CD Review: Delfeayo Marsalis and His Uptown Jazz Orchestra "Crescent City Jewels"

New Orleans is often referred to as the home of American Jazz, and still to this day, the city continues to be a strong supporter of American Jazz music and Jazz musicians.  The idea for this album was planted in Delfeayo many years ago arising out of a conversation between Trombonist, Composer and NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis and Composer and Drummer Max Roach.  Marsalis recalls, "Max told me, 'When I look around, I see greatness everywhere.  I see greatness in the postman who shows up every day to deliver mail, and in the teacher who is serious about teaching these kids.'  That one conversation changed my perception of the world that we live in and how best to represent it in my music."  Crescent City Jewels is Marsalis' effort to capture the present and past heroes of the New Orleans Jazz scene.  I believe Marsalis achieved his missions.  Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra have put together a marvelous group of songs that capture the essence of New Orleans Jazz and the City itself.  The CD expresses the bandleader's appreciation for the good things in life.  According to Marsalis, "What the Jazz community needs right now are bands that can bring joy and optimism.  We not only need it for the audiences, but other bands need to hear it.  There are so many bands that play what they consider to be modern music which may not be the most uplifting experience for the audience.  I feel very fortunate that I have a band, especially coming out of New Orleans, that can bring that emotion and joy."  I totally agree with Marsalis so let's get the party started. Crescent City Jewels brings together some of the finest Jazz musicians performing today and gifted them material from a variety of sources.  Marsalis has joined Jazz standards, great new originals,  classic by legendary figures like Thelonious Monk and Joe Henderson, and a few musical jewels from the Crescent City songbook.   And to finish the deal, he featured the band's soulful longtime singer, Tonya Boyd-Cannon. 

I have selected two songs for you to hear.  The first is a Marsalis original titled "Sidewalk Sizzle" and this funky tune really does sizzle.  Great playing by all and outstanding arrangement.   The second song is the Monk classic, "Round Midnight" sung brilliantly by Tonya Boyd-Cannon.  Enjoy!  

PLAYERS:

Trombones

Delfeayo Marsalis- Trombone, Arrangements, Leader

Terrance "Hollywood" Taplin, Charles Williams, TJ Norris, Ethan Santos

Saxophones: Khari Allen Lee, Aaron Narcisse, Khris Royal, Scott Johnson, Shaena Ryan, Trevarri Huff-Boone, Alonzo Bowers, Branford Marsalis, Roderick Johnson 

Gregory "Speedo" Agid- Clarinet

Trumpets: Scott Frack, Andrew Baham, John Grey, Ashlin Parker, John Culbreth, Lynn Grissett

Piano: Kyle Roussel, Shea Pierre, Victor Campbell, Davell Crawford

FEATURING: Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Kermit Ruffins, Brandford Marsalis, Davell Crawford, Maurice "Meaux" Trosclair, Aaron Narcisse, Andrew Baham, Chris Severin, Herlin Riley

 "Sidewalk Sizzle"
  

                                                               

                                                                            "Round Midnight"

CD Review: Antonio Adolfo, "Love Cole Porter"

 

Renowned Pianist, Composer, Arranger Antonio Adolfo recently released his Brazilian-flavored interpretations of the music of Cole Porter.  Adolfo has released 25 albums as leader and every one of them has been inspiring!  In his new CD,  "Love Cole Porter" Antonio Adolfo has put together a big band that pays tribute to the genius of Cole Porter and adds a Brazilian flavor to Porter's beloved compositions.  Adolfo explains, "I started out by experimenting with different Cole Porter tunes on the piano, trying out different styles of Brazilian music. It took a while to bring them into my musical world and ideas".

I have reviewed several Antonio Adolfo CDs on my blog and I have to say that everything I have ever heard from him has been super good.  His Rhythms, his Arrangements, his Compositions, his choice of musicians has always been the best you can get.  Every Cole Porter song on this CD has been reimagined into a sparkling, exciting new adventure.  Antonio Adolfo is recognized internationally as a Brazilian Jazz master and for good reason; he is a brilliant musician! 

Picking a couple of cuts from "Love Cole Porter" was near impossible.  The big band sound and exciting Arrangements combined with our favorite Cole Porter makes every song on this CD a classic must-have for any Jazz collection.  After much listening I selected "Just One Of Those Things" and "Love For Sale" because I thought the Arrangements were so unique and Brazilian.  

PLAYERS:

Antonio Adolfo- Piano and Arrangements

Lula Galvao- Guitar

Jorge Helder- Double Bass

Rafael Barata- Drums, Percussion

Dada Costa- Percussion

Jesse Sadoc- Trumpet & Soprano Sax & Flute

Rafael Rocha- Trombone

Playlist:

1. Easy To Love

2. Every Time We Say Goodbye

3. I Concentrate On You

4. I Love You

5. I've Got You Under My Skin

6. Just One Of Those Things

7. Love For Sale

8. Night and Day

9. So In Love

10. You Do Something To Me.

                                                                 "Just One Of Those Things"

                                                                        "Love For Sale"

CD Review: Enrico Granafei, "It's Hard To Say Goodbye"

 

Harmonica virtuoso, Classical Guitarist, Vocalist, Songwriter, Arranger and Composer Enrico Granafei has recently released his fourth CD "It's Hard To Say Goodbye".  The CD is a collection of Latin-infused Jazz tunes featuring Granafei playing beautiful Chromatic Harmonica, Guitar and  doing some Vocals.  It's not everyday you come across world class Harmonica players and Granafei's new CD is a reminder of how beautiful Harmonica sounds can be.  I first met and heard Enrico Granafei play while visiting his New Jersey Jazz Club, Trumpets.  Granafei supported live Jazz at his club for over 20 years.  The club was a labor of love with Granafei helping to do everything from greeting customers,  booking great Jazz talent and running the kitchen.   Running a Jazz club in NJ is not a way to get rich but it was a way for Granafei to support the legions of Jazz musicians looking for a venue to perform.  In addition, Granafei was able to sit in frequently with his many musician friends who performed at his club.   

