CD Review: Chet Baker, "Blue Room"

Well do I have a surprise for all our Chet Baker fans, and who isn't?  You are in for a real musical treat.  The Archival Label, Jazz Detective has just released a two-CD set of previously unreleased studio performances from Chet Baker that were recorded in Holland in 1979.  The CD package is titled "Blue Room: The 1979 VARA Studio Sessions in Holland".  The first group of songs that were recorded in April 1979 included Pianist Phil Markowitz, Bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse and Drummer Charles Rice.  A second session on November 9th, 1979 feature Pianist Frans Elsen, Bassist Victor Kaihatu, and Drummer Eric Ineke.  

The quality of Baker's playing and singing on this two-CD set is at the highest level.  Honestly, I think it's some of his very best work.  The CD includes a booklet loaded with "Must Know" information about Chet Baker.  The booklet includes an overview by Dutch journalist Jeroen de Vale, Essays by Producer Zev Feldman, Frank Jochemsen and Edwin Rutten.  There are also interviews with sidemen Markowitz, Rassinfosse, and Ineke.  Trumpeters Randy Brecker and Enrico Rava and Pianist Enrico Pieranunzi have personal tributes included.  

What a miracle that these studio performances were found and recovered in excellent condition.  Pianist Markowitz who supplied masterful support and solos says "I'm grateful for the lessons I learned with him back then...This recording is really great.  Chet Baker's fans are going to be absolutely thrilled because he sounds unbelievable on this recording."

Randy Brecker one of the most highly respected Jazz Trumpet players performing today had some very interesting comments about Baker's Trumpet skills, "Boy, he got to the heart of the instrument like nobody else.  You hear him and you want to take everything from his playing, his whole conception, his sound, his melodic content.  He was really an improviser.  He played off the melody and he played what he heard.  To this day, I try to use all those elements.  I especially concentrate on playing less, rather than more."

Trust me,  this CD is Chet Baker at the top of his game.  If you are a Chet Baker fan, you have to buy this CD,  If you are new to Chet Baker this CD will make you a fan for life. 

I have attached two cuts from the album.  The first one is the opening tune on CD#1, "Beautiful Black Eyes".  It's a Wayne Shorter tune that features Baker playing as good as I have ever heard him.  It's a great piece of music.  The second tune has Chet Baker singing the song made famous by the Four Freshmen, "Candy".  It's clasic Chet Baker.

 Playlist:

CD#1

1. Beautiful Black Eyes

2. Oh, You Crasy Moon

3. The Best Thing For You

4. Blue Room

5. Down

CD#2

1. Blue Gilles

2. Nardis

3. Candy

4. Luscious Lou

5. My Ideal

6. Old Devil Moon

                                                            "Beautiful Black Eyes"

                                                                        "Candy"

CD Review: Bruce Brown, "Death Of Expertise"

Vocalist/Songwriter Bruce Brown has recently released his new CD, "Death of Expertise" that contains 14 original songs. He wrote both the music and Lyrics.  To get right to the point,  Bruce Brown is "Hip" man!  I'm not sure that the word hip is still allowed to be used,  maybe it has been cancelled, but it's a perfect word to describe Bruce Brown's highly creative and clever writing.  Brown's songs have wonderful melodies,  but it's his lyrics that really hit home with the listener. 

Brown's compositions are full of wit, wisdom and incisive social commentary that reminds me of some of the writing that occurred in the 60's, 70"s and 80's.  Brown's fresh lyrical creativity is like a refreshing breeze coming through an open window.  His lyrics give clarity to issues of the day without hitting you with a hammer.  A much better and I, would guess,  a more effective way of sharing social commentary than what we have seen recently in our society.   Brown states, "Those ideas are always fleeting, like quick movements of a paintbrush,  so the goal is to capture them quickly.  Great lyrics have the capacity to get inside and tweak the heart".  Brown's melodies are beautiful and written with carefully observed lessons Brown has learned from the Songwriting greats of the past.

Bruce Brown's soft and sensitive voice will surprise you and bring the voice of Chet Baker to mind.  His voice is the perfect instrument to allow the listener to focus on the stories the lyrics are expressing.  His lyrics are sometimes funny, sometimes emotional but always thought-provoking.  

Bruce Brown has lived in New Zealand for over 20 years,  and he also lived in Los Angeles for a long period and the LA music scene influence shows and has influenced his writing. 

