Jazz violin isn't unusual. Jazz viola is. This I find strange as, in many ways, even the scrapings of the student in his/her early explorations on the larger, lower pitched instrument is less jarring than the equivalent strivings of the embryo violinist. Despite this, violas and their owners are invariably the butt of cruel jokes (see HERE).
Jimbo Ross squashes all those jibes with this hard swinging album. This is playing that is on a par with many of the greats on any instrument and strikes a powerful blow for the much maligned viola.
Despite his obvious 'jazz chops' Ross' 40 year career as a top session musician includes working in many differing genres with a host of names across a wide spectrum such as Sinatra, Bennett, Bublé and McCartney as well jazzmen such as Don Ellis, Horace Silver, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock. Other names scattered across his c.v. include Pete Townsend, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Elton John as well as a few classical ensembles
Apart from Ross, whose five stringed viola enables him to make the occasional foray into violin territory, he has four of Southern California's finest with him all soloing effectively. A choice selection of standards and modern jazz classics fall naturally under the fingers of this tight ensemble.
I was going to finish with a viola joke but, after listening, not any more - the joke would be on me! Lance
Speak Low; Twisted Blues; So Do It; The Gigolo; Funkallero; Pent Up House; Canadian Sunset; On my Mind; Sherman Shuffle; Willow Weep For Me; Nardis; Uit 7; The Way You Look Tonight
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