Granafei studied Classical Guitar in Italy at the Conservatory of I'Aquila.  It was there that he discovered Toots Thielemans' album "Infinity".  A short time after hearing this album, Granafei started teaching himself Jazz Harmonica and soon became good enough to perform in top Jazz clubs throughout Italy.  He landed a year-long gig playing in the orchestra of a very popular Italian television show.  He says,  "No one else in Italy played Jazz Harmonica back then, and every week I had 45 seconds of glory on National television as I got to play a short solo on every show.  Granafei moved to New York City in the early 1990's and began performing at The Blue Note, Birdland, and The Bottom Line where he got to play with many American Jazz giants.  He wanted to further his studies of Jazz Harmonica, however,  when he applied to the Manhattan School of Music;  he soon found out that there were no teachers of Jazz Harmonica at the school.   Because Granafei knew and had performed with several members of the admittance panel, he was accepted to the program.  Still in need of a teacher, Granafei called Toots Thielemans who was living in New York at the time.  Thielemans was reluctant to take on a student because of his busy touring schedule but Granafei persuaded him and then worked around Thielemans' schedule and received a master's degree in Jazz performance in 1992.  Granafei has surrounded himself with high level of musicians to support him on this CD.  They add great value to the overall enjoyment of this CD.

Enrico Granafei's passion and dedication to music and performance has been part of his heart and soul for his whole life and should be an inspiration to all young musicians who ever doubted themselves.  Nothing less than total dedication to your art is the key to unlocking success in the music world or any other world for that matter.

I have attached two cuts from "It's Hard To Say Goodbye".  The first tune is "Medo De Amar"  with Granafei singing in Portuguese and playing wistful and  romantic Harmonica.  The second tune is a nod to the spirit of Granafei's master teacher Toots Thielemans.  He performed the Thielemans classic hit, "Bluesette". 

                                                                        "Medo De Amar"
   

                                                                         "Bluesette"

PLAYERS:

Enrico Granafei:-Chromatic Harmonica, Guitar and Vocals

Claudio Roditi- Flugelhorn

Mike Longo- Piano

Amina Figarova-Piano, Keyboards and Fender Rhodes

Neil Alexander- Keyboards

Takashi Otsuka- Bass

Greg Jones- Bass

Christian Fabian- Bass

Gordon Lane- Drums

Sylvia Cuenca- Drums

Richie Morales- Drums

Diego Lopez- Tambourine

Annette Aguilar- Percussion

PLAYLIST:

1. Claudinlio

2. Night Train

3. Pia

4. Medo De Amar

5. L'ultima cialda

6. Calabrossa

7. What Goes Around Comes Around

8. Amico

9. Bluesette

10. To My Lady

11. It's Hard To Say Goodbye 

CD Review: Dred Scott, "Cali Mambo"

Dred Scott's musical journey has been a whirlwind of exploration from collaborating with iconic artists like Liza Minelli and Nina Hagen to holding down a decade-long residency at New York's Rockwood  Music Hall.  He has always had a restless musical spirit.  In recent years he traded the frenetic energy of the clubs for the polished elegance of acclaimed restaurants, but his passion for the pulsating rhythms of Latin Jazz never faded.  The release of "Cali Mambo" represents a return for Dred Scott back to the vibrant world of Jazz clubs.

Dred Scott has selected a group of super high level Musicians to join him that have deep credentials in the New York music and Latin music scene.  Vibraphonist Tom Beckham is simply perfect.  Matt Pavolka brings 25 years of New York musical experience on Bass.  And Moses Patrou provides years of international experience in sounds from the Caribbean and South America.  Leading this muti-talented group is Pianist Dred Scott who provides the glue that turns four unique and talented musicians into one vibrant and fresh voice.   The playlist that Dred selected for his CD,  "Cali Mambo" will bring you back to your early Jazz roots and remind you why Latin Jazz was always one of your favorite schools of Jazz.  I can't say enough about Dred Scott's performance on this CD.  His solos are clean and fresh and filled with creativity and his Arrangements will delight any Latin Jazz fan. 

I selected two "YouTube" tunes from "Cali Mambo" that will give you a solid clue as to why I loved this CD so much.  The first tune is also the title tune "Cali Mambo".  This song is a George Shearing gem that he wrote in 1952.  It's bursting with Latin energy.  According to Dred Scott, "this great songs was built on just two chords but listeners will find the song hard to forget.  The second song I selected was the Schwartz and Dietz classic "You And The Night And The Music".  This Scott uptempo Arrangement is amazing and brings new life and imagination to this evergreen!

I just could not finish without letting you hear one of my all-time favorite songs performed perfectly.  The song is "Poinciana" and it has been performed by so many outstanding musicians from George Shearing to the Four Freshman.

PLAYERS:

Dred Scott- Piano, Arrangements

Tom Beckham- Vibraphone

Matt Pavolka- Bass

Moses Patrou- Percussion

PLAYLIST:

1. Cali Mambo

2. Star Eyes

3. Poinciana

4. LaEnganadora

5. Danza Cubana#2

6. Guachi Guaro

7. You And The Night And The Music

8. Lulu

9. Footprints

10. Manteca

 

                                                                    "Cali Mambo"

                                                           "You and The Night And The Music"

                                                                           "Poinciana"

                                            

 

Veronica Thomas, "They Say It's Wonderful"

I have the pleasure of listening to many great musicians as part of my blog reviews but I have always had a special place in my music for Jazz Vocalists.   I know that most of us think we could be a pretty good Jazz Vocalist with enough practice.  After all, we all sound pretty good singing in the shower, right?  But the truth is becoming a truly top shelf Jazz vocalist is one of the hardest accomplishment to master.   

