I have a real treat for you today. Singer, Pianist, Composer and Bandleader, John Ambrosini has recently released an inspiring new CD, "Songs For You". I usually feature songs from the Great AmericanSongbook on my blog but the popular songs that Ambrosini has included in the playlist for his new CD are going to enter the Great American Songbook as they meet the test of time. John has a warm and wonderful earthy voice and style. John plays piano as he sings and that produces a great melodic vibe that quickly puts the listener at easy. This album is a tribute to some of the greatest songwriters of today who have inspired him. The composers included on this CD are like the "Who's, Who" of greatest composers of the last 30 years. Here is a list of these world class modern day Composers: Rickie Lee Jones, Colin Greenwood, Johny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Philip Selway, Thom Yorke, Greg Allman, Kim Payne, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, James Taylor, Jackson Brown, Billy Joel, Stephen Sills, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. John Ambrosini is not just doing covers of these classic newer songs. His style and Arrangements are uniquely his. Ambrosini has added two of his own original compositions that fit perfectly with this classic composer playlist. John has a busy career in NYC performing, Arranging, and Composing Music. He is a brilliant musician and composer who will be at the top of his game for years to come. Ambrosini wanted to pay homage to famous popular songs that inspired him, and you will be inspired after you listen to his CD, "Songs For You".
The support cast of musicians who are featured on this CD are also terrific and make "Songs For You" one of the best new releases this year!
PLAYERS:
John Ambrosini- Piano, Keyboard, Arrangements, Lead Vocals
The title of Andy Ezrin's new CD, "I Was Here" was picked because Andy Ezrin was a prodigy on Piano since childhood. When other boys were saving up for Strats and collecting Hendrix recordings, Ezrin was already in love with the Piano. His first professional gig was at the age of 12, and with the advantage of starting his learning career so young, he was able to listen and acquire musical knowledge with many different schools of music provided by major Jazz players like Andre Previn, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett and the Fusion years players like George Benson and Herbie Hancock. He learned his lessons well as you will hear on "I Was There" where Ezrin showcases not only his playing skills but also his brilliance in composing. Ezrin composed the 13 songs on this CD. The playing and the composing of Ezrin's music is outstanding. Sometimes when listening to new music, it requires hearing it more than once before you can understand the greatness of the composing. Not with Ezrin's compositions; while they possess tenderness they also project happiness that allow the listener to assimilate the music at first hearing.
"I Was There" is a powerhouse of Jazz music! I would like to share some of the promotion notes written by Adam Gopnik that were given to me with this CD because they are so wonderful and so true. "No Instrument in Jazz has been more fertile, adaptable and misleadingly evasive than the piano. The most workaday of all instruments-the lectern or drawing board where musicians teach, singers learn, songs get composed, recomposed, arranged and rearranged. It has also been the place of the most sublime flights into personal ecstasy, as with Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. The Piano also displays the most virtuosic technique as with Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, or the place of the most profound pure thoughts in Jazz, as with Bud Powell, Lenny Tristano and John Lewis." These wonderfully written words were prompted after listening to the music of Andy Ezrin.
PLAYERS:
Andy Ezrin- Piano, Rhodes, Compositions, Arrangement, Leader
