Geoff Cole's Hot Five - Do What Ory Say CD Review by George A. Borgman

Geoff Cole's Hot Five is a hot quintet, no doubt about that, and each of the musicians, outstanding on his instrument, plays with feeling, dynamics and splendid technique.

 

They produce a wonderful blending of sounds. There is outstanding counterpoint between Geoff Cole's trombone - frequently emitting a very gutsy, robust sound - and Tony Pyke's clarinet with its wonderful tone.

 

The choice of tunes is exceptional and there is no attempt to sound like a New Orleans street band in a funeral parade. Cole plays plays a gutsy trombone and there are nice solos from Pyke's clarinet and pianist Pat Hawes on, "The White Cliff of Dover."

 

There is some very active counterpoint between Hawes piano, the clarinet and trombone on the swinging "Savoy Blues." The two best renditions are those of

"Savoy Blues" and Clarence William's "Sugar Blues" which, with its "wah-wah" trumpet has always been associated with Clyde McCoy, of course.

 

Cole's muted trombone takes the place of McCoy's trumpet, with very good effect. The clarinet takes the melody for awhile and Hawes' piano takes a great blusey chorus. The ensemble work on Carmen Lombardo's "Sweethearts On Parade" is first class.

 

Geoff Cole's Hot Five has produced an excellent recording. - George A. Borgman, IAJRC Journal

Savoy Blues - Recorded by Jazz Crusade Records, 7 May 1995 at Pizza Express, Maidstone, England. Personnel: Geoff Cole [trombone] Tony Pyke [clarinet] Pat Hawes [piano] John Rodber [string bass] Colin Miller [drums] Recording Engineer: Dave Bennett; Video: Jill Spencer.

 

Suger Blues - Recorded by Jazz Crusade Records, 7 May 1995 at Pizza Express, Maidstone, England. Personnel: Geoff Cole [trombone] Tony Pyke [clarinet] Pat Hawes [piano] John Rodber [string bass] Colin Miller [drums] Recording Engineer: Dave Bennett; Video: Jill Spencer.