CD Review: Jae Sinnett's Zero To 60 Quartet, "Commitment"

Multi-talemted Drummer, Composer, Educator and Jazz Producer Jae Sinnett has released a terrific new straight-away Jazz album, "Commitment".   Sinnett is a highly trained and admired Drummer but he brings so much more to the Jazz musical table.  Jae has written over 250 compositions and has also scored music for five documentaries  In addition, he is a dedicated Jazz educator teaching history, theory and percussion at many universities.  In his spare time during the last 37 years, Sinnett has been the Jazz Producer and host for NPR affiliate WHRV-FM 89.5.

The Sinnett "Zero TO 60 Quartet" contains five outstanding highly experienced Jazz musicians who all get to shine on this CD.  Trumpet great Randy Brecker is a special guest and adds greatly to the total Quartet sound on this CD.  Allen Farnham is on Piano and he also composed two songs on this CD.  Steve Wilson playing Alto and Soprano Sax shines on the Sinnett compostion, "Takin It There" and has excellent solos on the rest of the playlist.  Terry Burrell provides a solid foundation for the group on Acoustic and Electric Bass.  Leading the group with outstanding Drum work is Jae Sinnett who has managed to merge all these players into one terrific band.

This CD is a perfect example of the best Jazz has to offer to listeners both young and old.  It upholds the traditional Jazz format but adds new windows to what Jazz can offer today.  It's a surpurb Jazz CD!

I have attached two cuts from the Album, Jobim's "Chega De Saudade" (No More Blues) and an original Sinnett compostion "Takin It There".  

                                                      "No More Blues" (Chega De Saudade)

                                                                "Takin It There"

PLAYERS:

Jae Sinnett- Drums, Leader, Arrangements and Compositions

Randy Brecker- Trumpet and Flugelhorn

Allen Farnham- Piano, Compositions

Steve Wilson- Alto and Soprano Sax

Terry Burrell-Acoustic and Electric Bass

Playlist:

1. Takin It There

2. Wait For Me

3. Morning

4. Simone

5. Skylark

6. Muhammara's Dance

7  Be It As It May 

8. Everything Must Change

9. Guise

10. No More Blues (Chega De Saudade)

                                                            

CD REVIEW: John Pizzarelli

 

New Jersey Born and world-renowned Guitarist and Vocalist John Pizzarelli recently released his lastest album, "Stage & Screen".  Pizzarelli has dedicated this album to the great songwriters and performers who helped to establish the "Great American Songbook".  His focus is on the Broadway stage and the silver screen:  "In thinking about some of the songs that I really love to play, it struck me how many of them come from either a Broadway show or from a movie".  John shares this "An idea like "Stage & Screen" frees me to explore a wide range of songwriters and eras, and it continues to offer a wealth of new possibilities."

I have followed John's career almost from its beginning when I was stunned by his abilities on the Guitar. In addition he has worked hard on his Vocals and has greatly improved them to the same high performance level as his Guitar playing.  I think John has now achieved professional excellence on both Vocals and Guitar playing.  In many ways, he has develop his own style and approach to music and lyric.  He is comfortable in his current position and the results for all his many listening fans, including me, is an honest, free flowing approach to important music that makes it very accessable.  

 I always thought that Bing Crosby was the people's singer because he makes it seem like he was singing with very little effort.  Listening to Bing, you could easily think  "I could sing like that and I am sure that many people growing up during Bing's era thought they were singing like him everyday in the shower.  John Pizzarelli, like Crosby, brings his own style to every song he sings and plays and makes it seem easy, understandable and accessable.  We think "If I could learn to sing or play like John and I can't I would approach every great song just like he does.  

John brings his own inner voice and feeling to every song he performs.  In today electrified music world,  John Pizzarelli brings warmth and honesty to his Vocals and Guitar skills at a level few performers today even know exist.  He is the kind of guy you want to hang out with all night, playing, talking and laughing!

John is touring again with his wonderful trio of Isaiah J Thompson on Piano and Michael Kern on Double Bass.  The chemistry between these three musicians is quite apparent to any listener.  These three highly trained professionals  perform as one voice!   Don't miss a chance to catch John and his trio when they perform near you, I promise you will leave the theatre whistling and smiling!  Bravo, John Pizzarelli for this great CD and for keeping great music alive!

                                                                 "Too Close For Comfort"

                                                                    "I Want To Be Happy"

PLAYERS:

John Pizzarelli - Guitar, Vocals, Arrangements

Isaiah J. Thompson- Piano

Michael Karn- Double Bass

PLAYLIST:

1. Too Close For Comfort

2. I Love Betsy

3. I Want To Be Happy

4. Tea For Two

5. Just In Time

6. Some Other Time

7. Where or When

8. Oklahoma Suite

9. Time After Time

10. Your're All The World To Me

11. As Time Goes By

12. Coffee In A Cardboard Cup