Cool, Man, Cool – Todd Londigan, clean cut and as well groomed as a 1950s young movie actor, brought his high-spirited quintet to Birdland, filling the stage with nostalgic sounds of bygone eras. With a firm sense of swing, the music of the Todd Londagin Five is decidedly grounded in the 1930s to 1950s, concentrating largely on the standards but with some contemporary sounds as well, like the bossa nova beat behind "Midnight in Martini Land."

Their irresistible New Orleans jazz offerings were joyfully reminiscent of the Big Easy. In "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," Londagin muted his trombone, Mark McCarren plucked his guitar like a banjo, pianist Matt Ray tickled the ivories for the tinny flatness of a worn piano, Jennifer Vincent slapped her bass and, time-keeper was drummer David Berger. The result evoked the days when Preservation Hall performed in a covered alley in New Orleans. Adding a singular touch, the boyish Londagin hopped on a box top, tap-dancing to the hot sounds of Dixie.

The "Five" cooled down for ballads like "I Concentrate on You" and "No Moon At All," with a blues mood by pianist Matt Ray. Londagin has a smooth relaxed vocal delivery that stretches in various directions through the choruses, beginning with an easy swinging, "Just in Time." In his second song, "Long Ago and Far Away," he took up the trombone, communicating casually, interpreting with long lines, confident intonation and equanimity. He took "My Gal and I" on an sprightly trip, hanging back on the beat, and "Some of These Days," featured Jennifer Vincent's up-tempo bass animation and David Berger drumming on his thighs.

As a child, Todd Londigan joined his family's Flying Neutrino's Family Jazz Band. Based in New Orleans, this was originally a popular traveling street band that later moved into New York clubs and concert halls. The entertaining street vitality of The Flying Neutrinos still drives Londigan's debonair exterior. Their good-time spirit is the soul of today's Todd Londagin Five, a cool quintet that can flare hot on a dime.

The Todd Londagin Five appeared as part of the long-running concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
July 7, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org