CD Review: Mike Jones, Penn Jillette and Jeff Hamilton, "Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What Your're Doing?"

 

Pianist Mike Jones whose day job over the last 21 years has been being musical director and opening act with the legendary magicians Penn & Teller at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.  Jones is a graduate from the Berklee College of Music and has performed at numerous Jazz clubs in Boston and New York.  He has published more than 12 albums as a leader and is a straightahead pianist whose heros are Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. He can handle Jazz standards with ease and grace.  Mike would be a perfect lead in any Jazz trio but he is really at his best playing with one of the very best drummers performing today, Jeff Hamilton.  I have done many reviews of Jeff Hamilton on this blog and all his Cds are great.  I think Jeff's work with Diana Krall has been fantastic and "The Diana Krall Live in Paris" recording with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra is still one of my all-time favorite albums.  The third member of the group became famous not because of his Bass playing but because he is one of the most respected and irreverent magician of his generation.   Penn and Teller have headlined one of the most successful Las Vegas shows for over 30 years. However there has been another love in Penn Jillette's life that started late in his life at age 48 when he decided he had to learn how to play the upright Bass.  As soon as Penn honed his skills on the Bass he started playing with Jones as part of the opening of his show.  As you will hear on this CD, he has become skilled at playing upright Bass.

The idea of the CD came about when Hamilton dropped by to see the Penn and Teller Show and suggested that the three of them record together.  One would think that such a seasoned performer like Penn Jillette would not have stage fright playing with anyone, however Jeff Hamilton is Penn's favorite Drummer and he suddenly came down with a case of the jitters.  "Penn freaked out" Jones recalls, "He was as nervous as I've ever seen him with quotes like "This is absurd and I'm out of my league".  Penn's concern contributed to the title of the CD "Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You're Doing?". Happily for us, this trio recorded this CD and it is a delight to listen to.  The playlist gives all three musicians the room to stretch their musical Jazz imaginations and musical skills.  This Cd is a perfect example of why the Piano Jazz trio has always been a favorite with Jazz lovers.  

Playlist:

'S Wonderful

Doxy

What A Difference A Day Makes

The Girl From Ipanema 

Watch What Happens

On Green Dolphin Street

You've Changed

Perdido

Medley: I'll Close My Eyes and Close Your Eyes

Gone With The Wind

Blues For Burns 

Players:

Mike Jones- Piano

Penn Jillette- Bass

Jeff Hamilton- Drums

   

                                               
                                                               " 'S Wonderful"

                                                                    "Gone With The Wind"

CD Review: Doug MacDonald "I'll See You In My Dreams"

 

Multi-talented Guitarist Doug MacDonald has released a new CD, "I'll See You In My Dreams" and it's exactly what the best of American Jazz is about.  Doug has included a group of standards and two of his own original compositions on the CD.  In addition, he has brought with him one of the finest Jazz trios performing today, Pianist Tamir Hendelman, John Clayton on Bass and Jeff Hamilton on Drums.  Doug's life evolves around music.  He is always experimenting with music both old and new, recording new CDs, composing and an MC at a local Southern California radio Jazz show.  Doug performs almost nightly in every part of Southern California to the delight of his thousands of fans.

If someone new to Jazz had any questions about what American Jazz is all about they need to listen to Doug's new CD.  Doug and the three musicians playing on this CD have performed some of the greatest music in the country.   All four musicians are outstanding whether playing solo or playing in a group.  

Doug offers these reflextions on why he did this recording. "In the mid-eighties I was a member of the Snooky Young/Bob Cooper Sextet, The Jack Sheldon Group and played in an early version of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Now here we are almost 40 years later, together again".  We are also delighted that Doug, Tamir, John and Jeff got together again!

I have attached two "YouTube" videos from this CD.  The first is the Matt Dennis/Tony Adair standard, "Will You Still Be Mine" and the second is a delightful Blues tune "New Mark".

