Glenn Crytzer CD Release Party

The venerable Montauk Club, a mansion overlooking Prospect Park in Brooklyn, was the site of the CD release party for Glenn Crytzer’s Ain’t It Grand? on Wednesday, May 9. A capacity crowd of listeners and dancers filled the hall. Fortunately for us listeners, the dance floor was at the back of the room, so our view of the band was not obstructed. That’s not a slam at the dancers; these people take their terpsichorean efforts seriously, and it shows. Glenn has previously recorded with his Savoy 7 and a 13-piece big band (Crytzer’s Blue Rhythm Band). This latest effort features a 15-piece orchestra, with five reeds, three trumpets, three trombones, piano, drums, bass, and leader Glenn on guitar and banjo. In addition, Dandy Wellington and Hannah Gill joined on vocals. Most of the members were familiar to me, having seen them in other bands and in pick-up groups. Indeed, four of them—Mike Davis, Ricky Alexander, Jay Rattman and Joe McDonough—are part of Mike’s New Wonders, whose release I covered in May. Joe, however, was subbing for Ron Wilkins, a new member of the trombone section (and someone I have not yet he