From the Age of Swing
Swing is everywhere these days, but it's seldom played with the consummately relaxed skill heard here, with Hyman leading a mid-sized band of celebrated veterans. Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, Milt Hinton on bass, and Butch Miles on drums make up a perfect swing rhythm section, while the horns provide vitally individualistic sounds and ideas, from Joe Newman's sly, muted trumpet to Joe Temperley's gruffly sweet baritone saxophone. The repertoire provides an authentic portrait of the swing era, from the energetic "Moten Swing" through Ellington's "Dooji Wooji" and Fletcher Henderson's beautiful "Soft Winds" to the pop songs of the day, like "Moonglow" and "Them There Eyes." Hyman displays the same musicianship apparent in his solo piano recordings, making wondrous use of space to let the rhythm section shine through. --Stuart Broomer