The sidemen Brown has chosen to support him on this CD are all highly established professionals, and they add immensely to the allover enjoyment of this CD.  I highly recommend this CD and especially to any lyricists and composers.  There is a lot that can be learned from listening closely to Bruce Brown's work.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for you to listen to.  The first is the title track, "The Death of Expertise".  I think you will understand Brown's humorous look at where "Googling" has brought us and its unintended consequences.  The second attachment "Doreen" is funny, strange and sarcastic but at the same time, a poetic story about human nature.  

PLAYLIST:

1. Death of Expertise

2. They're Everywhere

3. Find Three Things to Be Grateful For

4. Love Makes Us Who We Are

5. A Mind Is a Terrible Thing

6. Back in the Day

7. Doreen

8. Love Always Wins

9. To Find Things Out

10. We Click

11. Losers Are People Too

12. Giving Up Is Not an Option

13. The Music Plays Again

PLAYERS:

Bruce Brown- Vocals, Compositions.   "Love Always Wins" Music & Lyric by Bruce Brown & Roger Frankham

John Harkins- Piano

Brendan Clarke- Bass

Andrew Dickeson- Drums

Steve Brien- Guitar

Steve Crum- Trumpet

Glen Berger- Saxes and Alto Flute 

                                                               "The Death of Expertise"

                                                                                "Doreen"

 

"Jazz For Jazz Lovers" at Pete Carlson's Golf & Tennis Is a Gift to All Music Lovers!

John Prouix

Larry Holloway and Jeff Olson

For any of my Jazz followers who have not discovered the wonderful Jazz Series: "Jazz for Jazz Lovers" at Pete Carlson's Golf & Tennis in Palm Desert, I think you are missing a chance of a life time to see and hear some of the best Jazz in the country.  The series is possible because of the generous financial support of Pete and Edna Carlson who have put together over 40 concerts this winter season bringing wonderful performers to our area.  All the non-profit concerts' proceeds go to support music education and scholarships for young musicians in the Coachella Valley.  

This series of Jazz concerts has been going on since 2010 and this year represents the largest number of concerts they have ever hosted.  Some may wonder how a Jazz performance can be put on inside a Golf and Tennis store, but I can assure you that the venue is perfect.  Everyone gets to see and hear great Jazz close-up and even better, talk with the performers one on one after the concerts.  

This year's concerts started on October 30 with the outstanding pianist Tamir Hendelman and his quartet that featured Polly Gibbons on Vocals. The last concert will be on April 2, 2016 with a Shelly Manne Tribute with Gary Foster.  You can call for tickets in advance since they go quickly, 760-568-3263.  Pete Carlson's Golf and Tennis is located at 73-741 Highway 111, in Palm Desert.  All Jazz fans in the Valley owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Pete and Edna Carlson for their tireless effort to bring all this world-class Jazz to us.  I salute both of them and encourage you to do the same the next time you are in their wonderful golf and tennis store.

Recently I attended two events that featured two of the best Vocalists performing today, John Prouix Trio consisting of Vally favorites, Larry Holloway on Bass and Jeff Olson on Drums.   John sings and plays great Jazz piano.  His vocal seems like a mixture of Chet Baker and James Taylor;  not a bad combination, right ?  John also performed some great songs he has written that have been covered by a lot of singers performing today.

I found a "YouTube" of John Prouix singing "The Best Thing For You", the title song from his new CD.  I know you will love what you hear!

                                                   
                          JACKIE RYAN

Jon Mayer, Chris Connor and Jackie Ryan

The second outstanding Vocalist I heard at Pete Carlson's Golf and Tennis was Jackie Ryan and her trio  consisting of Jon Mayer on Piano, Chris Connor on Bass and Ron McCurdy on Drums.  I can't even begin to describe how great Jackie Ryan is, but I will say that she reminds me of several of my very favorite Jazz Vocalists.  Her stage presence is polished and professional and her selection of songs is straight out of my list of all-time favorite standards.  What a delight to listen to her sing no more that 10 feet away.  Jackie has several great CDs out and I highly recommend that you pick up a few.  Jackie Ryan should be on your "To Do" list of Jazz artists you need to see in person! 

I found a "YouTube" of Jackie singing "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" from her great CD "You And The Night And The Music" that will give you a taste of her vocal talents.

Ron Kalina Stars In "Harmonica Convergence" at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel

Ron Kalina

Ron Kalina & Gino Antonacci

The Ron Kalina Trio

                                                                         

Gino Antonacci

                                                                 

Blake White

                                                                                 

Frank Di Salvo

Ken Steele

                                                                       

Rich Bono

On Tuesday April 16, I attended the opening of Ron Kalina's "Harmonica Convergence" at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel.  Ron Kalina put together a highly talented trio consisting of Blake White on Bass and Gino Antonacci on Vibes and Ron Playing both Keyboard and Harmonica. I want to start this review by stating that Ron Kalina is simply an amazing musician. Tonight Ron sang, played the Keyboard, played the Harmonica and then played the Harmonica and the Keyboard at the same time. Ron further surprised me and a lot of people in the audience with his singing ability.  His voice sounds like a combination of Fred Astaire, Chet Baker and Johnny Mercer.  Not a bad group of singers to hang with, don't you think! There were two songs that Ron played on the Harmonica tonight that were just brilliant, "Body and Soul" and "Skylark". These are two of the greatest love songs ever written and when played with the soulful sounds of Ron's harmonica, it just does get any better.

Gino Antonacci is one of only a few great jazz players you can still hear playing the Vibes.  I have not heard a Vibes player in many years and after hearing Gino play it quickly reminded me of how much I love the sound.  Gino fit perfectly with the sound of Ron's Harmonica and Keyboard.  And can he swing! What a treasure to have him playing right here in the Desert.

The third member of this group was Blake White who played the Bass.  I had recently seen Blake with the wonderful singer, Rose Mallett and thought he was a fine Bass player.  But tonight, playing jazz in this trio, he was allowed to push the Jazz envelope, and his solos were intelligent and clear.  He provided the rhythm glue to pull the trio together.

Tonight marked the first time this talented group of musicians has played together, but you would never guess it because they sounded wonderful.  This group will be back again at the Indian Wells Resort on Tuesday, April 24.  You won't find the sounds that this trio produces any where in the area, and I encourage all my readers to get over to the Indian Wells Resort next Tuesday to catch the show. I understand that the Resort is thinking about adding this group as a regular on Tuesday nights next season. This idea would certainly get my vote!

Joining in at tonight's opening were several familiar musicians that we all love.  First, the resident musical director at the Indian Wells Resort, Frank Di Salvo who sang a couple of great classic songs.  In particular, Frank did a beautiful singing job on the standard "My One And Only Love". I have never heard Frank sing better.

The next singer was Ken Steele whose golden-deep voice had the feel of the great voice of Johnny Hartman. Ken sang "But Beautiful" and then sang a great version of "Emily".

Rich Bono, one of the best pianist in the West, then joined the Trio and played several great songs from the "Great American Songbook". Rich is a great pianist, and I never miss a chance to hear him play.

Steve Madaio Sparkles at Backstreet Bistro in Palm Desert

 Tuesday night is Jazz night at the Backstreet Bistro in Palm Desert.  And tonight we had the pleasure of seeing my good friend Steve Madaio perform his magic on the trumpet.  Steve has to be the most understated musician in the desert.  Not many people are aware of Steve's impressive musical resume' that few musicians anywhere could come close to.  Steve has played with the "Best of the Best" and has recorded way over 100 CD's that have become million sellers!  Hearing the way Steve plays love songs from the "Great American Songbook" with soft and emotional tones that few musicians can get out of a trumpet, it is hard to believe that he has recorded with Earth, Wind and Fire and toured for two years with the Stones in Europe. Steve's skills put him in the same class as giants like Miles Davis and Chet Baker when it comes to projecting the emotion of a lyric without anyone singing the lyric. Tonight he gave us more proof of his ability and began his first set, with "What's New" moved on to "My Funny Valentine"  combined with "There Will Never Be Another You".  Three of the best American love songs ever written. Few musicians have the ability that Steve does to approach these ballad gems with a soft touch and the romantic emotion that Steve's sound projects. You will have another chance to hear Steve again at Backstreet on Tuesday, February 7.  Steve also plays under the stars at the Bluember in Rancho Mirage on Sundays at 6:00PM.

Joining Steve tonight was an outstanding group of musicians with Leo Vigil on drums, Jimmie Dykes on Keyboard and our friend Bill Saitta playing the upright bass. Tonight was the first time that I got a chance to hear Leo and Jimmie and they did not disappoint. Leo provided a solid foundation for the group on all the songs and Jimmie played some fine solos including a very special one on the great classic "Body and Soul". I also thought Bill Saitta played his solos especially sharp tonight and his solid bass provided a wonderful bottom range to support the group throughout the performance.  A wonderful evening of music and great food at the Tuesday night place for Jazz, Backstreet Bistro.