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New Jazz Adds – 1/7/2020

Joshua Jern Jazz Orchestra – Midnight Stroll (CH.ILL JAZZ): “This eclectic collection of original music by trumpet player/composer/band leader Joshua Jern provides a fresh approach to the long-established American tradition of big band music, featuring some of the best big band jazz musicians in the world….The fine solo work of such musicians as trumpeter Art Davis (Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Frank Mantooth, Kurt Elling), tenor saxophonist Alex Beltran (Merge Quintet, Terry Bartolotta Trio), Doug Scharf (Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Louie Bellson), alto saxophonist Aaron McEvers (Aaron McEvers M-13, Chris Siebold’s PSYCLES), baritone saxophonist Mark Hiebert (New Standard Jazz Orchestra, M-13) are featured on this album alongside such driving forces as the drumming of Greg Fundis (Fareed Haque, Led Zeppelin 2) and the lead trumpet playing of the iconic Roger Ingram (Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Harry Connick, Jr.).” (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/joshuajernjazzorchestra2) All of the pieces are originals composed by Jern. Smooth and jumping! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Petros Klampanis – Irrationalities (Enja/yellowbird): Bassist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator Petros Klampanis offers his fourth release as a leader. He has also performed on numerous recordings led by many other artists. Klampanis composed six of the eight compositions on this disc and is joined by Kristjan Randalu (piano) and Bodek Janke (drums, percussion). The performances are mostly floating and enticing works of art. Click here to listen to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Helge Lien & Knut Hem – Hummingbird (Ozella): Pianist Helge Lien and dobro and Weissenborn player Knut Hem offer nine original tunes and recreate Jerry Douglas’ “We Hide And Seek” on this delightful set. They have been playing together more recently, though have been performing for a while. The music is upbeat, flowing and a nice blend of styles. Click here and scroll down to listen to “Moster” and “Hummingbird” from this disc.

Doug MacDonald & The Tarmac Ensemble (dmacmusic): “Jazz Marathon 4 is a live recording featuring some of the finest jazz musicians that the West Coast has to offer. All are well known international musicians, and have performed with some of the most famous artists in the world. By alternating between two separate ensembles, our producer Don Thomson creates a format of continuous music for these “jazz marathon” events held at Hangar 18 in Los Angeles, CA. Captured on July 18th 2019, this concert represents a musical watershed that dates back to the birth of West Coast Jazz in the 1960’s. The legacy of saxophonist/flautist/arranger Kim Richmond, and his musical relationship to Doug extends to the rest of these fine musicians and their collective histories. As parts of a collaborative musical movement that has developed over the course of a half-century, these various artists are now featured in a unique setting that invites innovation while paying tribute to the classic sounds of cool jazz.” The musicians are Doug MacDonald (guitar), Charlie Shoemake (vibes), Joe Bagg (piano), Harvey Newmark and John B. Williams (trading off on bass), Kendall Kay and Roy McCurdy (trading off on drums), Kim Richmond (flute, alto sax), Ron Stout (trumpet), Ira Nepus (trombone), and Rickey Woodard (tenor sax). Very smooth throughout. It swings. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this set.

Jackie Myers Swingset – The State Of This City (Self-produced): “Late night jazz, cool jazz influenced by post bop. Instrumental, piano and saxophone lead jazz. Original jazz music. Jazz quartet. Melodic, not too avant-garde, not too old-school.” (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/themyersswingset) Pianist / composer Myers splits her time between Austin and Kansas City and is lighting up both. She is supported by Mike Herrera (sax), Sam Copeland (bass) and Jim Lower (drums). Myers swings with wonderful joy, jump and energy and also serves up some beautiful ballads. The invitation to swing with the band is irresistible! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this release.

One Planet Jazz – Direct From The Heart (PONY Boy): Based in the Washington, One Planet Jazz began is a quartet featuring Ellen Marx (vocals), Steve Marx (bass), Miles Feinstein (piano) and Greg Williamson (drums, vibes, percussion). Marx’s lyrics are rather unusual and her talky singing style sets her off as well. This appears to be the group’s second release. The first release paid homage to Sam Copeland the grandson of songwriter Gus Kahn (“Makin’ Whoopee,” “It Had to be You”) and Groucho Marx (Duck Soup, Night At the Opera). This set is strongly connected the present and all songs are originals. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples from three songs on this disc.

