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New Jazz Adds – 10/30/2017

Jackie Allen – Rose Fingered Dawn: The Songs Of Hans Sturm (Avant Bass): This is vocalist educator Jackie Allen’s twelfth release. All of the songs were composed by her husband, who is also the band’s bassist. Inspiration for the style came from an extended tour of Morocco, where the rhythms and colors were uniquely striking. The lyrics were inspired by Homer’s Odyssey. Allen’s singing style is subtlety unique – the combination of story telling and lyrical expression. Additional backing musicians are John Moulder (guitar), Tom Larson (keys), Dane Richeson (drums, percussion), Geof Bradfield (soprano and tenor sax, bass clarinet), Victor Garcia (trumpet) and Andy Baker (trombone). The lyrical expression is quite a bit like story telling, not as recitation but as musical expression. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.      

Jerry Bergonzi – Dog Star (Savant): Saxophonist/educator Jerry Bergonzi offers his latest with his band of seven years as the tight ensemble work clearly shows. The instrumental interaction is solid. Band members include Phil Grenadier (trumpet), Carl Winther (piano), Johnny Aman (bass) and Anders Morgensen (drums). Bergonzi has been influenced by Coltrane, Rollins, Shorter, Gordon and Hank Mobley as his large sounds and stylistic mixtures show. Six of the songs are Bergonzi originals and two were composed by Carl Winther. There is nice variety and just enough originality to sound fresh while reminding the listener of Bergonzi’s influences. A very nice program throughout. Click here to listen to songs on this disc.    

Rondi Charleston – Resilience (Self-produced): “I’ve had several chapters in my life.  I’ve gone from being an actor and opera singer at Juilliard, to the world of investigative journalism at ABC News, and now, back to my first love, which is traditional and contemporary jazz,” Charleston explains.  “There’s a lot more uniting all these things than meets the eye.  In each case, you’re telling a story and in it, hopefully, revealing a powerful truth, whether it’s a corporate cover-up or a deep, hidden emotion.” (http://www.rondicharleston.com/biography-rondi-charleston/) Charleston has a full and supple voice and interesting style. She composed six of the songs on this disc with guitarist Dave Stryker, who served as musical director as well as playing. The remaining songs are two from the Great American songbook, “Sunny Side Of The Street” and “I’ve Got The World On A String”, “Joy Spring” from Clifford Brown and Eli Yamin and Clifford Carlson’s “A Healing Song”. The remaining players are Brandon McCune (piano), Ed Howard (bass), McClenty Hunter (drums), Mayra Casales (percussion) and featured soloists Tim Reis (tenor sax, flute) and Alex Norris (flugelhorn). Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Hamilton DeHolanda Quintet – Casa de Bituca – The Music Of Milton Nascimento (Adventure Music): This tribute to the compositions of Milton Nascimento by the Hamilton de Holanda Quintet, features de Holanda (10-string mandolin, vocals); Andre Vasconcellos (bass); Daniel Santiago (guitar, vocals); Gabriel Grossi (harmonica); and Marcio Bahia (drums); with special guests Alcione (vocals on one song); Milton Nasciminto (vocals on two songs); a vocal choir of five children based upon listing their first names only – one song); and three babies voices on one song). The music is light and sweet as you would expect and also fairly folksy. DeHolanda is a master of the choro ten string mandolin. Pleasant sound and a fitting tribute. Click here to listen to an introductory sample featuring Milton Nascimento with Hamilton DeHolanda.   

Hilario Duran – Contumbao (Alma): Composer / pianist / band leader Hilario Duran grew up and was trained in the many lively aspects of Cuban jazz by the leading musicians of the time. He has lived in Canada for the past two decades, but returned to Cuba to collaborate and invigorate many players still living there. Duran has played with Dizzy Gillespie and other jazz greats and now he’s leading a new wrinkle in the progression: his piano playing is both sonically and mechanically dazzling. Cuban players included “…guitarist (and Perspectiva bandmate) Jorge Luis Valdes (“Chicoy”), bassists Jorge Reyes and Roberto Riverón, drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernández , conga player Jorge Luis Torres “Papiosco”, Pancho Amat (tres), Jorge Luis Quintana “Changuito” (timbales), and Brenda Navarette (Batá and guest vocals on “Recuerdos”). The percussion group Rumberos De Cuba was recruited for two numbers, and Cuban piano great Chucho Valdés made a special guest appearance, teaming with Hilario for a thrilling piano duet on “Duo Influenciado.” (https://hilarioduran.com/news/hilario-duran-releases-new-album-contumbao/) The performances are passionate and, at times, explosive! Anyone interested in Cuban music should definitely check this out. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Danny Grissett – Remembrance (Savant): Pianist Danny Grissett began studying piano at age five and by six was taking on classical music. He graduated from college with a BA in Music and a new interest in jazz and completed his formal studies at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute in 2001. There he studied with jazz masters such as Barry Harris, Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Jimmy Heath, and Carl Allen. By 2003, he moved to New York and became a well respected jazz pianist. This is his sixth release as a leader and includes four compositions of his own. The other five include standards from Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock and Herb Ellis, et.al. Grissett is a fine musician and is supported by Dayna Stephens (soprano, tenor sax), Vicente Archer (bass), and Bill Stewart (drums). Stephens’ performance is particularly wonderful in “Prelude To A Kiss” and “Digital Big Foot”, and stands out throughout the disc. A solid disc from beginning to end! Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.      

