Uncategorized

BEN REDWINE BAND AT GERMANO’S

Redwine Jazz Band

By Anna Hoover

The Redwine Jazz Band countered the cold January temperatures with jazz both cool and hot on Friday, January 9th at Germano’s Piattini, a European-style restaurant in Baltimore. Longtime supporters of live music, owners Cyd and Germano have for seven years featured an old-time cabaret four nights each week for their dinner guests.

The band played an eclectic mix of samba, Gypsy jazz, and classic New Orleans jazz. Ben Redwine introduced each tune with a bit of history that frequently became the source of humorous banter among the players. They clearly enjoy playing together and entertaining the audience with their quips, and the audience appreciated the humor.

Bandleader and clarinetist Redwine is widely known for his exceptional sound and authentic interpretations. He is a fearless master musician who wowed the audience with his ability to make the transition between different genres and styles. The classically trained Redwine brought a uniquely elegant sound and complex rhythms to the repertoire. The ensemble, unusual in its make-up of guitar, bass, and clarinet, created conversations in which each player was able to express his artistic voice and have his voice affirmed, expounded upon, and challenged.

Guitarist Tom Mitchell is well known for his studies with European Gypsy guitarists and his long affiliation with Louisiana musicians. Having begun his career playing rock and traditional American folk music, he started playing jazz after having heard swing music while in his teens. It appears that Mitchell was “gypsified,” if one believes the lyrics to the tune he wrote describing his aspirations to play jazz guitar in the style of Django Reinhardt. He listened intently to the other musicians, producing an unmatched kinetic drive and swing. Mitchell’s strong ties to the cultural and musical heritage of Louisiana were evident during the New Orleans jazz sets. Never settling for stock accompaniment, he played inspired background patterns that supported and challenged his band mates. Mitchell also brought his beautifully resonant voice and bawdy lyrics to the vocal arrangements that were peppered throughout the sets.

Bassist John Previti provided both rhythmic support and melodic accompaniment as well as a dry wit between tunes. Previti began studying oboe, but the draw to play rock ‘n’ roll bass guitar was too great for him to resist. He went on to play rockabilly for 18 years as the bass player with guitarist Danny Gatton. With Redwine, Previti used gut strings and no amplification, playing soulfully complex and sometimes humorous solos. His technical prowess sets him apart from most other bass players, and his solos on every tune were much appreciated by the other players as well as by the audience.

The trio has been playing together for ten years, and it is evident that they have a love and appreciation for their music and great respect for one another’s musical expertise. While chamber music is generally associated with the classical arena, the intimate nature of their interactions drew the audience members in, making them feel part of the trio’s magical creation. The dynamics were at times bold and other times exquisitely delicate, leaving the audience captivated. Look for the Redwine Jazz Trio in Baltimore, Annapolis, South County, and Washington D.C.

Germano’s, in Little Italy, offers a varied menu of traditional and creative small plates—i.e., piattini—within an updated, cozy decor. The upstairs cabaret room, decorated with Toulouse-Lautrec-inspired vintage art, offers an intimate space that set the tone for this accomplished trio.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *