Lyrics, Tempos Establish Timeless, Not Temporal, Beauty

Like the swing revival itself, singer, clarinetist, guitarist Eddie Reed has roots in the rockabilly movement; he worked with saxophonist Lee Allen and others.

But swing has been more than a bandwagon for the 38-year-old, Texas-born, Southern California transplant, and he has pursued it with the dedication of a scholar. Reed worked out of Beverly Hills with the Westside Society Dance Band for two years in the early ‘90s, tapping the expertise of such swing-era veterans as Artie Shaw, Anita O’Day and Sam Most.

Known for his big-band performances at the Derby in L.A. and the Rhino Room in Huntington Beach--his previous album, “Hollywood Jump,” is a big-band date with vocalist Meghan Ivey--Reed has garnered a reputation for authenticity and for using strong musicians in his ensembles.

Reed’s current release, “While the Music Plays On,” finds him working strictly as a singer, backed by a sax-and-trumpet quintet and performing familiar numbers, from Shaw’s “Moon Ray” to Johnny Mandel’s “The Shadow of Your Smile.”

Reed forgoes contemporary hooks, letting the lyrics and the tempos establish a timeless, rather than temporal, beauty. Reed’s pleasant voice, though strained at its extremes, is put to good use, with little embellishment or quirks of phrasing.

The musicians, especially trumpeter Willie Murillo and pianist Chris Dawson, bring nice period touches to the music without sounding corny, and the band moves easily between swing, jump and blues. (A well-annotated playlist notes tempos of most tunes.)

The instrumental reading of “Bernie’s Tune” may be the album’s standout. While die-hards might find “Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)” and “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You” thin in emotional content, Reed is the real thing and makes an important contribution to music often trivialized by less-serious performers.

Available from Hep Cat Distribution, (714) 532-2095; or at www.eddiereed.com.

* The Eddie Reed Big Band will appear each Thursday in January at 9 p.m at the Blue Cafe, 210 The Promenade, Long Beach. (562) 983-7111.