JAZZ REVIEWS : FULL SWING AT VINE ST. BAR & GRILL

Full Swing was in full swing Sunday night at the Vine St. Bar & Grill as the venerable vocal trio (Charlotte Crossley, Lorraine Feather and Bruce Scott) wended its way through a series of altogether pleasing jazz and pop charts.

Formed in 1981 for a recording project, Full Swing has had its share of triumphs (tours of Brazil and Japan; a PBS special; standing ovations at the Monterey, Playboy and Kool festivals) but has for some inexplicable reason come up short of the full-blown success the group deserves.

Though the trio’s opening set seemed in reverse performance order (“Port o’ Call” was not too energetic an opener, while the closing “Let the Good Times Roll” promised little), the music never failed to satisfy.

Drawing from the books of Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and Charlie Barnet, among others, the group has fashioned a stylish repertoire of timeless music with a contemporary edge. Ellington’s “Rockin’ in Rhythm,” with lyrics by Feather, rocked better than the original while Barnet’s “The Right Idea” was precisely that with its big swing feel and modern lyrics by Feather.

With the guest appearances by pianist David Benoit and guitarist Russ Freeman augmenting Full Swing’s regular rhythm section of drummer Tony Morales and bassist Bill Lanphier, the vocal group received superb musical support throughout its energetic, fun-loving set.