Veronica Thomas makes my last statement seem untrue because she sings and swings with utter ease and style making it seems easy.  And that's the mark of a true professional not only in the music world but of all worlds.  This summer, Veronica Thomas released her second CD, "They Say It's Wonderful".  The CD has a collection of 12 classic Jazz standards and these evergreens never sounded better.  Veronica has a velvet, soulful voice that she weaves around perfect storytelling phrasing that any of the great composers of these songs could have ever wished for.  When I first listened to this CD it seemed to have a certain balance in emotion that I could not get my brain around.  After several more listening sessions and a chance to consider the supporting cast of players on "They Say It's Wonderful' the light finally went on.   Veronica lives and performs in New York City and New York Jazz musicians have a slightly different approach to Jazz compared to West Cost Jazz players.  I live in the New York Metropolitan area for 6 months and the California desert area for 6 months and listen to live Jazz as much as possible so I can tell you there is a different approach to Jazz on each coast.  What I was feeling when listening to Veronica Thomas' CD "They Say It's Wonderful" was the coming together of this New York City Vocalist singing with a group of top West Coast players.   So it's East coast meets West coast.  The leader of the West Coast group is Pianist, Vocalist, Arranger and Producer, John Prouix.   John Prouix is still young but his skills are terrific.  He would surely be in the group of top 10 pianists in the country who a Jazz Vocalist would kill to have on the piano playing for them.  Also, supporting Veronica and Prouix is Bob Sheppard on Sax and Flute.  Bob Sheppard is and has been one of the top Sax and Flute players performing today and adds greatly to this CD.  The rhythm section is also superb with Mike Gurrrola on Bass and Kevin van den Elzen on Drums.  "They Say It's Wonderful"  is a first class Jazz CD and Veronica Thomas has given us a marvelous performance that makes us want more of her!

I have attached two cuts from Veronica Thomas' CD.  The first is an underplayed standard written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston, "Almost In Your Arms".  John Prouix provides a swing arrrangement for this gem.  The second is a classic written by Irving Berlin, "They Say It's Wonderful".  Bob Sheppard shows us why he is considered one of the best reed men performing today with some great Tenor support.

PLAYERS:

Veronica Thomas- Vocals

Piano, Arranging- John Prouix

Bass- Mike Gurrola

Sax and Flute- Bob Sheppard

Drums- Kevin van den Elzen

PLAYLIST:

1. Almost In Your Arms

2. Get Out Of Town

3. Invitation

4. They Say It's Wonderful

5. If I Were A Bell

6. Dindi

7. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered

8. Speak Low

9. Stuck In A Dream

10. A Sleepin' Bee

11. Too Late Now

12. Two For The Road

                                                             "Almost In Your Arms"

  

                                                                 "They Say It's Wonderful"                         

CD Review: Noah Haidu, "Standards II"

Listeners who miss the live piano mastery of Keith Jarrett, you have amply reason to celebrate Noah Haidu's performance of "Standards II" with his two soul mates, Bassist Buster Williams and Drummer Billy Hart.  I reviewed and loved Haidu's first masterpiece "Standards" that was released in 2023.  Haidu's second album is without question another masterpiece of musical greatness.  All three of these master musicians share their own sensitive perfect understanding of the seven standards on this album. 

This Jazz trio could possibly be the best trio performing today.  I know that's high praise but everytime I listen to this album, it seems to get better.  It's got the emotion, energy, creativity and sensitivity that is missing from so much of the new Jazz music I hear today.  It's a musical interruption of 7 aclaimed standards that we all know by three master Jazz musicians.  This CD is the lastest in a five-decade collaboration between Pianist Noah Haidu, Bassist Buster Williams and Drummer Billy Hart.  Haidu offers, "With Standards II", I've committed to performing with my own Standards Trio as a regular part of my touring Schedule.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to build a voice in the canon, and for the amazing response from audiences on our recent tours.  While I'm still composing my own music and continuing with various projects outside of the American Songbook repertoire, my Standards Trio is an important statement for me and an integral part of my identity as a musician".

I have selected and attached two "YouTubes" for you to listen to.  Selecting just two was a difficult task as this talented trio brings so much to each standard on this album.  The first song selected is the George and Ira Gershwin gem "Someone To Watch Over Me".   The second selection is an uptempo verison of "After You've Gone".  I encourage you to add this CD to your Jazz collection,  it's worth every penny you pay for it and,  I promise you will be playing it for years to come.

PLAYERS:

Noah Haidu- Piano

Buster Williams- Bass

Billy Hart- Drums

PLAYLIST:

1. Over The Rainbow

2. Someone To Watch Over Me

4. Obsesion

5. Days Of Wine and Roses

6. After You've Gone

7. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)

CD Review: Piper & The Hard Times, "Revelation"

 

Wake up all Blues fans.  The focus of today's blog is the dynamic Blues band, Piper & The Hard Times and their national debut recording, "Revelation".  The band's leader is Al "Piper" Green who does the Vocals.  This band is intense and lives in the vintage Blues world and leaves nothing in the recording room.  The band's soul is strongly rooted in the Blues but they also mix in touches of R & B, Soul and Rock.  If you are new to traditional Blues, you will enjoy listening to "Revelation".  If you are already a true Blues fan you will not be disappointed with the 12 songs on this CD.  The recording is terrific and gives the listener the feeling he would get if he was listening to a live performance.

The core musicians consist of Al "Piper" Green, Steve Eagon and Dave Colella who have been playing together for  over 20 years.  Al "Piper" Green performs the vocal with intensity and earthiness.  Piper grew up in a muscially inclined family in Bolivar, Tennessee where he sang in gospel choir while being fascinated by the best of Soul, Pop and Rock on the radio.  He sings with strong emotion and authority that make the lyrics believable.

Guitarist Steve Eagon grew up in Northern Ohio and has been playing since his teen years.  He notes that his style developed from his early influences from artists Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan.  Eagon also is the principal Composer for the band along with contributions from Piper and Colella.

Drummer Dave Colella is the only core member from the North, a New Jersey native.  But you would never guess he was not from the deep South when you listen to the strong and solid Blues foundation he provides for this group. 

"Revelation" is this band's debut recording but it's sure to become a classic Blues CD!

I have attached two "YouTube" videos so you can experience the flavor of this outstanding Blues CD.  The first is a New Orleans-flavored tune "Trouble Man" with a hard driving vocal from Piper.  The second is a slow Blues song filled with ache and emotion, "Twenty Long Years".

PLAYERS:

Al "Piper" Green- Vocals 

Steve Eagon- Guitar and principal Composer

Dave Colella- Drums

Amy Frederick- Keyboard

Parker Hawkins- Bass

Shaun Murphy, Lisa Oliver-Gray, Melissa Gardner- Background Vocals

Chris Floyd- Harmonica

Dick Aven- Tenor

PLAYLIST: 

1. Trouble Man

2. The Hard Times

3. Heart For Sale

4. Preacher Blues

5. Revelation

6. Working Farm Blues

7. Crave You

8. Come Back Knockin

9. Why Not Me

10. You're Gonna Miss Me

11. Walk With Me

12. Twenty Long Years

                                                                "Trouble Man"

                                                                    "Twenty Long Years"

CD Review: Rose Mallett, "Dreams Realized"

 I was delighted when I received a review copy of Rose Mallett's new CD from Jazz Promo Services.  I have had the pleasure of knowing  Jazz and Blues vocalist Rose Mallett for 15 years.  I first met her when I visited the Escena Country Club Lounge in Palm Springs California.  Rose had recently moved to the desert and was taking any gigs she could find.  I was immediately impressed with Rose's voice and her confidence as a performer.  The setting at a Country Club Lounge was not a perfect setting for Rose's soft lush voice but it was a gig and she knew that in order to improve, she had to sing wherever she had the opportunity.  I did a Rose Mallett Trio review at the Escena Lounge on February 28th, 2012.  Since my first review of Rose Mallett,  I have periodically done reviews on Rose and her progress as listed below:

   " Simply A Great Jazz Singer "  2/11/14

    "Rose Mallett's Favorite Top 10 Songs"  4/4/14  

    "Woody's in Palm Springs"  2/22/15

    "Vicky's of Santa Fe"  1/20/18

I encourage you to look up these past posts on my blog as they will provide you with a good feel of the hard work Rose has expended to reach her current level of accomplishment.  It brings to mind a comment I heard from Bobby Darin, "It's taken me 25 years to become an "Overnight" success".  The music industry has never been easy and I have personally witnessed many of the negative experiences Rose has had to face during her career and I can tell you that she handled every bump in the road with style and grace.  Unlike many vocalists I observe who reach a level of popularity and then stop their growth, Rose has always worked to improve her  voice, phrasing and performances.  The result has put Rose Mallett into the rare group of top Jazz and Blues singers performing today,  I encourage you to buy her CD and also next time you find yourself in the Coachella Valley desert area, I encourage you to look up Rose because she is still performing in several venues in the California desert. 

PLAYERS:

Rose Mallett- Vocals

Robert Kyle- Producer/Arranger/Sax/Flute

Jamison Trotter- Piano

Trey Henry- Bass

Mike Shapiro- Drums

"Munyungo" Jackson- Percussion

PLAYLIST:

1. Ain't Nobody

2. Feelin' Good

3. My Funny Valentine

4. Creepin

5. Send In The Clowns

6. The Snake

7. The Way He Makes Me Feel

8. Building Dreams

9. It's Impossible

10. Rock Me Baby

11. If I Never Sing Another Song

I have attached two "YouTube" videos that show Rose's versatility.  The first is a down and dirty Blues standard, "Rock Me Baby"  and the second is a tender ballad that Rose handles perfectly, "If I Never Sing Another Song".

                                                                    "Rock Me Baby"

                                                                "If I Never Sing Another Song"

  

CD Review: Karen Mack, "Catch & Keep"

 Vocalist Karen Mack is a regular at some of the top New City Jazz venues, but I clearly hear the influence of West Coast Jazz in the way she uses her velvety smooth voice to tell her musical stories.  Karen can Swing but she can also handle a ballad with clarity and sensitivity.  Being stuck at home during the pandemic gave Karen time to reevaluate what she wanted to do for herself as an artist.  "I wanted to lift people up and find my own voice.  For me, that involves having the freedom to improvise and to explore new ways of creating music and storytelling".  Karen's Jazz debut Album  "Catch and Keep" makes it clear that she chose the right musical direction for her and her Jazz audience.  "Catch and Keep' contains a diverse group of songs, some well-know standards, some terrific but lesser known standards,  Some original songs written by women composers and two songs written by Mack and her old friend and renowned Jazz artist, Peter Eldridge.  "Catch and Keep" is a wonderful present to all Jazz vocalist lovers!  The vibe on this CD is so refreshing you will find yourself playing it over and over again.  Karen has the rare ability to sing lyrics with the same comfort and understanding you would get having an easy conversation with an old friend.

Karen worked closely on this CD with Peter Eldridge, a founding member of the internationally acclaimed vocal group, New York Voices.  Eldridge did the arrangements on the CD and also played Piano and Organ.  Eldridge and Mack brought in a group of some of the most talented musicians in New York to support them on this Album and the results show it.  The fit between Karen's vocals and her supporting musicians is perfect. 

PLAYERS:

Karen Mack- Vocals

Peter Eldridge- Piano, Organ, Arrangements

Jesse Lewis- Guitars

Matt Aronoff- Upright Bass

Jared Schonig- Drums, Percussion

      Special Guests:

Darmon Meader- Saxes on tracks# 3, 4,6, and 8

Nadje Noordhuis- Trumpet on track# 1, Flugelhorn on track# 10

Elliot Roth- Piano, Vocals, Arrangement, on track# 12

PLAYLIST:

1. Nothing Like You

2. Imagination

3. From Now On

4. Come To Baby Do

5. This is Always

6. I'm So Repentant

7. November Day

8. Hurry Up and Wait

9. Here Is Everything

10. Our Love Rolls On

11. I Wanna Get Married

12. It's Hard To Say Goodbye

I have attached two "YouTube" videos to listen to.  The first is a Bob Dorough and Fran Landesman song titled "Nothing Like You".  It features a tasty Trumpet solo by Australian Nadje Noorhuis.  The second attachment is a classic standard "This Is Always".  I was not familar with this song but as soon as I heard it, I put it on my favorites list.   It was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon and the medley and lyric are stunning.   I was also very impressed by "It's Hard To Say Goodbye" that was written by the great LA Jazz  composer and singer Vocalist, Betty Bryant.  