                                                                  "Will You Still Be Mine"

                                                                       "New Mark"

PLAYERS:

Doug MacDonald- Guitar

Tamir Hendelman- Piano

John Clayton- Bass

Jeff Hamilton- Drums

PLAYLIST:

1. I'll See You In My Dreams

2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)

3. Don'Cha GO Way Mad

4. My Ship

5. New Mark

6. Easy To Love

7. Tis Autumn

8. More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows

9. Will You Still Be Mine

CD Review: Craig Davis, "Tone Paintings"

 Pianist Craig Davis is a major player in the Pittsburgh Jazz scene.  He recently released his new CD, "Tone Paintings: The Music of Dodo Marmarosa". Dodo Marmarosa was a major performer in the 1940s and was compared to the giants of bebop pianists like Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk.  He worked in bands led by most of the major swing-era bandleaders, including Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa and Artie Shaw.  He worked with legendary musicians including Lester Young, Barney Kessel, Lionel Hampton, Slim Gaillard and Mel Torme.  But things changed quickly by the end of the decade for Marmarosa due to health reasons and he became a near recluse for much of the rest of his life 

 Craig Davis has been on a mission to raise Dodo's profile in Jazz history.  Both Davis and Marmarosa perform by blending both classical influences and progressive Jazz into one voice.  On his new album,  Davis offers his beautiful interpretations to ten classic Marmarosa tunes as well as a new song he wrote dedicated to Marmarosa.  Davis explains "Dodo's story really resonated with me because he was such an enigmatic figure.  He never got the recognition he deserved beyond having a flurry of fame in the forties.  I thought maybe I could help bring his music to light".  Davis goes on to say "We share similar stylistic interests.  I love bebop and of course he was a bebop innovator, and we're both classically trained and bring those influences to our music. He also tried to push the art form forward a little bit and not just kind of settle on what was popular. Dorsey didn't like him because he was too progressive, but Artie Shaw loved it.  All the music on this CD is musically beautiful! 

Davis brought two of the finest musicians in modern Jazz today to join him,  John Clayton one of the most accomplished Bass players in Jazz history and Jeff Hamilton one of the tecnically proficient Drummers in the Jazz world.  I am sure most of you are more than familar with John and Jeff and know that if they agree to participate in a new CD, it will always produce great sounds.  

I found two cuts from the CD on "YouTube" for your listening pleasure.  The first is "Dodo's Bounce" which gives both Clayton and Hamilton a lot of room to show their stuff.  The second one is "Mellow Mood" a song written by Marmarosa when he was 14 years old.

                                                                  "Dodo's Bounce"

                                                                   "Mellow Mood"

Playlist:

1. Mellow Mood

2. Dodo's Bounce

3. Dodo's Blues

4. Escape

5. A Ditty For Dodo

6. Opus No. 5

7. Compadoo

8. Dary Departs

9. Tone Paintings

10. Battle of the Balcony Jive

11. Dodo's Lament

Players:

Piano-Craig Davis

Bass-John Clayton

Drums-Jeff Hamilton

CD Review: Graham Dechter: "Major Influence"

 Guitarist, Composer and Arranger Graham Dechter has recently released his 3rd CD as a leader.  It is at times hard to believe that Graham Dechter is still in his twenties because he has made such a big impression on the Jazz world over the last 15 years.  Graham was hired  by John Hamilton and John Clayton to join the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra at the age of 19.  He was only 22 when he released his first recording as leader, "Right On Time" that received rave reviews.  His second release "Takin' It There" was on the Jazz Week chart for 22 weeks including 12 weeks in the top five spot and two weeks at number 1.  

For this new CD Graham brought what many Jazz lovers, including me, think is one of the best rhythm section performing today,  John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton.  The icing on this Jazz cake was the addition of Tamir Hendelman.   These three magnificent Jazz musicians have been making some of the best Jazz music together for years and adding Graham Dechter as leader has produced another brilliant Jazz CD.

