WTJU 91.1 FM

New Jazz Adds – 2/28/2018

Craig Fraedrich & The Jazz Trumpet Ensemble – Out Of The Blues (Self-produced): This five trumpet jazz ensemble is led by Craig Fraedrich (lead trumpet, flugelhorn) who cites philosopher Von Goethe’s comment, “I call architecture frozen music” as the basis for selecting this range of standards for a thaw. The music ranges from “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child” to “Giant Steps”, but always performed with a new perspective. The music is performed by Tony Nalker (piano), Jim Roberts (guitar), Steve Fidyk (drums), Regan Brough (bass) and four additional trumpets and flugelhorns  played by Mark Wood, Ken McGee, Graham Breedlove and Kenny Rittenhouse. It’s a fresh line-up playing new arrangements and it is quite interesting.  Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Hart, Scone & Albin – Leading The British Invasion (Zoho): John Hart (guitar), Adam Scone (organ) and Rudy Albin Petschauer (drums) follow the great trio tradition of cutting very groovy and swinging instrumental versions of pop or at least classic songs and they constantly grab you from one song or style to the next until you can hardly believe it’s over. The songs on hand span from Amy Winehouse, Adele, Joss Stone and Sade to “Body And Soul”, Lorde’s “Royals” and John Hart’s very jazzy “Blues For The U.K.” The variety is wonderful and the grooves are several. If you dig electrified trios, check this out! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Bob Holz – Visions: Coast To Coast Connection (Self-produced): Drummer Bob Holz composed or co-wrote all but one of the songs on this disc. The performances cover a wide range of sounds as the line-up of musicians switches constantly from one song to the next. The players are Stanley Clarke, Ralphe Armstrong and Andrew Ford (alternating on bass); Randy Brecker, Louis Ludivic, and Jeff Jarvis (alternating on trumpet); Billy Steinway and Frank Stepanek (keys); Alex Machacek, Chet Catallo and Frank Stepanek (alternating on guitar); Dave Porter (vocal on one song); Ada Rovatti and David Goldberg (alternating on reeds) and Andrew Lippman (trombone). The variety offers something for everyone, but the variety also creates a lack of cohesion. The polish of the performances is what holds things in focus. It’s fusion throughout. Click here for a preview of this disc.

The Idiomatiques – Out On The Town (Self-produced): This is the second release from the West Coast Django inspired Idiomatiques. The group features Craig Sharmat (lead guitar, vocals), Brian Mann (accordion, clavietta, piano, vocal), Kim Collins (bass, vocals, whistle, MouthDrums), and George Quirin (Gypsy and flamenco guitar, vocals) with Benedikt Brydern (violin) and Tom Ball (harmonica) on one song each. The music is mostly up tempo instrumentals, with two vocals and nine of the eleven songs are originals. Uplifting, delightful and fun! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Kathy Kosins – Uncovered Soul (Maristar): Veteran singer/songwriter Kathy Kosins was born in Detroit and grew up during the rise and peak period of the Motown sound. Her style on this disc is a soul jazz blend that carries a strong blues flavor. She selected several soul songs that are positively excellent though possibly sinking into oblivion. Her goal is to revive them in her own soulful and jazzy way as well as to spread their messages. She composed four songs on the disc and co-wrote one. The covers include Gene McDaniels’ “Don’t Get Me Started”, the Neville Brothers “Voodoo”, Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard’s “Any Day Now” among others. This is a truly solid slice of uptown soul. Backing musicians include Mitch Forman (keys), Kevin Axt (bass), Eric Harland (drums), with guest appearances by Kamau Kenyatta (piano), Gregory “G-MO” Moore (guitar), Curtis Taylor (trumpet), Munyungo Jackson (percussion) and Darryl Johnson and Kathy Kosins adding backing singing. Click here to listen to samples of five songs on this disc.

