, who also did some vocals. Like Duke Ellington, Judy Chamberlain is a master at gathering together unique soloists and blending them into a superb ensemble. The music started at 6 p.m. and was still going strong until 2 a.m. Without using any written music, or audible cues like calling out song titles or keys or visually seeming to count off a tempo, Judy Chamberlain goes spontaneously and smoothly from one song to another. Sheâs skilled at creating head arrangements, often taking the pickup with her voice. After a few notes bassist May is swinging right behind her as the rest of the band quickly joins in. This happened a few dozen times during the night, and seemed so natural that it was easy to forget how impossible it is to pull off. The packed house enjoyed the festivities and during the last hour of 2003 the dance floor was overflowing. Highlights of the evening, which had plenty of variety, included âBirth Of The Blues,â âWhen The Saints Go Marching In,â a vocal piano duet on âWhy Did I Choose Youâ with Cunliffe, âPennies From Heavenâ (which found Wilkersonâs tenor sounding a lot like Eddie âLockjawâ Davis), a wacky klezmer version of âThe Girl From Ipanema,â âCaravanâ â during which Wilkerson nearly blew the roof off the place â âMona Lisa,â âWhat A Little Moonlight Can Do,â âJump Jive & Wail,â âBrazil,â a few Motown numbers from Gadson, Chamberlainâs jazzy romps on tunes like âMustang Sallyâ and âI Will Surviveâ and the romantic âWhat Are You Doing New Yearâs Eve,â with Wilkerson imitating the entire Guy Lombardo sax section. A ten-minute version of âAs Time Goes Byâ took place right after midnight, followed by lovely renditions of âTwilight Time,â âStardust,â âTwo For The Roadâ and a show-stopping duet with Al Viola on âAnd I Love You So.â Judy Chamberlainâs warm and flexible voice was strong all evening long, concluding with her closing theme âIâll Close My Eyes.â It was quite a show, one that few other musicians could have accomplished.
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