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New Jazz Adds – 9/1/2020

Analog Players Society – Tilted (Ropedope): “Analog Players Society was reborn during a live jazz session produced by Ben Rubin (aka Benny Cha Cha) and Amon Drum (aka Amon aka J. Amon) at The Bridge Studio, the hyped, new large-format recording studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn designed and owned by Amon. Ben gathered four of the best jazz musicians in New York City for the occasion: tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin (David Bowie’s last bandleader on Blackstar), pianist Orrin Evans (the Bad Plus), and the in-demand rhythm section of bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Eric McPherson…. The quest was simple: Play two jazz standards, Thelonious Monk’s “Epistrophy” and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “One Note Samba,” with “E-Mac” (Eric McPherson) keeping “some dirty, boom-bap” in mind whenever possible. The producers’ quest? Capture this session of heavy hitters and then take it back to the lab to slice, dice, loop, dub, and create something totally new for APS’ upcoming release “Soundtrack for a Nonexistent Film”. The songs captured in that session ‘written’ in real time, and even resulted in the spontaneous third original,“Freedom is, but a Fraction of Humanity!” As Amon puts it, “We relied on what we called, ‘real f’ing jazz,’ where the musicians are only reacting to each other. These are long takes, with no cuts, and no overdubs. One could call them live.” (https://www.analogplayerssociety.com/) Terrific jamming! Click here to listen to a sample of the music and style.

The Big Bad Bones featuring Scott Whitfield – Emergency Vehicle Blues (Summit): “Four Premier Trombonists with solid rhythm section perform original funk, swing, samba, light rock, and boogie! Based in Los Angeles, Scott Whitfield is internationally recognized for his work with many contemporary big bands, including those of Toshiko Akiyoshi, Johnny Mandel, Clare Fischer, Bill Holman, Bob Florence, and his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra. Whitfield’s discography includes 10 recordings as leader. Whitfield has appeared throughout the world. He has been featured as guest soloist with the United States Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and as a regular member of the Nat Adderley Sextet. Brett Stamps is the composer in residence for The Big Bad Bones. He is a proud alumnus of the Stan Kenton Orchestra and has performed with Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Barry Manilow, The Temptations, and a host of other jazz and pop artists. Stamps can be heard on three different Kenton recordings and is a fixture in the St. Louis area music scene where he performs regularly in shows at the MUNY and Fox Theater. Bass trombonist Steve Wilson hails from El Paso, Texas where he serves as Music Department Chair at the University of Texas-El Paso and maintains a busy career as an educator and performer in all styles of music. For 10 years Wilson toured the world as a member of the Continental Trombone Quartet with performances in Brazil, Spain, China, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the United States. Pete Madsen has been Coordinator of Jazz Studies at the University of Nebraska Omaha since 2000. He performs regularly with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra and the Omaha Big Band. Madsen has recorded two CD’s with the Jim Widner Big Band. Madsen has performed with Franki Valli, Aretha Franklin, Doc Severinsen, and Paul Schaefer to name only a few.” (https://www.isrbx.net/3137815838-big-bad-bones-emergency-vehicle-blues-2020.html) Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this release.

Paul Carr – The Real Jazz Whisperer (PCJ Music): “Paul Carr, a Houston native and 1985 Howard University graduate, has dedicated his professional career to performing and promoting Jazz through education and community outreach. He carries on the Texas tenor tradition espoused by great heroes such as the late Houstonians Arnett Cobb and Don Wilkerson who served as his early idols and mentors. He grew up in inner-city Houston, Texas and was a member of the Kashmere High School Stage Band, whose director, the late Conrad Johnson, is the subject of a documentary, Thunder Soul, produced by actor, Jamie Foxx. Though never having had private music lessons, Paul has received several outstanding musician awards at high school and college jazz festivals. Paul has recorded 8 CD’s, which have been well received by critics and jazz fans alike.” (https://www.paulcarrjazz.com/biography/) This new CD features Allyn Johnson (piano), Michael Bowie (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums) on eight songs including originals “Nomophobia” by Carr and “The Real Jazz Whisperer” by Johnson. The other songs include James Wiiliams’ “Another Type Thang”, Wayne Shorter’s “Dance Of The Cadaverous”, Ornette Coleman’s “When Will The Blues Leave”, Mulgrew Miller’s “Carousel” and John Coltrane’s “Pursuance”. This is a fine set throughout. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.