Roberta Piket – Domestic Harmony: Piket Plays Mintz (Thirteenth Note Records): “Talk about a labor of love: Pianist Roberta Piket was simply making a present for her husband’s (drummer Billy Mintz) birthday when she arranged, recorded, edited, mastered, and produced an album’s worth of solo piano performances of his compositions…. What Piket committed to tape was an intimate and unfettered piece of music, intended for an audience of one….Piket says. “Billy is exceptionally and very naturally talented. He doesn’t have any formal education in composition, but despite that—or maybe because of that—he writes in a very simple, direct way that’s incredibly appealing.” (https://thirteenthnoterecords.com/domestic-harmony/) The result is terrific: free, melodic and full of abandon. A beautiful gift to her husband and to us. Click here click here to listen to the songs on this disc.

Carmen Sandim – Play Doh (Pathways Jazz): “Over the past few decades Carmen’s eclectic musical aesthetics have drawn her in many directions: classical piano studies, jazz composition and performance, film scoring, and a long-lasting commitment to improvised music pedagogy. The unifying thread throughout her diverse musical explorations lays on the  search for unique and authentic sound….Carmen moved to Boulder, Colorado in 2005, and for the first time since leaving Brazil, felt she had found a second home. And embrace her new home she did – Carmen enrolled in a masters program at University of Colorado, opened a piano teaching studio, and began writing music that felt expressive and meaningful to her….” (https://www.carmensandim.com/about-2) This is Sandim’s second release. She is accompanied by Shane Endsley (trumpet), Bruce Williamson (reeds), Alex Heitlinger (trombone), Khabu Carter Young (guitar), Bill McCrossen (bass) and Dru Heller (drums) with Bill Kopper (acoustic guitar on two songs) and Raul Rossiter (percussion on one). The music itself is warm, beautiful and unique. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.

Leo Sherman – Tonewheel (Outside In Music): “New York-based bassist/composer Leo Sherman impregnates his debut album, Tonewheel, with diverse, rewarding content that includes catchy themes, stimulating improvised moments, and energy-filled vamps. The album, conceived as a musical self-portrait, reflects his existence from an early childhood until the present day, and describes sensitive phases such as when he and his family had to run away from Leningrad in 1987, his difficult upbringing in Baltimore, as well as his maturation as a musician in New York.” (https://www.isrbx.net/3137749762-leo-sherman-tonewheel-2019.html) Sherman is accompanied by Paul Jones (sax), Alex Goodman (guitar), Ben Winkelman (electric piano) and Dan Pugach (drums). Sherman composed eight of the nine songs on offer. This is his first release and the blend is fresh, tight and quite entertaining. Click here to listen to sample the songs on this disc.

Various Artists – If You’re Going To The City: A Tribute To Mose Allison (Fat Possum): “Born in 1927 in the Mississippi Delta, Mose John Allison grew up listening to jazz and blues greats such as Louis Armstrong, Memphis Minnie, Duke Ellington, Louis Jordan and the Nat Cole Trio.  He learned to play the piano and trumpet as a boy. After a stint in the army and then several years playing in clubs around the South, he moved to New York City to make his career as a pianist, songwriter, and performer fronting his own trio. Allison performed with jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, and Gerry Mulligan, and developed a distinctive style of playing that fused blues and jazz with succinct and timeless lyrics. Mose Allison became a favorite among his peers and his songs have been covered by other great artists.… Allison passed away in 2016 at the age of 89.” (https://sweetrelief.org/news/mose_allison_tribute/) The performers on this disc include Taj Mahal, Robbie Fulks, Jackson Browne, Fiona Apple, Ben Harper, Ben Harper, Chrissie Hynde, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, Loudon Wainwright III, Richard Thompson, Peter Case, Dave and Phil Alvin, and Amy Allison with Elvis Costello. This is a fitting tribute to such a monumental thinker and performer! Click here and scroll down to listen to the songs on this release.

Skip & Dan Wilkins Quartet – Someday (Deer Head): Skip and Dan Wilkins (piano and tenor sax, respectively) perform with their rhythm section of Tony Marino (bass) and Bill Goodwin (drums) in honor of the Deer Head Inn, the oldest continuously active jazz club in the US. They selected a set of great songs, including “Remind Me” (Kern and Fields), Wilder and Mercer’s “Ever Again”, George and Ira Gershwin’s “Of Thee I Sing” and Cole Porter’s “Dream Dancing” among others to celebrate this Delaware Water Gap, PA, legendary musical club. The quartet swings its way through a joyful set from end to end. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop