Classic Jazz with good humor

Johnny Varro

Pianist Johnny Varro's Swing 7 concert at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center in Sarasota FL last night had a bit of holiday weekend humor - compliments of the leader.


The band played classic jazz that was in most cases 60 to 90 years old. Anything written in the past 50 years hasn't found its way into Varro's charts. The newest tune was Luis Bonfa's "Samba de Orfeu" from the 1959 film "Black Orpheus."

One tune they dug into deeply was Gerry Mulligan's "Disc Jockey Jump," which the baritone saxophonist wrote for the Gene Krupa Orchestra in 1947. "In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we'll call it 'Mulligan Stew,'" Varro told the audience.

Varro's band included Charlie Bertini on trumpet, Jeff Lego on trombone, Terry Myers on clarinet, Rodney Rojas on tenor sax, Don Mopsick on bass and Greg Parnell on drums. The South County Jazz Club sponsored the concert, the fourth of five this season at the Glenridge. The series concludes April 6 with singer Marlene VerPlanck.

Johnny Varro's Swing 7