Judy Whitmore has lived a life full of adventures—novelist, theater producer, therapist, even a pilot—and all of that life experience comes through when she sings. Her new album,Let’s Fall In Love, teams her with Grammy-nominated arranger Chris Walden and a killer group of L.A. musicians. The result? A classy, romantic ride through the "Great American Songbook".
The sound is big and lush, thanks to Walden’s orchestra (including a 22-piece string section), but Judy keeps it personal—like she’s singing right to you. Highlights for me are the dreamy A Time for Love, the swinging Taking a Chance on Love, and the playful duet with Ty Taylor on the title track. Add in solos from players like Josh Nelson (piano), Peter Erskine (drums), Wayne Bergeron (trumpet), and HendrikMeurkens (harmonica), and you’ve got an album that sparkles from start to finish.
Playlist
I’ll Take Romance
All of You
A Time for Love
Taking a Chance on Love
How Long Has This Been Going On
Let’s Fall In Love (duet with Ty Taylor)
The Very Thought of You
It’s All Right with Me
Crazy He Calls Me
More Than You Know
I’ve Got a Crush on You
How Deep Is the Ocean
Players
Vocals – Judy Whitmore
Guest Vocal – Ty Taylor (Let’s Fall In Love)
Trumpets – Wayne Bergeron, Kye Palmer
Trombones – Andy Martin, Alex Iles
Saxophones & Woodwinds – Jeff Driskill (tenor sax), Sal Lozano, Jacob Scesney (baritone sax), Sean Franz, Chad Smith
Piano – Josh Nelson
Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Bass – Edwin Livingston
Drums – Peter Erskine
Harmonica – Hendrik Meurkens
Percussion – Wade Culbreath
Arranger/Conductor/Producer – Chris Walden
Bottom line: If you love the "Great American Songbook", this album feels like a gift. Judy Whitmore and Chris Walden breathe new life into songs we’ve all cherished, and the musicianship is top-notch. Put on Let’s Fall In Lovewith a glass of wine, and let it sweep you away.
I attached two tracks from this CD for your listening pleasure. They are two of my favorite standards, "Taking A Chance On Love" and "The Very Thought Of You".
Multi-talented Judy Wexler has just released her sixth album, "Back To The Garden" and it has already received high marks in the JazzWeek radio charts. "Back To The Garden" is a departure from Wexler's previous albums which featured modern Jazz songs and songs from the best of the Great American Songbook. This album selections are some of the great songs from the 60s and Judy has applied her creative ability to reimagine these wonderful tunes. According to Wexler, "I was a bit young in the 60s to be completely aware of the great music going out, but my older brother bought all the new records, and I have such great memories of hanging out in his room and listening to him play guitar and sing along with Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel. I could feel the powerful messages of the music even if I didn't fully understand the context. Music of the 60s is truly a reflection of the times, and the music reflected the turbulence engendered by war, political protests, and the rise of important social movements like feminism and racial justice." Sadly we are still struggling with these issues today!
In her new album Wexler has done a masterful job of re-imaging 10 of the best songs from the 60s to reflect her interpretation of these songs and bring forth their messages of hope, love and change again. This is what truly outstanding Jazz musicians do. They take great music and lyrics and give them a re-birth while never sacrificing the integrity of the original brilliance of the music and lyric. Wexler has a lot of tools in her musical bag that allow her to succeed with her re-interpretation of these golden songs. She has near perfect pitch, her voice is clear and strong, her phrasing is always perfect and she puts forth a real understanding of the issues that the lyrics cover.
The arrangements are sparkling and new and the group of musicians Wexler has gathered together to record this album are spectacular by any measure. She started with her long-time pianist and arranger Jeff Colella whose resume is extremely long and distinguished. He toured with Lou Rawls for 16 years and was Musical Director for Jack Jones, just to mention two. She called upon the brilliant young Pianist and Composer Josh Nelson who contributed two arrangements. World-class Guitarist Larry Koonse was joined by Bass player Gabe Davis, and Drummer Steve Hass. They were joined by Bob Thiele, Jr on Electric and Baritone Guitar, Danny Janklow on Alto sax, Jay Jennings on Trumpet and Hendrik Meurkens on Harmonica. The string section included Violinists Joel Pargman and Carrie Kennedy,Rodney Wirtz on Viola, and Cellist Stefanie Fife. Erin Bentlage arranged and contributed background vocals on four tracks. As you can see from this list of master musicians, Wexler has spent whatever money was necessary to produce the finest musical product she could. She has succeeded! "Back To The Garden" is an outstanding new album that deserves all the praise that it is receiving already by the music press. The music and lyric on these old songs are still as enjoyable as when I first heard them played over 60 years ago and that's a tribute to the musical talent of Judy Wexler.