    

                                                                     "Nothing Like You"

                                                                       "This is Always"

Music Man Blog Hits A New Milestone

 

The first article on The Music Man Blog was published in November 2009.  It doesn't seem possible that I have been posting reviews and articles for 15 years.  The purpose of my blog has always been to support musicians, shine a light on new artists and new CDs and to keep the "Great American Songbook" alive.  We know that great progress has been made achieving these goals because of the feedback that we have received from hundreds of musicians who have been spotlighted on the blog.  The majority of today's musicians are clearly both underappreciated and underpaid and yet the music they create provides us with hours of joy and satisfaction every day of our lives. In spite of being underappreciated and underpaid, they continue to perform and create new music for all of us to enjoy.  They are true artists. We are the beneficiaries of their sacrifices and have an obligation to support them in any way we can.  We all need to attend live performances wherever we can find them and not forget to leave a tip for the musicians after we enjoy their performances.  They are paid so little for their live gigs that tips are very important to their well-being.   We need to continue to buy their CDs even though the music industry has decided that CDs are no longer relevant.  And lastly, we need to thank musicians whenever we get a chance.  

I am delighted to report that last month the Music Man Blog celebrated more than one million page views on our site.  For a narrowly focused blog, this is a massive amount of page views.  And the number of people checking into the Music Man Blog continues to grow. In the most recent months, the average monthly page views have been over 30,000.  Over the past 15 years we have published 626 blogs covering the efforts of thousands of musicians and their bands.  The Music Man Blog has steadily grown its audience in over 20 countries.  I have listed the top 10 highest page views from countries with Jazz lovers who are reading our postings:

    1.United States

    2. Germany

    3. China

    4. Singapore 

    5. Ukraine

    6. Hong Kong

    7.  Iran

    8. Russia

    9. Sweden

    10. Canada

My reward for the personal time and efforts I have expended on this blog is knowing that I am helping to support musicians, live performances and helping to keep the "Great American Songbook" relevant for younger people who may experience this wonderful music.  I have also had the opportunity to meet and get to know hundreds of musicians.  Honestly they are some of the finest people I have ever met.  

CD Review: Melinda Rose & Frenchy Romero, "I'm On My Way"

 

Vocalist Melinda Rose and Pianist Frenchy Romero grew up within blocks of each other in Miami and while they never attended the same school together, both were attracted to straight-ahead Jazz.  In 2022 Rose was invited to audition to be the first vocalist for a U.S. Army big band called, the Army Blues.  She won the position and moved to Washington, D.C. to join the band  About two months later Rose saw an announcement for a Pianist in another Army band at the same base.  She shared the news with Romero, who won the job.  These events allowed the talented duo to continue to collaborate as a Jazz duo.  "I'm On My Way"  is the first product of their musical efforts and it's a stunning new Jazz CD.  There is something very special when these two musicians work together.  First, Melinda Rose has a gorgeous, pure, velvet yet strong voice that is so refreshing to listen to especially compared to what seems to be popular today.  Her voice evokes vocal images of  Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Anita O'Day but with her own personal styling.  Pianist Frenchy Romero delivers a master class on how to accompany a great vocalist.  She is creative and supportive but never interrupts Melinda's vocals.  What a pleasure to listen to these two young and talented musicians.  There is great sensitivity between these friends that produces some of the best Jazz I have heard in a long time.  The playlist this duo put together is diverse and magical..  The CD has 6 standards, some old and some new and 4 orginials composed by Melinda Rose.  This CD  is a dream album for any Jazz vocalist fan.   Thank you Melinda and Frenchy and please get busy on your next CD! 

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of songs from "I'm On My Way".  It took me a lot of time to select 2 songs out of the 10 on this CD because I liked every song.  The first selection is a beautiful rendition of Stevie Wonder's  "If It's Magic" and this version is magic to me!  The second song is the Nancy Wilson classic "You Can Have Him" written by Irvin Berlin that is simply a beautiful performance!  

PLAYERS:

Melinda Rose- Vocals, Arrangements, Compositions

Frenchy Romero- Piano and Arrangements

Vince Dupont- Bass

Matt Wilson- Drums

Summer Camargo- Trumpet

PLAYLIST:

1. Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

2. Once Upon a Summertime

3. If It's Magic

4. It Could Happen To You

5. Don't Come Back

6. I'll Do It All Again

7. In My Own Little Corner

8. I'm On My Way

9. You Can Have Him

10. It's Not You, It's Me  

                                                                    "If It's Magic"

                                                                    "You Can Have Him"

CD Review, Sergio Pereira, "Bossa+"

 

Brazilian born Sergio Pereira has just published his new CD, "Bossa+" that adds to his long list of outstanding Brazilian music he has shared with us.  "Bossa+" is distinguished by its live studio recordings. This method captures the spontaneity, elegance, and vibrant energy inherent in Bossa Nova and Jazz.  "Bossa+" contains 6 orginial Pereira compositions and one cover "There Will Never Be Another You".  If you had just landed on planet Earth and this CD was your first experience with Bossa Nova music,  I guarantee you would only have to hear the songs on this CD once to completely fall in love with this music.  The album is more than a mere collection of songs.  It is an immersive experience that showcases the fusion of Bossa Nova with other Brazilian rhythms, all while being infused with the improvisational spirit of Jazz.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos playing two songs from the CD.  The first is an orginial Pereira composition called "Desamor" that features a vocal from Sergio Pereira.  It's a perfect sound that will make you warm and comfortable as soon as you listen to it.  The second is the beautiful up-tempo verison of the Warren and Gordon standard "There Will Never Be Another You".   The Trumpet and Flugelhorn parts showcase an outstanding performance by Chipi Chacon. 

