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New Jazz Adds – 3/23/2021

Ian Charleton Big Band – A Fresh Perspective (Self-produced): “After earning a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, saxophonist Ian Charleton thought it might be a good idea to join a service band for a short time. He wound up in the Navy and, as of 2020, had spent two decades leading, playing in, touring the world and writing for various Navy bands. Then he thought it might be a good idea to release a big-band album under his own name. Like that other good idea, Charleton’s notion proved to be more than good—it was nothing short of inspired. A Fresh Perspective, recorded with proper social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, swings heartily from the start, enhanced by Charleton’s impressive charts and ably performed by an ensemble whose talents are outstanding and everywhere apparent…. Band members are Mark Oates: trumpet; Pete Sutorius: trumpet; Mark Nixon: trumpet; Kerry Moffit: trumpet; Richard Garcia: saxophone, alto; Jason Hammers: saxophone; Keith Philbrick: saxophone, tenor; Michael Ferrante: saxophone, tenor; David Fatek: saxophone, baritone; John Lloyd: trombone; Lisa Drefke: trombone; Carl Lundgren: trombone; Dandrick Glenn: trombone, bass; Bart Kuebler: piano; Wes Wagner: guitar; Ryan Persaud: bass; Bob Habib: drums; Emily Charleton: voice / vocals.” (https://www.allaboutjazz.com/a-fresh-perspective-ian-charleton-big-band-self-produced__10268) Unlike many larger bands that seek to burn the house down, Charleton’s ensemble prefers a subtler style – smooth and lively! Click here to listen to the title song.

The City Champs – Luna ’68 (Big Legal Mess): “The return of the Memphis soul/funk/jazz trio The City Champs. Members, Al Gamble (St. Paul & The Broken Bones), George Sluppick (Chris Robinson Brotherhood) and Joe Restivo (Don Bryant) have been secretly concocting these tasty, solar expansing nuggets since their last output in 2010.” (https://biglegalmessrecords.com/products/luna-68) As far as I can hear, these cats don’t do much talking, but they sure can put you in a groove! Click here to listen to the opener, Luna ’68 just to put you in a mood.

Michael Dease – Give It All You Got (PosiTone): “Poll-winning trombonist Michael Dease shows us just what it means to “Give It All You Got” on his eighth release for Posi-Tone. All the pieces fit together perfectly as Dease provides remarkable clarity of vision for enlisting the able assistance of Jim Alfredson on organ, Greg Tardy on saxophone, Anthony Stanco on trumpet, Gwendolyn Dease on percussion, and Ulysses Owens Jr. on drums. This remarkable collection of hard hitting performances also features special guest appearances from saxophonist Sharel Cassity and guitarist Randy Napoleon that are seamlessly woven into the mix as the bandleader shines brightly with inspiration across a wide spectrum of styles and sounds! Critical ears and casual listeners will be delighted as Michael Dease continues to entertain and astonish, while walking the talk of his charitable message to “Give It All You Got.” (https://michaeldease.bandcamp.com/album/give-it-all-you-got) The players are Michael Dease (trombone), Anthony Stanco (trumpet, flugelhorn 6), Gregory Tardy (tenor sax), Jim Alfredson (organ), Ulysses Owens Jr. (drums), Gwendolyn Dease (congas 1, 4, 6, 8, 10; triangle 5, 6),  Brooklyn Dease (percussion 6), Luther Allison (drums 3, 9), Sharel Cassity (alto sax 5) and  Randy Napoleon (guitar 8). Straight ahead playing with mellow swing. Click here to listen to the songs on this set.

George Gilliam Trio – Many Roads Home (Self-produced): “George J. Gilliam began his musical journey at only 13 years of age, in Gary, Indiana.   Since then he’s developed into a seasoned musical director, producer and extremely talented jazz guitarist. With little experience, Wilson Crump hired this enthusiastic young player to perform with the Mellow Tones.  He later moved to Chicago with his family and formed his own groups.  “The Rocking Soul Brothers” became a Chicago success when he teamed up with Hashan Khan, Darnel Hagen and a little unknown vocalist named Chaka Khan.  Jerry and the Chantells was next, using his nick name for this group.  His talents quickly became known at the famous Regal Theatre Talent shows, television appearances and shows throughout Chicago. “ (https://gilliamjazz.com/george-j-gilliam-bio) “…“ MANY ROADS HOME liner notes A longtime fixture on the Southern California jazz scene as a jazz guitarist and a music therapist, George J. Gilliam recently recorded his definitive album. Many Roads Home showcases his playing talents in an intimate pianoless trio, a perfect setting for his guitar solos…. Suffice it to say that listening to the soulful and swinging music of Many Roads Home cannot be anything but a positive experience! Scott Yanow, author of 11 books including The Great Jazz Guitarists, The Jazz Singers and Jazz On Record 1917-76” – Scott Yanow (https://gilliamjazz.com/press-reviews) Click here to listen to “Triste”, the opening song on this disc.

