New Jazz Adds – 8/5/2018
New Jazz Adds – 8/5/2018
Geof Bradfield – Yes, and…Music for Nine Improvisors (Delmark): Educator/composer/sax player Geof Bradfield is based in Chicago and currently has seven discs as a leader. He composed all of the songs on this disc. The players are Geof Bradfield (tenor, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet), Greg Ward (alto sax), Anna Webber(flute, bass flute, tenor sax), Russ Johnson and Marquis Hill (trumpets), Joel Adams (trombone), Scott Hesse(guitar), Clark Sommers (bass) and Dana Hall (drums/percussion). “The music ranges from carefully scored passages for reeds and horns to more spontaneous interchanges among various subsets of players. In both scenarios, the music finds continuity in the tonal glow of the ensemble playing, the subtlety of instrumental voicing, and the harmonic sophistication of everything these players have to offer.” (Liner notes) Click here and to listen to the first two cuts on this disc.
Greg Fishman Quintet – So You Say (Self-produced): Chicago based sax player / teacher / composer Grew Fishman established his thriving instructional studio in 1992. This appears to be his third release as a leader. His group includes Doug Webb (tenor sax), Mitch Forman (piano), Kevin Axt (bass) and Dan Schnelle (drums) and while the entire group plays wonderfully, the interaction between Fishman and Webb is terrific. Six of the songs on the disc are Fishman originals and the remainder composed by Webb. The group is tight and their straight ahead playing reminds us how wonderful straight-ahead jazz can be. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
William Hooker – Pillars…at the Portal (Self-produced): Drummer / composer William Hooker offers his 22nd release and it is a blue jazz jam trip to the outside. Songs range from funky blues to the realms beyond the harmonic zone. In fact, Hooker advises that “This is music that is not in the mainstream.” The backing musicians are Jon Irabagon (tenor, soprano sax); James Brandon Lewis (tenor sax); Luke Stewart (bass); and Anthony Pirog (guitar). There are some great moments on this disc as well as some difficult listening moments. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Impala – In The Late Hours (Electraphonic): This Memphis based group features John Stivers (guitar), Scott Bomar (bass, keys, percussion), Justin Thompson (tenor sax), Paul Buchignani (drums, percussion), and Marc Franklin (trumpet) with occasional support from Al Gamble (keys), Kirk Smothers (bari sax), Jason Yasinsky (trombone), Paul Clark (bass trombone) and Adam Hill (tambourine). The group is a milder version of other guitar-centered groups like the Ventures from the past. I regret I am unable to find a link to the music.
Sam Javitch Quartet – People and Places (Self-produced): This is composer/pianist Sam Javitch’s second release and his first leading a quartet. Javitch has a straight forward style that should appeal to many jazz fans, thanks to his solid playing and the interactions between him and Rich Perry (tenor sax) and the solid play of the rhythm section: Adrian Moring (bass) and Matt Nieldbalski (drums). All seven of the songs are originals and that further enhances the program. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Rich Jenkins – Tradster (Self-produced): Guitarist/singer Rich Jenkins invites you to step and tune in to a set of jazz/pop/blues oldies presented with a loud talk – shout – singing style of the late 20s through the 40s blue jazz style. The songs range from “Ain’t Misbehaving”, “Honeysuckle Rose” and “All Of Me” to “I’ve Got The World On A String” “Night & Day” and “I’m Beginning To See The Light” and even includes one original by Jenkins. Backing musicians are Bill Washer (rhythm guitar), Tony Marino (bass), Bill Goodwin (drums), Dave Leonhart (piano), Jay Rattman (sax, clarinet) and Mike Davis (trumpet, trombone). Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Kevin Kaska Jazz Orchestra – Shades Of Rio (Denouement): “American composer, arranger, record producer, and conductor, Kevin Kaska is one of America’s leading young musical talents. His orchestral compositions, arrangements, and orchestrations have been played by over 50 symphony orchestras worldwide….” (http://www.kevinkaska.com/biography.html) He has also worked on the musical soundtracks, winning an Academy Award for best film score (Life of Pi). Kaska is currently 46. Kaska’s special guest on this disc is Arturo Sandoval (trumpet). Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Bob Larson – Popular Delusions (Self-produced): Composer/educator/pianist Bob Larson is an Associate Professor of Jazz Piano and is the Harrison Endowed Chair in Piano at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. This disc features Larson on piano, supported by Craig Fraedrich (trumpet, flugelhorn), Luis Hernandez (tenor sax), Matt Niess (trombone), Paul Henry (bass) and Carroll “CV” Dashiell III (drums). The disc includes five original compositions by Larson, one written by Earl Zindars and three standards arranged by Larson. This is straight ahead jazz often on the cool or bop side. A solid performance. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Jay Lawrence – Sonic Paragon (Jazz Hang): Veteran drummer Jay Lawrence has performed with an amazingly diverse list of musicians ranging from The 5th Dimension, Paul Anka, Vikki Carr, Cher, Roy Clark, The Coasters, The Drifters, Jack Jones, Tom Jones, Ben E. King, Gladys Knight, Loretta Lynn, Liza Minelli, Lou Rawls, and Della Reese and in the jazz world he has performed with Randy Brecker, Kenny Burrell, Cyrus Chestnut, Roy Hargrove, Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, Carol Kaye, Nicholas Payton, Art Pepper, John Pizzarelli, Arturo Sandoval, Clark Terry, Stanley Turrentine, and Phil Woods among others. Lawrence also composed eight of the twelve on this release. He is supported by John Patitucci (bass), Renee Rosnes (piano), Harry Allen (tenor sax), Terrell Stafford (trumpet) and a rotating set of guitarists, including Romero Lubambo, Anthony Wilson, and Yotam Silberstein. This is a mainstream program with terrific performances and individual highlights. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Peter Lin & The Lintet – With Respect (Self-produced): Trombonist/arranger/composer Peter Lin seeks to create a hybrid of jazz arrangements of the Chinese and Taiwanese popular songbook that will honor both traditions. Lin was born in New Orleans and raised in Whippiny, NJ and was also thoroughly exposed in Chinese and Taiwanese music by his family. He has also performed by with and been instructed by Slide Hampton. Most of the music here is straight ahead with a very smooth swing. He composed one song of his own and covered a composition by Slide Hampton on the disc as well. Other musicians performing on this disc are Anthony Nelson Jr. (co-producer, tenor and soprano sax, flute); Anthony Ware (alto sax); Benjamin Kovacs (tenor sax); James Zollar (trumpet); Oscar Williams II (piano); Charlie Sigler (guitar); Ben Rubens (bass); and Nic Cacioppo and Winard Harper (alternating on drums). Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.
Dave Rempis – Jasper Stadhouders – Frank Rosaly – Icoci (Aerophonic): Alto/tenor sax player Dave Rempis, (guitar), bassist Jasper Stadhouders, and drummer Frank Rosaly step forward with a live free jazz offering that is set to challenge your ears and taste. It is, in fact, an aural assault. You may wonder how this group got an offer to record and the answer is that Rempis actually founded the company. I regret I am unable to find a sample from the disc, but this earlier duo version will give you some idea of the music, especially if you mentally add an electric guitarist / bassist. Click here to listen to an earlier version of this song.
The Verve Jazz Ensemble – Connect The Dots (Self-produced): The Verve Jazz Ensemble was formed and began as quartet in 2006 and grew into a quintet by the time of its first release in 2012. This is the group’s fifth release and they now have grown from a quartet to a septet. At the same time, they play in different groupings for specific songs. The members are Josh Feldstein (drums), Tatum Greenblatt (trumpet, flugelhorn), Jon Blanck (tenor sax), Alexa Tarantino (alto sax, flute), Willie Applegate (trombone), Steve Einerson (piano) and Elias Bailey (bass). Along the way, the quintets have three different arrangements and the trio performs three songs. The material they have chosen for this set includes Lalo Shifrin’s “Bistro”, Gene Krupa and Gerry Mulligan’s “Disk Jockey Jump”, Benny Golson’s “Little Karin”, Lee Morgan’s “Ceora” and a few standards from the old days. It’s all a quite professionally done straight ahead performance that offers nice melodies for some pleasant toe-tapping. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
