New Jazz Adds – 6/12/2017
New Jazz Adds – 6/12/2017
DeJohnette-Grenadier-Medeski-Scofield – Hudson (Motema): This is an intriguing line-up: Jack DeJohnette (drums, wooden flute, vocals), Larry Grenadier (bass, vocals), John Medeski (piano, Rhodes, B-3, wooden flute, vocals) and John Scofield (guitar, wooden flute). It also has a surprising song list: the opening number is as funky as you could want and is credited as a group composition. It’s followed by the first of two Scofield compositions. DeJohnette adds two of his own and one co-wriiten with Bruce Hornsby. The remaining songs are covers: Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay” and “Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”, Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock”. Hendrix’s “Wait Until Tomorrow” and Robbie Robertson’s “Up On Cripple Creek”. There are some terrific interpretations and a few that seem less inspired. It’s certainly interesting to hear DeJohnette play in this style and Scofield is all over his guitar. Funky and fun. Click here to listen to a sample song.
Duende Libre – Duende Libre (Self-produced): This trio includes longtime collaborators Alex Chadsey (piano/keyboards/compositions), Farko Dosumov (electric bass, voice) and Jeff “Bongo” Busch (drums & percussion). “Duende Libre utilizes the American jazz tradition as a point of departure for daring explorations of rhythm & influences from the Americas, Europe and Africa….” (source =(http://duendelibre.rockpaperscissors.biz/) This is the group’s first disc and they stick to their goal of entertaining and inspiring their listeners to enjoy positive lively music as a path to uplifting their spirits. The funky quality is prominent throughout and it certainly will inspire toe-tapping or even getting right on up and shaking yourself all around! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Peter Erskine New Trio – In Praise Of Shadows (Self-produced): Drummer Peter Erskine has performed on some 600 albums and film scores and has won two Grammy Awards, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee School of Music (1992). He has played with the Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson Big Bands, Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Brecker Brothers, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, and John Scofield, among others. On this disc, Erskine is joined by Vardan Ovsepian (keys) and Damien Erskine (bass), with guests Artyom Manukyam (cello) and Judd Miller, (Evi whistle). All of the songs on the disc were arranged by Vardan Ovsepian. The program is beautiful and very cool. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.
Jazzmeia Horn – A Social Call (Concord: Prestige): Twenty-six year old Jazzmeia Horn offers her first disc, having already won numerous artistic competitions. She has a terrific voice and a bag full of stunning stylistic techniques that allow her to tackle a great range of songs and styles. She also obviously believes that the meaning is in the message and her “social call” is a call to understanding and awareness. She opens with “Tight”, from the Betty Carter songbook, and offers her own renditions of “East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon)”, “Lift Every Voice And Sing” blended with “Moanin’”, a sonic blast-off on “The Peacocks (A Timeless Place)” and an amazing medley of “Afro- Blue/Eye See You/Wade In The Water”. The middle song is a Horn original. Instrumental accompaniment is provided by Victor Gould (piano), Ben Williams (bass), Jerome Jennings (drums) Stacy Dillard (tenor sax), Josh Evans (trumpet) and Frank Lacy (trombone). A terrific debut! Click here for an introduction to this disc.
Wynton Kelly Trio – Smokin’ In Seattle: Live At The Penthouse (Resonance): These performances were recorded live in Seattle on April 14 and 21, 1966. The players include Wynton Kelly (piano), Ron McClure (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums), who were joined by Wes Montgomery (guitar) on six of the ten tunes. Everyone is in terrific form! There is very little introductory talk, as it appears they were content to let the music speak for itself. Absolutely, a knock out! Click here for an introduction to this disc.
Bob Merrill – Songs By Joe Bushkin, Vol. 1 (Accurate): Bob Merrill (vocals, trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn) leads this tribute to songwriter Joe Buskin, who, by the way, plays piano himself on “Oh, Look At Me Know”. Most of the music is provided by Howard Alden (guitar), Nicki Parrott (bass, vocal), Steve Johns (drums) and Harry Allen (tenor sax), with Laurence Hobgood, John Colianna or Rossano Sportiello (piano), Adrian Cunningham (alto sax, clarinet) added to the main group on various songs. Special guests include Kathryn Crosby (vocal), Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), Eric Comstock (vocal, piano), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone, vocal) and Duffy Jackson (drums). All but two of the songs are Buskin compositions with lyrics by Johnny Devries. Everyone is having a good time with the old time music! Click here and scroll down to “Tell Me Your Troubles” to listen to several songs on this disc.
