Judy Wexler, "No Wonder"

Multi-talented Jazz Vocalist Judy Wexler has been studying and performing for over 20 years and has become one of the most compelling Jazz Vocalist on the West Coast.  She has learned her lessons well over the years and always surrounds herself with the finest West Coast musicians.  And when she combines these talented musicians with her ability to selecting songs that are wonderful but not played frequently, Jazz magic occurs. Judy has an intense love for lyrics and takes joy in creating her own interpretations.  When she adds her warm voice to a lyric the results create beautiful reborn musical gems.  On "No Wonder" Judy unveils a range of emotions and combines her astute blend of storytelling with subtle melodic variations and rhythmic shifts.  The arrangements on "No Wonder" were created by Judy's longtime Pianist and Arranger Jeff Colella and they are hip and fresh and fit Judy's vocal style perfectly.  This is Judy's first CD of standards and when these songs are combined with Judy's warm voice, her spot- on phrasing and Colella's creative arrangements, the songs seem re-born again.

Judy preforms in Jazz clubs in the LA area to the delight of her many fans.  She has also headlined at performing arts centers and Jazz festivals in Montreal, Dubai, Tel Aviv, San Jose and Temecula where she opened for the legendary Mose Allison,  If you know anything about Mose Allison, then it will help you understand Judy's long-time love of "Off the beaten path" songs and lyrics.

The list of supporting musicians is an A-listing of the best LA musicians.  So, what do you get when you gather a group of fine Jazz musicians in a recording room with a veteran Jazz Vocalist with a beautiful voice and a love for interpretation and phrasing of lyric?   You get a beautiful Jazz CD titled "No Wonder"!

I have attached a "YouTube" video with two songs from "No Wonder". The first song is a long-time favorite of mine composed by Leonard Cohen, "Dance Me To The End of Love".  The lyric for this Cohen gem has always fascinated me, and I always thought about it as a lovely love poem.  I learned from Judy that the lyric is about the Jewish musicians in the Nazi concentration camps who were forced to perform as their fellow prisoners were marched to their deaths.  Now, the lyric of the songs takes on a new, deeper emotional meaning for me.  Bob Sheppard adds a beautiful Clarinet solo and Larry Koonse has a captivating Guitar solo also.  The second song I attached was Judy's up-tempo version of the the 1940 standard, "You Stepped Out of a Dream".  

                                                                "Dance Me to the End of Love"

                                                                    "You Stepped Out of a Dream"

PLAYLIST:

1. No Wonder 

2. The Summer Knows

4. Never Will I Marry

5. Wish You Were Here

6. Firm Roots

7. Slow Hot Wind

8. I Wish You Love

9. Dance Me To The End of Love

10. That Sunday, That Summer

11. A Weaver of Dreams

12. The Night We Called It A Day

PLAYERS:

Judy Wexler- Vocals

Jeff Colella- Piano, Melodica, All Arrangement except, "No Wonder" Luciana Souza and "I Wish you Love" Brian Swartz

Danny Janklow- Alto/Tenor Sax, Flute/ Alto Flute 

Bob Sheppard, Soprano Sax, Clarinet

Jay Jennings- Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Larry Koonse- Electric/Acoustic Guitar

Gabe Davis- Bass

Steve Haas- Drums   

CD Review: Judy Wexler, "Back to the Garden"

 

Multi-talented Judy Wexler has just released her sixth album, "Back To The Garden" and it has already received high marks in the JazzWeek radio charts.  "Back To The Garden" is a departure from Wexler's previous albums which featured modern Jazz songs and songs from the best of the Great American Songbook.  This album selections are some of the great songs from the 60s and Judy has applied her creative ability to reimagine these wonderful tunes.  According to Wexler, "I was a bit young in the 60s to be completely aware of the great music going out, but my older brother bought all the new records, and I have such great memories of hanging out in his room and listening to him play guitar and sing along with Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel.  I could feel the powerful messages of the music even if I didn't fully understand the context.  Music of the 60s is truly a reflection of the times, and the music reflected the turbulence engendered by war, political protests, and the rise of important social movements like feminism and racial justice."  Sadly we are still struggling with these issues today!  

