CD REVIEW: Chris Rottmayer & Kelsey Wallner Create Pure Jazz Magic on Playing Favorites

          Chris Rottmayer & Kelsey Wallner Create Pure Jazz Magic on Playing Favorites

 

"Playing Favorites" is a terrific new Jazz CD recently released by Pianist Chris Rottmayer in collaboration with Vocalist Kelsey Wallner. The idea for this album emerged from a 2025 festival booking in Madison, Wisconsin. Chris and Kelsey had worked together previously in Madison and decided it was time to do an album together.

Chris brought in two very talented friends to join him and Kelsey on this CD; Bass player Clark Sommers and Drummer Matt Endres. I have to admit that when Chris Rottmayer, Clark Sommers and Matt Endres are playing together the sound is as good as it gets for Jazz Piano trios. These three musicians are at the top of their Jazz game. And when you add in the glorious voice of Kelsey Wallner, the music becomes magic.

I liked everything about "Playing Favorites". The playlist is loaded with great Brazilian music from Ivan Lins, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and Dori Caymmi plus some outstanding standards. The album has a very natural and intimate feel, almost like sitting in a small jazz club listening to four musicians completely locked in with one another.

I particularly liked how the standard, "Everything Happens To Me" was arranged and sung by Kelsey. Her phrasing is relaxed and confident, and she never over-sings the tune. Chris’s piano playing throughout the album is sensational. His touch, voicings and harmonic ideas constantly push the music forward while still leaving room for the melody to breathe. Clark Sommers and Matt Endres are equally impressive, creating grooves that swing hard while also bringing tremendous subtlety and taste to the quieter moments.

The second tune that really caught my attention was Jobim’s "One Note Samba", which highlights Kelsey’s personal love for Brazilian music. The rhythm section settles beautifully into the Latin groove and Kelsey sounds completely at home with the material. There is an elegance and sophistication throughout the performance that makes the track one of the highlights of the CD.

I also enjoyed the trio performances on Kenny Barron’s "Voyage" and Cedar Walton’s "Firm Roots". These instrumental tracks allow Chris, Clark and Matt to stretch out and demonstrate just how well they communicate musically. The interplay between these musicians is first class Jazz playing.

Another pleasant surprise on the album is hearing Kelsey Wallner’s original compositions, “I’m Too Sweet” and “Love Ain’t Free.” Both songs fit naturally alongside the standards and Brazilian classics, and they give listeners another look at her talents as both a vocalist and songwriter.

"Playing Favorites" is one of those albums that feels timeless from the very first listen. The performances are classy, swinging, melodic and filled with genuine emotion. If you are a fan of great piano trio Jazz, outstanding vocals, and Brazilian influenced arrangements, this CD deserves a spot in your collection.

Players

• Chris Rottmayer – piano
• Kelsey Wallner – vocals
• Clark Sommers – acoustic bass
• Matt Endres – drums

Playlist

1. Everything Happens To Me
2. One Note Samba
3. Voyage
4. Velho Piano
5. On The Street Where You Live
6. Firm Roots
7. Sail Away
8. I’m Too Sweet
9. Love Ain’t Free
10. Love Dance
11. Never Will I Marry 

 

                                                        "Everything Happens To Me"

            

"One Note Samba"    

    

CD Review: Ivan Lins, "My Heart Speaks"

 

If you have never heard of Ivan Lins before, get ready to meet one of the most treasured and recorded Brazilian composers in the world.  The promo information about Ivan Lins described him as a world-class Melodist.  I looked up the word, melodist, and its described as "a composer of melodies".  In my opinion, this definition falls short for Lins because Ivan Lins' melodies are sophisticated and lush and reflect on his heros Carlos Lyra and Jobim.  

If you love Brazilian music, this CD will instantly become one of your go to albums.  There are 11 stuningly beautiful  Ivan Lins songs on "My Heart Speaks" backed by the 91 piece Symphony of Tblisi, capital of the Republic of Georgia.  "My Heart Speaks" was released on September 15, 2023 and features Jazz Vocal icons Dianne Reeves and Jane Monheit,  rising Star Singer Tawanda and Trumpeter Randy Brecker.  Ivan Lins has recorded nearly 50 albums since 1970 and has won four Latin Grammy Awards.

