New Jazz Adds – 1/24/2018

New Jazz Adds – 1/24/2018

Jeff Baker – Phrases (OA2): Vocalist/composer/arranger Jeff Baker is a highly regarded composer and performer with a style all his own. On this disc, he creates songs based on a variety of novels as well as rearranging several pop songs by the likes of Billy Joel and Bonnie Raitt. His style is singularly his own blend of pop and jazz that makes this disc uniquely fresh. Musical accompaniment is provided by Darrell Grant (piano), Clark Sommers (bass), Brian Blade (drums), Steve Wilson (alto sax), Geof Bradfield (tenor sax), Marquis Hill (trumpet), Gregory Uhlmann (guitar), Blaise Magniere and Marie Wang (violins), Anthony Devroye (viola) and Cheng-Hou Lee (cello). Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.

Jon Balke – Siwan – Nahnou Houm  (ECM): “The 2009 self-titled debut from pianist/composer Jon Balke’s Siwan ensemble was universally acclaimed as his modern composition and improvising quintet met Moroccan singer Amina Alaoui and Bjarte Eike’s Barokksolistene, a Baroque group that weds the raw rhythms of Scandinavian folk to High Baroque. The album offered composed and improvised music centered on Gharnati music, inspired by the Al-Andalus era (730-1492).” (All Music Review) Nahnou Houm means “We are them” and like the earlier disc seeks to demonstrate the connections between Arab-Andalusian music with those of Balke and company. It features Algerian vocalist and oudist Mona Bouchebak who performs with Balke (keyboards) and members of Siwan: Derya Turkan (kemence); Helge Norbakken (percussion); and Pedram Khavar Zamini (tumbak); and the baroque group Barokksolistene with Bjarte Eike and Alison Luthmers (violins); Oivind Nussie, Milos Valent, Per Buhre and Torbjorn (violas); Judith Maria Blomsterberg and Mime Brinkmann (violoncello); and Johannes Lundberg (bass). All but two of the compositions were composed by Balke. The results are folksy and haunting. Balke pondered the question, “How would Europe and the rest of the world have developed if the three religions (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity) had managed to co-exist beyond…” 1492. Here is a beautiful and interesting answer.  Click here to listen to one example.

BC Double Quartet – Departure (Cellar Live): Guitarist/composer Bill Coon explains this assemblage as his double quartet where jazz quartet meets string quartet. The jazz quartet features Coon (guitar), Brad Turner (trumpet, flugelhorn), Paul Rushka (bass) and Bernie Arai (drums) while the string quartet features Cam Wilson (lead violin), Yuel Yawney (violin), Henry Lee (viola) and Finn Manniche (cello). Seven of the ten compositions are Coon’s and the remaining songs are Jim Hall’s “Careful”, Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love” and “Chorando Baixinho” by “A. Ferreria”. The performances are generally mellow and balanced between the two groups of musicians, but they can become quite lively. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.

Laila Biali – Laila Biali (Chronograph): Singer / songwriter / pianist Laila Biali has a full voice and a solidly acrobatic style that allows her to move from jazz to pop and jump to ballads, each with authority. The sound is large and she writes and sings in a range of styles, but don’t look for scatting or “outside” things. She co-wrote one song with Randy Bachman and covers David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and Randy Newman’s “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today”. In addition to her singing and piano playing, she’s accompanied by George Keller (bass), Larnell Lewis and Ben Wittman trading off on drums, Mike Mac Maher and Ambrose Akinmusire trading off on trumpet, Sam Yahel and Glenn Patscha trading off on organ with Lisa Discher, Jo Lawry and Carlos Ricketts providing backing vocals. Click here and scroll down to sample three songs from this release.

George Cotsirilos Quartet – Mostly In Blue (OA2): Veteran jazz guitarist George Cotsirilos has been a force in the San Francisco area for several years, both as a backing musician and a leader. He has released seven discs to date. This collection features six original compositions and covers of the standard “I Wish I Knew” and Benny Harris’ “Crazeology”. Cotsirilos prefers fresh takes and notes that all of these recordings were either first or second takes. His accompanying players include Keith Saunders (piano), Robb Fisher (bass) and Ron Marabuto (drums). The sound is fresh and swings in a nicely melodic and mellow way. Click here and scroll down to listen to the opening track.

Scott Hamilton Trio – Live At Pyatt Hall (Cellar Live): Recognized as one of the most elegant and mellow tenor sax players ever, Scott Hamilton offers a new trio disc with accompaniment by Rossano Sportiello (piano) and JJ Shakur ( acoustic bass). The music includes chestnuts by the likes of “Three Little Words” (H. Ruby), “Darn That Dream” (J. Van Heusen-EDeLange) and “Old Fashioned Love” (JP Johnson) among others and the most magnificent tenor sax tones heard anywhere. This is without doubt one of the richest jazz recordings of this kind ever. It is beautiful with a rich mellowness rarely matched by others. Click here to listen to sample of the songs on this disc.

