Jonny Viau And The Blues Allstars – Live At Dizzy’s – Self-Released 

Recorded at Dizzy’s in San Diego, California in August, 2001, this 13-track romp is proof positive that well-considered arrangements, top-tier talent, an enthusiastic audience, and passion for the moment can yield excellence in musicmaking.  From the opening instrumental track, “Punkin,” to the closing cut, “Five Careless Lovers Theme,” this is a blues, jump, and swing junket that altogether satisfies!

Dizzy’s, the San Diego music venue “Where The Music Matters Most,” offered Viau, the native San Diegan and third generation Californian, the ideal location for the continued highly in-demand saxophone artist to lay bare his musical visions, someone whose early influences cut across almost every genre of music.  To list the artists and bands that Viau has plied his trade with over the years would render pages of reading.  One thing, though, is for sure: With Viau’s broad experience in musicmaking, he knows great talent when he hears it, and on this sterling collection, that is precisely what he chose to realize the success of his musical concepts.

With Viau leading his troupe via his magnificent saxophone stylings and vocals, his astonishing perception of assembling a top-notch band was obviously realized.  Troy Jennings lends his substantial baritone saxophone enrichments to the proceedings, and those low-end runs are immensely satisfying.  Percussion duties are significantly benefitted by the infinite timekeeping proficiencies of Marcus Bashore.  Sterling and refined guitar trimmings come from the marvelous Billy Seward.  Keeping the low-end idyllically locked-in arises from the hands of bass man Greg Willis.  And rounding out this amazing band is Neal Wauchope and his keyboards expertise.

Viau’s musical constructs are so well-realized here as to render this CD head-and-shoulders above the mass of what passes for modern-day blues, jump, and swing recording and performing.  Every artist stays in their lane for the whole of each tune’s betterment, each applying their efforts with poise and deference to the overall sound, and the inclusive joy this collection provides is felt as a result.  This is matchless band dynamics.  Period.

The sound quality is beyond compare, the sequencing is ideal, the band’s joyfulness is infectious, and in total, how grand it would be if all recorded outings were similarly on-par!  Bravo!

This is a highly recommended release that provides repeated listenings of euphoric exhilaration!  Highly recommend, indeed!