Nicole Mitchell – Mandorla Awakening II: Emerging Worlds (Self-produced): Flutist/band leader/composer/educator Nicole Mitchell has been recognized as one of the best in her field. She was also the first woman president of Chicago’s Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). Her music “celebrates African American culture while reaching across genres and integrating new ideas with moments in the legacy of jazz, gospel, experimentalism, pop and African percussion….” (webpage bio) In this case, the music responds to the question “What would happen if “…we unify duality by smashing together two worlds…? Can Human consciousness be transformed by embracing fears and establishing balance? Sparking spirituality?” The performance is her sonic response. The music is unusual, intriguing, and difficult at times. In addition to Mitchell (flute, electronics), the musicians are avery r young, vocals) (sic), Kojiro Umezaki (shakuhachi), Renee Baker (violin), Tomeka Reid (cello, banjo), Alex Wing (electric guitar, out, theremin), Tatsu Aoki (bass, shamisen, taiko), and Jovia Armstrong (percussion). Click here to listen to songs from this work.
Jaco Pastorius – Truth, Liberty & Soul (Resonance): This program was performed and recorded live in New York on June 27, 1982, as part of the George Wein Kool Jazz Festival. In addition to Pastorius on bass and vocals, the players included Bob Mintzer (tenor, soprano sax, bass clarinet); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Othello Molineaux (steel drums); Don Alias (percussion); and Peter Erskine (drums) with the following horn sections: Bob Stein (alto), Lou Marini and Frank West (tenor sax), Howard Johnson and Randy Emerick (bari sax); Alan Rubin, Lew Soloff, Jon Faddis, Ron Tooley, and Kenny Faulk (trumpets); John Clark and Peter Gordon (French horns); David Bargeron (tuba); and special guest Toots Thielemans (harmonica). The program itself includes a wide range of songs from “Donna Lee” (Charlie Parker) and “Sophisticated Lady” (Ellington) to several compositions from Pastorius. The performance itself is a lively affair. Click here for an introduction to the concert and program.
Pearl Django – With Friends Like These (Modern Hot Records): This is Pearl Django’s 13th release. They offer 13 original compositions, continuing their commitment to honoring the music of Django Reinhardt and creating original compositions associated with that style. The group includes Rick Leppanen (bass), Michael Gray (violin, viola), David Lange (accordion), and Neil Andersson and Tim Lerch (guitars). The music is lively and flowing throughout. Pearl Django adds another delightful disc to the genre. Click here to listen to the opening song.
Bria Skonberg – With A Twist (OKeh): Bria Skonberg is a singer, composer and trumpet player. She also likes the old classics like Donaldson and Kahn’s “My Baby Just cares For Me’” and Valaida Snow’s “High Hat, Trumpet And Rhythm”, as well as newer compositions like Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me To The End Of Love” – and she contributed three originals. She’s strong in each aspect of her art. She is supported by numerous musicians varying from one song to the next. Most of the settings are larger bands, but there is some small group playing as well. Her comments about this? “I play jazz because it’s the closest I can get to flying.…spreading joy, relating the human experience, and putting good into the world to counteract the negative. I want to make music that makes people feel and think.” (website) Click here to listen to a song from this disc.
Melvin Sparks – Live At Nectar’s (One Note): Soul jazz guitarist Melvin Sparks had his first important gigs in R&B with Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, then joined the Upsetters – Little Richard’s road band – and eventually played with Jackie Wilson, Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. Later on, Sparks played and recorded with jazz organists, including Jack McDuff, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Charles Earland and recorded as a leader for Prestige and Savant. This disc is a live gig from 2010 and, in addition to Sparks, features Beau Sasser (organ), Bill Carbone (drums), Dave Grippo (alto sax), and Brian McCarthy (tenor sax). Sparks is in great form and the set list covers lots of ground with Sparks demonstrating his range and talent. Click here to listen and groove to the opening track.
Joris Teepe & Don Braden – Conversations (Creative Perspective Music): Bassist Joris Teepe and Don Braden (tenor sax, flute) have a longterm association and affinity for each other’s style. Their interaction on this disc is the delightful proof. Three of the songs here are duos and the others add a drummer, Gene Jackson on three and Matt Wilson on four. The specific material is drawn from many greats: Chick Corea, Elvin Jones, Charles Mingus, Ira Gershwin and Kurt Weill, Wayne Shorter, Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, and George Gershwin. Teepe, Braden and drummer Matt Wilson also add one original composition apiece. These performances are, indeed, deep and wonderful conversations. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
