CD REVIEW: Chris Rottmayer & Kelsey Wallner Create Pure Jazz Magic on Playing Favorites

          Chris Rottmayer & Kelsey Wallner Create Pure Jazz Magic on Playing Favorites

 

"Playing Favorites" is a terrific new Jazz CD recently released by Pianist Chris Rottmayer in collaboration with Vocalist Kelsey Wallner. The idea for this album emerged from a 2025 festival booking in Madison, Wisconsin. Chris and Kelsey had worked together previously in Madison and decided it was time to do an album together.

Chris brought in two very talented friends to join him and Kelsey on this CD; Bass player Clark Sommers and Drummer Matt Endres. I have to admit that when Chris Rottmayer, Clark Sommers and Matt Endres are playing together the sound is as good as it gets for Jazz Piano trios. These three musicians are at the top of their Jazz game. And when you add in the glorious voice of Kelsey Wallner, the music becomes magic.

I liked everything about "Playing Favorites". The playlist is loaded with great Brazilian music from Ivan Lins, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and Dori Caymmi plus some outstanding standards. The album has a very natural and intimate feel, almost like sitting in a small jazz club listening to four musicians completely locked in with one another.

I particularly liked how the standard, "Everything Happens To Me" was arranged and sung by Kelsey. Her phrasing is relaxed and confident, and she never over-sings the tune. Chris’s piano playing throughout the album is sensational. His touch, voicings and harmonic ideas constantly push the music forward while still leaving room for the melody to breathe. Clark Sommers and Matt Endres are equally impressive, creating grooves that swing hard while also bringing tremendous subtlety and taste to the quieter moments.

The second tune that really caught my attention was Jobim’s "One Note Samba", which highlights Kelsey’s personal love for Brazilian music. The rhythm section settles beautifully into the Latin groove and Kelsey sounds completely at home with the material. There is an elegance and sophistication throughout the performance that makes the track one of the highlights of the CD.

I also enjoyed the trio performances on Kenny Barron’s "Voyage" and Cedar Walton’s "Firm Roots". These instrumental tracks allow Chris, Clark and Matt to stretch out and demonstrate just how well they communicate musically. The interplay between these musicians is first class Jazz playing.

Another pleasant surprise on the album is hearing Kelsey Wallner’s original compositions, “I’m Too Sweet” and “Love Ain’t Free.” Both songs fit naturally alongside the standards and Brazilian classics, and they give listeners another look at her talents as both a vocalist and songwriter.

"Playing Favorites" is one of those albums that feels timeless from the very first listen. The performances are classy, swinging, melodic and filled with genuine emotion. If you are a fan of great piano trio Jazz, outstanding vocals, and Brazilian influenced arrangements, this CD deserves a spot in your collection.

Players

• Chris Rottmayer – piano
• Kelsey Wallner – vocals
• Clark Sommers – acoustic bass
• Matt Endres – drums

Playlist

1. Everything Happens To Me
2. One Note Samba
3. Voyage
4. Velho Piano
5. On The Street Where You Live
6. Firm Roots
7. Sail Away
8. I’m Too Sweet
9. Love Ain’t Free
10. Love Dance
11. Never Will I Marry 

 

                                                        "Everything Happens To Me"

            

"One Note Samba"    

    

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: Albare, "Albare Plays Jobim Vol 2"

 

I enjoyed and reviewed Albare's last CD,  "Albare plays Jobim" a while ago.  He has now published "Albare Plays Jobim Vol 2",  and it is just as good as his first Jobim CD.  Guitarist and Composer, Albare was born in Morocco and grew up in Israel and France.  Amazingly his musical development was completely self-taught.  Albare was 14 when he first heard the music of Jobim but he waited until he was in his 60's to produce his tribute to Jobim's music.  Why the wait?, a reporter once asked him.  He started thinking about the question and first answered "I liked the music and it's Samba rhythms".  But as he thought about his quick first response,  he knew the answer was deeper than this.   "When I first started recording in the 90's, it was not Bossa Nova.  As much as my love for the music kept growing, I assumed that everything in that genre was already said and done.  As I got older, I felt a tinge of nostalgia and romance for my earlier years.  Jobim's music was clearly in the past.  So I decided that "if I was going to honor the music of my youth that I loved , I had to find my own voice".  

So glad Albare came to this decision because great music never gets old.  His sensitive Guitar playing brings new life into the wonderful music world of Antonio Carlos Jobim.

MUSICIANS: 

Albare- Co-Producer, Acoustic and Electric Guitar

Joe Chindamo- Arranger, Orchestra Conductor, Piano

Pablo Bencid- Drums (Except for Once I Loved and Dindi)

Luisto Quintero- Percussions

Ricardo Rodriquez- Bass

Phil Turcio- Co-Prodiucer, Mixing, Mastering

Guest Musicians:

Randy Brecker- Fluglehorn (On Favela and So Dance Samba)  

Nestor Turres- Flute (On Summer Samba and How Insensitive)

Antonio Sanchez- Drums (On Dindi and Once I Loved)

PLAYLIST:   

1. Dindi

2. Summer Samba

3. A Felicidade

4. So Danco Samba

5. Caminhos Cruzados

6. How Insensitive

7. Triste

8. Girl From Ipanema

9. Once I Loved

10. Favela

11. Meditation

 I have attached two beautiful and romantic "YouTube" videos for your listening  and viewing pleasure.  The first is "So Danco Samba" featuring guest artist Randy Brecker playing Flugelhorn and the second is "How Insensitive" featuring  guest artists Nestor Torres on Flute.

