Singer Magazine June 2004
June 30th, 2004

Singer Magazine
June 2004

Tuey Connell - Under the Influence
By Robert A. Lindquist


As oxymoron's go, jazz-banjoist has got to be there right along side jumbo shrimp and pretty ugly. Fortunately, for Tuey Connell, being a fine banjo player is only part of the story. Not only does he have a smooth, very enjoyable voice - he's got a great ear. A native of Stonington, CT, Tuey found that practicing banjo was a great way to kick back after working a full day on the family farm. Music was the entertainment staple with his family. The diverse list of favorites included the Kingston Trio, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Joni Mitchell, Back, Mozart piano concertos, Handel, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Flatt and Scruggs, and BB King. On "Under the Influence," that broad and bright spectrum of musical influence is well-displayed. For this CD, he's brought together tunes by such great writers as Mancini and Mercer, Dozier and Hollannd, Evans and Mann, Newberry and Acuff, and others, and added a few of his own originals. As is true in jazz, anything goes, and Tuey takes it to some interesting limits. From "Why You Been Gone So Long" with a Rock-a-billy beat, to "No Moon At All" with that banjo tinkling in the background, it's all good. While there's a broad reach in the material, Tuey remains consistent in the style and presentation from track to track. Whether it's an up-tempo skat or lush ballad, his timing and phrasing are right on. Backed by the masterful Steve Klink Trio.

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