A Swingin Session with Duke Robillard [PA] (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Duke Robillard (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Doug James, Gordon Beadle (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone); Dave Ballou (trumpet); Al Basile (cornet); Carl Querfurth (trombone); Bruce Katz (piano, organ); Jessie Williams, John Packer [High Flight Society], Marty Ballou (acoustic bass); Mark Teixeira (drums).

Audio Mixer: Duke Robillard.

Recording information: Duke's Mood Room, Pawtucket, RI; Lakewest Recording, West Greenwich, RI.

Photographer: Al Pereira.

There is no false advertising in this album's title: A SWINGIN' SESSION WITH DUKE ROBILLARD. Known primarily as a blues guitarist, Robillard is equally adept at jazz, and especially skilled at exploring the intersections between the two genres. That territory is well trodden here as Robillard cooks through 10 numbers with the help of horns, organ, and a tight rhythm section. While there's impressive playing all around, it's Robillard's light touch and deep bluesy feeling that makes A SWINGIN' SESSION so thoroughly enjoyable.

Duke Robillard has always had one foot in the blues world and one in the swing/jazz universe. He loves both styles of music and enjoys not only playing them separately but combining them together. The founder of Roomful of Blues back in 1967, Robillard has led dozens of projects throughout his career, including collaborations with guitarist Herb Ellis, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Jay McShann. On A Swingin Session, he plays with some of his favorite musicians, many of whom originated (like he did) in Rhode Island. While six horn players participate, there are no more than four on any one selection, and some numbers do not have any. The contrasting tenor solos are fun to hear, with Scott Hamilton sounding smooth and mellow on his numbers while Sax Gordon is greasier and much closer to Illinois Jacquet. Present throughout are Bruce Katz (mostly on organ), one of three bassists (usually Marty Ballou), and drummer Mark Teixeira. Robillard takes vocals on half of the selections in his personable way, but it is his guitar solos, which hint at both Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker, that often take honors. Performing medium-tempo blues, jump tunes, standards, and good-time numbers, Duke Robillard shows listeners a fun time and clearly enjoys himself, too. ~ Scott Yanow minimize