Warren Vaché

by Scott YanowSeveral years before Wynton Marsalis gained headlines for helping to revive hard bop, Warren Vache (along with Scott Hamilton) was among the few young jazz musicians who were reviving small-group swing. Vache, who always had a beautiful tone and a chance-taking style, is the son of a fine bassist (Warren Vache, Sr.) and the brother of clarinetist Allen Vache. He studied music with Pee Wee Erwin; gained early experience playing with Benny Goodman, Vic Dickenson, and Bob Wilber; and has been a leader since the mid-70s. Often teamed in his early years with tenorman Scott Hamilton, Vache recorded regularly and has been a regular at jazz parties and swing-oriented festivals ever since.