Tamuz Nissim – Echo Of A Heartbeat (Street Of Stars): Tamuz Nissim’s third release and it is a gem! She has a beautiful voice, outstanding control, she can scat with the best of any era and on top of that, she tosses in some knock out vocalese that would put the icing on any cake! Did I mention she also added some “right on” lyrics to Dizzy Gillespie’s  “Groovin’ High” and Dexter Gordon’s “Fried Bananas”?  The vocalese? Check out her twist on the classic “Smile”. There are a few instruments in support: James Weidman (piano), Harvie S (bass), and Tony Jefferson (drums) with the addition of George Nazos on guitar on two songs. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Ben Paterson – That Old Feeling (Cellar Live): Pianist Ben Paterson began his drive to issue a cd through kickstarter and now finds his release on Cellar Live Records. Paterson carries on the trio tradition so beautifully established by such greats as Nat King Cole and Oscar Peterson – piano, bass and guitar. Paterson’s co-players are Chris Flory (guitar) and George Delancey (bass). In fact, most of the songs on this disc are from the Great American songbook, including “You And The Night And The Music” and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and others from composers Johnny Mercer, Jerome Kern, Ira Gershwin, etc. He also offers a few more recent compositions from David Fathead Newman, Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan and his own, “Say A Small Prayer”. The trio is a terrific unit suggesting that Paterson is joining the correct group of musicians. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Charlie Peacock – When Light Flashes Help Is On The Way (Twenty Ten Music): Composer / keyboard player Charlies Peacock offers six original compositions and two interesting covers, “Still Water” by Daniel Lanois and “Masters Of War” by Bob Dylan. Note that there are no vocals on this disc and it is a largely electric gathering. Peacock, founder of “The Civil Wars” duo, is considered by many to be one of the most versatile composers and players around. Players include Jeff Coffin (saxes, woodwinds); Den Perewsky (drums, bells); Felix Pastorius (electric bass); Hilmar Jensson (acoustic and electric guitar); Jeff Taylor (accordion); Jerry McPherson (electric guitar); Tony Miracle (laptop); Matthew White (trumpet) and Andy Leftwich (mandolin, fiddle). Click here to listen to songs on this disc.

As Is featuring Alan & Stacey Schulman – Here’s To Life (Self-produced): Guitarist Alan Schulman and vocalist Stacey Schulman present their second release re-imagining songs from the Great American Songbook with a twist, such as opening their version of “A Night In Tunisia” with “Caravan” and creating a progressive medley of the Gershwin’s stage number “It Ain’t Necessarily So” with Burt Bacharach’s “The Love Of Love” and Carole King’s “It’s Too Late Baby”. The guitar moves things along with flair, while the lyrical shifts constantly add delightful surprises. In fact, it is the duo’s constant mixing and blending their set list with new musical approaches and styles that gives the disc its special appeal and delight. Click here to see a promo for this new disc.

Peter Sommer Septet – Happy-Go-Lucky Locals (Self-produced): “Swinging arrangements of Jazz classics by master musicians from the Rocky Mountain Front Range” is the headline of the promo for this group that features Sommer (tenor sax, clarinet), Will Swindler (alto and bari sax, clarinet), Al Hood (trumpet, flugelhorn), Paul McKee (trombone), Ben Markley (piano), Buoux Barbosa (bass) and Paul Romaine (drums). Three of the songs are Sommer originals and the remaining six include remakes of Ellington’s “Happy-Go-Lucky Local”, Monk’s “Misterioso”, Mingus’ “Duke Ellington’s Sound Of Love” and Coltrane’s “Naima”. It’s a nice set throughout. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Under The Lake – Jazz, Groove & Attitude (Self-produced): Based in the Portland, Oregon area, Under The Lake has been bringing their smooth and funky sound far beyond that one area and has received numerous positive reviews on their grooving and mellow sound. They have often been compared to such performers as the Yellowjackets and Larry Carlton and have been described as “partially powerful pop, partially jazz, and even a little artsy Return To Forever-like fusion.” (Jazziz) The players include Jayson Tipp (keyboards), John Moak (trombone), David Evans (tenor sax), Evan Mustard (guitar), Kenny Franklin (bass), Brian Foxworth (drums) and Nat Caranto (alto sax) with guest Joe Powers (harmonica) on one song. The sound is smooth, melodic and just cool and funky enough to put a dip in your hip and keep your toes tapping. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Sunny Wilkinson – Into The Light (Sunchance): Singer Sunny Wilkinson and pianist Ron Newman offer six original songs and seven covers created or selected as their “celebration of family, friends, life and relationships” (liner notes). Wilkinson has “sung with music icons such as The Count Basie Orchestra, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Clark Terry, Mark Murphy, Milt Hinton, Curtis Fuller and many more.  She has recorded four CDs as leader and numerous guest appearances.” “Into the Light,” her newest CD, is all about family—not just Wilkinson’s immediate family, but her extended musical family as well.” (http://www.sunnywilkinson.com/press-kit/) She has a beautiful voice and, in addition, scats with great style. The rhythm section includes Ed Fedewa (bass) and Larry Ochiltree (drums). Lots of moods and variety and terrific interaction among the players. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop