Search - Zazuzaz :: An Evening with Zazuzaz

Eclectic Swing Hits the Spot

E. Hays | Wayne, NJ USA | 10/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Two decades ago, ZaZuZaz had a substantial cult following in NJ, during the days when disco and New Wave dominated the air waves. This 20-year reunion CD, recorded live in 1999, reflects the collective expertise of this veteran jazz/swing/rock band. Swing fans will be delighted by their creative renditions of such classics as Jersey Bounce, Jumpin' at the Woodside and This Could Be the Start of Something Big. But ZaZuZaz is not all about swing. Two ballads, Daydreaming and Turn up the Radio, were written by lead vocalist and guitarist Machon Taylor, whose vocal virtuosity is reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald. Other tunes simply rock. The other veteran musicians on this CD, Grover Kemble (lead vocals/guitar), John Gatti (keyboards/clarinet), Dave Miller (bass/vocals) and Tim Solook (drums/vocals), are all still at the top of their musical games, and you can almost feel their camraderie during the four and five part harmonies on several numbers. At the SRO concert where this CD was recorded, the audience was wildly enthusiastic on several occasions, and fans brought their children with them for an inter-generational love in. This live CD reflects ZaZuZaz's timeless appeal."