PLAYERS:

Sergio Pereira- Vocal, Guitars, Viola, Percussion, Compositions

Chipi Chacon- Trrumpet, Flugelhorn

Luis Guerra- Piano, Keys

Ariel Ramirez- Drums, Percussion

Guests:

Romero Lubambo- Violao,  "One For Pat" and "Saudades"

Ivan "Melon" Lewis- Piano "One For Pat"

Ivan Ruiz Machado- Bass "One for Pat"

Jose San Martin- Drums "One for Pat'

PLAYLIST:

1. Bossa

2. Sea Of Love

3. One For Pat

4. Montgo

5. Saudades

6. Desamor

7. There Will Never Be Another You

"Desamor"

                                                                          

                                                         "There Will Never Be Another You"

CD Review: Amber Weekes "A Lady With A Song - Amber Weekes Celebrates Nancy Wilson"

 

Nancy Wilson has always been on the top of my list of great Jazz singers.  So when I picked up this  new CD from Amber Weekes, my first reaction was wow, this singer is really brave to take on songs that have Nancy Wilson's personal vocal fingerprints.  Singing songs that are closely linked to great singers is always a challenging task even for the most talented vocalists because as good as your verison is, you will always be compared to the original artist.  

The first song I listened to on this CD was "Lady With A Song" and it convinced me that Amber Weekes is a remarkable Jazz singer.  While this song will always be linked to Nancy Wilson, I love the way Amber presented the lyric in a believable story fashion.  Her voice is strong and her phrasing just flows like syrup on hot pancakes.  This CD is a fine tribute to the singing voice and style of Nancy Wilson but Amber Weekes does not just copy Nancy Wilson, she brings her own interpretations to the Nancy Wilson song book with great success!

Amber Weekes is a Jazz singer based in Southern California and is known as a storyteller who puts heart and honest feelings into her interpretations of superior standards.  This same sentence could have been written to describe Nancy Wilson who performed for over 50 years on the Pop and Jazz stage.  "A Lady With A Song, Amber Weekes Celebrates Nancy Wilson" is a sensational CD by an extremely talented vocalist!

I have attached two "YouTube" videos that will give you a taste of Amber Weekes' work.  The first tune is a beautiful ballad  "Lady With A Song" that features fine Trumpet work from Ray Monteiro and Mike Cordone.    The second tune is the lovely but difficult to sing "Midnight Sun" which Amber sings perfectly. 

                    " Lady With A Song"

                                          
                                                                       "Midnight Sun"

PLAYLIST:

1. Gentleman Friend

2. Save Your Love For Me

3. A Lady With A Song

4. Ten Good Years

5. What A Little Moonlight Can Do

6. Midnight Sun

7. Suppertime

8. Wave

9. Guess Who I Saw Today

10. I'm Always Drunk In San Francisco

11. The Best Is Yet To Come

12. You're Gonna Hear From Me

13. Wasn't It Wonderful

PLAYERS:

Russell Malone- Guitar

Paul Jackson Jr.- Sax

Gerald Albright- Sax

Rickey Woodard- Sax

Justo Almario- Flute

Ray Monteiro- Trumpet

Mike Cordone- Trumpet

Mark Cargill- Violin

Rashawn Ross- Trumpet

Tony Campodonico- Acoustic and Rhodes Piano

Jacob Scesney- Tenor Sax

CD Review: Roger Tilton Trio, "Mostly Bossa"

 

Jazz Pianist Roger Tilton has just recently released his second album featuring his talented Trio consisting of Roger Tilton on Piano, Henry Franklin on Bass and Yayo Morales on Drums.  When Tilton started to put some ideas together for this album, he did not start with Bossa Nova music as the overall theme.  His first thoughts were to put together music that he loved and enjoyed playing.  He has always loved the music of Brazil and especially the beautiful music of Antonio Carlos Jobim.  So as he gathered songs for his new CD it turned out that 7 out of the 9 tunes that made the final cut were Bossa Nova songs.  That explains the title of this CD,  "Mostly Bossa".

Roger Tilton is a classically trained pianist studied at the University of Redlands and took personal lessons with concert Pianist Johanna Harris, wife of American composer Roy Harris.  He first became interested in Jazz listening to Stan Getz playing "Desafinado" and Ramsey Lewis playing "The In Crowd".   While at the University of Redlands, Tilton met Bass Player Rob Fisher who introduced him to the music of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, and Denny Zeitlin.  Joining The Roger Tilton Trio on this album is the legendary Bassist Henry Franklin.  Franklin has a star-studded musical career including being a member of the Trumpeter Freddie Hubbert's group.  He also was a part of Drummer Shelly Manne's group and Woody Shaw's band.  In addition to performing regularly,  Franklin also runs his own production company, recording studio and label.  The third member of this talented trio, Drummer Yayo Morales was born in Bolivia and is an exceptional Jazz Drummer in the rhythms of South America and is a perfect addition to the Bossa songs on this CD. Morales also  did the mastering of the songs for this CD.

The Music on "Mostly Bossa" is like most Bossa music,  comfortable and enjoyable.  It is so soothing and relaxing to listen to and the listener can move through the entire CD and still be looking for more. 

The three members of this Trio are all so exceptional and they make the listener feel that playing Bossa Nova music is easy.  This is what really professional Jazz talents do, they interpret complicated songs and rhythms and turn them into attractive and understandable music for their audiences.

I have attached two "YouTube" songs from this CD.  The first tune is "Dindi" the Antonio Carlos Jobim gem.  Tilton mentioned that he had not heard many instrumental versions of it but only vocal renditions.  So glad he did because his instrumental captures the excitment of this wonderful Jobim tune and Brazilian music in general.  The second tune is "Tokyo Blues" the Horace Silver Jazz classic that is titled as a Blues but it is actually based on Boss Nova Rhythms. 

                                                                            "Dindi"
       

                                                                            "Tokyo Blues"
 PLAYERS:

Roger Tilton- Piano

Henry Franklin- Bass

Yayo Morales- Drums

PLAYLIST:  

1. Dindi

2. Tokyo Blues

3. Bossa For Debbie

4. What Is This Thing Called Love

5. 500 Miles High

6. Blue Bossa

7. Brigas Nunca Mais

8. Hackensack

9. Dreamer

 

CD Review: Radam Schwartz, "Saxophone Music"

 

Radam Schwartz is a well-known Jazz organist in today's Jazz world.  He has performed with many Jazz greats including Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Al Hibbler, David "Fathead" Newman, Russell Malone and Cecil Brooks III.  In his lastest CD, "Saxophone Quartet Music", Schwartz puts his spotlight on his composing and arranging.  Using a quartet of four saxophones, Schwartz has written and arranged nine original songs.  The words that come to mind when listening to Schwartz's compositions are beautiful, lush tones, new, fresh and swinging.  On his new CD, Schwartz utilizes three of his most skilled former students from the Jazz Institute of New Jersey,  Marcus G. Miller on Soprano Sax, Irwin Hall on Alto Sax and Anthony Ware on Tenor Sax.  The forth member of the quartet is Schwartz's long friend Max Schweiger on Baritone Sax.  

Radam Schwartz's was born and raised in New York City and played Saxophone and Keyboards in high school, and for a time settled on Piano. Early on he played with Altoist Charlie Mariano's fusion group, Tenor -Saxophonist Jimmy Ford, The New Jersey Contemporary Orchestra, and Al Hibbler. He has led ten albums of his own, appeared on over 40 as a sideman, and been very busy as an Organist, Educator and Arranger-Composer. 

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of two of the songs from the CD.  The first is "Many Seasons Wise One".  The inspriation for this ballad tribute was to the unheralded giants of the Newark Jazz scene who early on inspired Schwartz.  The second tune, "Validation" utilizes the chord changes of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" and has a bebop feel to it.

PLAYLIST:

1. Let's Hear It For The Boy

2. Sway In Rincon

3. The Ancients

4. Hands/With These Hands

5. Validation

6. As Long As You're Remembered

7. Many Seasons Wise One

8. My Ship

PLAYERS:

Radam Schwartz: Compositions & Arranging

Marcus G Miller: Soprano Saxophone

Irwin Hall: Alto Saxophone

Anthony Ware: Tenor Saxophone

Max Schweiger: Baritone Saxophone

Misha Josephs: Guitar (Track 2)

Carrie Jackson: Vocals (Track 4)

Andrew Atkinson: Percussion (Track 6) 

                                                        "Many Seasons Wise One

                                                                   "Validation"

CD Review: A Message From The Flying Horse Big Band

I have followed the The Flying Horse Big Band and their super talented musical director Jeff Rupert for a long time and they never disappoint.  They have just released their 8th CD, "A Message From The Flying Horse Big Band" and it's a four-star winning "straight ahead" Jazz album.  The focus of this new CD is on the style of music performed by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messenger.`  All the songs on this CD were composed by Jazz Messenger members.  The Jazz Messengers group was formed in 1947 by Drummer Art Blakey and really shot into high public attention when Trumpeter Horace Silver joined the group in the mid-fifties.  Blakey and Silver were at the forefront of developing Bebop music while incorporating elements of rhythm and blues and soul music.  The Jazz Messenger members who composed songs on this CD reads like a list of Jazz giants out of a Jazz history book: Horace Silver, Benny Golson, Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton and Hank Mobley.

Sadly, Jazz lovers don't get to hear this kind of big band music and arrangements much these days.  However, even someone new to Jazz would quickly recognize that the sound of this music and  arrangements are special.  I want to thank Jeff Rupert and the "The Flying Horse Big Band" for producing this amazing new CD.  You are helping the new generation to discover how good this kind of music is!

I also have to mention the high quality of professional players that perform this wonderful music on this CD.  The full group is listed below and each one of the players are at the top of their musical game and contribute to the superb music on this CD. 

PLAYLIST:

1. Free For All

2. Hipsippy Blues

3. Room 608

4. This Is For Albert

5. Mosaic

6. Peace

7. Gregory Is Here

8. Lester Left Town

9. Whisper Not

10. On the Ginza

PLAYERS:

Saxophones:

    Paul Van Wormer- Lead Alto (Solo Tracks 4,7,10)

    Micah Silverstein- 2nnd Alto (Solo Track 9)

    Edmund "Quint"- Johnson Lead Tenor (Solo tracks 1,3,5,6,8,9)

    Steven Grant- 2nd Tenor (Solo track 2)

    Noan Mosca- Baritone

Rhythm Section:

    Jack Hoag- Piano and Fender Rhodes

    Noah Charles- Guitar (Solo tracks 3,7,8)

    Michael Santos- Bass

    James Fortune-  Drum Set (tracks 1,2,5,8,9)

    Jamesly Jean-Mary- Drum set ( tracks 3,4,6,7,10) and Congas (track 2)

Trumpets & Flugelhorns:

    Josh Mercado- (Solo tracks 1,2,3,5,6,10)

    Adam Zapf-

    Robert Schmidt

    Phebe Rich

    Elijah Simmons

Trombones:

    Dan Parish (Solo tracks 4,6,7)

    Ralph Rodriguez

    Gabe Funk

    Ben Fuller- Bass Trombone

 

I have attached two "YouTube" videos from "A Message From The Flying Horse Big Band".  The first song is a Wayne Shorter composition that was arranged by former Jazz Messenger, Michael Mossman.  It's swinging and hot!  The second song was composed by Hank Mobley with a great arrangement by Harry Allen.  It doesn't matter if you are a Jazz Messenger fan or new to this kind of music, if you love Jazz you will love these songs and this CD!