In her new album Wexler has done a masterful job of re-imaging 10 of the best songs from the 60s to reflect her interpretation of these songs and bring forth their messages of hope, love and change again.  This is what truly outstanding Jazz musicians do.  They take great music and lyrics and give them a re-birth while  never  sacrificing the integrity of the original brilliance of the music and lyric.  Wexler has a lot of tools in her musical bag that allow her to succeed with her re-interpretation of these golden songs.  She has near perfect pitch, her voice is clear and strong, her phrasing is always perfect and she puts forth a real understanding of the issues that the lyrics cover.  

The arrangements are sparkling and new and the group of musicians Wexler has gathered together to record this album are spectacular by any measure.  She started with her long-time pianist and arranger Jeff Colella whose resume is extremely long and distinguished.  He toured with Lou Rawls for 16 years and was Musical Director for Jack Jones, just to mention two.  She called upon the brilliant young Pianist and Composer Josh Nelson who contributed two arrangements.  World-class Guitarist Larry Koonse was joined by Bass player Gabe Davis, and Drummer Steve Hass.  They were joined by Bob Thiele, Jr on Electric and Baritone Guitar, Danny Janklow on Alto sax, Jay Jennings on Trumpet and Hendrik Meurkens on Harmonica.  The string section included Violinists Joel Pargman and Carrie Kennedy, Rodney Wirtz on Viola, and Cellist Stefanie Fife.  Erin Bentlage arranged and contributed background vocals on four tracks.  As you can see from this list of master musicians, Wexler has spent whatever money was necessary to produce the finest musical product she could.  She has succeeded!  "Back To The Garden" is an outstanding new album that deserves all the praise that it is receiving already by the music press.  The music and lyric on these old songs are still as enjoyable as when I first heard them played over 60 years ago and that's a tribute to the musical talent of Judy Wexler. 

The songs on "Back To The Garden" include two written by Bob Dylan, one by Paul Simon and one by Stephen Stills.  They will bring back memories of Joni Mitchel, the Youngbloods, Harry Nilsson and Judy Collins.  If you are too young to remember these original songs of the 60s, I think you will fall in love with them now.  If you do remember these original songs from the time they were recorded, you will fall in love with Judy Wexler and her interpretations.  

Players:

Judy Wexler- Vocals

Jeff Colella- Piano, Melodica, Background Vocals

Larry Koonse- Nylon String and Electric Guitar

Gabe Davis- Bass

Steve Hass- Drums

Bob Thiele, Jr- Electric and Baritone Guitar

Erin Bentlage- Background Vocals

Danny Janklow- Alto Sax

Jay Jennings- Trumpet

Hendrik Meurkens- Harmonica

Sara Caswell- Violin

Rodney Wirtz- Viola

Stefanie Fife- Cello

Talley Sherwood- Background Vocals

Playlist:

Get Together (Chet Powers)

Up On The Roof (Gerry Goffin and Carole King)

American Tune (Paul Simon)

Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell)

The Times They Are A-Changin (Bob Dylan)

Since You've Asked (Judy Collins)

For What It's Worth (Stephen Sills)

Everybody's Talking (Fred Neil)

Forever Young (Bob Dylan)

Who Knows Where The Time Goes (Sandy Denny)

I have attached two wonderful YouTubes for your listening pleasure.  The first one, "Everybody's Talking" that has some tasty Harmonic work provided by Hendrik Meurkens.  The second one is still very popular today "Up On The Roof" from Gerry Goffin and Carole King.  Judy Wexler's voice and phrasing and Jeff Colella's terrific Piano work show us how to turn a great R & B rock and roll tune into a delightful Jazz tune!  