Jason Foureman & Stephen Anderson – Duo (Summit): “There is no place to hide in a DUO, so there is a unique honesty in the connection with each musician and the audience. When setting out to do this recording Anderson (piano) and Foureman (bass) wanted the audience to feel this music as genuinely as possible, no overdubs, no fixes – this is the REAL DEAL…! JASON FOUREMAN is an in-demand bassist and educator in the Triangle area. He teaches at UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University where he gives private lessons and coaches various ensembles. Award-winning, STEPHEN ANDERSON, composer and pianist, has had works performed by the West Point Military Academy Band, the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Crested Butte Chamber Orchestra,UNC Symphony Orchestra…” and many others. This is his third release. This is an outstanding set with both players covering and communicating brilliantly. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Nubya Garcia – Source (Concord Jazz): “The focus of this record is about personal power, collective power, collectivism…It’s about my heritage, my ancestry, exploring those places and those stories from my parents and my grandparents…. The album captures her in both soothing and energized modes. On the mellow end there’s “Together Is a Beautiful Place to Be,” a blend of muted drums and light keys, and “Stand With Each Other,” a spare tune bolstered by delicate sighs. The title track is the album’s boldest declaration: a 12-minute song that veers into dub and quiet storm R&B, among other places.Reaching into the past while planting itself firmly in the present, “Source” reminds listeners to slow down and reconnect with themselves, their cultural histories and those closest to them. “The album’s about what feeds us: what feeds you, what feeds me, what feeds our joy, what feeds our turmoil,” Ms. Garcia said. “All of it, our inner feelings.” (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/arts/music/nubya-garcia-source.html) This set covers a wide range of sounds and styles and the blend draws the listener to immerse him or herself in the warmth and beauty of Garcia’s gift. Backing musicians include Joe Armon-Jones (piano, Wurlitzer), Daniel Casimir (bass) and Sam Jones (drums) with guests Ms Maurice (trumpet, flugelhorn), and various guest backing vocalists. Click here to listen to the opening song, “Pace”.

Adam Meckler Orchestra – Live In Minneapolis (Ropeadope): “More than a year has passed since the Adam Meckler Orchestra (AMO) released Magnificent Madness at Parkway Theater in Minneapolis. The energy from that night was palpable. An 18-piece band with special guests and a four-piece choir brought the house down. The music was raw, emotional, and grooving. The band played music from their 2019 and 2014 releases, as well as previously unrecorded tunes such as the fast swinging ‘Ponderosa Pine’, and light and grooving ‘Toulouse’, which features MC Toki Wright. Live in Minneapolis represents a decade of work in the Twin Cities. Meckler honing his craft. Grinding, writing, practicing, organizing, recording, touring, and networking. Just after this performance, Meckler’s family packed up their South Minneapolis home and drove to the Upper Peninsula, where he now serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan Technological University. Meckler has contributed to albums by the Youngblood Brass Band and Todd Clouser’s A Love Electric as a sideman, and his collaborative R&B project Nooky Jones has been called “sophisticated, seductive and smooth neo-soul music” by the Star Tribune. As a contributor to the Hornheads, the renowned horn section best known for backing Prince in the early to mid-1990s, he’s found opportunities as a touring trumpeter and session musician recording for artists such as Michael Jackson, Dave Koz, and Cory Wong.” (https://amorchestra.bandcamp.com/)  The players include Nelson Devereaux, David Hirsch, Ben Doherty, Shilad Sen, Angie Hirsch (saxes);  Tom Krochock, Sten Johnson, Elaine Burt, Noah Ophoven-Baldwin (trumpets); Jeff Rinear, Nick Syman, Mason Hemmer, Lauren Husting (trombones); Ethan Elseth (guitar); Steven Hobert (keys); Graydon Peterson (bass) and Pete James-Johnson (drums) with guests Michael B. Nelson (trombone) and a mixture of vocalists on a few songs. All in all, this is a unique mixture of styles blending jazz, pop and soul. Click here to listen to the song, “Dark Days”.

