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The Midiri Brothers
The Midiri Brothers Septet: Live! At Bridgewater
by Jack Bowers
The Midiri brothers, Joe and Paul, make no effort to hide their admiration for clarinetist Benny Goodman and his celebrated small groups of the ’30s, ’40s and onward, so when they were invited (for the second year in a row) to take part in promoter Bruce Gast’s annual salute to BG they wasted no time accepting the offer. After deciding this year to honor Benny’s sextet from the Charlie Christian era, Paul set to work copying the arrangements of Goodman ...
read moreThe Midiri Brothers: Avalon
by Jack Bowers
Here’s nearly an hour of mild but savory Swing Era–style cooking by the brothers Midiri, woodwind master Joe and multi–instrumentalist Paul, and their New Jersey–based trio and sextet. Not to give away any secrets, but listening to the half–dozen trio numbers, on which Joe Midiri plays clarinet, brother Paul plays drums and Joe Holt is the pianist, one can clearly discern the influence of another well–known trio whose members answered to the names Benny, Gene and Teddy. The sextet is ...
read moreThe Midiri Brothers Orchestra: Finger Bustin'
by Jack Bowers
The Midiri Brothers are drummer Paul and clarinetist Joe who’s the clear–cut headliner on this high–spirited album by quartet, quintet and big band. The passionate Goodman disciple commands the spotlight on almost every selection, and for good reason — he’s a world–class swing–based player whose melodious salvos never fail to please. Vocalist Paula Johns shares center stage on five of the ten big–band numbers (Sidney Bechet’s “Petite Fleur” is performed by a quintet, Charlie Shavers’ “Undecided” and Cole Porter’s “Night ...
read moreA Night of Classic Jazz and Other Gems
Source:
Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
Gems from the Great American Songbook, opera and operettas, and a few classic-jazz staples were in the splendid mix when The Midiri Brothers brought their quintet to Punta Gorda FL on Monday, March 13 for their first Charlotte County Jazz Society appearance. Paul and Joe Midiri have both serious chops and a love for the instrumental jazz tradition. Together, they imbued the music with a bright sound and connected with the audience through humorous, well-honed banter about their identical twinship. ...
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