English 
deutsch
Swing Feeling featuring Tori Robinson (2004). Jazztrade (Swing Land Series SLCD-1801).
Swing Feeling is not a typical modern bigband. Modeled loosely on bands of the 1930s, such as Al Coopers Savoy Sultans, the band is a compromise between typical big bands and the more flexible small groups. Swing Feeling utilizes that extreme flexibility to advantage.
Created and led by French trumpeter Dan Vernhettes, the swing outfit really cooks on sixteen fine tunes. The material, with few exceptions, is drawn from compositions that are seldom heard anymore. Among them is Duke Ellington´s beautiful Someone in a perfectly orchestrated version. Another standout is La Belle Claudine penned by Milt Buckner during his years in Europe.
The featured guest on the session is Tori Robinson, the Florida born gospel singer. Tori is no stranger to the French band, having performed with Dan Vernhettes smaller band, the Vintage Jazzmen. In addition to a fine CD with the small group, she appeared with them at the 2004 New Orleans Jazz Fest. Rumor has it that shell be invited again in 2005. Victoria Robinson has a voice like a trumpet and revels in gospel songs. On this CD, she delivers a searing rendition of Gershwins Summertime featuring some great passages by Hugues Dieuzeide on baritone sax. Dieuzeide and Vernhettes are credited with most of the arrangements on the new disk.
While there isnt space to list all members of Swing Feeling and the three recording sessions that went into this record, several soloists deserve praise. They are trumpeters Dan Vernhettes and Jerome Etcheberry, reedman Hugues Dieuzeide and pianist Pierre Jean who carries on the tradition of Pete Johnson. His Boogie Woogie passages are exceptional! The veteran trombonist, Benny Vasseur makes his presence know. Vasseur played with Django and many American stars including the great Clifford Brown.
Of course, Tori Robinsons performance is always great. Her version of You´ll Never Walk Alone is the best since Roy Hamiltons 1954 recording. Diehard purists will be delighted with Swing Feelings treatment of Jelly Roll Mortons piece Stop And Go. This fine recording gets high marks for originality and musicality. The CD may be ordered directly from the band (d-vernhettes@club-internet.fr)
Tracks: Strange Things Happen Every Day; Go Down Moses; St. Louis Boogie; Someone; Hymn To Freedom; This Train; Two Little Fishes; Chant Of The Groove; La Belle Claudine; Texas Hop; Summertime; Dinah; Down By The Riverside; You´ll Never Walk Alone; Swing Down Chariot; Stop And Go.
Richard Bourcier, Jazz Review, Canada
This is a classy band. The musicians play like one man, it breathes, it's relax, with a terrific feeling. You can feel the groove of the ancient Black bands... The musicians all share a common musical spirit. They all know how to bring the tension by playing solos which are coherent with the esthetics of the band...
Guy Chauvier, Jazz classique, 1997.
They are only eight musicians but sound like fifteen. A real treat.
Boss Quéraud is a fantastic hot improviser.
Frank Ténot, Jazz Magazine, 1997.
A very nice Basie-ism Band you've got there! I really enjoyed it. Your band sounds a lot better than many you hear on our summer jazz festivals up here.
Leif "Smoke Rings" Anderson, Sveriges Radio.
Tori is an American gospel singer, who shares her activities between Floride (her birth place), France, Africa, Russia. Her warm and powerful voice (a gift of God, she says) ravishes the audience at every concert. Breathtaking! The splendid black tornado set the hall on fire, even the coldest listener stands up and clap his hands...
Daniel Mornet, Ouest-France, mai 1999.
THE JAZZ APOSTLES
Swing Feeling is a real profesionnal band; the music swings... Miss Tori has an asthonishing voice, and a terrific energy. The audience goes to town when she sings.
J.C. Dugat, Vendée Magazine, 1999.
The band plays loose, the soloists are remarkable. The drumming of young Julie Saury estonished me the most, either in accompanying or in soloing. And there is Tori. Only for her, don't miss this band. She's got an extraordinary swing, she's lyrical.. What a voice! It's gospel, black music.
Guy Chauvier, Jazz Classique, 1998.
The peaks of the festival were "I Can´t get Started" played crescendo by Boss Quéraud (trumpet, great applause), and Tori singing "Shout Sister Shout" and "Hymn to Freedom" with great fervor...
Bulletin du Hot Club de France, 1999.