Search - Si Zentner :: Blue Eyes Plays Ol Blue Eyes

Frank Sinatra, Meet Si...

John P Bernat | Kingsport, TN USA | 03/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Nelson Riddle performed the most famous backups for Frank Sinatra's mid-career triumphs. Less well known was Frank's relationship with Si Zentner.



Si Zentner was exceedingly popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His music is still very listenable today. His instrument was the slide trombone. In his own playing, he insisted on 100% professionalism - extremely clean and crisp execution.



And he asked that of his players as well. So his sound comes across well today, albeit that it's hard to fit into a convenient pigeonhole. It's not "easy listening" or smooth jazz. And it is not very improvisational, either. If it had been performed a decade before, it would almost certainly have made it into the "Standards" catalog so dominated by the Dorseys, Glen Miller and Alvy Taylor.



As it is, he competes with a dwindling number of "latter day" bandleaders, like Nelson Riddle, and simply cannot command the same name recognition. However, that said, give his stuff a listen! You'll hear intelligent, clean, competent playing which really swings."

Si Zentner a unique master trombonist and musician.

John Mcilroy | 03/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Si Zentner recorded this CD when he was over 80 years of age. He had always been a great musician and an incredible trombonist. This recording shows that Si still had phenominal chops and lyrical command of his horn. The arrangements are excellent and the band consisting of top Las Vegas players swings very nicely. Si plays incredibly well on "Chicago","Softly,As I Leave You' and "Alfie" which was in his big band repetoire during his heyday in the 1960's. His very emotional approach to ballads and extremely wide vibrato could sometimes be a little over the top(in my opinion), but his phenominal breath control,total command of the horn in all registers and beautiful tone all contributed to Si's stature as a unique and master musician."