Mauricio J. Rodriguez, "LUZ"

 

Composer, Arranger and Bassist Mauricio J Rodriguez writes and performs Latin Jazz that he reinvents with fresh musical ideas that he combines with only the very best musicians.  This winner formula produced his new and terrific CD, "LUZ".   Mauricio has composed 4 original songs on his CD that includes 4 original songs by Venezuelan composer Vicente Vilora who also co-produced the project. 

Mauricio has spent many years living and playing music in Cuba and then Venezuela before coming to the US in 2001.  In addition to Composing and Arranging the songs on his CD, Mauricio performs brilliantly on his six-string E. bass and his fretless E. bass.  His Composing, Arranging and performing result in invigorating Latin Jazz with a lighter than-expected ensembles, subtle by virtuoso solos and rich new melodies.

I have selected two "YouTubes" to open a window to Mauricio's work.  The first selection is called "Vocalize" that features very inventive piano playing by Gabriel Hernandez Cadenas.  The second song attached is a Mauricio J. Rodriguez original entitled "Danzon No. 1 Opus 1 con Cha" that features Clarinetist Jose M Sardinas leading on Clarinet.  It's a lilting "Cha Cha" that I am sure everyone will love.

 "Vocalize"

                                                                       

                                           "Danzon No. 1 Opus 1 con Cha"

 Playlist:

1. Casualty

2. Monday

3. Es el Amor

4. Tuesday

5. Claudia

6. Luz

7. Wednesday

8. Danzon No. 1 Opus 1 can Cha

9. My Funny Valentine

10. Vocalize

Players:

Mauricio J.  Rodriguez- Composer, Arranger, Six-string E. Bass, Double Bass

Adrianna Foster, Jorge Quintero, Big Johnny Boffa- Vocals

Gabriel M. Hernandez Cadenas- Piano

Ahmed Barroso-Guitar

Zachary Bornheimer, Jorge Pinelo- Saxophone

Jose M. Sardinas- Clarinet

Richie Viruet- Trumpet

Jose Pradas- Violoncello

Reinier Guerra, Lucio Vieira- Drums

Orlando "Landy" Mosqueda- Udi, Afro-Percussion, Timbal, Cuban Percussion

Tomasito Cruz- Bata Drums

Andy Fornet- Cajon

                                                                                                        

CD Review: Sheila Jordan, "Comes Love"

 

Singer/Songwriter Sheila Jordan is still going strong at the age of 92.  She was unknown to me before I received a review copy of a CD Sheila recorded on June 10, 1960.  You might think that it would be hard to be impressed by a CD recording made over 60 years ago but you would be wrong.  Shelia Jordan is one of the few singers I have heard who knows what Jazz singing is all about.  What a pleasure to listen to her unique voice and effortless Jazz phrasing.  According to Sheila, most of her musical influences have been instrumentalists rather than singers.  This is not the first time that I have heard this comment coming from an outstanding Jazz singer.  Her greatest influence, and mine also by the way, was Charlie Parker.  She married pianist Duke Jordan and studied with Lennie Tristano.  She did not begin recording until the early 60's.

This CD recording was lost for a long while but was unearthed by record dealers Jeremy Sloan and Hadley Kenslow who purchased it among a large collection of acetates several years ago.  Jordan has no recollection of the names of her accompanists who are wonderful.  The CD was released by Tom Burns, the owner and founder of Capri Records who had this to say about the supporting group of musicians,  " Whoever is playing on it is really good. The group seems to have an empathic relationship with her".

I wanted to mention a quote from another world-class singer from this same period for whom I recently published a review of a new release of one of her old CDs,  Roseanna Vitro. Roseanna had this to say about Sheila Jordan, "Sheila Jordan is a one-of-a-kind artist who possesses the power to captivate audiences, inviting all to join her on a magical mystery tour of Jazz history".

This CD was re-released on September 17, 2021 on Capri Records and I highly recommend it.  I have attached a YouTube of Sheila singing the title tune from the CD, "Comes Love".   It's just terrific!  I also found another you TubeTube of Sheila singing "I Thought About You" that was from her CD "Straight Ahead" which was released on October 13, 2015.  It will give you a wonderful comparison between the younger and older Sheila Jordan.  Spoiler,  she is great on both cuts!

Playlist:

1.  I'm The Girl

2.  It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 

3. Ballad of the "Sad Young Men"

4. Comes Love

5. Don't Explain

6. Sleeping Bee

7. When the World Was Young

8. I'll take Romance

9. These Foolish Things

10. Glad TO Be Unhappy

11. They Can't Take That Away From Me.

                                                                      "Comes Love"

                                                                     "I Thought About You"

CD Review: Kenny Shanker, "Beautiful Things"

Kenny Shanker is one of the young alto saxophonists on today's Jazz scene who loves to perform music from Bebop to traditional standards.   Shanker released his fourth CD in August of 2021 entitled "Beautiful Things" that contains original compositions and some Jazz standards out of the "Great American Songbook".  The common element that brings all these diverse songs together is that they are all beautifully written songs.   Kenny Shanker is just not a great alto player, he is an award-winning composer, pianist and vocalist.  His compositions are melodic and accessible;  two important traits that I look for when enjoying Jazz.  

Shanker lives in NYC and has played at almost all the Jazz venues in the city starting with Carnegie Hall, Birdland,  Dizzy's Club, Smoke, Smalls, Fat Cat, and Jazz at Kitano just to name a few.   

I  remember being fascinated with Cannonball Adderley in the 60's.  He played a lot of Bebop but then Adderley released an album entitled, "Cannonball Adderley with Strings" that covered standards.  I remember how impressed I was with his ability to perform Bebop and still have an emotional feel for some great standards.  Shanker possesses the same skills;  he can do it all and makes his alto come to life on everything he plays.  His compositions are remarkably good, and will be heard for years to come.

Joining Shanker to create this CD is a talented group of musicians who have been performing with Shanker for a long-time.  Bill Mobley on Trumpet, Daisuke Abe on Guitar, Mike Eckroth on Piano, Yoshi Waki on Bass and  Brian Fishler on Drums.    

I have attached two "YouTube" tracks from Shanker's new CD.  The first is an original composition entitled "Prestissimo".  Shanker was inspired to write this composition by the early Bebop recordings that he loved.  The second, another Shanker original,  is a total change of pace that shows Shanker's versatility; it's called "Beautiful Things".     

                                                                         "Prestissimo"

                                                                        "Beautiful Things"

Playlist:

1. Cool Mint

2. Prestissimo

3. It Never Entered My Mind

4. Mirth

5. L'Impossible

6. Orange and Gray

7. Without A Song

8. I'm Old Fashioned

9. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 

Players:    

Kenny Shanker- Alto Saxophone, compositions

Bill Mobley- Trumpet

Daisuke Abe- Guitar

Mike Eckroth- Piano

Yoshi Waki- Bass

Brian Fishler- Drums