This CD was released by Resonance Records and its founder, George Klabin.  Resonance Records specializes in publishing previouly released recordings by Jazz icons, and they deserve recognition for their efforts advancing the cause of Jazz.

Ivan Lins has brought in Los Angeles-based Composer and Arranger Kuno Schmid to write all the orchestral charts and they are all a perfect fit for Lins' compositions.  Lins' core band on this album included  Josh Nelson on piano.  Nelson's playing has been described as lyrical, harmonically rich, and elegant in DownBeat and his performance on this CD validates this praise.  The Guitarist was Uruguayan Leo Amuedo who has played along side Lins for over a decade. Cuban Carlitos Del Puerto was on Bass. He founded the Grammy-winning Latin band, Irakere. 

I have attached two "YouTude" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first is the title tune from this CD, "The Heart Speaks" (Antes e Depois" that is perfomed with guest Jazz Vocalist, Dianne Reeves. This song was first recorded instrumentally in 1995 by Trumpeter Terence Blanchard on his album of Lins' songs.

The second "YouTube" is the tune "I'm Not Alone" performed by the young and very talented Tawanda.  In 2022, Tawanda was the winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.  She is a wonderful Jazz singer who I am sure we will hear much more of in the near future.  The English lyric for this song was written by Oscar and Grammy winner, Will Jennings who wrote the lyric for "Up Where We Belong" and "My Heart Will Go On".   

                                                         "The Heart Speaks" (Antes e Depois)

                                                            "I'm Not Alone"   (Anjo de Mim)

PLAYLIST:

1. Renata Maria

2. The Heart Speaks 

3. Nao Ha Porque

4. I'm Not Alone

5. Congada Blues

6. E Isso Acontece

7. Easy Going

8. Corpos

9. Missing Miles

10. Rio

11. Nada Sem Voce

PLAYERS:

Ivan Lins- Composer, background singing

Kuno Schmid- All Arrangements

The Tblisi Symphony Orchestra

Josh Nelson- Piano

Leo Amuedo- Guitar

Carlitos Del Puerto- Bass

Mauricio Zottarelli- Drums and Percussion

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Dianne Reeves

Jane Monheit

Tawanda

Randy Brecker

CD Review: Ben Cassara, "What A Way To Go"

 

New York based Vocalist Ben Cassara released his new album, "What A Way To Go" in late December of 2022.  Ben is a cabaret and Jazz club singer whose singing will bring you back to when Jazz clubs in both NYC and LA were having their finest hour.  His voice and his interpretion of Lyric and Music is exceptionally good in my opinion.  No noise here, just pure understanding of lyrics performed in a traditional Jazz method.  Cassara sounds cool and calm on his CD and he brings along some of the finest musicians to support him.  The Arrangements from Josh Richman and Ronny Whyte are refreshingly good.

The Playlist Cassara put together for his CD are classic Jazz vocalist examples of cool music.  He draws heavily on the lyrics of Dave Frishberg while including two terrific songs from Jobim.  I have attached a "YouTube" of Cassara singing Jobim's "Living On Dreams" which includes English lyrics by Susannah McCorkel.  

It is so wonderful that gentle Jazz voices like Ben Cassara's can find small and intimate Jazz clubs in which to perform in major cities across the country.  He understands the messages that great songs have and he sings like he is telling a story to his audience.  Sadly, today there are not a lot of Vocalists who can pull off singing lyrics that are sensitive and tell a story.  Ben Cassara is a shining example of what makes Jazz cabaret singing so wonderful, and I am happy to support him and get the word out to my Jazz friends.

Playlist:

1. I Just Found Out About Love

2. Living On Dreams

3. What A Way To Go

4.  The Party Upstairs

5. Zanzibar

6. Fotographia

7. Let's Eat Home

8. Throw Me A Word

9. Secret Love

10. I Wish I Knew

11. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

12. Wheelers And Dealers

13. Linger Awhile

14. I Think I fell In Love Today

Players:

Ben Cassara- Vocals

Josh Richman- Piano & Arrangements

Ronny Whyte- Piano & Arrangements

Harry Allen- Saxophone

Boots Maleson- Bass

Tim Horner- Drums

  

                                                                  " Living On Dreams"    

                            

                                                           "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart"