An excellent swing trumpeter with a warm sound and a melodic improvising style, Danny Tobias is best-known for his association with the Midiri Brothers although he has also frequently led his own groups. Complete Abandon teams him with two key members of the Midiri Brothers Band (vibraphonist Paul Midiri and pianist Joe Holt) plus bassist Joe Plowman and drummer Jim Lawlor.
The live set puts the spotlight on Tobias performing a set of veteran standards plus his own “Complete Abandon” which is a fresh melody over the chord changes of “Limehouse Blues.” Midiri and Holt get their share of solo space with the pianist featured on an impressive version of “Give Me The Simple Life.” Plowman (who takes a bowed spot on “This Can’t Be Love”) and Lawlor take brief solos but are mostly heard in supportive and swinging roles behind the lead voices.
Danny Tobias, who switches to Eb alto horn on Billy Strayhorn’s beautiful “Lotus Blossom” and takes a vocal chorus on “Love Is Just Around The Corner,” contributes plenty of fine trumpet solos throughout the set. Whether muted on what is at first a duet with bassist Plowman on “I Want To Be Happy,” making memorable ballad statements on “The Very Thought Of You” and “These Foolish Things” or swinging hard during “Complete Abandon,” “This Can’t Be Love,” and “Everybody Loves My Baby,” this is an excellent showcase for the fine trumpeter. Any listener who enjoys hearing swing tunes played tastefully will want to experience Complete Abandon.
Complete Abandon (Self-released, 13 selections, TT = 59:51) www.dannytobias.com
