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GUEST MUSICIANS: (L-R) Jon-Erick Kellso, Steve Ash, Will Anderson, Joe Wilder, Clovis Nicolas, Peter Anderson, and Steve Little. (Julie Jordan)
Other Guest Artists Have Their Nights
Besides the recording artists listed on the CD, the Anderson Twins also welcomed guest performers who played in the same program on various nights of this run: Charlie Caranicas, Mat Jodrell, trumpet; Steve Little, drums; Ryland Kelly, bass and Steve Ash, piano.
There was the 87-year-young clarinetist, Sol Yaged, who was introduced at the first concert during their two-week tribute. Sol had subbed for Benny Goodman in his quartet occasionally.
Will later introduced their beloved teacher, Joe Temperley, who inspired them to study at Juilliard’s Institute for Jazz Studies. Temperley, a great in the field, is best known for his baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, but plays other instruments as well.
Perhaps, the most special night was Saturday, when the audience was treated to jazz legend Joe Wilder playing trumpet. As Peter noted, "Joe Wilder is a true legend, and one of the greatest living trumpeters, who has much experience in the classical and jazz fields."
Struck by Stardust
The audience was in for a huge surprise when Peter revealed that clarinetist Dan Levinson lent him the reed that Artie Shaw used to record his famous record “Stardust” on October 7, 1940.
The program notes explained their special connection to this piece. Will started playing the clarinet at age 9 and wrote Peter, “…the first song we learned was ‘Stardust.’”
When they heard Artie Shaw's rendition from 1941, they were captivated: “His playing on the instrument was incredibly virtuosic and he was playing the clarinet with a big band, a style that eventually lost its popularity after WWII and the big band era.”
Peter further explains: “On January 5th, 2005, my brother and I were featured in a concert on clarinet in Long Beach, California honoring the 2005 National Endowment for the Jazz Masters. This award, held by masters like Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, was being given to Shaw this year. Although he had made plans to fly to California, and receive his award, he passed away on December 30th, 2004, a week before the concert. It would have been a dream for Will and I to play for, meet, and maybe even have a conversation with Artie Shaw in person. However, we feel that we're doing as much for his legacy by being part of his centennial concert at 59E59 Theaters.”
I was also moved by the genuine love the Anderson Twins had for their special program. Sharing is what their group does naturally, and that is the secret to a successful concert—when the performer gets caught up in his tuneful tale and, with eyes closed, revels in the subtle nuances of each show that grew from the last performance.
It was a journey that makes the recording rich with history—not only the history of the royal lineage in the "Kings of Swing" Artie and Benny—but also in the individual mentors who made meaningful contributions to this pair of twins who are now carving their own place in history based on a magnificent blend of several generations of music making.
I highly recommend you give yourself a swing souvenir by contacting andersontwinsjazz@gmail.com and purchasing the Anderson Twins Sextet Celebrate Artie Shaw's Centennial CD for $15.
In addition to their calendar of concerts, you can catch Will and Pete Anderson in New York City Thursday evenings at 59East59 Theaters, upstairs from 10:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. for a neighborhood “show after the show.”
Julie Jordan is on the piano faculty of The Juilliard School Evening Division and the Burgos International Music Festival. For more information, see www.juliejordanpresents.com
