New Jazz Adds – 1/15/2019

New Jazz News – 1/15/2019

Ina Forsman – Been Meaning To Tell You (Ruf): Finnish singer/songwriter Ina Forsman offers her fourth release, her second solo. She has a huge declarative vocal style that could match many of the greats. She is not a screamer and though her goal is to be a soul and blues singer, her technique does not compete with bombastic singers like Aretha Franklin or Janis Joplin. Admittedly, she doesn’t claim to be the replacement for either of those singers, she just wants to be a great blues vocalist. This disc contains 12 original songs that are quite fine, however. The musical co-director and arranger is veteran Kaz Kazanoff (tenor sax, backing vocals) and backing musicians include Red Young (piano, keys), Brannen Temple (drums, percussion), Laura Chavez (guitar), Chris Maresh (bass), John Mills (bari sax, flute), Al Gomez (trumpet), Randy Zimmerman (trombone), Alice Spencer (backup vocals) and Jay Stiles (keys, synthesizer). Forsman is certainly one to pay attention to. She has substantial power and personality. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.  

Lisa Hilton – Oasis (Flood Music, self-produced): This is pianist Lisa Hilton’s twenty-first release featuring ten originals and George Gershwin’s “Fascinating Rhythm”. She also has a new rhythm section featuring Luques Curtis (bass) and Mark Whitfield, Jr. (drums) and they blend wonderfully with her playing. Hilton also offers a refreshing variety on the disc. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.   

Andrew Lawrence – Trialogue (Self-produced): “A Chicago native, Andrew Lawrence attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied both jazz and classical piano. He was accepted into Oberlin’s top jazz ensemble, the Oberlin Jazz Septet….” (http://www.andrewlawrencepiano.com/#info) While he has played in other settings, this appears to be his second release as a leader. Lawrence composed all but one of the songs on this disc. He is supported by Patrick Mulcahy (bass) and Greg Artry (drums) and is joined by guitarist Matt Gold on three songs. Lawrence is a fantastic player and covers a lot of ground on this disc, showing his command throughout. I regret that I am unable to find a sample from this disc.

Doug MacDonald Trio – View Of The City (BluJazz): Doug MacDonald has performed in big bands and trios and he has performed with Trummy Young and Ray Anthony and recorded with Rosemary Clooney, Ray Brown, Buddy Rich, and Ray Charles, among others. This disc finds MacDonald in a trio and in beautifully fine form. The other players in the group are Harvie S (bass) and Steve Williams (drums). The songs include four originals from MacDonald and one from Harvie S along with covers of songs ranging from Ellington and Weill and David to Blue Mitchell. Mellow and so beautiful! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Judy Night Quintet – Sliding On Glass (BluJazz): This live recording by Judy Night and her quintet has a special meaning for her and is a terrific story for each of us. She was stricken with breast cancer a few years back and this ironically took her back to the instrument she had loved so much as a child. Ultimately, she was cured and decided she would continue to dedicate herself to music again. This live performance features a unique musical line-up in more ways than one. First, she gathered a unique musical line-up to allow her to play the music she most loves, including John Abercrombie’s  “Timeless”, Horace Silver’s “Lonely Woman” and Jim Webb’s “Wichita Lineman” among others. The band includes Night on piano and synthesizer, Justin Kramer (drums), Jackson Kidder (double bass), Brian Wilkie (guitar) and T.C. Furlong (pedal steel guitar). Secondly, each song sounds wonderful despite genre. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Iris Ornig – Storyteller (Self-produced): Composer/bassist Iris Ornig is a huge fan of Burt Bacharach’s extensive catalogue. She cites its energy and straightforwardness as a central influence on her own musical perspective. She composed all of the songs on this disc and they each have a vibrancy that is infectious in the same way that much of Bacharach’s work has. On the other hand, this is not pop. Rather it is delightful and compelling jazz. Ornig is accompanied by Jonathan Powell (trumpet, flugelhorn), Jeremy Powell (tenor sax), Addison Frei (piano) and Allan Mednard (drums). Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.  

