The word that best describes the Hot Toddies Jazz Band’s Live From Somewhere Nowhere is celebratory. The performances by the seven-piece band which is led by drummer Patrick Soluri are so full of energy, enthusiasm and excitement that they are irresistible. While the group frequently performs for dancers as in this case, listeners who are sitting down will find much to enjoy on this CD.
It all begins with a high-powered version of “Lester Leaps In” that could have been a set closer instead of an opener. Trumpeter Alphonso Horne, trombonist Jake Handelman (Josh Holcomb takes his place on four numbers) and Linus Myrsch (heard on this set on tenor and clarinet) certainly came to play. They are each quite rambunctious on “In A Mellow Tone,” one of nine numbers that feature singer Hannah Gill who is heard throughout in top form. While all but three of the 17 songs have vocals, there is a lot of space for the horns whether it is individual solos, tradeoffs or explosive ensembles. The rhythm section (pianist Luther Allison on six numbers, electric guitarist Justin Poindexter, either Ian Hutchison or Brandi Disterheft on bass, and drummer Patrick Soluri) swings joyfully throughout with Soluri really driving the band.
Some of the other highpoints include an infectious “Goody Goody,” “Frim Fram Sauce,” “Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby” (which has one of two vocals by Queen Esther), “When I Get Low I Get High,” and “Bourbon Street Parade.” The latter has singing by trumpeter Horne and some very catchy parade rhythms. Tap dancer Dewitt Fleming Jr’s feature on “Bernie’s Tune,” Gill’s exuberant singing on “Them There Eyes” and the soulful medium-slow blues “Alberta” are also not to be missed.
It all adds up to a lot of spirited fun that makes one want to go see the group in person at Somewhere Nowhere in New York where they appear every Wednesday night.
Hot Toddies Jazz Band • Live From Somewhere Nowhere
Self-Produced
www.hottoddies.band
Since 1975 Scott Yanow has been a regular reviewer of albums in many jazz styles. He has written for many jazz and arts magazines, including JazzTimes, Jazziz, Down Beat, Cadence, CODA, and the Los Angeles Jazz Scene, and was the jazz editor for Record Review. He has written an in-depth biography on Dizzy Gillespie for AllMusic.com. He has authored 11 books on jazz, over 900 liner notes for CDs and over 20,000 reviews of jazz recordings.
Yanow was a contributor to and co-editor of the third edition of the All Music Guide to Jazz. He continues to write for Downbeat, Jazziz, the Los Angeles Jazz Scene, the Jazz Rag, the New York City Jazz Record and other publications.
