The Larry Eanet Quartet - Sunset Stomp (1999)

Tracklist

01. Rhythm King
02. Across the Blues
03. Susie
04. Sultry Sunset
05. Rain
06. Sunset Stomp
07. Ten Paciencia
08. Miss Brown to You
09. Lady of the Lavender Mist
10. Clementine
11. It Shouldn't Happen to a Dream
12. Hi Ya, Sophia
13. Frederic's Tune

This quartet is based in the Washington, D.C. area, where pianist Larry Eanet has been playing swing and traditional jazz for most of his life. He began recording in earnest as a bandleader in 1997, upon retiring from his medical practice. The quartet includes bassist Tommy Cecil, drummer Harold Sumney, Jr., and the very fine clarinet and saxophone player Ron Hockett. On this delightful program there are some unusual song choices-obscure Duke Ellington tunes ("Across the Track Blues," "Lady of the Lavender Mist," "Sultry Sunset"), a seldom-recorded Billy Strayhorn tune ("Clementine") and, most interesting of all, two adaptations of classical material: "Sunset Stomp," which is based on the "Sunset" movement of Groffe's "Grand Canyon Suite," and "Frederic's Tune," which was adapted by Eanet from Chopin's "Etude #6." Everything swings joyfully and dreamily; when Hockett is on clarinet, you can hear echoes of Benny Goodman's small-group recordings. Eanet himself is both a strong leader and a creative, quick-witted pianist. Highly recommended.

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