World-renowned Vocalist Kenny Washington hasreleases a new CD, "What's The Hurry". It's hard to believe that this is Kenny Washington's first studio album, hence the title "What's The Hurry". This CD is a joy for anyone who loves vocalists who still sing standards out of the "Great American Songbook" with classic Jazz phrasing, sensitivity, warm tones and class. Here is what Wynton Marsalis has to say about Kenny Washington's singing " I love this man! He's a consummate professional, with impeccable intonation. He's a real improviser who brings depth to everything he does." I could not agree more. Kenny Washington is a gift to all lovers of classic standards. Kenny makes singing seem simple and easy but don't get fooled by his relaxed style. He makes lyrics that may have been asleep for a while come back to life with full emotional understanding. Once you listen to "What's The Hurry" I guarantee you can not just listen to it once...It will call you back again and again.
Kenny has gathered some of the best talented musicians in the country, led by the young genius Jazz pianist Josh Nelson. Josh in addition to providing perfect piano support for Washington and all the wonderful tunes on this CD, wrote all of the sparkling arrangements. Take a good look at the list of players attached below and I am sure you will agree that it contains the best of the best Jazz musicians playing today.
I honestly had a most difficult time selecting two tunes from this CD because every song was at the top of my list. I settled on these two but I would have attached the complete CD. My first pick is the Rodgers and Hart classic "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered". My second pick is the Jobin/Moraes "Chega De Saudade" with Lyric by Jon Hendricks.
Do yourself a musical favor and buy this album, it will keep giving you joy for years! Better yet, buy a few to give as Christmas presents.
Two extremely accomplished musicians, Ashley Locheed and Chris Rottmayer have joined forces to record and release a wonderful new CD, "So In Love". The CD is a wonderful example of how the beautiful songs out of the " American Songbook" can still light up your musical ears! Vocalist, Bandleader Ashley Locheed has an impressive resume. She recently headlined the Musica per i Borghi Festival in Umbria, Italy with The Perugia Big Band. Locheed tours regularly with two-time Grammy winner, Michael Bolton and also performs with Engelbert Humperdinck. She has also opened for the legendary Arturo Sandoval. Once you hear Ashley sing you will understand why she is in demand as a vocalist. Her voice is soft and yet strong and clear. Her phrasing is at the highest level as you will hear in the "YouTube" video I have attached with Ashley singing the difficult but amazing Thelonious Monk classic "Round Midnight". When I listen to Ashley sing her voice reminds me of Doris Day in her prime.
Jazz Pianist, Composer and Jazz Vibraphonist Chris Rottmayer has been performing since 1990. Chris has been a Pianist for Walt Disney World since 1999. Chris is currently the Instructor of Jazz Piano at the highly rated University of South Florida. His performance on this CD is a perfect blend of Jazz Piano and Vocal support for Ashley. Chris and Bassist Chuck Archard did the Arrangements and they are perfect for Ashley and all the world-class composers whose songs are on this CD. Take a look at the playlist of standards and pop tunes that will soon become standards.
Usually these great standards would call for a stand-up Bass to give them justice but the Electric Bass work by Chuck Archard is nothing short of brilliant. The Drum work from Keith Wilson is a perfect compliment for his three band members. In particular, his cymbal work is creative and supportive of the group sound.
Players:
Chris Rottmayer-Piano
Ashley Locheed-Vocals
Keith Wilson-Drums
Chuck Archard-Electric Bass
Playlist:
1. So In Love, Cole Porter
2. Agua de Beber, Antonio Carlos Jobim
3. Round Midnight, Thelonious Monk
4. Day In, Day Out, Rube Bloom, Lyrics Johnny Mercer
5. I Love Paris, Cole Porter
6. Something So Right, Paul Simon
7. Summer Wind, Heinz Meier, Lyrics Johnny Mercer
8. Sailing, Christopher Cross
9. Windmills Of Your Mind, Michel Legrand
10. La Vie en Rose, Louiguy
11. So In Love, Cole Porter
I have attached two "YouTube' videos for your listening pleasure. The first is a Paul Simon gem "Something So Right" and the second one is the Monk standard "Round Midnight".
I am excited to review Joel Fleisher's new CD, "Love Has Called Again" because from the first time I heard Joel singing live at AJ's on the Green in Cathedral City, CA, I knew he was a vocalist with something very special! What's special about Joel is that he sings with a strong emotional connection to lyrics. Many singers with a good voice simply sing the lyrics of great songs. Not Joel, when he sings a great lyric, he makes his audience forget he is singing someone else's words and paints his own picture of the emotional story these lyrics tell. I believe Joel's Opera experience helped him acquire this talent. His vocal phrasing and his stage presence are delightful and his love of music and lyric are immediately clear to anyone listening. Joel never plays it safe when singing live. In the true sense of all great Jazz singers, he is not afraid to improvise above, below and inside the medley. The result is his vocal performances are never exactly the same and that is what makes Jazz singing so special.
