What a pleasant swingy surprise! Although they stick mainly to standards, Jimmy and the Swingers breathe new life into them with tastefully rendered arrangements characterized by unique interpretive twists. Six of the eleven cuts span over five minutes each, and some move into new and enchanting acoustic territory. I was left questioning their 90-second atmospheric improvisation that concludes "All of Me," but I truly enjoyed all of their renditions.  Jim Kanas hails from DeKalb, Il. and is a consummate veteran jazz guitarist. Grammy nominee Don Stiernberg continues as among my favorite jazz mandolinists. Randy Sabien does some especially fine and creative bow work on this project. He has played on Austin City Limits and A Prairie Home Companion. A very solid low end is cemented by bassist Larry Gray who also plays with Ramsey Lewis. Engineer Steve Yates also deserves kudos for capturing the quartet's musical chemistry in a masterful way. You can learn more about the players and CD at www.jimkanas.com/record.html

Two Jim Kanas originals, "Swan Quarter" and "BabBoo's Blues," appear at tracks four and seven, respectively. The former is leisurely played to a slow bossa rhythm that allows each musician to fully explore the melody's mood. Stiernberg's tremolo paints a picture of imagery which had me daydreaming about sipping wine at a sidewalk café on a warm, summer day. Measure after measure, their music is simply a true joy of life! In music, as in life, playing the changes can be challenging. Jimmy and the Swingers embrace it, and these chordmasters navigate without ever getting lost or disoriented on challenging pieces like "Baboo's Blues." The result, with its abundant reward, is a spiritual and emotional depth to their music. Joe Pass would be proud of them.

Jim Kanas is a highly-acclaimed, award-winning guitarist who has studied classical music and jazz improvisation, although he's also played bluegrass, folk and traditional music. Few know that the multi-instrumentalist can also expertly play pedal steel guitar, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, dobro and sing. His unique interdisciplinary performance degree program at Northern Illinois University emphasized contemporary guitar, commercial music and American folk instruments. He performs and records as a soloist, with the Jim Kanas Trio (folk, bluegrass, western swing), and with the Jim Kanas Jazz Quartet. He is in a PPS feature (WTTW11-Chicago PPS) "Arts Across Illinois" which has aired many times.

This album project was partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, which also sponsors Kanas as an artist-in-resident and touring roster member. His collaboration with Stiernberg, Sabien and Gray is a special one. These professionals are competent and committed to excellence. I sense that they're also very passionate about what they do. Jimmy and the Swingers follow their vision and establish a wonderful groove. (Joe Ross)
 

JIMMY AND THE SWINGERS
J.K. Productions JKP003CD
204 Cherry Street, Kings, IL. 61068
 
www.jimkanas.com OR www.cdbaby.com/kanas
 
Playing Time - 49:041. all of me, 2. autumn leaves, 3. bye bye blues, 4. swan quarter, 5. remember me, 6. honeysuckle rose, 7. BaBoo's blues, 8. lullaby in birdland,  9. moonlight in vermont, 10. cherokee, 11. after you've gone