CD Review: Doug MacDonald, "Big Band Extravaganza"

Guitarist, Composer and Arranger Doug MacDonald has recently released his first CD by the Doug MacDonald Big Band.  Doug leads the 17-piece Jazz Orchestra performing 9 original compositions and one Gershwin standard, "But Not For Me".  Doug has done recordings with almost every configuration but this is his first try at leading a Big Swinging Band.  Lovers of the big band sound will love this CD and this is another milestone Doug can add to his rich resume.  Doug is one of the premier, in demand Guitarists performing today.  He has recorded with Buddy Rich, Ray Charles, Bill Holman and Jack Sheldon, just to name a few.  He also has published several terrific new CDs over the past couple of years that I have reviewed.  

Considering the fact that Doug performs live almost every night in the Southern California area, I have no idea how he finds time to compose and arrange beautiful music, MC a Jazz radio show and release two or three new CDs every year.   Doug is a dedicated Jazz musician who is committed to keeping Jazz alive and well!  

The "Big Band Extravaganza" showcases the big band's swinging sound thanks to Doug's excellent compositions and brilliant arrangements.  Doug has brought together some of the finest musicians in the country to perform his songs on this CD.   The results will be satisfying to every Jazz fan and especially to the lovers of the historical big band sound.

I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure.  The first one is the MacDonald original, "Ya Know Bill".   This performance contains solos from Trumpeter Carl Saunders who sadly recently died.  Those of you who are familiar with Carl Saunders work,  know what a big loss this is for the Jazz world; RIP Carl!

The second cut I have attached is the Gershwin classic, "But Not For Me" with a great solo from Rickey Woodard on Tenor Sax.

PLAYLIST:

1.  Toluca Lake Jazz

2. Rashomon

3. Luces Azules

4. Aventura En Triadas

5. Desert Jazz

6. Luz De Amour

7. De Ha

8. But Not For Me

9. Minor Mess

10. Ya Know Bill

PLAYERS:

Doug MacDonald- Guitar, Leader, Composer, Arranger

Kim Richmond, Alex Budman- Alto Sax

Rickey Woodard, Glen Berger- Tenor Sax

Tim McKay- Baritone Jazz

Ira Nepus, Les Benedict, Ivan Malespin, Rich Bullock- Trombones

Mike Campagna, Dan Fornero, Aaron Janik, Carl Saunders- Trumpets

Bill Cunlifffe- Piano (Day 1)

Andy Langham- Piano (Day 2)

Chuck Berghofer- Bass

Paul Kreibich- Drums

                                                                "Ya Know Bill"

                                                                   "But Not For Me"

                      

CD Review: Ron Boustead "Unlikely Valentine"

Ron Boustead has a long and solid reputation as one of the most talented Vocalist and Lyricist performing today.  For the past 34 years, Ron has been performing and writing lyrics since he was just 16.  His many past credits include recording a vocal CD featuring lyrics he had written to tunes by the likes of Chet Baker,  Chick Corea, and Freddie Hubbard.  Over his career, he released three more CDs and learned a new trade. He became a top-notch mastering engineer, worked at the legendary Precision Mastering where he cut CD and vinyl masters for artists like Prince, Rolling Stones, Seal, Kiss, R.E.M., and many others.  After all of these achievements, Ron thought it was time for him to make a CD that reflected his evolving tastes and growth as an artist.  His new CD "Unlikely Valentine" is cool and hip.  Ron put together a mix of tunes that include lyrics he provided and a fresh take on lesser-done standards.  When Boustead began thinking about this project, he decided he wanted the music to be upbeat and bebop-oriented, yet accessible to people who aren't necessarily hard-core Jazz fans.  In my opinion, he has reached these goals!  His new CD is fresh and live and his lyrics seem real and natural.  His performance on the tune he wrote, "Coffee" is outstanding in style and lyric and Ron's vocal is perfect and "Sinatra-like".  If you like straight ahead Jazz vocals, you will love this new CD that is being released on February 14, 2017.  It will be available on Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

The Band:  

Ron Boustead, Vocals and Lyrics

Bill Cunliffe, Piano and Arrangements

Mitchel Forman, Piano and Arrangements

Pat Kelly, Acoustic and Electric Guitar

Bob Sheppard, Sax and Flute

Bob McChesney, Trombone

Ron Stout, Flugelhorn

John Leftwich, Bass

Jake Reed, Drums

Playlist:

1. "Unlikely Valentine"

2. "Love Potion # 9"

3. "Coffee"

4. " I Won't Scat"

5. "Til Now"

6. "Autumn Leaves"

7. "Love's Carousel"

8. "Along Came Betty"

9. "I Love My Wife"

10. "Love Came On Stealthy Fingers"

I found and attached a couple of "YouTube" videos that I think you will enjoy.  The first is Ron telling his story about his new CD and the second I just had to share,  Ron singing my number one greatest song, "The Nearness of You".  Enjoy!

