Nearly 100.000 enthusiastic spectators enjoyed the Swingtime!-US-tour in early 2000.
"It is a fresh recording by an all-star group of creative improvisers with impeccable swing credentials."
- Ed Berger
Warren Vaché has never been an innovator, but he's always been impressively consistent. Recorded in January 2000, this German release finds the cornetist leading a swing-oriented 11-piece band that includes, among others, Rickey Woodard and Harry Allen on tenor sax, Randy Reinhart on trumpet, Steve Ash on piano, and Jake Hanna on drums. Swingtime! is more arranged than Vaché's small group recordings, which means that he doesn't have as much room to stretch out and blow. But the arrangements are tasteful, and Vaché's band (which he calls the New York City All-Star Big Band) swings passionately on two Louis Jordan classics ("Saturday Night Fish Fry" and "Let the Good Times Roll") and warhorses like Benny Goodman's "Stompin' at the Savoy," Fats Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'," and Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside." Vaché's least likely choice is "Mr. Bojangles," which isn't typical swing band fare, but works well for this outfit. One wishes that his band would surprise us more often; but all things considered, Swingtime! is an enjoyable, if less than essential, addition to his catalogue. AllMusic Review by Alex Henderson
1. Swingtime! 03:03
2. From This Moment On 05:19
3. I've Got My Fingers Crossed 03:58
4. Mr. Bojangles 04:02
5. The Way You Look Tonight 04:39
6. Stompin' at the Savoy 06:13
7. B. D. Blues 08:27
8. Jumpin' at the Woodside 03:16
9. A Portrait of Jenny 04:38
10. Ain't Misbehavin' 03:55
11. Saturday Night Fish Fry 06:30
12. When You're Smiling 03:18
13. Let the Good Times Roll 05:00
Warren Vaché – trumpet, vocals
Randy Reinhart - trumpet
John Allred - trombone
Matt Bilyk - trombone
Chuck Wilson – alto sax, clarinet
Harry Allen – tenor sax
Rickey Woodard – tenor sax
Alan Barnes – saxes, clarinet
Steve Ash - piano
Murray Wall - bass
Jake Hanna - drums
