By Marilyn Lester***You might think that over a long career as head of The Nighthawks that multi-instrumentalist and leader Vince Giordano needs no introduction—or another review. But you would be wrong. This is a band so versatile and so much fun, it’s a good thing to regularly remind the world-at-large how much so.
There’s always variety, always something new; the band book is huge, containing music of the 1920s and 30s (Giordano’s specialty) that the leader has amassed overthe years. At the set yours truly visited, the opener was a Cab Calloway-associated tune, “Trickeration” (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler) in honor of a Calloway historian in the house. And that’s another happy aspect of any Nighthawks show—you never know who’ll show up, but Giordano is usually ready, introducing them and often playing a number relevant to the guest.
The Nighthawks, a relatively stable crew (there are around 16 or so players who are regulars and subs who are also regulars), play with a bright, tight sound, always in the pocket, and sometimes on instruments of exotic origin, such as the Stroh violin, mechanically amplified by a horn attached to its body. They play at tempos from slow: Duke Ellington’s original theme song, “East St. Louis Toodle-oo” to the impossibly fast, “Nagasaki” by Harry Warren. Toes are guaranteed to tap and bodies sway.
The leader himself is whirlwind of delight. Giordano sings, plays multiple instruments (the tuba and bass prime among them), is a font of knowledge and has a quick sense of humor, all of which keeps the pace fast and fabulous. At least once in a set, Giordano distributes the charts to the players by flinging them across the bandstand. On the serious side, Giordano is a preservationist, one of a relatively few bandleaders dedicated to keeping this timeless music of a century ago relevant. Lately and rightly he’s been proactive in stating its vital to get young people educated about a musical heritage that underpins modern music—even hip hop and rap.
From the “Wang-Wang Blues” (Leo Wood, Henry Busse, Buster Johnson, Gus Mueller) to “Deep Harlem” (Matty Malneck, Frank Signorelli) to “Variety Stomp” (Fltcher Henderson, Jo Trent, Abel Green), Vince Giordano and Nighthawks continue to be the best party in town.
Catch them at Birdland Theater every Monday at 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM. More information at www.birdlandjazz.com
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