Cyrus Nabipoor – Live At The Marigny Opera House in New Orleans (Self-produced): “Cyrus Nabipoor is a trumpeter, composer, improviser, singer and teacher based in Portland, OR. The young musician is an established voice in the creative music scene, balancing focused clarity with daring exploration. His trumpet playing is recognizable by its warm tone, lyricism, and unique phrasing….” (https://cyrusnabipoor.com/bio) Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he began playing trumpet at age 11. This is his sixth release and greatly enhances his connection with New Orleans jazz while also retaining Nabipoor’s own shades. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Ed Palermo – Oh No! Not Jazz! (Cuneiform): “Palermo developed these charts during years of live shows with these musicians, and their mastery of the material shows in the performances, which turn on a dime yet feel fierce with spontaneous invention…. Palermo’s arrangements and these performances are precise, dedicated, raucous and incisive—just like Zappa himself.” (JazzTimes)  “The Ed Palermo Big Band is led by alto saxist and arranger Ed Palermo; he has had this big band with much of the same personnel for over 30 years, which is a hugely impressive feat in itself, and has had his band performing the music of Frank Zappa for 20 years. The band is a 18 piece ensemble of five woodwind players, four trumpeters, three trombonists, two keyboardists, guitar, violin, bass and drum. There are a number of ensembles performing the music of Frank Zappa, who, 20 years after his death, is now recognized as one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century, but no one does it with the ease, skill and originality that Ed and his band do! ‘Oh No! Not Jazz!!’ consists of two albums of musical performances. The first album (tracks 1-8) further explores Ed’s distinctive, big band interpretations of the music of Frank Zappa and for the most part, he concentrates here on Frank’s initial burst of creative works from original Mothers Of Invention era of 1966-1970. In addition, two notable pieces are performed here. One of Frank’s most loved works, Inca Roads, with a vocal by guest Napoleon Murphy Brock contrasts with one of his most ‘notoriously difficult’ works, The Black Page #2. All of the performances and arrangements of these great pieces are fun, musically witty and masterful. The second album (tracks 9-19) features Ed’s own colorful compositions, which are here featured on a recording for the 1st time in over 25 years! This double album shows that despite the financial and practical difficulties of running a large sized band, that the very fact that there are so many musical voices in a big band allows for showcasing arrangements better than any other vehicle. This is an exciting listen for fans of Frank Zappa and all adventurous rock and jazz music.” (https://cuneiformrecords.bandcamp.com/album/oh-no-not-jazz) The performers include Ed Palermo (bandleader, arranger, composer, alto sax), Paul Adamy (electric bass), Ray Marchica (drums),
Bob Quaranta (piano), Ted Kooshian, (electrified keyboards),Bruce McDaniel (guitar, vocals), Katie Jacoby (violin), Cliff Lyons (lead alto sax, clarinet), Phil Chester (2nd alto sax, flute, piccolo, soprano sax), Bill Straub (lead tenor sax, clarinet, soprano sax), Ben Kono (2nd tenor sax, flute, oboe), Barbara Cifelli (baritone sax, Eb mutant clarinet, bass clarinet), Charles Gordon (lead trombone), Joe Fiedler (2nd trombone), Matt Ingman (bass trombone), Ronnie Buttacavoli (lead trumpet), John Hines (2nd trumpet), Bonnie Buttacavoli (3rd trumpet), Bonnie Hines (4th trumpet), with special guests Napoleon Murphy Brock (vocals);  John Palermo (mandolin); Gary Schreiner (accordion) and Mike James (vocals). Click here to listen to songs on this release.

