The Consultants of Swing
The Consultants of Swing have been holding court at Ashevilles’ Barley’s Taproom (41 Biltmore Ave, Asheville 28801) on their Sunday night “jazz evenings” since September of 2001. More recently, the Consultants have been “branching” out into the scene with appearances Olive or Twist, 11 on Grove and at Tressa’s.
With a mix of traditional swing favorites and standards from the 1930’s & 40’s along with a host of western style honky-tonk and Texas swing chart-toppers, the Consultants cover a lot of ground. The Consultants mix up hits by the great Louis Jordan, Bob Wills, Milton Brown, T-Bone Walker, Cab Calloway, Lefty Frizzel, and Fats Waller.
Featuring Steve Burnside on the “big-note” hollowbody electric Silvertone and Steve Trismen on violin, and Tall Paul Leech on the upright bass, the trio is augmented by a solid rhythm section and occasional saxophone or piano. Steve B croons many jump-swing-a-billy gems from the big band era and Steve T fiddles away delicacies Begin the Beguine, Desifinado, Wave and other chestnuts in the manner of Stephan Grappelli or Joe Venuti. Whether it is ‘big band’ or ‘little band’, the group intentionally and creatively works in Eastern city jazz with Western swing and contemporary bluegrass swing meisters Marc Oconnor and The David Grisman Quintet.
Added to their song list are several original tunes composed by Steve Burnside that use a variety of influences from blues to calypso to reggae. Chumps Who Swing is decidedly jump swing while Other Side of Town is a slow blues. Miles David is a unique and moody piece that comes from listening to Miles Davis and David Grisman.
The Consultants of Swing have a large repertoire and draw many of their hits from simple suggestions by the dancers who always come to their shows. As long as we swing, they will dance to it all.
Listen:
Target Entertainment.net 