Back in 1976, the British clarinetist and soprano-saxophonist Pete Allen left his day job to join Rod Mason’s group. By the fall of 1978, Allen had formed his own band and he kept quite busy for many decades. Allen stuck throughout his career to the swinging Dixieland and swing that he loves, working regularly in England and making many visits to the United States.
While Allen has generally led a sextet, his group was expanded to an octet for his 2025 release New Orleans Wiggle. Joining Allen are trumpeter Chris Hodgkins, trombonist Roger Marks (who was with him in Mason’s group 49 years ago), Trevor Whiting on clarinet, alto, tenor and soprano, pianist James Clemas, Max Brittain on guitar and banjo, bassist Dave Hanratty, and drummer Jim Newton. Mostly avoiding standards, Allen’s group plays joyfully throughout a set of lesser-known songs and originals.
There are individual features including Marks during an unusual version of “Comes Love” that finds the trombonist taking unexpected and quietly emotional pauses during the melody statement, Brittain on “The Nearness Of You,” Clemas romping during “Brenda’s Boogie,” Whiting showcased on “Sophisticated Lady,” Hodgkins featured on “My Old Flame,” and Allen in fine form on “Just Wearying For You.” But particularly memorable are the group numbers such as “Under The Bamboo Tree,” “Dardanella,” “New Orleans Wiggle,” and the marchlike “Bechet’s Walk.” In addition, Pete Allen takes four vocals and, while “Hello Brother” is a little sappy, his version of “Oh How I Miss You Tonight” is a delight.
New Orleans fans who want to hear some fresh material by a top-notch band will enjoy New Orleans Wiggle.
Pete Allen • New Orleans Wiggle
Upbeat URCD 348
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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.
