Swing n' Strings

Swing n' Strings presents blues singer/songwriter Al Basile as an interpreter of classic American Songbook material first done from the 30s to the 60s by artists such as Nat Cole, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and Maxine Sullivan. It underscores the deep relationship blues enjoyed with swing style jazz in that era, and gives Al a chance to stretch out as a horn player and singing actor. His musical setting is unusual; he's backed up by a drummerless band which includes his former Roomful of Blues bandmate Rich Lataille on saxes and two guitarists, Widespread Jazz Orchestra founding member Bob Zuck and Fred Bates, jazz legend Scott Hamilton's co-leader from his early RI band the Blue Flames. The band is anchored by New England jazz mainstay Marty Ballou. Fans of Al's cornet playing, for which he's received nominations for Blues Music Awards in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014, will hear him in settings familiar to those who follow the jazz masters of the Swing Era.