CD Review: The Mark Masters Ensemble "Blue Skylight"

Arranger/Bandleader Mark Masters has released a terrific new CD, "Blue Skylight" that reimagines the music of iconic Jazz Composers Charles Mingus and Gerry Mulligan.  The beauty of this CD is in the beautiful Jazz music of the Mark Masters Ensemble and the Masterful recomposition work that Mark Masters has achieved.  According to Masters " In many ways, Charles Mingus and Gerry Mulligan couldn't have been more different.  One was notoriously fiery and confrontational; the other understated, the epitome of cool'. Mark was very careful in selecting the players for this CD believing that "It's all about the players.  There are very few people who can be successful when writing music without knowing who's going to play it. The overriding factor for me is creating a framework for the players to be successful in."

"Blue Skylight" was born of a pair of 2015 concerts performed by the ensemble in Palm Desert, California: a "Gerry Mulligan Songbook" evening and a program entitled "Blues by Mingus".  Both featured a trio of undersung elder Jazz statesmen that Masters wanted to feature and celebrate: Bassist Putter Smith, Saxophonist Gene Cipriano and Alto Saxophonist Garry Foster.  Master proudly states "They're true veterans, they're some of my heroes".  The seven-piece ensemble includes some of the West Coast's most in-demand musicians, most of whom have enjoyed long relationships with Masters, Saxophonist Jerry Pinter, Baritone Saxophonist Adam Schroeder, Trumpeter Ron Stout, Trombonist Les Benedict, Pianist Ed Czach and Drummer Kendall Kay.

The music and arrangements in this CD are immediately comfortable even for someone that did not follow Mingus or Mulligan.  For Jazz lovers, this is a real treat as the music seems like having an old friend come over to visit.  This is what Jazz music is all about, new experiences but with the feeling that you have lived here before!

Playlist:
1. "Monk, Bunk And Vice Versa"  Mingus
2. "Out Back Of the Barn" Mulligan
3. "So Long Eric"  Mingus
4. Wallflower" Mulligan
5. Peggy's Blue Skylight" Mingus
6. "Strayhorn 2" Mulligan
7. "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" Mingus
8. "Apple Core" Mulligan
9. "Eclipse" Mingus
10. "Birds of a Feather" Mulligan
11. "Motel" Mulligan

I know you will enjoy listening to the "YouTube" of the Mark Master Ensemble playing Mulligan's composition, "Apple Core".

CD Review: Cat Conner "Cat House"

Jazz Vocalist Cat Conner has released a new CD that all lovers of Jazz singing need to acquire.  I was not familiar with Cat Conner until I received the new new CD with a request to review it.  The first thing that got my attention was the playlist of songs Cat had picked for this CD.  She includes an in-depth explanation of why each song was chosen which also explains why she sings with such a great understanding of the lyrics.  Each song links to a part of Cat's life experience both from the past to present day.  A lot of serious thinking was done by Cat to develop this playlist and the results will please anyone that loves a singer who understands how to transform words into an emotional experience for the listener. Cat has a wonderful voice and performs perfectly whether a swing song, ballad, blues or Latin groove. She is simply a seasoned and skilled professional Jazz singer!

Being the seasoned Jazz singer that she is, Cat has selected an outstanding cast of supporting musicians:

John Chiodini- Guitar and did most of the arrangements
Gene Cipriano- Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor and Bass Oboe
Tom Ranier- Piano
Chuck Berghofer- Bass
Joe LaBarbera- Drums
Ron Stout- Trumpet
Dick Nash- Trombone
Stephanie O'Keefe- French Horn
Bob Carr- Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute

               Playlist
  1.   "Everything I Love/Everything I Desire"       2.   "Handsome Man"
  3.   "Sans Souci"                                                       4.   "Giant Steps"
  5.   "Throw Me Away"                                             6.   "Remind Me"
  7.   "Baltimore Oriole"                                             8.   "Heart's Desire"
  9.   "Wishing On The Moon"                                   10. "You're Driving Me Crazy"
  11. "Come On Strong"                                              11. " Come On Strong"
  12. "What a Little Moonlight Can Do"                   13. "People Say"

I also want to add that I was delighted to find that Palm Springs resident, Michael Dees, has one of his great songs on this CD, "Throw Me Away".  Michael is a wonderful singer and even better songwriter whose lyrics are always new, clever and deliver an emotional message.

You can hear the songs on this new CD by going to Cap's Website: www.catconner.com.