                                                                   " Free For All"

                                                                        "Hipsippy Blues"

CD Review: Jacqui Naylor, "Treasures of the Heart"

Vocalist and Composer Jacqui Naylor has just released her 12th album, "Treasures Of The Heart".   For those of you who are not familiar with Jacqui Naylor's work you are in for a treat.  Jacqui's new CD, "Treasures of the Heart" is a sensational gift for all music lovers.  Jacqui Naylor's voice can be described as smokey and rich. She has her only style and while the listener may be reminded of other major Jazz vocalists, her voice is very special and her own. She includes a wide variety of new and old music and takes us for a musical ride with songs immersed in Jazz, R & B, Soul and Pop.  Jacqui along with her Pianist and husband, Art Khu composed 10 of the 14 songs on this CD.  Art Khu created all the exciting arrangements.   His piano work fits Jacqui's vocal style perfectly.   Her reimagined approach to the four well- known standards will surprised you both with her wonderful vocal stylizing and Art Chu's refreshing bright arrangements.   Jacqui has headlined some of the most important and famous festivals throughout the world including Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Vancouver Jazz Festival, London's Ronnie Scott's,  Berlin's Quasimodo, Lisbon's Jazz Palacio Baldaya, New York and Hamburg's Birdland and the Blue Note in New York, Milan and Tokyo.  Once you listen to "Treasures of the Heart" you will quickly understand why Jacqui Naylor is in high demand where ever Jazz is loved!  

The supporting band for this album are rock solid Jazz professionals.  Starting with her Pianist, Art Khu, who co-wrote the 10 original songs for the album.  His support behind and along side Jacqui is terrific.  Khu has worked with some of the biggest Jazz players like Donald Byrd, and Idina Menzel.  Richie Goods, who has toured and recorded with Jacqui and worked with Lenny While, Milt Jackson, Russell Malone, Vincent Herring, Chris Botti, Christiana Aguilera and Whitney Houston is outstanding on Bass. Drummer and Percussionist Ele Howell provides faultless and creative rhythms that add interest to every song.  Erik Jekabson plays Trumpet and Flugelhorn and completes this band.  Erik has performed with Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Brian Lynch and Tito Puente.  

I have attached two "YouTube" videos that I know you will enjoy.  The first is Jacqui's reimagined version of the Rodgers and Hart evergreen "I didn't know What Time It Was" with an Afro-Cuban rhythm.  The second song is the title tune "Treasures of The Heart" written by Jacqui and Art Khu.  The lyric summarizes the album's theme "I found joy when only dark clouds came to call/ I felt springtime when the leaves began to fall/ in the sunshine and the rain/ in the joy inside the pain/ joy is a treasure of the heart".

PLAYLIST:

1. I Didn't Know What Time It Was

2. Treasures Of The Heart

3. All That We Could Be

4. Happy Adventure

5. Walk Out In The Sun

6. Love's Around

7. True Colors

8. You're The One For Me

9. Love In Springtime

10. Lovely Day

11. Picture Book Of You

12. This Guy's In Love With You

13. Hold On

14. We'll Shine Through

PLAYERS:

Jacqui Naylor- Vocals, Composing

Art Khu- Piano, Organ, Rhodes, Celeste, Guitar, Composing, Arranging

Richie Goods- Basses

Ele Howell- Drums, Percussion

Erik Jekabson- Trumpet, Flugelhorn

                                                        "I Didn't Know What Time It Was"

                                                                "Treasures of the Heart"

CD Review: Adam Schroeder & Mark Masters, "CT" (A tribute to Clark Terry)

 The new CD just released from Baritone Saxophonist and Bandleader Adam Schroeder and Arranger Mark Masters is a tribute to master Trumpeter and Composer Clark Terry.  Schroeder conceived of the recording as a celebration of Terry's 100th birthday.  The plan was delayed by the pandemic, but Schroeder continued to be motivated to complete the CD.  "I wanted to celebrate what Clark gave to me and so many others around the globe for decades-musically, educationally, and as a mentor."  Mark Master has provided some powerful arrangements in a style that is becoming more and more infrequent.  Mark offers,    "So it's always a joy when great musicians come together to make music, and it only becomes music when they bring the music to life."  Mark has produced wonderful arrangements that would have made Clark Terry smile.  All of the songs on this CD were composed by Clark Terrry. The results of these classic arrangements, great songs and the wonderful Jazz players participating on this CD is perfection for any Jazz lover.

Bari Sax player, Adam Schroeder is a giant force in today's  global Jazz scene not only through performances but through his extensive educational efforts including serving as Associate Professor of Jazz & Commercial Music at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.  His solos and the mellow tones he produces out of his Baritone Sax are always sparkling good.  The Baritone Sax has always been one of the tougher Saxophones to play in my opinion.  Adam Schroeder makes playing the Baritone Sax seem easy; the mark of a true professional player!

Mark Masters is a master Arranger in the traditional of Classic American Jazz.  He is a champion of  American Jazz and devotes all of his energies to keep this type of Jazz music alive and current.  He has arranged music for recordings featuring Billy Harper, Jimmy Knepper, Andrew Cyrille, Oliver Lake, Mark Turner, Tim Hagans, Grachan Moncur III, Peter Erskine  and many others. 

PLAYLIST:

1. Serenade To A Bus Seat

2. Ground Hog

3. Ode To Pres

4. Daylite Express

5. Boardwalk

6. Argentia

7. Perdido Line

8. Slow Boat

9. Swingin' On The Cusp

10. Michelle

11. Top and Bottom

12. Boomerang

13. In Orbit

PLAYERS:

Sal Lozano- Alto Sax

Bob Sheppard- Tenor & Soprano Sax

Kirsten Edkins- Tenor Sax

Adam Schroeder- Baritone Sax

Francisco Torres- Lead Trombone

Ido Meshulam- Trombone

Lemar Guillary- Trombone

Dan Fornero- Lead Trumpet

James Ford- Trumpet

Aaron Janik-Trumpet

Edwin Livingston- Bass

Peter Erskine- Drums

All Arrangements by Mark Masters

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of songs from this CD.  The first is the Clark Terry tune, "Ground Hog" where Adam Schroeder gets to show his playing skills.  The second video is Terry's "Ode To Pres" with impressive solos from Kirsten Edkins, Bob Sheppard and Ido Meshulam.

                                                                     "Ground Hog"

                                                                        "Ode To Pres"