Hard as it is to imagine an in person jazz event these days I'm going to dream big. Someday I hope to see an old time battle of the bands featuring three similar but distinct groups from different corners of Europe. All three specialize in the large band hot dance music that immediately preceded the Swing Era. All three are fronted by a vocal team of beautiful women, and all three improbably flourish while towing the line of authenticity to a style lacking both the recognition of the public and the legacy of revival that other traditional jazz styles enjoy.
The first is Alex Mendham's Orchestra from the UK, which was featured on our cover in May. The second is The Bratislava Hot Serenaders of Slovakia, whom I reviewed a few months back. The third is the Chicago Stompers of Italy. Successful enough in their endeavors that long time readers may be familiar with them from coverage in The Mississippi Rag.
Almost 20 years ago the The Chicago Stompers were enthusiastically welcomed onto the scene as an unusually young group of musicians. They've maintained that vitality as long time members age by welcoming young musicians from Italy's growing vintage jazz scene. A scene in which they've played a vital role.
The band uses period instruments, and the arrangements from Mauro L. Porro sparkle with authenticity. A band this big, eleven musicians plus frequent guests, needs to know how
