Ultraspontane

Description

“…the guitarist has long been interested in the Gypsy swing of the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and has recorded several CDs in that genre that still likely end up placed in the country sections of record stores. This 2007 release features Jorgenson leading a different kind of group than Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli had with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, as he substitutes Stephan Dudash (on a five-string viola) and percussion in the place of a second rhythm guitarist. Most of Jorgenson’s nine originals are very much in the Gypsy swing tradition and his mastery of his instrument is apparent throughout the date, with highlights including the engaging “Bossa Orpheum.” Not everything is completely in the Gypsy swing mold; “Ultraspontane” has a Middle Eastern flavor, while the playful “G-Funk” adds the Nashville String Quartet to accompany the guitarist and bassist Charlie Chadwick. “La Journee des Tziganes” (which also adds the strings) also has a contemporary swing flavor, with hints of David Grisman. The one standard is a lightly swinging “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” which adds a warm vocal by Beryl Davis, while Jorgenson also interprets Reinhardt’s “Improvisation No. 1” and “Improvisation No. 2″ with finesse. John Jorgenson the jazz guitarist is obviously here to stay.”

AllMusic.com Review by Ken Dryden

David Angell – Guest Artist, Violin
Monisa Angell – Guest Artist, Viola
Gonzalo Bergara – Guitar (Rhythm)
Charlie Chadwick – Bass, Engineer
David Davidson – Guest Artist, Violin
Beryl Davis – Guest Artist, Vocals
Stephan Dudash – Viola
Connie Ellisor – String Arrangements
David Hancock – Cello, Guest Artist
Don Hart – String Arrangements
John Jorgenson – Clarinet, Composer, Design, Guitar, Mastering, Mixing, Overdub Engineer, Primary Artist, Producer, Soloist, Tambourine
John Jorgenson Quintet – Primary Artist
Alan Messer – Photography
Bryan Owings – Percussion
Jackie Pickett – Double Bass, Guest Artist
Django Reinhardt – Composer