This exuberant trio from Austin, Texas, led by guitarist Whit Smith with Elana James on violin and Jake Erwin on double bass, delivered an evening of exciting musical pleasure.
Their set comprised their usual combination of jazz and Western swing, together with several numbers from their latest album – Rendezvous In Rhythm.
The album, a mixture of gypsy songs and American Songbook standards, gives respect to and acknowledges the jazz masters of 1930s Paris, Stephane Grappelli and Django Reindhart.
Their influence was shown at its best in Minor Swing, Stardust and an exquisite How High The Moon.
Smith provided some nifty guitar work and shared vocals with James, both performing some of their own compositions. The bass work from Erwin was incredible, the instrument vigorously slapped rather than plucked. The arrangements allowed The Continental to have an eerie edge as well as including the not-often heard verse to Pennies From Heaven.
But it was James’s hot fiddle playing that stole the show. She was totally the master of the instrument and her dexterity blew up a storm in Orange Blossom Special that took the audience on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride.
One left the theatre looking forward to another rendezvous and soon.
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