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: Betty Bryant " Project 88"

Pianist, Vocalist and Composer Betty Bryant has just released her ninth CD entitled "Project 88".  The title is a double entendre, since the Piano has 88 keys and Betty Bryant turned 88 a year ago.  Betty Bryant is a child of the Depression and her voice and soul still carry the experiences she learned growing up during this difficult period.  The quality of Bryant's voice and phrasing are perfect for the 10 beautiful tunes she picked for her CD.  Bryant plays and sings with various configurations of musicians and she excels in each one of them.  

"Project 88" was produced by Bryant's close friend the fabulous Tenor Sax and Flutist, Robert Kyle.  Working closely with Bryant these two experienced and skilled musicians have produced a warm and wonderful  CD that feels so right.  The music is like comfort food for your body and soul. 

For those of you that are in the LA area, Betty Bryant performs regularly in local Jazz clubs so don't miss a chance to see her in person.  She has performed internationally and spent 13 years shuttling back and forth to Tokyo for a regular gig.  She has also performed in Brazil, Panama and the Middle East.  Even at the age of 88, Bryant still keeps a busy schedule.  Lucky for all Jazz lovers because she continues to be impressive with her singing and playing including her approach to Lyrics.  Bryant composed 5 of the 10 songs on the CD and the remaining 5 songs are beautiful standards that become new again with Bryant's touch.

Playlist: 

1. "Love, Came and Went"

2. "Oh, Lady Be Good"

3. "Catfish Man"

4. "Just You, Just Me"

5. "But Beautiful"

6. "Ain't Nobody's Business"

7. "Cho Cho"

8. "They Say It's Wonderful"

9. "My Beloved"

10. "It's Hard To Say Goodbye"

Players:

Betty Bryant- Piano, Arranging, Composing and Vocals

Tony Guerrero- Trumpet and Arranging

Tomas Gargano- Bass

Richard Simon- Bass

Hussain Jeffry- Bass

James Gadson- Drums

Kenny Elliott- Drums

Quentin Dennard Sr.- Drums

Robert Kyle- Tenor Sax, Flute and Arranging

Ryan Dragon-Trombone

Jeff Driskill- Alto Sax

Jay Mason- Bari Sax

Cassio Duarte- Percussion

Kleber Jorge- Guitar and Vocal

I have attached a couple of "YouTubes" with songs from this CD.  The first is a song written by Betty Bryant called "Love Came and Went" that swings with a big band feel.  The second song has long been one of Betty's favorites, "Ain't Nobody's Business". This Jazz classic has been recorded by many Jazz giants including her favorite, Jimmy Witherspoon and Betty Bryant adds  her own style to it.