Graham wrote and arranged all but one of the tunes.  He also co-arranged the classic "Pure Imagination" with Jeff Hamilton. According to Graham, "After completing seven originals and co-arranging "Pure Imagination with Mr. Hamilton, I came to the realization that every song on this recording, whether consciously or subconsciously, was dedicated to and/or directly influenced by one or more of my musical heroes"; Herb Ellis, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, George Shearing, Art Blakey, Larry Goldings and Thelonious Monk.

Graham Dechter has a busy schedule on the Jazz circuit including appearing with many of the most popular Jazz musicians performing today including Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Cole, Michael Buble, Leon Russell and Charles Aznavour.  He was also featured on the soundtrack for the hit film "La La Land".

We all look forward to many more Jazz sounds from Graham Dechter in the future!

I have attached two "YouTubes" videos with cuts from "Major Influence" for your listening pleasure.  Both are original compositions by Graham.  The first is entitled "Reference" and the second is "Bent On Monk".

                                                                        "Reference"

                                                                        "Bent On Monk"

PLAYLIST:

1. Orange Coals

2. Reference

3. Major Influence

4. Moonithology

5. Minor Influence

6. Pure Imagination

7. Bent On Monk

8. Billy's Dilemma

PLAYERS:

Graham Dechter: Guitar, Compositions, Arranging

Tamir Hendelman: Piano

John Clayton: Bass

Jeff Hamilton: Drums, Production

                                               

                                                                       

CD Review: Larry Fuller New CD, "Overjoyed"

Larry Fuller has released his new CD "Overjoyed" and I think its a gem!  Larry Fuller is a masterful pianist who has not only technical expertise but also the ability to emotionally connect with his audiences.  One reason he has this rare combination of skills is because he learned his craft the old fashioned way, on the bandstand.  Larry has varied experience playings with four giants of mainstream Jazz.  He started with legendary Bassist, Ray Brown, then worked with vocalist Ernestine Anderson, moved to the musical wonder, Jeff Hamilton and then joined with acclaimed guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli.  Four top level musicians by any measure and Larry brought and took from each one of them to develop his personal style.

Larry brought Bassist Hassan Shakur and Drummer Lewis Nash to join him to perform a great group of song from the "Great American Songbook" including Jazz, Blues Pop standards and some beautiful originals.

The playlist is a wonderful collection of songs with "Overjoyed" by Stevie Wonder, "Bossa Beguine" by Oscar Peterson, "Fried Pies" by Wes Montgomery, "Cubano Chant" by Ray Bryant, "Lined with a Groove" by Ray Brown, and the standards, "How Long Has This Been, "Going On"Never Let Me Go", and "Mona Lisa".

Larry Fuller is a Jazz giant and tours around the country.  When he is in your area,  let nothing stay in your way to see him perform live.  I guarantee it will be a musical treat you will not forget!

PLAYLIST:
1. "Fried Pies"
2. "Overjoyed"
3. "Lined With A Groove"
4. "Jane's Theme"
5. "The Mooch"
6. "How Long Has This Been Going On"
7. "Cubano Chant"
8. " Mona Lisa"
9. "Bossa Beguine"
10. "Bossa Nova Do Marilla"
11. "Never Let Me Go"
12. "Go My Mojo Workin"

Players:
Larry Fuller- Piano
Hassan Shakur- Bass
Lewis Nash-Drums
  
I have attached two "YouTubes" from Larry Fuller's terrific new CD "Overjoyed"  The first is Wes Montgomery's "Fried Pies" and the second is Stevie Wonder's class "Overjoyed".

CD Review: Patrice Jégou "If It Ain't Love"

Patrice Jégou (Pronounced Zhay-goo) has just released her second CD "If It Ain't Love" and it's a winner!  There are 16 wonderful songs on the playlist of this CD and Patrice shows she can handle ballads and swinging tunes without a misstep.  Her voice is velvety and smooth and she handles lyrics like the seasoned pro she is.  Take a good look at the different songs she sings on her CD, they cover a lot of vocal territory and Patrice performs every one with faultless execution.  The list of musical talents she recruited on this CD is also remarkable.  Here is a list of some of best arrangers who worked on this recording:  Jorge Calandrelli (arranger for Barbara Streisand and Tony Bennett), John Clayton, Mark Kibble of TAKE 6 and David Paich (writer of such hits as "Rosanna" and "Africa" and son of legendary arranger Marty Paich) and  LA Pianist Mike Land.  Patice also brought in the always outstanding Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra that really swings on "Jersey Bounce", "If It Ain't Love", "Just Squeeze Me" and "Please Send Me Someone To Love". 

Every aspect of this CD is impeccable, starting with the songs, the arrangements, the sound engineers, the Orchestra Conductors, and the musicians.  Even though this is my first experience with Patrice Jégou, her voice and style make me feel warm and safe like spending time with an old friend.  Thank you, Holly Cooper of Mouthpiece Music for opening this musical door for me!

PLAYLIST:
1. "Lover Come Back to Me"
2. "Jersey Bounce"
3. "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads"
4. "Yes We Can, Can"
5. "I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today"
6. "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams"
7. "If It Ain't Love"
8. "Estate"
9. "Lover Come Back to Me"
10. "Waltz for Debby"
11. "Losing You"
12. "just Squeeze Me"
13. "Where Do You Start"
14. "Remembrances"
15. "Please Send Me Someone to Love"
16. "It Might Be You"

I have attached a "YouTube" of Patrice Jégou singing "Waltz For Debbie" from her new CD.  This is a perfectly wonderful musical and visual painting by Patrice singing this Jazz classic written by Bill Evans with lyric by Gene Lees.  It doesn't get any prettier than this!

I have attached a second "YouTube" of Patrice Jégou singing the classic big band song "Jersey Bounce" with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

CD Review: Adam Schroeder "Let's"

I have been an Adam Schroeder fan ever since I heard him playing his Bari Sax several years ago at one of Pete Carlson's Jazz nights.  Adam is one of the few masters of the Bari Sax.  As a former Alto Sax player, I can tell you that even though the keys of all Saxophones are the same,  it's unusual to hear any Alto and/or Tenor player also playing Bari Sax.  My guess as to why is that the Bari Sax is so big it takes a much greater effort and a lot more air to navigate this horn correctly.

When performing, Adam Schroeder makes it look like playing the Bari Sax is easy!  His tone is smooth and mellow and his improvisation is fresh and pleasing.  I met Adam again last month when he was playing a Jazz concert at Pete Carlson's Jazz Club and during our conversation, he mentioned that he wanted me to hear his lasest CD that I had missed.  This CD, "Let's" was released a few years ago and it lives up to my Adam Schroeder expectations.

Adam composed 5 of the 11 songs on this CD and his compositions are impressive.   He also invited three of the best current Jazz players in the country to join him on this CD.  Every player is on my Jazz favorites list: Anthony Wilson on Guitar, John Clayton on Bass and Jeff Hamilton on Drums.

Players:
Adam Schroeder- Bari Sax
Anthony Wilson-Guitar
John Clayton-Bass
Jeff Hamilton-Drums

Playlist:
1. "Hello Bright Sunflower"
2. "In the Middle of the Kiss"
3. "Just Clap Your Hands"
4. "You and I"
5. "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams"
6. "A Hawkeye, A Hoosier, and Two Cali Cats"
7. "Contemplation"
8. "Patient Endurance, Steady Hope"
9. "Let's"
10. "Southside Samba"
11. "The Smulyan Spectacles"

I have attached a "YouTube" of the song "Just Clap Your Hands" written by Adam Schroeder that fully utilizes the outstanding rhythm section of Wilson, Clayton and Hamilton.  I also attached a second "YouTube" of the group playing the Benny Carter tune, "Southside Samba"  that is a fun recording.  Adam Schroeder performs with several big bands in the California area so don't miss any chance to hear him play!

