CD Review: Manny Kellough And Friends Speaking of Jazz (East Coast to West Coast)

 

Drummer Manny Kellough has had a wide-ranging career including performances with Billy Preston, Ray Charles, Freddie Hubbard, Carmen McRae, Quincy Jones and even the Rolling Stones.  On his new CD Manny has gathered some of his favorite Jazz instrumentalists and singers from both the East and West coasts.  The results are a delightful mix of Jazz sounds that fit perfectly in the finest traditions of American Jazz.  It's always nice to listen to some of the newer Jazz performers of today who are experimenting with new styles, sound and phrasing, but it's so nice to come home to good old American Jazz.   Manny Kellough has led his own band during the past 20 years, is always enthusiastic about uplifting the playing of his sidemen and being an integral part of music rather than feeling compelled to feature himself excessively.   

I have selected two cuts from this great album from "YouTube" for your listening pleasure.  The first song is the Jazz classic "How High The Moon" performed by the musicians from the West coast made up of Gary Brown on Bass, Matt Clark on Piano, Mann Kellough on Percussion and vocalist Azure McCall whose voice and phrasing is perfect for this song

The second song is "Happy Swing in "F" written by Manny Kellough and William Knowles and performed by the East Coast group of Manny Kellough on Percussion, Antonio Parker on Alto Sax, Michael Thomas on Flugel Horn, William Knowles on Piano, Wes "Suga" Biles on Bass.  I hope you can detect some differences in style between East coast and West coast Jazz when listening to this CD.

PLAYLIST:

1. Generosity

2. Secret Love

3. Nothing From Nothing

4. Katrina Ballerina

5. I Thought About You

6. Smile

7. Happy Swing in "F"

8. When I Fall In Love

9. How High The Moon

10. East Of The Sun

11. Foggy Day

PLAYERS:

East Coast:

William Knowles-Piano, Co-Producer

Wes "Suga" Biles-Bass

Antonio Parker-Alto Sax

Michael Thomas-Trumpet, Flugel Horn

Jullian Hipkins-Vocals

Manny Kellough-Percussion

West Coast:

Matt Clark-Piano

Gary Brown-Bass

Azure McCall-Vocals

Ashley Kellough-Vocals

Manny Kellough-Percussion

                                                                  

                                                                "How High The Moon"

                                                              "Happy Swing in "F"                        
  

CD Review: Kenny Washington, "What's The Hurry"

World-renowned Vocalist Kenny Washington has releases a new CD, "What's The Hurry".  It's hard to believe that this is Kenny Washington's first studio album, hence the title "What's The Hurry". This CD is a joy for anyone who loves vocalists who still sing standards out of the "Great American Songbook"  with classic Jazz phrasing, sensitivity, warm tones and class.  Here is what Wynton Marsalis has to say about Kenny Washington's singing " I love this man! He's a consummate professional, with impeccable intonation. He's a real improviser who brings depth to everything he does."  I could not agree more.  Kenny Washington is a gift to all lovers of classic standards.   Kenny makes singing seem simple and easy but don't get fooled by his relaxed style.  He makes lyrics that may have been asleep for a while come back to life with full emotional understanding.  Once you listen to "What's The Hurry"  I guarantee you can not just listen to it once...It will call you back again and again.

Kenny has gathered some of the best talented musicians in the country, led by the young genius Jazz pianist Josh Nelson.   Josh in addition to providing perfect piano support for Washington and all the wonderful tunes on this CD, wrote all of the sparkling arrangements.  Take a good look at the list of players attached below and I am sure you will agree that it contains the best of the best Jazz musicians playing today.

I honestly had a most difficult time selecting two tunes from this CD because every song was at the top of my list.  I settled on these two but I would have attached the complete CD.  My first pick is the Rodgers and Hart classic "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered".  My second pick is the Jobin/Moraes "Chega De Saudade" with Lyric by Jon Hendricks.  

Do yourself a musical favor and buy this album, it will keep giving you joy for years!  Better yet, buy a few to give as Christmas presents. 

Playlist: 

Players:

Ken Washington- Vocals

Josh Nelson-Piano

Gary Brown- Acoustic Bass

Lorca Hart- Drums

Victor Goines- Tenor Sax and Clarinet

Jeff Massanari- Guitar

Mike Olmos- Trumpet

Peter Michael Escovedo- Bongos

Dan Feiszli- Acoustic Bass

Jeff Cressman- Trombone

Ami Molinelli-Hart- Percussion

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                                                      "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"

                                                     "No More Blues" (Chega De Saudade)