Jennifer Porter – These Years (Self-produced): Singer/songwriter/guitarist Jennifer Porter has a deep musical past spanning over ten released discs spanning standards, movie themes, country and Americana. She has also performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. This disc features five of her own compositions and five covers, including Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love”, Jagger and Richards’ “Beat Of Burden”, Bob Dylan’s “On A Night Like This”, Tom Waits’ “In Between Love” and Bobby Sharp’s “Unchain My Heart”. Her presentations are more laid back in the case of her updates and her own compositions are more like ballads as well. Her voice is mellow but clearly she reaches for a bluesy sound. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Lena Prima – Prima La Famiglia (Basin Street): “First the family” obviously fits this performance considering that Lena is honoring her father Louis’ legacy. She certainly more laid back than her dad was, but it is still a nice tribute. This also happens to be her fifth release. The disc features numerous musicians including Lawrence Sieberth (piano), Danny O’Lannerghty (bass), Scott Williamson (drums), Steve Patrick and Mike Haynes (trumpets), Barry Green and Roy Agee (trombones), Sam Levine, and Jeff Coffin and Jimmy Bowland (woodwinds). Jeff Coffin delivers all sax solos, Sam Levine a clarinet solo, and John Viola Dolores Alfieri, Anadrew Taranto and Tim Fahey add vocal backing. The collection certainly honors Louis and reminds us of what a great artist he was, but in truth, Lena doesn’t have the pizzazz her father had. Nonetheless, you may hear some songs you haven’t before. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.    

Matt Savage Groove Experiment – Splash Variations (Savage): Piano/keyboard player began playing at a very young age, overcoming many limitations from autism. This EP is his first recording with his current group which features Aaron Gratzmiller (tenor and soprano sax), Michael Wang (trombone, recorder), Albino Mbie (guitar), Juan Mejis (drums), Javier Rosario (guitar on three songs), James Heaslewood-Dale (base on two songs), Soso Gelovani (bass on 1 song) and Robbie Pate (vocals on two songs). Though it is mostly upbeat, the styles shift considerably from one song to the next. Mostly, this jazz is funky or up beat and very inviting. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Something Blue – Maximum Enjoyment (Posi-Tone): Producer Marc Free comments in the liner notes of this disc that he wanted to wanted to mix “old” familiar faces Art Hirahara (piano), Boris Kozlov (bass), and Rudy Royston (drums) with some “new” friends including  Alexa Tarantino (alto sax), Nick Finzer (trombone), and Sam Dillon (tenor sax). The mix and blend is really wonderful. The rhythm section is completely tight and the soloists glide across the underpinning. The compositions include two by Hirahara and one each by Finzer, Sullivan, and Dillon, with the remainder selected from other musicians. The disc swings with energy and finesse. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Alister Spence and Satoko Fujii Orchestra Kobe – Imagine Meeting You Here (Self-produced): This disc features the musical compositions by Alister Spence written and conducted by him and Satoko Fujii leader of the Orchestra Kobe. The disc features five takes or conceptions of the original program. The players include Ko Iwata, Yasuhisa Mizutani (alto sax); Eiichiro Arasaki (tenor sax, shakuhachi); Tsutomu Takei (tenor sax); Keizo Nobori (bari sax); James Barrett, Shojiro Yokoo, Natsuki Tamura, and Rabito Arimoto (trumpets); Yusuko Kaneko and Yusuke Imanishi (trombones); Takumi Seino (guitar); Satoko Fujii (piano); Hiroshi Funato (bass); Yoshikazu Isaki (drums); and Alister Spence: conductor. The performance is challenging. Click here to listen to the opening segment of this composition.  

Danny Lynn Wilson – Peace Of Mind (SwingNation): Danny Lynn Wilson released his first release in 1992. That was described as a Chicago blues release. This appears to be his fifth release and it fits well in Americana or some other folk related style. Wilson has a laid back approach to his storytelling and music at this point. This songs are thoughtful and reflective about life. He plays acoustic guitar on this releases and is accompanied by Dave Gross (electric guitar, baritone guitar, banjo, organ, Wurlitzer, mandolin, percussion and vocals); Matt Raymond (bass); Ray Hangen (drums); Greg Gumpel (resonator guitar, vocal); Sean Daly (lapsteel); Danielle Gross and Clare Moses (vocals and Moses on cello on one song); Doug James (tenor and bari sax); Charles Burham (violin) and April Mae (washboard). The mood is laid back and infectious. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the first five songs on this disc.   

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop

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