  

                                                                  "Everybody's Talking"

                                                                    "Up On The Roof"

CD Review: Mayita Dinos, "The Garden Is My Stage"

Mayita Dinos has just released her debut CD, "The Garden Is My Stage".   The songs Dinos has included in the CD were guided by her love for landscape design and her mixed heritage.  She was born in Puerto Rico to a Puerto Rican mother and a father of Greek and Turkish ancestry.  Dinos is also a successful landscape designer who has spent many years appearing on various shows on the HGTV and DIY networks as landscape expert.  Dinos explains "a beautiful garden is like a lush symphony composed of colors, shapes, and textures.  Her love of flowers has combined with her soft sensitive voice to create new beauty for some wonderful lyrics she gives new life to.

Dinos was singing in various venues around Los Angeles, including at jam sessions hosted by Cathy Segal-Garcia, the prolific singer, recording artist, and primary arranger.  Segal-Garcia who has produced a number of CDs for vocalists, became her producer and brought on board Guitarist Dori Amarilio as her co-producer and primary arranger.  In addition to these talent musicians,  Segal-Garcia and Amarilio brought together some of the best musicians in Southern California.  The result of putting this outstanding group of musicians behind Dinos' wonderful voice and vocal interpretation  is the creation of a verbal painting for the listener.

I could have attached any of the 13 songs on this CD because everyone is interesting and beautiful in its own way.  I decided to pick "Spanish Harlem" because Dinos approach to this old chestnut gives new life to the lyric telling us "how beauty thrives even in challenging environments".  The second "YouTube" I chose was the classic Freddie Hubbard composition, "Little Sunflower".  Dinos explains that  the song "is a metaphor for a flower seeking light in the darkness".   It's stunningly beautiful!  I have heard this song played as an instrumental many times and especially by my friend, Steve Madieo, who played this song on his Trumpet as good as anyone.  I had never heard the lyric to this song and, I love it even more now.

Playlist:   
1. Ornithology
2. Come Back As A Flower
3. Pannonica
4. Woodstock
5. Lullaby of the Leaves
6. Un pats con el nombre de un rio
7. Little Sunflower
8. Double Rainbow
9. La Lola
10. A Flower is a Lovesome Thing
11. Spanish Harlem
12. Willow Weep for Me
13. Agua de beber

Players:    
Mayita Dinos-Vocals
Biil Cantos-Piano
Rich Eames-Piano
Gabe Davis-Acoustic Bass
Hussain Jiffry-Electric Bass
Dori Amarilio-Guitar
Michael Hunter-Trumpet & Flugelorn
Alex Budman-Flute, Clarinet, Soprano Sax
Steve Hass-Drums
Tiki Pasillas-Drums & Percussion

                                                                  "Spanish Harlem" 

                                                             "Little Sunflower"

CD Review: Mark Winkler: "I'm With You"

Singer, Songwriter and Arranger Mark Winkler has recently released a terrific new CD, "I'm With You".  The CD is a tribute to "Mr. Hip" Bobby Troup.  For those of you that don't know much about Bobby Troop, you are in for a treat!  I have no doubt that the term "West Coast Cool" was coined with him in mind. Bobby Troup is best known for his great standard, "Route 66" that is still recorded and performed today as much as when it was first written.  It is a classic song both in Music and Lyric that is still a favorite of Jazz players.  Bobby Troup had a lot more to contribute to contemporary Music than just "Route 66".  Mark Winkler has developed an enduring affinity with Bobby Troup and counts him as one of his Musical heros.  Mark says, "It's easy as pie for me to sing Bobby Troup songs.  Once I choose the tunes I want to create new arrangements for, I approach the songs very easily.  I feel like I understand him.  We've got things in common.  He swings and I love to swing.  He's funny, clever and whimsical,  yet could also write and sing the Blues.  As a songwriter, I am always aspiring to achieve that same range of emotions."  Once you hear the wonderful collection of songs in "I'm With You" I am sure you will fully agree with Mark's comments.

