Jimmy Amadie - Let's Groove!

[GA Russell]

I got a terrific little album yesterday that's brand new, and might appeal to those of you who are Phil Woods fans like I am. It's called Let's Groove! A Tribute to Mel Torme by the Jimmy Amadie Trio with special guest Phil Woods.

Here's the Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CQNJV...5Fencoding=UTF8

The bass and the drums of the trio are Steve Gilmore and Bill Goodwin, who for many, many years were members of Woods' quartet. So this is like a Phil Woods Quartet album, with Jimmy Amadie sitting in for Hal Galper on piano.

Amadie played with Torme in the 50s, as well as with Charlie Ventura and Woody Herman. The liner notes don't say what he has been up to for the past forty years, except to mention two books he has written, and the fact that his career has been derailed by medical problems with his hands.

The album is eight songs totalling 55 minutes. There are five originals by Amadie and three standards which Amadie associates with Torme: Lover Come Back to Me, What is this Thing Called Love and How Deep is the Ocean. Woods sits out on one original and one standard.

So you can see that it is a bit of a stretch to consider this a tribute to Mel Torme. But that doesn't get in the way of my enjoyment of the music. Amadie is more sophisticated than a cocktail pianist, but has that sort of easygoing vibe to his playing and compositions. This is good music to relax to.

Everyone is in good form for both of the recording dates, November of '04 and March of '05.

The album is on a label I am unfamiliar with, TPR Recordings out of Bala Cynwyd (suburban Philly), PA.

[robviti]

the same group also recorded a tribute to tony bennett. check out the sound clips on amadie's website at jazzcorner: jimmyamadie.com

Edited February 20, 2006 by jazzshrink

[Ken Dryden]

As far as I know, I believe that Steve Gilmore and Bill Goodwin are still members of the Phil Woods Quintet.

TPR seems to be Amadie's own label, I've enjoyed each of his recordings and reviewed the last two for All Music Guide:

Let's Groove:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:6kqog4actvoz

Live at Red Rock Studio:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:9frsa9wgw230

It is amazing to consider what Amadie has to physically endure to complete a recording session; retakes are out of the question.

[GA Russell]

Thanks for those links, Jazzshrink and Ken!

Edited March 2, 2006 by GA Russell