The songs on "Back To The Garden" include two written by Bob Dylan, one by Paul Simon and one by Stephen Stills. They will bring back memories of Joni Mitchel, the Youngbloods, Harry Nilsson and Judy Collins. If you are too young to remember these original songs of the 60s, I think you will fall in love with them now. If you do remember these original songs from the time they were recorded, you will fall in love with Judy Wexler and her interpretations.
Players:
Judy Wexler- Vocals
Jeff Colella- Piano, Melodica, Background Vocals
Larry Koonse- Nylon String and Electric Guitar
Gabe Davis- Bass
Steve Hass- Drums
Bob Thiele, Jr- Electric and Baritone Guitar
Erin Bentlage- Background Vocals
Danny Janklow- Alto Sax
Jay Jennings- Trumpet
Hendrik Meurkens- Harmonica
Sara Caswell- Violin
Rodney Wirtz- Viola
Stefanie Fife- Cello
Talley Sherwood- Background Vocals
Playlist:
Get Together (Chet Powers)
Up On The Roof (Gerry Goffin and Carole King)
American Tune (Paul Simon)
Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell)
The Times They Are A-Changin (Bob Dylan)
Since You've Asked (Judy Collins)
For What It's Worth (Stephen Sills)
Everybody's Talking (Fred Neil)
Forever Young (Bob Dylan)
Who Knows Where The Time Goes (Sandy Denny)
I have attached two wonderful YouTubes for your listening pleasure. The first one, "Everybody's Talking" thathas some tasty Harmonic work provided by Hendrik Meurkens. The second one is still very popular today "Up On The Roof" from Gerry Goffin and Carole King.Judy Wexler's voice and phrasing and Jeff Colella's terrific Piano work show us how to turn a great R & B rock and roll tune into a delightful Jazz tune!
Mon David (pronounced moan da-Vid) has released his fourth US release, "D+N+A, a duet with brilliant Pianist, Composer and Arranger Josh Nelson. Mon David is a classic example of what a Jazz Vocalist should be; original style with a unique approach to lyrics and a world class ability to scat sing. David left a lucrative and successful career in the Philippines and moved his family to the US in 2007. He felt that he had to make this move to pursue a career as a Jazz Vocalist. Since moving to California he has been a popular mainstay one the Southern California music scene.
David's new release DNA is a duo project featuring Josh Nelson and it's a truly creative and imaginative musical accomplishment. David provides a refreshing new approach to some wonderful standards while still capturing the essence that has kept these songs popular for years. Josh Nelson's piano performance is always inventive and his improvisations are always new and yet comfortable and accessible. He never falls to impress! David's primary instrument is his voice but he also plays Guitar, Piano and Drums. David says, "for me, the human voice is the primary instrument for expressing the emotional depth of a song, but the Piano is a close second. That's why I wanted to work with Josh. His solo performances are terrific, but when he plays with a singer or other instrumentalists, his music has an almost symphonic quality".
DNA is an album of music created by two young, but seasoned master musicians! Bravo to David and Nelson for their musical achievements publishing this album. I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure. The first cut is a vocal tribute to Monk and Bird, a medley of "Straight No Chaser" and "Billie's Bounce", with a great arrangement and feel. David wrote additional Filipino lyric and joined them because they are two of his favorite pieces. The second is a newer song composed by one of the hardest working singer, composer and arranger, the talented Mark Winkler. The song is "I Chose the Moon". I was not familiar with this tune but it's a beauty!
World-renowned Vocalist Kenny Washington hasreleases a new CD, "What's The Hurry". It's hard to believe that this is Kenny Washington's first studio album, hence the title "What's The Hurry". This CD is a joy for anyone who loves vocalists who still sing standards out of the "Great American Songbook" with classic Jazz phrasing, sensitivity, warm tones and class. Here is what Wynton Marsalis has to say about Kenny Washington's singing " I love this man! He's a consummate professional, with impeccable intonation. He's a real improviser who brings depth to everything he does." I could not agree more. Kenny Washington is a gift to all lovers of classic standards. Kenny makes singing seem simple and easy but don't get fooled by his relaxed style. He makes lyrics that may have been asleep for a while come back to life with full emotional understanding. Once you listen to "What's The Hurry" I guarantee you can not just listen to it once...It will call you back again and again.
