CD Review: Jacqui Naylor, "The Long Game"

Vocalist and composer Jacqui Naylor released her eleventh album back in February of the year but I never got to it until recently.  Jacqui is a remarkable vocalist and songwriter.  Her voice is soulful and full with deep tones that are unusual on today's music scene.  She is well known for her ability to interpret a diverse repertoire, bringing together music from different genres and generations.  Jacqui has coined a name to describe her arranging technique, "acoustic smashing".  This technique involves singing the lyrics and melody of a Jazz standard over the music of a well-known rock anthem.  I have attached a brilliant example of this technique with Jacqui singing the Coldplay song "Fix It" while the band plays background  support of a Miles Davis-inspired "It Never Entered My Mind". 

There is a synergy that listeners will hear immediately when listening to this CD between Jacqui Naylor and her talented band.  The band leader is Art Khu on Piano and has this to say about the synergy of the band, "Each member of this band is an accomplished musician and storyteller, sensitive to Jacqui's mission and lyrics, supportive, intuitive and compassionate.  Decades of work culminate in "The Long Game" as each band member uses their individual talents to contribute, shine and support each other.  Jacqui's interpretations are deep, thoughtful but also human and unpretentious."  The second "YouTube" I have attached will instantly broadcast the synergy of all the players performing the Van Heusen and Burke classic, "Like Someone In Love".  Joining Jacqui and Art are Jon Evans on Bass and Guitar and Josh Jones on Drums and Percussion.

The playlist listed below is worth studying.  It's new and old, diverse and familiar all at the same time.  If you like soulful singing and interpretations you really need to buy this CD!      

                                                                           "Fix You"

                                                                "Like Someone In Love"

PLAYLIST:

1. Like Someone In Love

2. Give Me One More Chance

3. Fix You

4. I'll Be Loving You

5. Love Look What You've Done

6. Walkin' Out The Door

7. Smile

8. The Thrill Is Gone

9. Space Oddity

10. The Long Game

11. Don't Give Up

12. Speak Low

13. It's The Right Time

14. All My Life

PLAYERS:

Jacqui Naylor-Vocals, Compositions

Art Khu-Piano, Arrangements, Organ, Rhodes, Guitars

Jon Evans-Basses, Guitar #2 and #3, Background Vocals, Arrangements

Josh Jones-Drums, Percussion, Arrangements

 

CD Review: Benjamin Schnake Ensemble, "The Joy Of Playing"

 Musician, Multi-Instrumentalist, Composer and Arranger Benjamin Schnake is at the top of his musical game as proven by the wonderful music he has composed for his new CD,  "The Joy Of Playing".  The album released in late October proves that he is 100% right about his title "The Joy Of Playing".  Listening to his Ensemble and his compositions, one gets the feeling of musical joy.  Benjamin has a colorful and wide-ranging musical history.  Born in Santiago de Chile, he started classical and popular guitar lessons at the age of 10.  In 2017 Benjamin started his Masters in Music at Howard University in Washington, DC.  His next stop was at New York University in Manhattan, NY studying guitar and composition with some of the greatest musicians of the New York scene: John Scofield, Peter Bernstein, Adam Rogers, Alan Ferber Gil Goldstein and Alan Broadbent.  

According to Schnake "My deepest musical background comes from Latin American music, particularly folk music form the Andes".  He earned a Master of Music in Instrumental Performance with a focus on Jazz Studies in February 2019.  I have listed only a short list of his studies and experience in the music world.  He is no casual student of music.  His life is totally entwined with music and the music he creates proves he has learned his lessons well.  I particular like the way he creates his songs with heavy involvement with Jazz but never forgets the importance of strong melody.   

I have attached two "YouTube"  videos for you to sample.  The first is an irresistible Latin rhythm tune entitled "Marisol" that takes only one hearing to love.  The arrangement is musically perfect and I fell in love with it before it even ended.  The second is a beautiful ballet entitled "She's Gone". Benjamin has always loved Jazz ballads and his composition is very emotionally moving. 

"Marisol"

"She's Gone"

PLAYLIST:

1. Marisol

2. The Joy Of Playing

3. Fragment

4. She's Gone

5. Aju

6. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

7. Lakitas

PLAYERS:

Benjamin Schnake-Nylon-string Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin, Compositions and Arrangements

Dave Pietro- Alto Sax (Tracks 1, 4)

Sunhyun Yoo- Alto Sax Soprano Sax (Tracks 2,3,6)

Tim Struven- Tenor Sax (Tracks 1,2,4,6)

Eric Quinn-Trombone (Tracks 1,2,4,6)

Jennifer Wharton-Bass Trombone (Tracks 1,2,4,6)

Ammon Swinbank- Flute (Track 7)

Santiago Leibson- Piano

Gui Duvignau- Bass

Paul Shaw- Drums

                                                      

CD Review: David Larsen, "Deviate From Standards"

 

Multi-talented David Larsen is one of only a few superb Baritone Sax players recording these days.  But David Larsen's talents don't stop at Baritone Sax.  David is an exceptionally good composer.  His compositions have won many awards and has been performed and recorded by a wide variety of groups around the US and abroad.  He is also a noted educator who is currently the director of instrumental studies at Spokane Falls Community College.  He holds a PhD from Washington State University and degrees from Pacific University, University of Oregon and Western Oregon University.  

This CD was started as a COVID-19 escape and you will see the four players performing in the first "YouTube" song, "He Who Getz The Last Laugh" all in separate spaces.  David credits the compositions on this CD originated from his life experiences in the last four years of his life.  During these four years he earned his doctoral degree and had more exposure to Jazz composers from a variety of eras and genres.

Composing music has never been easy but David Larsen makes it look easy.  His compositions are new and creative but still are anchored in the tradition of great Jazz composers of the past.        

I have attached two videos from "YouTube" for your listening pleasure.  The first one is titled, "Who Getz The Last Laugh" and David wrote this as a nod to the great Stan Getz.  It's a sparkling composition and the video shows the group in action.  The second cut is "Augmented Reality" that features Jazz master Ken Peplowski on Clarinet.  I think you will like both of these David Larsen originals.

                                                               "Who Getz the Last Laugh"

                                                                "Augmented Reality"

Players:

David Larsen- Baritone & Tenor Saxophone. Compositions

Brendan McMurphy- Trumpet, Flugel Horn and Drums

Greg Yasinitsky- Tenor & Baritone Saxophone (Tracks 1,9)

Ken Peplowski- Clarinet (Track 3)

Kate Skinner- Piano & Keyboards (Tracks 1,3,5,8,9)

Danny McCollim- Keyboards (Tracks 2,4,6,7)

Josh Skinner- Bass (Tracks 1,3,5,8,9)

Nick Isherwood- Bass (Tracks 2,4,6,7)

Playlist:

1. A New Thing Comin'

2. Smoke Screen

3. Augmented Reality

4. Family

5. He Who Getz The Last Laugh

6. See You at 8

7. Into The Light

8. Into The Mild

9. Tensai