                                                                      "So Danco Samba"

                                                                        "How Insensitive"

         

 

CD Review: "Albare Plays Jobim" by Albare

I have a treat for all the Latin Jazz lovers!  Guitarist and Composer, Albare has released his new CD, "Albare Plays Jobim" and it is one of the best new interpretations of songs from the Jobim song book that I have experienced in quite a while.  Albare exhibits a sensitive understanding of Antonio Carlos Jobim's creative compositions and rhythms which when combined with the Samba and Jazz produce the wonderful new musical sound of the Bossa Nova genre.  Albare states " As Jobim was such an influence in my playing, I feel this album is overdue and I am now ready to express the intense beauty of these melodies to my own satisfaction".    

Albare was born in Morocco and grew up in Israel and France.  His musical development was completely self-taught.  Sadly, Albare lost his central vision faculties due to a genetic illness; his playing is completely by ear.

The musicians joining Albare on this CD are all superstars in Latin Jazz and add greatly to this award-winning new CD.  Joe Chindamo plays Piano, conducted and put the String arrangements together.  Joe's accomplishments include recording over 60 film soundtracks, 23 CDs and collaborated with James Morrison, Ray Brown, The Brecker Brothers and Olivia Newton John,   On Drums is the sensational Antonio Sanchez.  Antonio has a degree in classical Piano from the National Conservatory in Mexico and Magna Cum Laude in Jazz Studies from Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory.  He has been awarded 5 Grammy's.  If you haven't heard him play Drums before,  get ready to be musically surprised.  Ricardo "Ricky" Rodriquez is on Bass and he is also a classically trained musician who was born in Puerto Rico and then moved to New York City where is he soon began playing with revered Jazz musicians and Latin Jazz luminaries including David Sanchez Quartet, Branford Marsalis and The Arturro O' Farrell and The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

Players:
Albare- Guitars
Joe Chindamo- Piano, String Arrangements and Conductor 
Antonio Sanchez- Drums
Ricardo "Ricky" Rodriquez- Bass
Phil Turcio- Producer 

Playlist:
1. "One Note Samba"
2. "Corcovado"
3. "Chega De Saudade"
4. "Orfeu Negro"
5. "Desafinado"
6. "Agua de Beber"
7. "Double Rainbow"
8. "Aguas De Marco"
9.  "Wave"
10. "Brazil"

I have attached two "YouTube" videos so you can hear two songs from this CD.  The first is the opening tune on the CD, "One Note Samba".  The second one is the well-known Jobim song "Agua de Beber.

Linda Tate: CD Review: Geography

I was at Backstreet Bistro a couple of weeks ago and I had the pleasure of listening to the wonderful voice of Linda Tate who sat in to sing a couple of standards with the group that was performing.  Before I left, Linda gave me a copy of her CD, "Geography". Linda loves to sing and she loves to travel just as much. So it seemed natural that Linda who is also an accomplished songwriter, should write some songs inspired by the actual places she has experienced.  All music, lyrics and arrangements on this CD were written by Linda Tate. In writing these songs, Linda quickly realized that "Wherever you go, you find things common to all cultures. And I realized that "Geography" is a much broader concept than landscapes, rivers, and mountains. It can apply to almost anything-ordinary objects: the human body:languages;the emotional terrain of relationships-they all have their own distinct geography.

Linda credits the inspiration for her own composing to elements of Folk and Jazz and personal heros like Joni Mitchell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Fagen and Becker of the band Steely Dan (along with pathfinders of earlier generations, like Ellington and the Gershwins. Linda has produced a wonderful CD with songs that are fresh and inspiring.  She has also selected a fine group of musicians to join her on this CD:
     
        Ernie Adams: Drums and Percussion (2,3,10,14)
        Steve Eisen: Tenor Saxphone (3,7,10.14) Flute (2.6.8.11.12.13) Congos (4,6)
        Larry Gray: Double Bass (4.6.7.8.12)
        Charles Rick Heath IV: Drums and Percussion (4,6,7,8,12)
        Curtis Robinson: Acoustic and Electric guitars (2,3,4,6,7,8,10,12,13,14) Vocals (10)
        Marlene Rosenberg: Double Bass (2,3,10,11,13,14)
        Preyas Roy: Vibraphone (4,6,7,8,12)
        Bobby Schiff: Piano (1,5,9)

"Geography" is Linda's fourth album, and it's the first to feature her own compositions. The CD was released in 2013 and you can preview and buy it on Linda's site: www.lindatate.com.