 Ron Boustead Tell the Story of His New CD, "Unlikely Valentine"

       
                                                 Ron Boustead "The Nearness of You"

Jazz is Hot and Live at "Jazz For Jazz Lovers" at Pete Carlson's Golf and Tennis Store in Palm Desert, CA

Rob Lockart, Jonathan Richards, Clay Jenkins, Pete Carlson, Bill Cunliffe and Joe Labarbera

                                                              Picture Courtesy of Ashton Khachigian

The "Jazz for Jazz Lovers" music series at Peter Carlson's Golf and Tennis Store is in full swing.  On Saturday January 7, 2017, Pete hosted "The Joe Labarbera Quintet"  featuring Joe Labarbera on Drums, Clay Jenkins on Trumpet, Rob Lockart on Saxophone, Bill Cunliffe on Piano and Jonathan Richards on Bass.  The Jazz was spectacular and well appreciated by the standing room only crowd that was in attendance.  Joe Labarbera is recognized across the US and in Canada as one of the top Drummers performing today.  Tonight, he proved why he gets high praise from both Jazz lovers and Jazz professional musicians.  Joe put on a clinic of Drum skills,  not only on up-tempo tunes but also on ballads.  I am sure you don't hear the word sensitive when describing a great Drummer but this word fits Joe's playing to a tee.  What impressed me even more was Joe's ability to fit into his Quintet perfectly without under playing or over playing.  He always provided a balance with his four playing partners.

The musicians in Joe's Quintet were all solid gold Jazz guys starting with  the well-known superb Trumpet player, Clay Jenkins.  I am sure many of you have heard Clay play but to hear him in person playing with freshness and clarity is a super treat!   Bill Cunliffe was terrific on piano and because Joe and he have been friends for years, the flow between them is dead-on great.  Rob Lockart has also been with Joe for years, and he brings his own magic to this group.  His improvising is unusual, fresh and clear.  The last member of tonight's quintet was a young Bass player, Jonathan Richards.  Joe had heard Jonathan play a couple of times and decided to have him fill in whenever possible.  Jonathan may be young but he plays terrific Bass and Joe gave him many opportunities to solo to the delight of the audience.

Pete Carlson and his wife Edna are two of the most generous and well-loved people in the Desert.  They put in a tremendous effect in time and money to keep this Jazz series going.  All the profits from the concerts that go on throughout the winter season are donated to support music education and scholarships for young musicians in the Coachella Valley.  Stop by Pete's store and get a schedule and tickets to future shows.  Think about this, the people who attended this great Jazz performance only had to pay $25 dollars that's just $5.00 per member of this quintet......Where can you get a better live Jazz deal than this?

I found and attached a "Youtube" of "The Joe Labarbera Quintet" that I know you will enjoy.  This "Youtube" was recorded at Alva's Showroom on 1/19/2003.  The players on it are Joe on Drums, Clay Jenkins on Trumpet, Bill Cunliffe on Piano, Bob Sheppard on Tenor and Tom Washington on Bass.

      

CD Review: Julie Kelly "Happy To Be"

My first listening introduction to Julie Kelly was by way of her new CD "Happy To Be".  After listening to just the first few songs, it became clear why Julie is one of the most respected Jazz singers on the West Coast.  If anyone ever asks you to define Jazz singing, save your time and theirs by simply telling them to listen to Julie Kelly and her CD "Happy To Be". Julie's pure warm voice has a sensibility to melody and lyric that's very rare.  Her selection of songs on this CD reinforces her perfect taste in the best in melody and her wonderful lyric writing abilities.  She wrote the lyrics for two songs on the CD, "The Blues According to Orpheus" and "For Joni".   "For Joni" began as a poem she wrote for Joni Mitchell.  Tierney Sutton the marvelous Jazz singer in her own right calls this tune nothing less than a "gorgeous anthem" to all who love Joni Mitchell.

One of the essential talents that all Jazz singers need to develop is the ability to pick the best  musicians who will lift the singer to higher levels.  The musicians Julie has selected to support her on this CD are spectacular!  Bill Cunliffe has worked with Julie on other projects and is a widely respected pianist and Grammy Award-winning arranger, Anthony Wilson the outstanding guitarist who works with only the best musicians including Diana Krall, Tom Warrington known as one of the best Bass players in the country, world-class Drummer Joe LaBarbera who worked with Bill Evans for years and a Horn section comprised of A-list players including Bob Sheppard, Clay Jenkins, Ron Stout and Bob McChesney.  Also, there is an additional contribution made by the following fine musicians:  Walter Rodriguez, Percussion, Kim Richmand, Saxophone and on Vibes the "superb" Nick Mancini.

Julie Kelly has given the Jazz world a wonderful gift of great music that validates that Jazz singing still has a special place in today's music scene!

I have attached a "You-Tube" video of Julie singing "You're The Dangerous Type" from her CD "Happy To Be".