Kenny Poole: For George: A Tribute To A Master

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: August 1, 1999

Just five months before he passed away last year at the age of 85, guitarist George Van Eps performed a few Father’s Day quartet sets at a small restaurant near his home in Southern California with local artists. Sharing a memory with the audience of bouncing on George Gershwin’s knee as a small child, Van Eps reminded everyone that classic songs live forever. Kenny Poole’s tribute to Van Eps features a sense of style similar to the master’s: gentle swinging melodies, supportive harmony, and a walking bass line that comes from the extra effort applied to the guitar’s lowest string. John Von Ohlen lends his brushwork and Dick Sisto provides a vibes stretch for five tracks; the other numbers feature Poole’s solo guitar.

Adding the essential elements of melody, harmony, and rhythm with swing, Poole states the familiar tunes and works his way smoothly through improvised extras. The rhythm of his guitar walking-bass self-accompaniment works well, especially on the bossa "Ah! Se Eu Pudesse." The guitarist even adds a brief bass line solo to "Lullabye of Birdland." Like Van Eps, Poole swings the session in predictable but comfortable fashion.

Track Listing: Just You, Just Me; Come Rain or Come Shine; You Make Me Feel So Young; Gone With the Wind; Gee Baby, Ain

Personnel: Kenny Poole- guitar; John Von Ohlen- drums; Dick Sisto- vibes.

Record Label: J Curve Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream