By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Variations
Jazz guitarist George
Cotsirilos is well known in Northern California, whether as a member of the San
Francisco Nighthawks, a sideman for artists such as Pharaoh Sanders and Eddie
Marshall, or an accompanist for vocalists such as Etta James and The
Whispers. Cotsirilos is joined on this album by bassist Robb Fisher and
drummer Ron Marabuto; together they’re as smooth and swinging a group as you’re
likely to hear. These 10 tunes, mostly Cotsirilos originals, are a pleasant
mix of straight-ahead jazz and Latin-tinged melodies.
Fisher probably is the best
known of these three artists; he worked with Cal Tjader’s group for a number of
years, and also played with luminaries such as Chet Baker, Art Pepper and Anita
O’Day. Marabuto has played with Pepper Adams, Roland Hanna and Tommy
Flanagan, and regularly is heard at Bay Area clubs such as Yoshi’s and Jazz at Pearls. Those two
provide a solid underpinning for Cotsirilos.
The entire album is fine,
but special mention is due the treatment given the well-known standard “But Beautiful.” If you
aren’t moved by this one, you aren’t paying attention!
This is the kind
of group that would make you smile, the moment you walked in the door of a club
or restaurant where they were featured.
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