Joel has been singing his entire life. His father was a big-band reed player and his mother studied classical piano and Joel has fond memories of her playing Rachmaninoff. Classical music and Opera were Joel's first loves but as time went he began experimenting with singing Do-Wop harmony while at the same time singing in the "Mambo King" band in Philadelphia. After serving in the Vietnam war, Joel resumed his musically education at Monterey Peninsula College. While at MontereyPeninsula College, Joel started doing music-theater as well as doing Opera workshops, performing principal roles in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", "Roar of the Paint", "House of Blue Leaves" and "Jesus Christ Superstar". After moving to San Francisco, Joel continued his degree at San Francisco State and sang the leading roles in "Cosi Fan Tutti" and "La Traviata" Operas. Even though Joel had much success singing in many schools of music including Theater and Classical Operas, his love for Jazz never left him and he now is where he always wanted to be, a successful Jazz Vocalist.
In putting together the supporting band for this amazing CD, Joel selected a group of the finest musicians performing today. I personally know everyone of these outstanding musicians and they all have A-list resumes. Joel's first election was the remarkable and much sought after Jazz Pianist Tamir Hendelman. Tamir Hendelman is always busy and would never agree to do a CD with any Jazz vocalist who didn't bring something special to the table; a great compliment to Joel. Tamir also did all the arrangements that are perfect for Joel and this group. Joining Tamir is one of the most talented Guitar players in the country Doug MacDonald. On Woodwinds is Canadian Tom Keenlyside who is considered and is one of the finest Sax and Flute players performing today. Multi-talented JimWatson is on Drums and also produced the CD. Bill Saitta performs perfectly on Bass. Bill has a huge following of admirers in the Southern California area. On Trumpet is Will Caviness who also is a Southern California favorite who often joins Bill Saitta on gigs. And last but not least the remarkable PeterCurtis performs on Acoustic Guitar. Peter plays Acoustic Guitar with the same emotional feel for music and lyrics that Joel does.
I have attached two YouTube videos from Joel's new CD. The first tune is "Love Walked In" and the second is a beautiful song written by Ann Hampton Callaway" You Can't Rush Spring". I know you will enjoy both and the entire CD for that matter!
If you read my blog on a regular basis you know that Fred Hersch is one of my musical heroes. He is amazing in any environment whether Solo, Big Band, Piano Trio or other larger configurations. His Solo recordings are gems! Speaking of musical gems, Fred's latest solo offering adds to his list of gems! The idea for his new CD, "Songs From Home" originated from his emotional reaction to our country's lockdown which we are all suffered through. Fred spent most of the lockdown in his home in the Pennsylvania woods facing what he calls his "Loss of his identity". Like most professional musicians, performing music becomes more than just their job, it overwhelms their entire identity to the point that a day without performing becomes a giant void.
Fifteen-time Grammy nominee, Fred Hersch explains why he recorded this CD, "In the beginning, I think it was a way for me to feel like I wasn't helpless. I needed to remind myself that music will go on and I'll be able to continue playing the piano for people, even if it's in a new way". Fred has recently celebrated his 65th birthday while in quarantine and selected a collection of songs he had fond memories of during his long career. According to Hersch, "It's kind of a comfort food album with a little badass stuff in there too. I didn't want to make an easy listening record, but I did want to play some music that would make people happy". Mission accomplished, "Songs From Home" is a warm and wonderful example of Jazz interpretation that gives a new voice to some old standards and two Hersch originals. It illustrates the wide depth of Hersch's musical mind with songs from composers Loewe, Webb, Porter, Mitchell, Ellington and Lennon/McCartney.
Fred recorded this CD while playing on his 50-year old, seven-foot Steinway Model B inside his Pennsylvania home. He shared these comments "Any solo record is essentially about the relationship between the pianist and the particular piano. My 50-year Steinway does certain things extremely well and other things that are a bit more flawed. Steinways all have personalities; they're very handmade items. Rather than be frustrated the it wasn't a perfect piano, I embraced the flaws". I suspect that the any piano Fred Hersch plays will become instantly a better piano!
I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure. The first one is Fred's renditions of the Beatles' song "When I'm Sixty-Four" in honor of what was his upcoming 65th birthday. The second is Fred's straightforward emotional rendering of Joni Mitchell's classic "All I Want".
Thank you Fred Hersch for keeping your music alive for all of us!
