Jazz Reviews : George Stone Plays the Old Tunes as His Own

On paper, the repertoire of George Stone and Daijobu reads like the set list of a Swing Era big band or the “Hit Parade” of the Eisenhower years. But there is where the similarity ends. While Stone, the 24-year-old trumpeter/pianist/bandleader, might have dug back in time for his tunes, his well-crafted arrangements are most definitely forward-looking.

Following his opening set Monday night at Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood, Stone, whose arranging and composing efforts garnered him top honors from Down Beat magazine last year, offered a simple explanation for his unusual choice of material: “I like those songs.”

So, too, did the audience.

Stone opened his first set with his 18-piece big band launching into a rendition of “It Could Happen to You.” Inside of eight bars, the youthful band had established that it could swing with the big boys; a pair of solos from saxophonists Gene Burkert and Bill Liston showed major league talent.

Promising “things in the tradition,” Stone next offered “Moonlight in Vermont” as a ballad entry that had tenor saxophonist Liston playing splendidly. Later ballad efforts like “Where or When,” “Never Never Land” and “Hey There” showcased the equally effective solo efforts of guitarist Steve Gregory and alto saxophonists Sharon Hirata and Burkert.

From the be-bop and cool traditions came winsome readings of Tadd Dameron’s “Our Delight,” which featured Stone’s deft trumpet style, and Gerry Mulligan’s “Jeru,” which spotlighted baritone saxophonist John Mitchell in a too-brief solo outing.

Brief, unfortunately, describes most of Stone’s efforts. Each tune seemed to end before it really got started, a criticism Stone answered by saying he was eager to “show everything we can do.”

Everything that Stone and Daijobu can do is a lot, including an original chart from the leader (“Early Monday Morning Rehearsal Blues”) and a pair of cookers from composer Tom Kubis (“Ain’t It Wonderful,” “Rags to Rufus”).

The band continues its Monday night stay at Catalina’s indefinitely.