Goggle – Eeyahdi (Cure-All): “The members of Goggle, the sax quartet based in Northern California and Santa Fe, have worked with everyone from Anthony Braxton, Vinny Golia, Yusef Lateef, Roscoe Mitchell, to ROVA, but the group has a sound all their own.  From its opening salvo to its mesmerizing fadeout, their first CD and digital release on Cure-All engages the listener with storytelling full of twists and turns.  The album—eight original compositions, one group improvisation, and a spellbinding piece manifested with vocalist Mantra Plonsey (plus two bonus remixes available on Bandcamp)—showcases these composer/performers’ collective ability to mix tradition with innovation, jazz improv with classical, world and pop, to create a singularly unique world of music.” (https://cureallrecords.com/goggle-eeyahdi) The players are Chris Jonas (soprano sax), Randy McKean (alto & C sax & clarinet), Dan Plonsey (tenor sax, Eb & Bb clarinets) and Cory Wright (bari sax, clarinet & piccolo) with guest 
Mantra Plonsey (vocals & lyrics on “Nothing Wrong With Him”). It’s quite a ride. Click here to listen to a live version of “Eeyahdi” the opening song on this release.

Jawanza Kobie – Jazz Composer (JKobie Music): “Jawanza Kobie would simply like to be known as a composer in the truest sense of the word. Ever since he was young boy he idolized the music of Beethoven, George Gershwin, Aaron Copeland and began learning to notate his compositions at nine years of age. Born and raised in West Philadelphia, he started taking piano lessons in his neighborhood at age six after his mother discovered that he could replicate on his own what his older brother had been taught in his piano lessons right after his brother had finished practicing. As a teenager, he continued his education in music at the famed Settlement Music School in Philadelphia where he was first introduced to structure and the rules of composition. At this time the musical influences that he heard on the radio and records of the day were impossible to ignore. Jazz music had always been a dominant force in his development ever since his father first introduced him to it at a very young age. However, funk, soul, pop, rock, and even folk made a major and indelible impact on this young man. His early influences began with Oscar Peterson, Ramsey Lewis, and Bobby Timmons in jazz piano and later Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Art Tatum. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Motown, Atlantic, and Stax recording artist, Sly and the Family Stone as well as Quincy Jones and other film composers were and still are an inspiration. His current influences have grown to include Hip-Hop beats.” (https://jawanzakobie.com/2nd-album-jawanza-kobie-jazz-composer-songs/) He recorded with many musicians on this disc depending on styles and availability. Kobie obviously loves composing and performing. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this release.

Jacqui Naylor – The Long Game (Ruby Star): “Jacqui Naylor is not an easy artist to categorize. There are times when she performs straight-ahead vocal jazz, but at other times she favors more of a folk-rock/adult alternative approach. Depending on the mood she is in at a given moment, the northern Californian can bring to mind anyone from Cassandra Wilson or British jazz vocalist Claire Martin to Sarah McLachlan or Shawn Colvin — she is as comfortable among jazz improvisers as she is in the singer/songwriter world. During one of her live performances, Naylor has no problem singing smoky jazz one minute and folk-rock or adult alternative the next — and there are times when she blurs the line between the two.
Naylor, who is very jazz-friendly but far from a rigid jazz purist, brings a long list of influences to her introspective work — influences ranging from Billie Holiday, June Christy, and Nina Simone to Tracy Chapman, Natalie Merchant, Carole King, and Sheryl Crow.” (https://jacquinaylor.com/wp/about/jacqui-naylor-bio/) Naylor has released eleven discs to date.  Click here to listen to the title song.

Out To Dinner – Play On (PosiTone): “Get ready for a second helping of auditory delights from the Out To Dinner ensemble, as they keep the kitchen open after hours and “Play On.” Featuring a musical menu of inspired selections, Posi-Tone producer Marc Free has assembled this volume of performances to prompt listeners to expand their sonic palettes with an adventurous exploration of the jazz genre. This engaging quintet date is highlighted by front line performances from vibraphonist Behn Gillece, trumpet prodigy Giveton Gelin and rising star tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, all moving freely together over the solid harmonic foundation of bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Donald Edwards, both established jazz veterans. We are confident that the collaborative journey of Out To Dinner will encourage our faithful audience to follow the melodies as they navigate steadily from the known and familiar into the uncharted realms of modern collective improvisation.” (https://www.posi-tone.com/otd2/otd2.html) Almost all of the offerings were composed by members of the group – Gillece (3), Kozlov (3), Edwards (3), Glover (1), Gelin (1) and three covers. The music itself is infectious. Click here to listen to segments of each song on this disc.

