Romancing
the Old
Brock
Mumford presents an excellent opportunity for a date.
By Michael
Manekin
Published 09/20/01
When Hollywood finally gets around to making that pitch-perfect
screwball comedy -- you know, something classy yet silly, ironic yet
earnest, urbane yet folksy; something only Carey Grant could have
pulled off as a leading man -- they won't have to worry about the
pitch-perfect soundtrack. It's already been scored, and you've never
heard a more charming blend of Django Reinhardt, swing, Cole Porter,
Dixieland, Tin Pan Alley and Parisian musette.
The nostalgia chemists behind the music are a New York City
quintet by the name of Brock Mumford. Jazz aficionados (and
PBS/NPR junkies who have purchased the entire multi-volume
Jazz documentary by Ken Burns) might have already known that
the band takes their name in tribute to Jefferson "Brock" Mumford
(who was the guitarist in Buddy Bolden's band, which is considered
to be the first jazz band).
As for the Brock Mumford ensemble, they have fun with history.
Led by guitarist and songwriter Matt Munisteri, Brock Mumford blends
a myriad of genres past into an intoxicating early-twentieth century
pop musical cocktail -- so seamlessly, in fact, that their music
sounds like a tribute to a long-familiar genre, not a totally
unique, just-invented hybrid.
Munisteri, who learned music picking bluegrass banjo at age 9, is
a beautiful balladeer with a nerdy, smoked-out tenor and a smoking
hand on jazz guitar. And he dresses up his originals with lyrics
that are literate, polysyllabic and swingin' all at once.
Accompanying Munisteri are a crack rhythm section (the drummer, Rob
Garcia, plays regularly with Woody Allen's band) and two stand-out
performers: The first, Will Holshouser, is a wondrous accordionist
with a supple touch for the problematic art of jazz accordion; the
second, trumpet player Jon-Erik Kellso, has been acknowledged by
many critics as the premiere trumpeter of his generation.
Very soon, the Valley-based Signature Sounds label will release
Brock Mumford's debut album. In recent months, the band has been
showered with adoring critical approval from the Village
Voice and Time Out New York -- so catch them while
they're still on the verge. An evening with Brock Mumford presents
an excellent opportunity for a date, as their music is very very
romantique. If dateless, go alone, and remind yourself that,
yes, love is possible in a world with such sweet music.
Brock Mumford will exhaust themselves in Northampton, playing
several shows this Tuesday -- first, opening for Rani Arbo and daisy
mayhem at the Iron Horse, and then playing two sets at Fire and
Water.
Sept. 25, $12, 7 p.m., The Iron Horse, 20 Center St.,
Northampton, 586=8686 or (800) THE-TICK
Sept. 25, 10 p.m., 11 p.m., Fire and Water, 5 Old South St.,
Northampton, 586-8336.