Mark Winkler is a mega-talented Musician who never stops learning from other mega-talented Musicians both young and old.  It feels like I see his musical fingerprints on at least one new CD that I receive every month.  He must never sleep because his musical contributions are non-stop and always at the highest professional level.  His musical tastes in what he decided to do is always guided by the highest Musical standards.  I also know that Mark loves to give back to his industry by helping young talented Musicians break through by sharing his ability as a Producer and Arranger and Teacher.  I applaud Mark for his efforts to help up-and-coming young Musicians.

It is an honor to do a review of a Composer/Lyricist who has had over 250 of his songs recorded    and/or sung by Dianne Reeves, Liza Minnelli, Steve Tyrell, Jane Monheit, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Lea DeLaria, Kenny Rankin and Sara Gazarek.  Mark was included in the 2018 "Rising Star Male Jazz Vocalist list in "Downbeat Magazine".   Mark's work as a Lyricist has resulted in six musicals that are playing around the country, including "Naked Boys Singing" which is, at 19 years, the second longest running show in Off Broadway history.  Mark has taught a Lyric writing course, "Crafting Great Lyrics: A Songwriters Workshop" at  "UCLA Extension" for 13 years and at the Los Angeles School of Songwriting.

However,  in Mark's latest CD it is singing skills that come front and center.  Mark has a beautiful silky smooth voice and Sinatra-like phrasing that makes him such an impressive vocalist.  The songs he has chosen are not easy for any singer to perform but Mark makes singing these special songs look easy.  I have attached two Bobby Troup songs from Mark's CD that I think you will enjoy.  My guess is that both of these songs will be new to you.  The first tune is "Please Belong To Me" that was arranged by one of my personal favorite Jazz Piano players, Tamir Hendelman.  The Musicians joining Mark on this track are:

Rich Eames- Piano
Gabe Davis- Bass
Dave Tull- Drums
Grant Geissman- Guitar
Ricky Woodard- Sax

The second tune "It Happened Once Before" is a Vocal-Piano duet with another of my absolute favorite Jazz pianists, Jon Mayer.  Mark's Vocal is dreamy and no one knows how to play a standard better than Jon Mayer!

Playlist:

CD Review: Jerry Kalaf "Welcome To Earth"

On January 23, 2015 Composer, Arranger and Drummer Jerry Kalaf will release his latest CD, "Welcome to Earth".  Usually, when I am reviewing a new CD with original compositions, it requires listening to the CD several times in order to get comfortable with the music.  Not so with the music written and arranged by Jerry Kalaf.  The songs are constructed in such a pure musical way that I found myself loving the material after my first time through the CD.  All the compositions are rich in melody, harmony and rhythm.  While they all are new songs, they all have a very comfortable feel.  I believe this is because of Jerry's approach to songwriting.  "My approach to composing can be termed absolute rather than programmatic.  In other words, I usually don't draw from sources outside the music. I don't have a specific subject matter or imagery in mind; rather, I'm concerned with melody, harmony, and rhythm.  I often think of the names only after the piece is written."  The result of this approach is outstanding world-class songwriting!  In addition to writing the 8 tracks on this CD, Jerry has also done a superb job writing the arrangements.

The arranging for these songs was no easy task since Jerry decided to use three different bands on this project, two different trios playing 5 songs and a sextet playing 3 songs.  When listening to the full CD,  the change between the two trios and the sextet seems seamless.  Perfect job of mixing and production in my opinion.

Jerry Kalaf is a rock solid Drummer and plays on all 8 cuts on the CD.  He has assembled a core of excellent-seasoned veterans to record with him and the resultant product is close to being musically perfect as you can get. The title of this CD is "Welcome to Earth" and it has something of a new rebirth feel.  The title could have been "Welcome to Spring" because the music has a clean, fresh sound reminding me of Spring.  Jerry Kalaf is a terrific Drummer and a fantastic Composer and Arranger.
                                               
                                              THE PlAYLIST