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: Eric Goletz, "A New Light"

Virtuoso Trombonist, Arranger and Composer Eric Goletz released his second CD as a leader earlier this year.  The CD is titled, "A New Light" and the CD does shine a new light on the immense talents of Eric Goletz. Eric composed and arranged eight new terrific compositions for this CD along with leading the band and performing wonderful improvisations on his Trombone.  The CD has a fresh, happy feel and Eric's compositions and arrangements are nothing but genius.  When listening to this wonderful group of musicians and these brilliantly written compositions, it reminds me of the big band music of the past, the present and the future all playing together!  

Eric began studying classical piano, guitar and music theory from the age of six with private teachers, but at age 14, he fell in love with the sound of the Trombone in his father's band, and he knew from then on that music was going to be his life's work.  

Goletz also began composing music at a young age and was soon writing and arranging music for the various groups he was involved with.  Goletz says, "I think of music as having endless possibilities.  It's a journey where you can never be absolutely sure where it will lead. Although my background is in Jazz and  Classical music, I spend much time listening to other forms of music such as Pop, Rock, Country, Motown, Funk, Latin and even Heavy Metal.  There's always something new to learn, and I try to keep an open mind to the simple joy of listening to music"  Certainly sage advise for every musicians to remember.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of two original Goletz's compositions that are part of "A New Light".  The first is "Greene Street Groove" which has a funky, bluesy feel and the second is "Don't Gimme That", that features solos buy Goletz on Trombone, Randy Brecker on Trumpet and Allen Farnham on Keys.  I know you will love both of these swinging big band tunes.

PLAYLIST: 

1. Prelude: Before the Light

2. A New Light

3. Edge of Night

4. Dig

5. Enchanted

6. Greene Street Groove

7. Sunrise, Sunset

8. Song for Elizabeth

9 Don't  Gimme That!

10. The Mirror

11. Postlude: After the Light

PLAYERS:

Eric Goletz: Trombone, Keyboards, All Compositions except "Dig", "Sunrise, Sunset", and "Song for Elizabeth" , Arranging

Randy Brecker: Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Jim Ridl: Piano

Allen Farnham: Keyboards

Henry Heinitsh: Guitar

Marco Panascia: Bass

Steve Johns: Drums

Joe Mowatt: Percussion

Trumpets: Tony Gorruso, Freddie Maxwell, Kent Smith

French Horn: Will DeVos

Alto Sax: Bob Magnuson

Trombones: Erick Storckman, Chris Rinaman

Bass Trombone: Jonathan Greenberg

Tuba: Matt Ingman

Violins: Robin Zeh, Paul Woodiel

Violas: Michael Roth, David Gold 

Cello: Sarah Hewitt-Roth

                                                                   "Greene Street Groove"

                                                                  "Don't Gimme That"

Cd Review: John Fedchock "Like It Is"

Trombonist and world-class arranger John Fedchock has enjoyed a 35-year career that has included being the chief arranger for the legendary Woody Herman during the 1980's.  This is the 5th album for the 16-piece band and Fedchock's eighth as leader.  "Like it is" features five Fedchock originals and five arrangements of Jazz and American classics.  I absolutely love his arrangements, they are fresh and new but remain true to the history of the great big bands.  His Trombone playing is superb, his tone is heavenly and his improvisation is what ever master Jazz player strives for.

Fed chock's idea for this album is his musical desire to mesh the old with the new.  "Even though many embrace the big band's evolution, there seem to be plenty of folks who'd prefer everything just remain like it was.  But truth be told, some of the best things in music have come from combining the 'Like it was' with the 'Like it is', melding the greatness of the past with a fresh perspective using today ears". 

The musicians on this album are all experienced New York City superstars and prove the point in eleven different outstanding solos.  Saxophonists Mark Vinci, Charles Pillow, Rich Perry, Walt Weiskopf, Gary Smulyan, and Scott Robinson.  Trumpeters Scott Wendholt and Barry Ries, Pianist Allen Farnham, Bassist Dick Sarpola and Drummer Dave Ratajczak.  Bobby Sanabria's Latin percussion joins the band on three tracks bringing the sound and Rhythm to perfection!

The playlist for the CD is what you would expect from John, some old, some new but all exceptional music.

           PLAYLIST:
1, "You and the Night and the Music"
2. "Like It Is"
3. "Never Let Me Go"
4. "Just Sayin"
5. "Ojos De Rojo"
6. " Hair of the Doag"
7. "Havana"
8. "Just Squeeze Me"
9. "For Heavens's Sake"
10. "Ten Thirty 30"

If you long for the big band sound and arrangement of the past re-mastered to today's musical world, you must pick up this CD.  This band captures the emotion of the songs and yet can run with the best of the best bands of yesterday, today and tomorrow.  I could listen to John Fedchock play Trombone forever and never get bored.  His feel for standards and sound are as good as it gets! Don't just take my word for it, listen to the "YouTube" link below of John playing "Never Let Me Go"!

Ok, now listen to the "Youtube" of John Fedchock's New York Big Band playing the Dietz and Schwartz gem "You and the Night and the Music".