 

CD Review: The Jeff Hamilton Trio, "Live From San Pedro"

As Drummer, Arranger and Leader of the Jeff Hamilton Band, Jeff Hamilton has just released a new CD with his amazing trio, "Live From San Pedro".  To say this is a great Jazz album would be an understatement because everything I have ever heard from Jeff Hamilton is great.  The Jeff Hamilton Trio consists of Tamir Hendelman on Piano and Christoph Luty on Bass.  These  gentlemen are among the best Jazz musicians performing today. Putting them all together with Jeff Hamilton's leadership is nothing short of spectacular! Tamir Hendelman is without question one of the greatest Jazz pianists performing today, and I search out anything new he does.  Christoph Luty is one of only a handful of Bassists who can meet Jeff Hamilton's driving, extraordinary rhythmic control and  stop-on-a dime arrangements.  He makes it look easy.  This trio is a swing machine and even with Jeff Hamilton's tight control over detail,  the Trio always sounds free and creatively inspired.  Perfectly framed improvisations never seem restrictive for this trio.  This is exactly what every Jazz Trio should reach for.

This Cd will no doubt be one of the best Jazz releases this year.   The Cd is being released on February 16 and it's not to be missed.  Thank you Jeff for continuing to release only the highest quality Jazz of recordings.   I have to also mention that Jeff continues to support a lot of creative releases with young up-and-coming artists. Here is a Jazz artist that never forgets to give back to the next generations of Jazz performers!

I found a "YouTube" of one of the tracks on the CD, "Sybille's Day".  It swings from beginning to end.

Playlist:
1. "Sybille's Day"
2. "Poinciana"
3. "Hammer's Tones"
4. "I Have Dreamed"
5. "In Walked Bud"
6. "Gina's Groove"
7. "Brush This"
8. " Bennissimo"
9. "Gary Indiana"
10. "Hoosier Friend"

CD Review: Scott Hamilton & Jeff Hamilton Trio, "Live In Bern"

Scott Hamilton and Jeff Hamilton are not family related but they are musical brothers. This is the first CD from these two Jazz giants, and I hope it will not be their last.  Scott Hamilton takes the lead on some great Standards accompanied by the fabulous Jeff Hamilton Trio consisting of Jeff on Drums, Tamir Hendelman on Piano and Christoph Luty on Bass.  This CD is a classic swing Jazz album that proves that a warm-toned Tenor and delicious phrasing can still produce magical music.
Jeff Hamilton, every one's favorite Drummer continues to prove that technical ability and intuitive percussive artistry are a winning combination.  Jeff seems to be everywhere you look on the music scene, playing with his Trio, co-leader of the outstanding Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and writing creative music like his own composition "Sybille's Day",  the 7th cut on this CD.  Jeff also had a hand in Producing this CD, while the playlist is mostly up tempo,  there are also some great ballads.
Tamir Hendelman once again proves on this CD that he is one of the leading Jazz Pianist on the Jazz scene today.  He can do it all, great solos, solid support for other lead players and never interfering with their spot in the sun and seamlessly joining the band together as one.  This is my first experience with Christof Luty who does an outstanding job on Bass.  I should not have been surprised at his talent knowing that these three magnificent musicians would only ask an exceptional Bassman to join them.  This is a great CD to have a drink, turn the lights down low and kick back for an hour of wonderful Jazz sounds.

The Playlist is an unusual grouping of great songs.  Take a look at the composers, they are all at the  top of the composer list:

            PLAYLIST:
1. "September in The Rain"  Dubin/Warren
2. "All Through the Night" Cole Porter
3. "Watch What Happens" Michel Legrand
4. "Soul Eyes" Mal Waldron
5. "This Can't Be Love"  Richard Rodgers
6. "There'll Be Some Changes Made" W. Benton Overstreet
7. "Sybille's Day"  Jeff Hamilton
8.  "Key Largo"   Benny Carter
9. "Woody'n You"   Dizzy Gillespie
10. "The Champ"  Alan Hawkshaw
11. "Ballad For Very Tired and Very Sad Lotus Eaters"  Billy Strayhorn
12. "You and the Night and The Music"  Arthur Schwartz
13. "Centerpiece"   Harry Edison

           I found a "YouTube" for you to hear cut #10 on this CD, "The Champ'.  Enjoy!

