Dave Bennett - Celebrates 100 Years Of Benny (2009)

Dave Bennett's debut as a leader celebrates the centennial of the birth of Benny Goodman, who left an extensive record legacy during his long career. The danger in doing such a tribute is overtly copying Goodman's style, which Bennett manages to avoid. He also helps himself by utilizing a variety of groups: a trio with veteran pianist Dick Hyman (a former Goodman sideman) and drummer Ed Metz, Jr., a pianoless trio with Bucky Pizzarelli (another Goodman sideman) and bassist Jerry Bruno, along with live tracks featuring a sextet with (vibraphonist Jim Cooper, guitarist Hugh Leal, bassist Paul Keller, drummer Pete Siers, and pianist Bill Meyers) and one quartet track omitting Keller and Leal. Bennett has plenty of chops on his instrument but doesn't hog the program (like Goodman sometimes did), generously featuring his sidemen. The trio tracks stand out, especially the rousing "Sing, Sing, Sing!" with Hyman and Metz and the lush treatment of "In a Sentimental Mood" with Pizzarelli (a consummate, lyrical accompanist) and Bruno. The sextet performance of "Stompin' at the Savoy" is also a crowd pleaser. Expect to hear more from Dave Bennett.~Celebrates 100 Years of Benny Review by Ken Dryden