Jerry Vivino can be seen nightly as a member of The Max Weinberg Seven on the Late Night with Conan O'Brien Show broadcast from New York City. He can be heard around town as leader of the Jerry Vivino Quartet, and also as co-leader (along with his brother Jimmy), of The Vivino Brothers Band. He is one of the highest regarded sax players anywhere. Jerry's discography reads like a "whose who" of contemporary music as he has played or recorded with Bruce Springsteen, Mark Anthony, Bette Midler, Keely Smith, James Taylor, Cissy Houston, and Bon Jovi just to name a few. He enjoys playing both straight ahead jazz and rhythm and blues. Jerry's newest album is his best yet as the songs featured enable the listener to hear Jerry in a multitude of styles. Jerry opens with "Pent Up House" a classic written by saxophonistSonny Rollins. Shawn Pelton's drumming compliments Jerry's sax.

The title track, "Walkin' with the Wazmo" is Jerry Vivino's tribute to New Orleans second line and Jerry handles the vocal adeptly. This song is going to make you want to get up and dance, the way they do it in New Orleans. Jerry has written or co-written eight new songs for this outing. "Cats 'R' Us", swings from start to finish. This original sax piece is one of the albums highlights.

On "Dorado Beach", "Montelena Circle", "The Fried Piper" and "Bellissima" Jerry switches to the flute. Brian Charette, piano, is co-author of these compositions and Jerry and Brian's solos shimmer. "Knock Me a Kiss" is the Mike Jackson and Andy Razaf authored classic popularized by Louis Jordan and Jerry's vocal is right on the money. "Red Moon" is another Jerry Vivino original and my favorite sax instrumental on this fine album. Jerry then re-creates Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance". The album concludes with "I'm Mad About You" co-written by Jerry and Ken Levinsky, and Jerry's vocal here is outstanding.

Jerry's musicianship is evidence by the company he keeps; contributing musicians include Lew Soloff, Michael Morreale, Kermit Driscoll, Mike Merritt, James Wormworth, Ray Marchica, Jimmy Vivino, Peter McCann, Greg Skaf, and Tony Ferrari. On this album one really gets to hear the versatility of Jerry Vivino as he switches from sax to flute and then to vocals. Check out Jerry's website for his appearance dates at www.jerryvivino.com

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com