CD Review: Graham Dechter "Takin It There"

Graham Dechter

John Clayton, Graham Dechter, Tamir Hendelman and Jeff Hamilton

Listen up all my Jazz guitar fans!  New guitar sensation, Graham Dechter is in the house with his first lead album, "Takin' It There" and the sounds on it are just out of sight. Graham is in his early 20's but you would never know it from the great riffs and sweet sounds he gets out of his guitar. And if Graham's fresh sounds and arrangements are not enough for you, he comes prepared with sensational piano player Tamir Hendelman who is joined by two of my all-time living Jazz greats, John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on Drums. I have been in love with the music of Clayton and Hamilton ever since they teamed up with Diana Krall on perhaps her best Jazz album of all times, "Diana Krall, Live In Paris".  What comes to mind when listening to Graham and this group is fresh arrangements that are crisp and clean. This group of musicians could possibly be the best Jazz group playing today.

All four of these great musicians had a hand in the arrangements and Graham wrote two of the songs on the CD.  John Clayton also wrote "Grease for Graham" for the CD. If you know someone who loves great Jazz whether young or old, get them this CD. It is a high-end University course for anyone who wants to know the best of Jazz that being made today.

Graham Dechter and his group are touring around but mostly on the West Coast.  Check out Graham's site for his schedule.  This group is worth any effort to get to hear them in person. Congratulations, Graham for recording such a wonderful album and for bringing Tamir Hendelman, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton to the party! I have attached a "YouTube" clip of Graham playing "Takin' It There" from his album of the same name.

                                           

"Live" CDs Trump "Studio" CD's Almost Every TIme!

Brown Onions

I had an interesting conversation with one of my favorite singers, Aubrey Tadman, about why it seems that CDs recorded "live" produce better recordings compared to recordings by the same musician that are cut in a "studio". I am sure many of you have purchased CDs recorded by an artist who you heard singing "live"in a club or restaurant. You loved the artist's performance but when you got home and listened to one of their recorded CDs, it just didn't have the exact effect on you as did the live performance, right?

I would like to offer some reasons that cause this difference. First, music is art and in great music and works of art, producing a perfect reproduction of your subject or written notes in a song, can be great but seldom outstanding. Most time the beauty in art and music is found in the embodiment of emotion that the painter or singer adds to the subject. Also, sometimes slight imperfections in art and music can enhance the value to the listener or viewer. Life is not perfect but real beauty in life can be found when we uncover the emotional spirit of the creator, unveiling not only the perfect parts but also the slightly bruised parts.

Consider the difference between two of the best singers of the Great American Songbook,  Frank Sinatra and Vic Damone.  Even Sinatra said more than once that Vic Damone had the best singing voice of anyone he had ever heard, and I have no argument with that.  Damone has had a wonderful career, lots of fans and sold millions of records So what was missing in his recordings that put Sinatra on the top of the heap? I think the answer is Sinatra's ability to bring his life experiences both good and bad and inject them into his recordings. If anyone can record in a studio and instill emotional life into the cuts, Sinatra can; but to me, Sinatra's greatest recordings are the ones recorded live. They were not as perfect as his studio recordings. A Great performance like great art can sometimes create greater value with slight blemishes or imperfections. Listening audiences do not necessarily crave perfection but they do want emotional reality.

The last factor in the mix is the emotional lift that all performers get from an appreciative audience. If you ever played or sung for a live audience, you know exactly what I mean. Another friend of mine, the great bassist, Jim De Julio played in Sinatra's band in Vegas for years. Jim shared this story with me.  Just before the curtain was set to go up, Jim would look over to the side and he would see Sinatra standing there waiting to come on.  According to Jim, he would almost know exactly when the curtain would rise because he could see Sinatra's blue eyes actually getting bigger and this was Jim's signal that Frank was ready to roll. As great as Sinatra was, he always became bigger than life on stage and I believe it made his live recordings just the greatest!

I have attached a couple of YouTube recordings that I think support my point. The first is a live recording from Diana Krall from her "Live In Paris" CD.  As you listen to this recording, I believe you can feel the emotion and love for great American Jazz coming straight from the audience to Diana and her band which impacted her performance.  This is one of my all-time favorite "live" CDs and one of the reasons is the great supporting musicians that performed with her.  I don't think it is possible to put a better Jazz group together than this one with the great Jeff Hamilton on Drums, the one and only John Clayton on Bass and the marvelous Anthony Wilson on Guitar.
                                 
                                                   Diane Krall "Live In Paris" CD

The second YouTube is of Ella Fitzgerald singing "Mack The Knife" from her 1960 classic "Ella In Berlin" recording. It's far from perfect but just a brilliant recording!

Dance The Night Away With Music By The 17 Piece Ted Herman Orchestra At The Indio Performing Arts Center

Ted Herman And The Ted Herman Orchestra

Beverly Jensen

The Ted Herman Orchestra with Beverly Jensen

Beverly Jensen and John Leys

On Sunday February 26th I went over to the Indio Performing Arts Center to see "The Ted Herman Orchestra".  I had learned that "The Ted Herman Band" has a weekly gig every Sunday evening at the Arts Center and that my good friend, Beverly Jensen, was singing this evening. By chance, I happened to sit next to Ronald Hagan and soon learned that he was a member of the IPAC Board of Directors and he filled me in as to what the Indio Performing Arts Center is all about. The music and dance program at the IPAC is not advertised much and those who know about it most likely discovered it from word of mouth.  Here is the deal, every Sunday at 6:15 PM, the program starts with a dance lesson taught by Carl Davis.  Then at starting at 7:00 PM until 9PM, the 17-piece Ted Herman Orchestra takes over and plays some great "big band" standard classics from charts that Ted Herman has put together over the years. All all this great music and dancing will cost you $10.00.

There were about 120 people that came to participate in tonight's program and I do mean participate.  Everyone danced and the dance floor was large enough for everyone to show off their dancing moves. Even when the band took it's breaks, the floor was still full of dancer, dancing to pre-recorded music.
I am pretty sure that at lot of my Desert followers are learning about the IPAC from this blog and that's a good thing.  There are very few places in the country where you can go to dance to live music by an 17-piece live band, never mind for $10.00. I know I will be going back especially to see two of my favorite singers that are usually featured with this band, Larry Capeloto and Lee Hartley.

I heard the Ted Herman band last winter when they were playing in Palm Springs at Dinks but the sound tonight in this big dance hall compared to the small space they were in at Dinks was so much better in opinion.  They sounded as good as any big band I have heard and being able to dance on such big dance floor with the band elevated on a full stage made the experience just about perfect.

My good friend, Beverly Jensen was featured with the band tonight and she came to sing and take no prisoners.  She opened with the great standard, "Lullaby of Broadway" and continued with several other standard classics including a great rendition and arrangement of "Come Rain or Come Shine". Beverly has a great resume' that includes touring with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Trombonist Murray McEachern. She recorded her first and very successful CD "Ken and Beverly, Watch What Happens" in 1966. Over the years, Beverly has sang with many musical greats, like Cal Tjader, Ted Herman, Bob Hardaway, Ray Sherman, Buddy Childers, Joe Pass, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton and her husband, John Leys. The vocal arrangements for Beverly tonight were just outstanding and I found out later that Beverly's husband, John Leys did all the arranging. Beverly has a pure strong voice that never fails to amaze me.

Make sure that the next time you feel like going out to dance, that you make it over to the IPAC.  By the way, I did see that there were two large tables that were set up for singles and I saw most of these guests dancing most of the time also!  Believe or not this program has been running for 5 years and "The Ted Herman Orchestra" has been playing here on Sunday for the last two years. If you want to hear this band this season, make plans to go before the end of March as the program will stop.  It will begin again in November.  

Brian Nova Sings And Plays Amazing Guitar At Cafe' Des Beaux-Arts

Brian Nova and Larry Holloway

Missoni Lanza and Brian Nova and Larry Holloway

Andy Franga Jr.