Reggie Quinerly – New York Nowhere (Self-produced): “(Quinerly)…has a playing style that is spacious and streamlined, with a beautiful touch. He also swings very hard” (Ken Micallef, Downbeat) “As a performer he has appeared on a wide variety of professional performance spaces, ranging rom international festivals to Carnegie Hall and the legendary Village Vanguard in Greenwich Village (NYC). He has also released several highly acclaimed recordings which all feature unique concepts paired with original compositions. As an educator he has devoted himself to teaching the benefits of music. He currently holds teaching positions at The Juilliard School and Hunter College.” (https://www.reggiequinerly.com/) Quinerly composed on this disc and is is supported by Antoine Drye (trumpet), John Ellis (tenor sax), John Chin (piano) and Sean Conly (bass). The set is upbeat and ready to start everyone tapping their toes. Click here to listen to an introduction by Reggie Quinerly.

Vinnie Riccitelli Octet – For The Record (Self-produced): “Vinnie Riccitelli has been playing the alto  saxophone longer than most of us have been alive. His heart is firmly rooted in Jazz and his first album, in 1956, showed him as a jazz composer, as well. He then took off on a highly successful career backing legendary performers like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Lena Horne, and so very many others. In the 1970s and 80s, Riccitelli moved to such pop artists as The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations and, again, so many more. Then he turned his attention to big band and enjoyed a long residency at Birdland until, in 2018, he retired from professional music. What that allowed him to do however was return to his own music, Jazz that had been tucked away in his head. Sixty years after his first album, Unique Jazz – the Westchester Workshop, Riccitelli now offers us his second album, For the Record. The music of Jerome Kern, Jimmy Van Heusen, Thelonious Monk, and Herbie Hancock is rendered in mid-sized ensembles. More than that, he has some originals to share. And they are worth the wait.” (https://www.sentinelruralnews.com/post/vinnie-riccitelli-octet-for-the-record) Band members are Leo Ursini and Nathan Childers (alto sax), Joe Stelluti (tenor sax), Chris Stelluti (bari sax), Glenn Drewes (trumpet), Bruce Bonvissuto (trombone), Eddie Monteiro (piano, accordion), and Teddy Ttedesco (drums).” (https://www.sentinelruralnews.com/post/vinnie-riccitelli-octet-for-the-record) The mix of songs is interesting and often fun. Click here for an interview with Vinnie Riccitello.

Dr. Lonnie Smith – Breathe (Blue Note): “Breathe captures the Hammond B-3 organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith during his 75th birthday run at the Jazz Standard in NYC in 2017, the same week he recorded his acclaimed trio album All In My Mind. On this night the good doctor took the stage with an expanded line-up featuring Jonathan Kreisberg on guitar, Johnathan Blake on drums, John Ellis on tenor saxophone, Jason Marshall on baritone saxophone, Sean Jones on trumpet, and Robin Eubanks on trombone. Two additional studio tracks that open and close the album present the unique collaboration between Doc and Iggy Pop including a sublime cover of Donovan’s 1966 hit “Sunshine Superman.”” (https://store.bluenote.com/products/dr-lonnie-smith-breathe) Alicia Olatuja adds a stunningly beautiful vocal on “Pilgrimage” with beautiful lyrics by Lynne Meryl Konenigsberg and Smith and Iggy Pop on two songs, including “Sunshine Superman”. Super interesting blends. Click here to listen to “Bright Eyes” from this release.

TuneTown – Entering Utopia (TuneTown): TuneTown offers their second release as a unit and they seem to be enjoying both the interactions of the unit and the musical freedom they have. “As a chordless trio of saxophone, bass and drums, our work finds provenance in1the jazz tradition of legends including Sonny Rollins, Dave Holland and Elvin Jones. New avenues revealed through our compositional, improvisational and production processes allowed us to explore and sometimes abandon these acknowledged influences, creating exciting possibilities for us as musicians. Weaving extended techniques, modern production values and sheer recklessness into a tapestry of music has been our labour of love. We hope that you, the listener, will revel in the sound as much as we have.” (https://tunetownjazz.bandcamp.com/) The players are Kelly Jefferson (tenor and soprano sax), Artie Roth (bass) and Ernesto Cervini (drums, percussion, bass clarinet) certainly blend well and share their insights to draw in the listener even when they push the boundaries. Click here to listen to and watch a few live performances from this release.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop