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.   

Pre-Release CD Review: Kara Grainger's "Shiver And Sigh"

If you like down-home country Blues sung in the style of Bonnie Raitt, then Kara Grainger's new CD, "Shiver and Sigh" is the perfect CD for you.  Australian native, Kara Grainger is a powerhouse talent. She sings, plays guitar and writes her own songs.  This is the 3rd CD for this triple-threat star who writes great songs that only improve when she sings them.  Now living in Los Angeles, Kara started learning the guitar at age 12.  She has had a long performing history and while still relatively young, Kara has honed her skill over the years and now has arrived on the music scene in a big way.

When I listened to her sing, I heard the influence of Bonnie Raitt, and that's a good thing.  The fact that Kara writes her owns songs only makes her presentation more impressive.  Kara wrote 5 out of the 11 tracts on this CD.  She also sings a soulful interpretation of Robert Johnson's "C'mon In My Kitchen" and Al Jackson Jr/Timothy Matthews "Breaking Up Somebody's Home". Supporting Kara are a stellar group of seasoned musicians: Kirk Fletcher and Josh Sklair on Guitar, Mike Finnigan on Keys, Hutch Hutchinson on Bass, Kimi Bott and James Gadson on Drums, Lenny Castro on Percussion Mitch Grainger on Harmonica, Pauli Cerra on Sax Paul Litteral on Trumpet and George Stanford on Trombone. I have to mention that David Z was the producer/engineer and he did a superb job putting this CD together.  Everything works on this CD,  the songs, the vocals by Kara, the supporting musicians and the producer who put all the parts together to achieve this wonderful Country Blues CD.

This CD will be release on July 16, 2013.