Search - Bobby Gordon :: Lower Register: Bobby Gordon Plays Joe Marsala

Great Gordon toasts Marvelous Marsala

Steve Emerine | Tucson, AZ United States | 07/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's fitting that Bobby Gordon, the best unknown clarinetist in today's jazz world, pays tribute to his mentor, Joe Marsala, on this fine CD from Arbors Records. Marsala, who died in 1978, never got the same public acclaim as Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw or Jimmy Dorsey, but he was a fine clarinetist and a well-respected composer and band leader. To celebrate the centennial of Marsala's birth, Gordon recruited pianist Keith Ingham in 2007 to play the piano and celeste and to write the arrangements for 17 Marsala tunes. Randy Reinhart plays trumpet, Vince Giordano the bass, James Chirillo the guitar, and Russell George the violin. Arnie Kinsella and Steve Little split the drum work. You've probably heard "Southern Comfort,"Don't Cry, Joe," and maybe even "Little Sir Echo" before. However, "Say When," "Morning Star," "I Don't Have to Dream Any More," "Angelique" and "Like Never Before" are presented on a recording for the first time. The liner notes, written by Eleisa Marsala Trampler, Marsala's daughter, are outstanding. This one-hour plus of well-played and well-arranged music is a pleasant experience. Gordon still plays the Sweet 'n' Hot Music Festival over Labor Day weekends in Los Angeles, plus many other gigs from coast to coast throughout the year. See him if you get the chance, and check out his other CDs on Arbors. You won't be disappointed!"