It seems only natural that someone with the name of Eliot Reinhardt Kenin would someday grow up to be a swing guitarist. The leader of Reinhardt Swing, Kenin plays rhythm guitar and takes occasional vocals with the Northern California group which also includes solo guitarist-singer Mike Schwartz, violinist Ole Kolind, and bassist Marty Eggers. Come Dance, which was recorded a few years ago but seems to have not been reviewed anywhere, is an enjoyable and mostly mellow set of very danceable swing.
Reinhardt Swing’s sound and style, while naturally falling within the musical world of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, is fairly gentle, sometimes touched by vintage country music, and features mostly-familiar songs taken at relaxed tempos. One certainly would have no difficulty dancing to any of these 18 songs which include “All Of Me,” “Dinah,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon,” and Hank Williams’ “Hey Good Lookin’.” Kolind and Schwartz are the lead voices and have many melodic solos while Kenin and Eggers keep the music swinging throughout.
Readers who live near San Francisco would be wise to check out this pleasing group in person.
Come Dance (Self-Released, 18 selections, TT = 67:37) www.reinhardtswing.com
