CD Review: James Judson, "Songs Of My Dreams"

Jazz Vocalist and Composer, James Judson has released his debut Jazz album, "Songs Of My Dreams".  James has a very interesting musical life story to tell about his involvement with music. He grew up in a large coal mining family in Boulder, Colorado surrounded by music.  His cousin taught him to sing when he was four and at five years old he made his first public appearance when Frankie Yankovic, aka the "Polka King" came to town and invited Judson on stage to sing.  His first public performance made a lasting impression on him and he started learning how to play drums and guitar.  By the time he was 13, James was working in a rock band as lead vocalist and drummer.  Later in high school, he joined a band playing weddings and state fairs and started developing his songwriting skills.  It looked like his music career would continue to be a huge part of his adult life, however,  he reached a point in his mid-thirties when he had to decide to continue with his struggling music career or focus on raising a family and demands of his construction business.  With 6 kids in his family, he knew he had to put his full energies into his business and he put his guitar and musical talents aside.  While his performing completely stopped, his love for music never died. 

In 2019, Judson was in Los Angeles to help with a construction project his daughter was working on when she introduced him to Don Taicher, a local singer, songwriter and rapper and the two became close friends.  This friendship reignited Judson's deeply buried musical desire and he wound up buying a guitar in LA and when he went back home he started playing again and working on his singing.

"Songs Of My Dreams" contains 13 songs consisting of 11 original songs and two standards.  It's interesting that after all the exposure Judson had to various types of music including rock that his writing style fits perfectly into the age of the crooners and the big bands they sang with.    His compositions have  wonderful melodies and lyrics that would fit Sinatra or Bennett perfectly.  Judson gathered a world-class group of musicians to join him on this CD and  created a CD that is a joyful trip back to the the sounds of the big bands of the forties and fifties and the crooners who sang with them.

I have attached two songs from "Songs Of My Dreams".  The first is a Judson original,  "Is There A Chance" that really swings and is one of my favorites.   The second is the classic, "The Shadow Of Your Smile".  I salute James Judson for having the strength and desire to rekindle his musical fire and sharing his beautiful songs with us!

PLAYLIST: 

1. Is There A Chance

2. The Shadow of Your Smile

3. Stars Past The Milky Way 

4. All Of Me

5. My Imagination

6. Can't Put A Price On Love

7. Kiss Me

8. The Winderful Night Before

9. Eternal Love

10. Holding On

11. Candlelight or Roses

12. Walking A Sidewalk

13. On And On

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PLAYERS:

James Judson – Vocals, Guitar, Compositions

Gary Matsumoto- Piano Max Haymer- Hammond B3, Fender

Tim Sonnefeld- Rhodes

Mike Gurrola, Dan Lutz, Charles Glenn-  Bass

Leddie Garcia- Percussion

Michael Campagna, Aaron Janik,Dan Fornero, Dave Richards, Mike Cordone- Trumpet

Bob Sheppard, Anton Sushev- Alto Sax

Bob Reynolds, Doug Webb- Tenor Sax

Jason Fabus- Baritone Sax

Erik Hughes, Ryan Dragon, Joshua Brown, Todd Eames- Trombone

Eliza James, Olga Ivanenko,Laurann Woods, Lily Honigberg-  Violin

Jennifer Wu, Troy Everett- Viola

Jean-Paul Barjon, Judy Kang- Cellos

                                                                    "Is There A Chance"

                                                            "The Shadow Of Your Smile"

  

CD Review: Adrianne Duncan, "Gemini"

Pianist, Composer, Arranger and Vocalist Adrianne Duncan has released her new CD, "Gemini".  Adrianne is joined on this CD by some sensational supporting side-men who help to make this CD a delight for the ears.  Adrianne Duncan is a sensitive and thoughtful songwriter and the songs she composes match her soft, sensitive voice perfectly.  Her singing and song writing bring to mind Joni Mitchell and I say this as an extreme complement.  Her songs have a story entwined in them.  

Adrianne is a classically trained Piano player and a student of the study of music.  She offers, "My starting to write was a direct result of studying Jazz Piano. I didn't think it would lead to composing; my intention was just to start accompanying myself". 

All the songs on this CD have an original short story attached.  Adrianne writes poetry then infuses it within beautiful music melodies .  She is a major talent who will receive major national recognition over the coming years!

Joining Adrianne on this CD is the always wonderful Nick Mancini who continues to impress with his high-level virtuosity on the Vibraphone.  Just as remarkable are Dan Lutz on Bass, Jimmy Branly on Drums, Katisse Buckingham on Flute and Saxophone and John Tegmeyer on Clarinet.

Adrianne wrote all the songs on the CD with the exception of some very creative reharmoizing on the 1978 classic rock song "Roxanne" by the Police.

I have selected two "YouTubes" for you to listen to.  The first is her original "He's Not Quite You".  According to Adrianne this song "Predicts the end of a relationship".  Mancini provides an energized vibe solo that turns this ballad into a delightful samba at its end.  The second song I selected was the title tune, "Gemini".  An instrumental that allows Adrianne to display her composing and Piano chops.  The arrangement is terrific with Flute and Clarinet trading solos.

PLAYLIST:

1. He's Not Quite You

2. Elijah

3. Gemini

4. Home At Last

5. Roxanne

PLAYERS:

Adrianne Duncan-Piano, Vocals, Songwriting, Arrangements

Nick Mancini-Vibraphone

Dan Lutz-Bass

Jimmy Branly-Drums

Katisse Buckingham-Flute, Saxophone

John Tegmeyer-Clarinet

                                                                        "He's Not Quite You"

                                                                             "Gemini"

 

  

 

CD Review: Roger Kellaway "The Many Open Minds of Roger Kellaway"

Composer Pianist Roger Kellaway is one of my favorite Jazz performers for multiple reasons.  He is a brilliant pianist who expresses his unique personality through his music.  Some of the adjectives I think describe this master musician would be witty, adventuresome, and an unpredictable spirit.  I have had the pleasure of hearing Roger in person several times over the last few years and every performance is different but spectacularly great.

"The Many Open Minds of Roger Kellaway" was recorded live at the world famous Jazz Bakery in Santa Monica, CA in August, 2010.  This recording is as fresh today as night it was cut!  Roger is joined on this CD by Bruce Forman on Guitar and Dan Lutz on Bass.  Together the trio revisits some of the most famous Jazz tunes ever written.  But in no way does this super talented trio just provide a cover for these famous tunes, they bring Roger's open and fresh musical mind to each one.  Roger has provided wonderful arrangements that keep the spirit of the melody in tack but takes each tune on an enjoyable and new path.  Starting with "Take Five' to "Night and Day" to "Caravan",  these tunes we all know well are re-imagined with creative Jazz spirit.

Roger Kellaway is a special Jazz giant who has covered a lot of Jazz ground during his 57 years of performing.  Roger is 80 years old this year but anyone listening to his CDs or seeing him perform in person will find his age hard to believe.  He is still playing at his prime losing none of his creativity, superb technical skills or enthusiasm.

Roger's lastest CD, "The Many Open Minds of Roger Kellaway" was released on November 1, 2019 by IPO Recordings, LLC.  This label has focused on releasing several recent CDs of Jazz giants like James Moody, Frank Wess, and Benny Golson just to name a few.  You should check out IPO's catalog that is filled with treasures from the Jazz masters.  They are keeping the best of our Jazz giants' music alive and should be supported by all Jazz fans.

Players:
Roger Kellaway-Piano
Bruce Forman-Guitar
Dan Lutz-Bass

Playlist:

I have attached two "YouTubes" for your enjoyment.  Picking just two was difficult because every song on this CD is great but I settled on the Paul Desmond classic "Take Five"  and Ellington's evergreen "Caravan".