One of the most important alto saxists and composer/arrangers in the swing era, Benny Carter is given an overdue tribute by Jean-Francois and an upbeat team of Chris Dawson/p, Francois Laudet/dr and vocalist Charmin Michelle for ten tunes either composed or associated with the jazz master. Bonnel’s tone on the alto is breathy and low, quite similar in tone to Carter, and he uses it to rich effect on the stately two stepper “When Lights Are Low,” while his vibrato is wide and old world on the sweet “Cocktails For Two.” Michelle is coy and joyful on delivery as Bonnel gets oozy on “Lotus Blossom” and both get intimate and loopy on “Blues In My Heart” while the team gets late night relaxed on “Key Largo.” Bonnel switches to clarinet as Dawson literally hits his stride on a thoughtful “Mood Indigo” and is cabaret charming on “Love You’r Not The One For Me.” Unpretentious, classy and stylish, just like the original.
Arbors Records