It’s interesting that violinist Nigel Kennedy’s latest release is on a classical label again. Wasn’t it just a handful of years ago when he recorded for Blue Note, for Pete’s sake? This one, with a mixture of composers including Waller, Brubeck and Bach, as well as himself, actually straddles the world of Gypsy Jazz, and Kennedy makes it work amazingly well.
Kennedy’s administration includes Rolf Bussalb/6-12g, Yaron Stavi/b, Krysztof Dziedzic/dr and Barbara Dziewiecka/v-vio and together the team of rivals deliver a cleverly Middle Eastern “Take Five” and wondrously flowing “I’m Crazy About My Baby” and “How Can You Face Me Now” while Bach’s “Sonata No 2” is lovingly romantic and the “Concerto for 2 Violins and Orchestra” melds the two strings like a Belgian caravan. Kennedy’s tone is thick and warm, rich and sweet like Greek honey on “Por Do Sol” and his own “New Dawn.” Lots to enjoy on this surprisingly swinging set.
Sony Classical