Jared Hall – Hallways (Hollistic MusicWorks): Trumpeter / composer / teacher Jared Hall offers his premiere disc as a leader, featuring nine original compositions. He has previously performed with Peter Erskine, Dave Liebman, Alan Pasqua, Brian Lynch, Ira Sullivan, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Arturo Sandoval, Maria Schneider, and Terence Blanchard, among others. Typically described as a hard bop player, he fits nicely into the cool jazz category as well. Supporting musicians include Troy Roberts (tenor sax), Tal Cohen and Martin Bejerano (trading off on piano chores), Josh Allen (bass) and Kyle Swan (drums). The music flows smoothly and melodically throughout the disc. Fresh and delightful music. Click here and scroll down to listen to the opening track and view other videos about Hall and his music.  

Hiromi & Edmar Casteneda – Live In Montreal (Telarc): “I don’t want to put a name on my music. Other people can put a name on what I do. It’s just the union of what I’ve been listening to and what I’ve been learning. It has some elements of classical music, it has some rock, it has some jazz, but I don’t want to give it a name.” (Hiromi webpage) WTJU is calling it jazz for this review, a fitting category for such exploratory performances. Harpist Edmar Casteneda joins Hiromi on this disc and the result is beautiful and fully energetic as well! Casteneda and Hiromi each composed two songs for the release and they also include John Williams’ “Cantina” and Astor Piazzolia’s “Libertango”. Terrific! Click here to check out a live performance by Hiromi and Casteneda.   

Ikebe Shakedown – The Way Home (Colemine): New York fusion band Ikebe Shakedown creates danceable-soul-funk-fusion that sounds like it comes from everywhere on the planet all at once. It’s a mellow and sweet soul groove with enough sass and business to please fans of  soul jazz, light tunes and Afro-Cuban grooves. Band members are Jason Colby (trumpet), Dave Bourla (percussion), Barnaby Alter (drums), Vince Chiarito (bass), Mike Buckley (sax, flute), Robin Schmidt (guitar) and Nada Nirenberg (trombone, keys). Click here and scroll down to listen to the entire recording!  

Sherman Irby & Momentum – Cerulean Canvas (Black Warrior): Alto saxophonist Sherman Irby, currently a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, began his recording career on Blue Note records in 1996. His playing covers numerous styles as he shares compositions by Mulgrew Miller, Wayne Shorter, Stevie Wonder, and several of his own. His style is smooth, even when dynamic. It’s wonderfully similar to the precision and control so often by exhibited by Wynton Marsalis, who selected Irby to lead the reed section of the Orchestra. Marsalis performs on two songs and Irby duets with trombonists on seven of the remaining eight. Vincent Gardner and special guest Elliot Mason alternate on trombone. The remaining players are Eric Reed (piano), Gerald Cannon (bass), and Willie Jones III (drums). The set is beautiful and dynamic, with a control that has been the centerpiece of much of Marsalis’ work. The performances are exquisite and always fresh. The program may not burn the house down, but it will make you swing or even sweep you away. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Organissimo – Live At The SpeakEZ (Big O): This disc features six performances by the trio Organissimo, featuring Jim Alfredson (Hammond SK2 organ), Lawrence Barris (Heritage LB1 guitar) and Randy Marsh (drums), with additional percussion provided by Kevin Jones and Bill Vits. All of the songs are covers, beginning with Wes Montgomery’s “Mister Walker”. There are strong grooves on two of the first three cuts and otherwise things take a more easy going style. It is still jazzy, but mellower. Certainly swing and flow are the main points of concentration. Overall a very solid disc. Click here to watch and listen to a performance of “Jan Jan” from this disc.   

Cory Weeds – Let’s Groove: The Music Of Earth Wind & Fire (Cellar Live): Alto sax player Cory Weeds releases his third disc focusing on the work of other musicians – this time on the music of “Earth, Wind & Fire”. His supporting musicians include Steve Kaldestad (tenor sax), Mike LeDonne (B-3), Dave Sikula (guitar), and Jason Tiemann (drums) with Liam MacDonald adding additional percussion on four songs. Songs include “Let’s Groove”, “Devotion”, “The Way Of The World”, “Imagination”, “Shining Star” and “Kalimba” among others and I am delighted to tell you that this is a fabulous release. Unlike too many discs focusing on a soft instrumental soul jazz program, Weeds and company focus on a solidly jazz-based interpretation of the songs and the result is fresh, provocative and solid jazz. All of the players are in top form and the musical transformation of these songs is surprising and superb and should really speak to JAZZ lovers! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop