CD Review: The Jim Self/John Chiodini Duo, "Hangin' Out"

 

Jazz Tuba Player Jim Self has joined musical forces with Guitarist John Chiodini to record their new CD, "Hangin' Out".  I have been a fan of Jim Self ever since I heard an absolutely beautiful CD he recorded with master Harmonica player, Ron Kalina.  The CD was titled "The Odd Couple" and it's still one of my favorites.  Let's be serious, how many Jazz CDs feature a Tuba player?  And yet, the talented John Self continues to produce wonderful Jazz.  Self is joined by the talented Guitar player, John Chiodini and while paring of a Tuba with a Guitar which is certainly unusual, I think they pull it off perfectly.  "Hangin Out" contains an unusual assortment of tunes that is not surprising considering the long list of well-known artists both Self and Chiodini have performed with over the years.  Both performers also included one of their original compositions.  

This CD is a very sensitive and intimate musical conversation between the two master-class musicians.  In addition, they have asked four equally master musicians: Scott Whitfield on Trombone, David Angel on Baritone Sax,  Tom Peterson on Tenor Sax and Ron Stout on Trumpet & Flugelhorn,  to join them on several songs. 

I want to mention that in addition to playing the Tuba on this CD, Self also plays an instrument called a Fluba.  Self describes this instrument as a tuba-sized Flugelhorn.

I have attached two "YouTubes" of two cuts from the CD.  The first one will surprise you, a Tuba and Guitar playing Stevie Wonder's gem "Sir Duke".   The second one is the classic "It Could Happen To You" with Self and Chiodini joined by their four special guests.  It's a treat!

Playlist:

1. Hangin' Out

2. Spain

3. Lydian Afternoon

4. Dindi

5. Sir Duke

6. Another Thing

7. Felicidade

8. Everything Happens To Me

9. Up Jumped Spring

10. I Walk A Little Faster

11. Modal I Tease

12. Just the Way You Are

13. It Could Happen To You

Players:

Jim Self-F Tuba, Fluba, CC Tuba

John Chiodini-Electric and Acoustic Guitars

 

Special Guests:

David Angel-Baritone Sax

Tom Peterson-Tenor Sax

Scott Whitfield-Trombone

Ron Stout-Trumpet & Flugelhorn

 

 

                                                                   "Sir Duke"

                                                             

 "It Could Happen to You"

CD Review: Kristina Koller, "Get Out of Town"

Jazz Vocalist Kristina Koller has released her third album, "Get Out of Town".  The theme of her new CD is a fresh new focus on the music of Cole Porter combined with Kristina's unique approach to phrasing and arranging.  If you are expecting the usual treatment of Classic Cole Porter evergreens you will be disappointed.  Kristina Koller likes to take well known and some not so well known standards and give them a new birth.   The results are wonderful!  As you listen to her performance of Cole Porter songs you get the comfortable feeling that you know the music but you also know you are hearing something new.  Koller's thought process in selecting the songs on the album and her stylistic decisions on the arrangements were driven by their universal appeal.   Koller states, "I choose songs that I can relate to, or believe they can be relatable to other audiences who don't typically listen to Jazz.  I've always wanted Jazz to reach a broader audience.  I select songs and try to arrange and perform them in a way that I believe are universally appealing".  Kristina Koller is a Jazz vocalist that can bring past and present music together to become the Jazz music of today.

Kristina is joined by her Jazz trio that has been performing with her for over 3 years.  Fima Chupakhin on Piano, Juan Chiavassa on Drums and James Robbins on Bass.  The Trio is perfectly matched to Koller's unusual vocal approach.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for you listening pleasure.  The first one is an unpublished Cole Porter song "Why Don't  We Try Staying Home".  Koller discovered this tune along with a second one on the CD, "Greek To You" in a Cole Porter Songbook she found at the Strand Bookstore in NYC.  And some wonder why people come from miles away to spend hours looking at books at this classic NYC bookstore.  The Strand never disappoints!   The second selection is the title track and Koller's wonderful performance of "Get Out of Town".   Kristina Koller is a highly skilled modern Jazz Vocalist who is a great addition to today's Jazz scene.

                                                       "Why Don't We Try Staying Home"

                                                                "Get Out of Town"

PLAYLIST:

1. Get Out of Town

2. What is This Thing Called Love

3. Greek to You

4. It's All Right With Me

5. Why Don't We Try Staying Home

6. In the Still of the Night

7. Just One of Those Things

8. Every Time We Say Goodbye

PERFORMERS:

Fima Chupakhin- Piano

James Robbins-Bass

Juan Chavassa-Drums

CD Review: Tom Keenlyside, "A Night At The Espresso"

 Multi-talented and award-winning Flutist Tom Keenlyside has recently released a brilliant new Jazz CD, "A Night At The Espresso". Tom has brought together a group of sparkling great Jazz talents to join him in a celebration of his Jazz beginnings at a the Espresso Coffee House in Vancouver, BC.  Tom shares his fond remembrances of this time of his life.  "I would arrive home at my appointed curfew hour...11:00 pm and say goodnight to my parents.  When I was assured that they were asleep, I would crawl out my bedroom window, down the trellis, up to Granville Street, and take the bus downtown to the Espresso Coffee House, where I would remain until 5 or 6 in the morning.  What a scene! So exciting!  There, I would revel in the stories of the older cats, John Dawe, Nick McGowan, Rocky Weems...they all had stories to tell, and when they played in was like magic to my ears.  Those guys running through the changes of "Have You Met Miss Jones", " "Stella By Starlight", or "All the Things You Are"...And me, furiously struggling to keep up."

Tom has never lost his love for music and even though he developed into one of the most talented Jazz musicians of our time,  he never lets any opportunity to "sit in" go by.  That's how I got to know Tom.  I first ran into Tom in the Palm Desert California area while having dinner at one of the many local restaurants with live music.  Tom came into the restaurant with his lovely wife Nicki-Lea and it wasn't long before he joined the Trio playing flute as good as I have ever heard anyone playing Jazz flute.  To say that Tom's life has been totally dedicated to music is no overstatement.  Tom plays Flute and Tenor Sax, Composes, Arranges and sings in addition to his studio work with music production.  The best part of all is Tom is a wonderful, caring person with no personality attitudes; just genuinely a nice person.

The music on "A Night At The Espresso" will please any Jazz fan.  It's a cool mix of some great standards and some original compositions from Tom and Miles Black who also provides outstanding Piano work for this CD. I have selected two "YouTube" selections from this CD for you to sample.  The first one is the Cole Porter standard, "All Of You" that showcases the wonderful musicians Tom has brought together including  a great vocal from Melody Diachun.   The second is an original composition that I loved called "Dave".  To all my friends in the Coachella Valley CA area who get to hear Tom sit in all the time in the winter,  you need to absolutely buy this Cd to add to your Jazz collection.  And for any other real Jazz fan reading this, this is one of the best traditional Jazz CD's I have heard in a long time.  Thank you Tom for continuing to produce great Jazz for all of us!  

     

                                            

                                                                         "All Of Me"

                                                                              "Dave"

Playlist:

1. Skwest

2. Amor, O Misterio

3. All Of You

4. Speak Low

5. Ghost of A Chance

6. Garden Bay

7. But Not For Me

8. Lazy Afternoon

9. Cherokee

10 Pelo Amor De Musica

11. Dave

Players:

Tom Keenlyside-Flute

Miles Black-Piano, nylon string Guitar (Track 10)

Miles Foxx Hill-Bass

Bernie Arai-Drums

Brad Turner-Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Tim Porter-Guitar (Track i)

Melody Diachun-Vocals