Missoni Lanza, Brian Nova and Larry Holloway

Tom Keenlyside

Larry Holloway

On Wednesday February 22, I made my first visit of the season to the always wonderful French restaurant, Cafe' Des Beaux-Arts to have dinner and hear one of the most accomplished guitar players in the country, Brian Nova.  Brian performs at Beaux-Arts every Wednesday and tonight turned out to be extra special because in addition to hearing Brian sing and play guitar, I also got to hear the emotional and delightful voice of Missoni Lanza who has been singing with Brian on Wednesdays.   In addition, I was excited to learn that the bass player tonight was Larry Holloway.

Brian Nova is one of the most understated, superb and multi-talented performers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. His dexterity and speed on the guitar is so smooth that unless you pay close attention, you are not aware how fast his fingers are moving.  His lush tones wash his sounds in the warm colors of red, brown and orange. In addition, Brian has a "Sinatra" like feel of timing and lyric when he sings. Last season, I did not get to hear Brian sing much and I was so happy that tonight Brian sang a lot of great "standards".  His level of excellence shone through when he combined his singing and guitar playing. For those of you who don't know Brian, he studied with two of the greatest guitarists in Jazz history, Herb Ellis and Joe Pass.  Brian has performed with literally every great in the business like Arturo Sandoval, Dave Koz, Ernestine Anderson, Freddie Cole, Joe Williams, Jeff Hamilton and the one and only Ray Brown just to name a few.  Make a note to get to see Brian at Beaux-Arts or at any other venue where he is performing.  I will try to list his future gigs on my "Support Live Music In The California Desert" blog.

I had heard Missoni Lanza sing one or two songs last winter and thought she had a unique voice and feel for a lyric.  Missoni has her own singing style that is sultry, intimate and emotional. She brings the audience her own personal readings of songs and lyrics and at times reminds me of a combination of Norah Jones and Flona Apple. I hope I get to hear more from Missoni in the future.

If you love great bass playing Bassist Larry Holloway will put you in orbit.    I ran into Larry at the end of the winter season last year at a private musicians' party and was blown away with his playing.  Larry is from the Northwest and has recently been spending the winter in the Valley. I recently learned that Larry tunes his bass in fifths, which gives his bass a wider range of sound and clarity.  This technique was first developed by one of the most respected bassists in the world, the late Red Mitchell who was Larry's mentor. The results give his bass a much greater range of notes, colors, dynamics and chords. If you like great bass playing, you have to find a way to hear Larry.  He is busy most of the time playing private events but will be playing at Vicky's on March 11, 2012.  I will publish any information I get as to where Larry is performing in my "Support Live Music in the California Desert" Blog, so keep checking it out from time to time.

After the first set,  in walks one of the best flute players in the country, Tom Keenlyside carrying his flute over his shoulder.  Tom joins the group for the next set and the music for the next 50 minutes is a delight.  I have seen Tom join in with other performers and he is nothing short of amazing! He can do it all, never a written note, just give him the key and off he goes. I love the soft sounds Tom produces on his flute and his solos are always creative and yet retain the structure of the melody at the same time. Tom has done it all and has recorded with the Best of the Best in Music: Diana Krall, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard and Oscar Peterson just to name a few. Can't hear enough of Tom Keenlyside!

The night's final chapter occurred after the second set. The young but very talented drummer Andrew Franga Jr shows up and sets up one of the smallest drums sets I have ever seen.  The drum set may have been small but the sounds were perfect for the small space given to tonight's talented group of musicians. Andrew is young but has already gathered an impressive resume'.  He graduated from the Idyllwide School of Music in 1997 and in 2003 founded Mainstream Source with Ted Sisler.  Mainstream is a successful company that provides music to the worldwide film, television and advertising industries.

Needless to say, tonight's performance was a blast for me and the rest of the audience. There was more music per square inch tonight at Cafe' Des Beaux-Arts than anywhere in the US!