Robert Kennedy – Closer To Home (Self-produced): Hammond B-3 player Robert Kennedy is the front man for this quartet featuring Terence Brewer (guitar) and Cody Rhodes (drums) with Ben Torres adding his tenor sax on seven of the ten songs on offer. Kennedy and Torres each composed one song on this, Kennedy’s second release. There is a variety of styles, but soul jazz or hard bop are most common. The group grooves well throughout. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Dominic Miller – Silent Light (ECM): Guitarist Dominic Miller has been a backup musician for Sting for quite some time and this is his first recording as the lead. His description of the evolution of this disc is enlightening. After initial meetings with Manfred Eicher, Miller set out to build a group for the recording, but after several failed attempts to get everyone together, he asked Eicher about doing a solo disc that would add his folk-related style to the quiet and beautiful recordings that have been one of ECM’c mainstays. This disc is the result. Miller has a beautiful, flowing and gentle style that allows the space and beauty of the chords and phrases to shine through. Miller also added percussionist Miles Bould to five of the eleven pieces. Contemplative, spacious and lovely. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.

Keith O’Rourke – Sketches From The Road (Chronograph): Canadian Saxophonist Keith O’Rourke presents a series of songs inspired by his travels abroad over the course of a decade. In his words, his goal was to express “…the joy, heartache, optimism, mischievousness, and playfulness that I felt….” from the journey and the memories he collected along the way. O’Rourke is accompanied by Andre Wickenheiser (trumpet, flugelhorn), Jon Day (piano), Kodi Hutchinson (bass) and Tyler Hornsby (drums). The collection is a straight ahead and flowing set of delightful jazz songs. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.

Margo Rey – The Roots Of Rey / Despacito Margo (Origin): Vocalist Margo Rey, formerly known as Margo Reymudo, is a singer of some standing, who has released some 25 recordings in the past decade or so. At the age of ten, Rey moved to Texas with her family. In addition to Mexican songs, she also sang in rock bands and other pop groups. She has a full voice with the depth of an alto and terrific style. She sings in English and Spanish depending upon the origin of the song. Four of the songs here are in Spanish and the others vary from show tunes to Leon Russell’s “This Masquerade”, Hoagy Carmicheal and Ned Washington’s “The Nearness Of You” to Kurt Weil and Ned Washington’s “Speak Low” and Eden Abhez’ “Nature Boy”. She even co-composed one song on offer. She carries everything with beauty, strength and command. Musicians are Oscar Hernandez (piano),Jimmy Branly (drums), Rene Camacho (bass), Ramon Stagnano (guitar, tres), Justo Almaria (sax, flute) and Joey de Leon (percussion). Click here to listen to samples of two songs on this discs.

Jamison Ross – All For One (Concord Jazz): Singer/songwriter/drummer Jamison Ross offers his second release on Concord. Having won the 2012 Thelonius Monk Jr. International Jazz competition, he was offered a recording contract which led to his initial release in 2015. He sings and plays drums on this disc as well, but the power and style of his vocals clearly dominate the the presentation. Ross’ vocals are strong and soulful, somewhat reminiscent of Stevie Wonder’s approach. The songs represent the newer soul vocal sounds supported by a gospel influence primarily from the organ and other keyboard stylings of Cory Irvin, who also sings background. Additional musicians include Rick Lollar (guitar, backing vocal), Chris Pattishall (piano) and Barry Stephenson (bass). This modern soul approach emphasizes the return of gospel and the newer soul or soul jazz mix. If you’re a fan of old soul, it may take some repeated listening to get acculturated, but this program is a significant signal that the current jazz / r&b / pop blend can still create a vibrant sound. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the first three song on this disc.

Adam Shulman Sextet – Full Tilt (Cellar Live): Pianist Adam Shulman leads his hot sextet through seven original compositions and two covers. The interplay is solid and bop, whether hard or “be”, is the name of the game. The group features Mike Olmos (trumpet), Lyle Link (alto sax), Patrick Wolff (tenor sax), John Wiitala (bass) and Evan Hughes (drums). The ensemble play and interactive solos are right in there, with a special kudos for trumpeter Olmos. This group has gravitated toward one another since roughly 2002 when Shulman returned to San Francisco. If you like horns, you will thoroughly enjoy this group for their interactive and solo playing. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop

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