Maria Schneider – Dara Lords (Artist Share): “Maria Schneider’s music has been hailed by critics as “evocative, majestic, magical, heart-stoppingly gorgeous, and beyond categorization.” She and her orchestra became widely known starting in 1994 when they released their first recording, ‘Evanescence.’ With that recording, Schneider began to develop her personal way of writing for her 17-member collective, tailoring her compositions to distinctly highlight the unique voices of the group. Subsequently, the Maria Schneider Orchestra has performed at festivals and concert halls worldwide. She herself has received numerous commissions and guest conducting invites, working with over 85 groups from over 30 countries spanning Europe, South America, Australia, Asia and North America.” (https://www.youtube.com/user/MariaSchneiderOrch/about) Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Radam Schwartz Organ Big Band – Message From Groove And GW (Arabesque): “Hammond B3 Organist and Jazz pianist, has built his reputation over the last 35 years playing with such great musicians as Arthur and Red Prysock, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Al Hibler, David Fathead Newman, Russell Malone, Cecil Brooks III and Jimmy Ford. He continues to make music history today playing with renowned artists, Bill Saxton, Iron City, The Spirit of Life Ensemble and many others.” (https://www.radamschwartz.com/biography-page) Solid performances from beginning to end! Click here for an introduction to the band and music. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.

Anthony Stanco – You Know The Feeling (Detroit Music Factory): “Anthony Stanco is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator from Southeast Michigan. A product of Detroit’s rich musical heritage, Stanco spent his early years studying under such local heroes as Marcus Belgrave and Rodney Whitaker.  He enrolled in the Manhattan School of Music to continue his education with world-famous brass pedagogue Laurie Frink before returning to Michigan State University for his master’s degree in 2013.  While completing his education, he won the International Trumpet Guild’s 2013 Jazz Competition. Stanco leads The Crucial Elements, a nationally-recognized 5-piece ensemble who have served multiple tours with US State Department’s “American Music Abroad” program…. Most recently he has taken the role of Director of Jazz Studies at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale.” (https://www.anthonystanco.com/biography) Five of the nine selections on this disc were composed by Stanco and the rest include pianist Scott Gwinnell’s “Pursuit” and tenor sax player Marcus Elliott’s “”For Tomorrow” and covers of Joe Henderson’s “Serenity” and Horace Silver’s “Juicy Lucy”. The remaining players are Michael Dease (trombone), Rodnet Whitaker (bass) and Sean Dobbins (drums). The music is straight ahead and smooth. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Thumbscrew – Anthony Braxton Project (Cuneiform): “Celebrating Anthony Braxton on his 75th birthday, THUMBSCREW digs into the Tricentric Archives, focusing on previously unrecorded pieces by the legendary composer, multi-wind master and bandleader…. Invited to explore the Tri-Centric Foundation’s voluminous Braxton archives in New Haven, Connecticut as part of the Braxton75 celebration, the trio spent a long afternoon looking for rarely played pieces that could fit their instrumental palette. “The idea was for us to choose compositions of Anthony’s, mostly early compositions, which hadn’t been previously recorded (or, in a couple cases, recorded only once or twice),” says Halvorson. “We chose pieces that captured our imagination and that we thought would work well for the instrumentation of guitar, bass, and drums or vibraphone. Our choices included graphic scores, complex notated pieces, and everything in between.” While aiming to understand and execute Braxton’s intention with each piece, the nature of his music required them to shape the material anew. “We have a shared language in terms of how we improvise, but the composition very much guides and informs our improvisations, so having music from a new composer puts us in a different frame of mind and adds another layer to what we do as a trio,” Fujiwara says. All three of the members of Thumbscrew have had significant performing and / or study opportunities with Braxton, so they all can approach this music as ‘insiders’. The performers are Tomas Fujiwara (drums, vibraphone), Mary Halvorson (guitar) and Michael Formanek (bass). Click here to listen to selected pieces from this release.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop