CD Review: Adam Schroeder & Mark Masters, "CT" (A tribute to Clark Terry)

 The new CD just released from Baritone Saxophonist and Bandleader Adam Schroeder and Arranger Mark Masters is a tribute to master Trumpeter and Composer Clark Terry.  Schroeder conceived of the recording as a celebration of Terry's 100th birthday.  The plan was delayed by the pandemic, but Schroeder continued to be motivated to complete the CD.  "I wanted to celebrate what Clark gave to me and so many others around the globe for decades-musically, educationally, and as a mentor."  Mark Master has provided some powerful arrangements in a style that is becoming more and more infrequent.  Mark offers,    "So it's always a joy when great musicians come together to make music, and it only becomes music when they bring the music to life."  Mark has produced wonderful arrangements that would have made Clark Terry smile.  All of the songs on this CD were composed by Clark Terrry. The results of these classic arrangements, great songs and the wonderful Jazz players participating on this CD is perfection for any Jazz lover.

Bari Sax player, Adam Schroeder is a giant force in today's  global Jazz scene not only through performances but through his extensive educational efforts including serving as Associate Professor of Jazz & Commercial Music at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.  His solos and the mellow tones he produces out of his Baritone Sax are always sparkling good.  The Baritone Sax has always been one of the tougher Saxophones to play in my opinion.  Adam Schroeder makes playing the Baritone Sax seem easy; the mark of a true professional player!

Mark Masters is a master Arranger in the traditional of Classic American Jazz.  He is a champion of  American Jazz and devotes all of his energies to keep this type of Jazz music alive and current.  He has arranged music for recordings featuring Billy Harper, Jimmy Knepper, Andrew Cyrille, Oliver Lake, Mark Turner, Tim Hagans, Grachan Moncur III, Peter Erskine  and many others. 

PLAYLIST:

1. Serenade To A Bus Seat

2. Ground Hog

3. Ode To Pres

4. Daylite Express

5. Boardwalk

6. Argentia

7. Perdido Line

8. Slow Boat

9. Swingin' On The Cusp

10. Michelle

11. Top and Bottom

12. Boomerang

13. In Orbit

PLAYERS:

Sal Lozano- Alto Sax

Bob Sheppard- Tenor & Soprano Sax

Kirsten Edkins- Tenor Sax

Adam Schroeder- Baritone Sax

Francisco Torres- Lead Trombone

Ido Meshulam- Trombone

Lemar Guillary- Trombone

Dan Fornero- Lead Trumpet

James Ford- Trumpet

Aaron Janik-Trumpet

Edwin Livingston- Bass

Peter Erskine- Drums

All Arrangements by Mark Masters

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of songs from this CD.  The first is the Clark Terry tune, "Ground Hog" where Adam Schroeder gets to show his playing skills.  The second video is Terry's "Ode To Pres" with impressive solos from Kirsten Edkins, Bob Sheppard and Ido Meshulam.

                                                                     "Ground Hog"

                                                                        "Ode To Pres"

CD Pre-Release Review: "Jason Lee Bruns Jazz Collection"

Jason Lee Bruns

The Jason Lee Bruns Jazz Collection is an 8-piece group based in Los Angles, CA that was founded and led by Ohio-born Percussionist, Drummer and Composer Jason Lee Bruns. It is not often that you can find a band that has a Drummer as its leader, but that's what this CD is all about. What do Drummers think about when they provide the rhythmic foundation for the bands they support?  My guess is they think about different beats and sounds and their own unique arrangements  that they feel would do more justice to the songs they are performing. But does anyone ever stop and ask a drummer how he would approach the tempo or the arrangement of a song? Probably not;  well maybe Paul McCartney because he loves experimenting with sounds and let's not forget, Paul is a major class drummer also!

Well along comes Jason Lee Bruns, a Drummer's Drummer who gets to call his own shots and comes up with tempos, sounds and arrangements that appeal to him. But Jason Lee Bruns is not just on a musical ego trip here. For his CD he gathered 7 outstanding players to support him in this effort.  The results are spectacular, providing the listener with fresh, new sounds and rhythms that bring new life into some evergreens that might need some refreshing.  The new writing and arranging on this CD are wonderful. Jason wrote 5 arrangements for the 9 songs on the CD.  He also composed two of the songs.

This CD cooks and any Jazz buff will love every song.  My favorites included the classic Johnny Mercer tune, "Autumn Leaves" which is played seriously upbeat with a knockout arrangement produced by Jason. Kevin Bachelder does the vocals which includes great scatting that works perfectly with the backing of the group. Kevin also had a hand in my second favorite on the CD, "Send In The Clowns".  Kevin did the vocal and also the great arrangement of this Sondheim gem. Unlike Sinatra's version, that was then and this arrangement and tempo are now. This arrangement should be released as a single, it is really fabulous! K. Richmond did the arrangement for "Speak Low" which is worth listening to also.

The wonderful group of supporting musicians on this CD are listed below:

Jason Lee Bruns, Drums, Pandeiro, arrangements, producer
Mahesh Balasooriya, Piano
Edwin Livingston, Upright Bass
Angelo Metz, Guitar, Portuguese vocals, scat, cuica
Kevin Bachelder, English vocals, scat, arrangements
Kim Richmond, Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, arrangements
Jason Gamer, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Jacquez Voyemant, Trombone

This CD was recorded live at the Catalina Jazz Club on Sunset Strip in Hollywood, CA.  The CD has a street release date of  September 24 2013.