Davemckenna_buddydefranco.youmustbelieveinswing... -

The album, inspired by DeFranco's legendary 1950s collaborations with Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, features a mix of "halsbrecherisch" (neck-breaking) tempos and tender ballads:

The 1997 album is a masterclass in jazz economy, featuring the rare and "magical" pairing of pianist Dave McKenna and clarinetist Buddy DeFranco . Recorded for Concord Jazz , the set consists of ten duets that bridge the gap between McKenna’s orchestral swing and DeFranco’s bebop-influenced virtuosity. The "Three-Handed" Rhythm Section davemckenna_buddydefranco.youmustbelieveinswing...

: Tracks like "The Song Is You" and Charlie Parker’s "Anthropology" showcase the duo’s technical precision and overlapping styles. This collaboration was so successful it led to

This collaboration was so successful it led to a follow-up album two years later, Do Nothing Till You Hear from Us! , featuring guitarist Joe Cohn. : He played continuous 4/4 walking bass lines

: He delivered horn-like single-note solos and rich harmonic voicings.

: He played continuous 4/4 walking bass lines that functioned as a one-man rhythm section.

: DeFranco sheds his "technical" reputation on tracks like "Autumn Nocturne" and "Poor Butterfly," proving his depth as a ballad player.