Kenny has gathered some of the best talented musicians in the country, led by the young genius Jazz pianist Josh Nelson. Josh in addition to providing perfect piano support for Washington and all the wonderful tunes on this CD, wrote all of the sparkling arrangements. Take a good look at the list of players attached below and I am sure you will agree that it contains the best of the best Jazz musicians playing today.
I honestly had a most difficult time selecting two tunes from this CD because every song was at the top of my list. I settled on these two but I would have attached the complete CD. My first pick is the Rodgers and Hart classic "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered". My second pick is the Jobin/Moraes "Chega De Saudade" with Lyric by Jon Hendricks.
Do yourself a musical favor and buy this album, it will keep giving you joy for years! Better yet, buy a few to give as Christmas presents.
I try to attend as many of the Jazz dates at Pete Carlson's Golf and Tennis Store as I can because I have never been disappointed in the high quality of the musicians that perform live for these events. TheKen Peplowski Quartet that performed on February 18, 2019 was certainly one of the best groups I have heard in the "Jazz for Jazz Lovers" series. First, the group was made up of seasoned Jazz veterans, Ken Peplowski and special guest Ron Stout who were joined by some younger but spectacularly talented professional musicians, Josh Nelson on Piano, Katie Thiroux on Bass and Matt Witek on Drums. For tonight's performance, Ken Peplowski picked some traditional Jazz tunes along with several songs from the "Great American Songbook".
Ken Peplowski is a giant in the Jazz world and for good reason. He is certainly one of the best Jazz Clarinet players performing today. Also, at Monday's performance, he proved he is one of the best Jazz Tenor Sax players also. You don't hear many Clarinet players these days but listening to Ken's warm tones was so wonderful that you had to be thinking, we need to hear more Clarinet sounds in the Jazz world. I know this is what I was thinking! Ken's improvising is just about perfect, it's creative, spontaneous, soft and simply beautiful!
Ken put together some suburb younger musicians in his Quartet, and he made sure that each member of his group had their time to shine. And shine they did starting with the remarkably talented JoshNelson on Piano. I have had the pleasure of seeing Josh play several times in different venues and as good as he is, he seems to get even better each time I see him. Josh also makes an effort to help younger musicians by supporting them on live performances and on CD's. I see his name on many of the new CD's I review every month.
On Bass was Katie Thiroux, one of my favorite Bass players. I reviewed Katie's first, very successful CD on this site and encourage you to look-up the review up to find out more about Katie. Katie reminds me of my favorite all-time Bass players, starting with the great Ray Brown. She knows the importance of melody and when she improvises she makes sure that her creative lines never forget the melody. I think it puts her into a class of her own when it comes to Bass playing. Katie also has a unique voice and even though she did not sing tonight, you should check out her two CD's to hear her sing,
Matt Witek was on Drums tonight. I had never heard Matt play before but shortly after he started playing, any listener would realize he is a special player. Too many of today's Drummers think that loud is the only way to stand out. What a pleasure to hear a Drummer that works with sounds and understands the purpose and use of brushes. Matt used his hands several times to produce some great support for the group which was very enjoyable. In addition, the percussion section of Katie and Matt were perfect together.
Veteran Trumpeter Ron Stout was an announced special guest tonight, and he was indeed very special. I have heard Ron play many times and he is a treat. No drama here. Ron can solo anytime he is called; he understands Ballads and he never overshadows the other players in the band. If I had a band, Ron Stout would be the Trumpeter I would want to join me!
If you are in the Palm Springs area, Pete Carlson's is the best place for live Jazz with music events every week throughout the winter season.
I have attached a live video of the Ken Peplowski Quartet playing "I Wish You Love".
Josh Nelson, Jazz Pianist /Composer/ Teacher is teeming with superb musical talents. I seem to run into him everywhere, at concerts performing with his own band, on many amazing new CDs that he participated on and at concerts where he is performing as part of another band. Born and raised in Southern California, Josh has just released his newest CD, "The Sky Remains" that contains 10 story-driven compositions he has written based on past, present and future LA history. The wonderful songs composed for this CD were meant to be an historical tribute to Los Angeles, the city he loves. The music is bright and fresh and even listeners who have never been to LA are sure to fall in love with his creative music. I previously knew he was a great Jazz Pianist but his writing and arranging for this CD are as good as it gets! Josh's skills at performing Jazz Piano put him in constant demand from other performing Jazz musicians who recognize his wonderful talents.
Don't be fooled by Josh Nelson's relatively young age. He is a proven pro who has performed with some of the most respected names in Jazz, including Kurt Elling, JohnPizzarelli, Benny Golson, Sheila Jordan and Peter Erskine. Josh toured with Natalie Cole for 6 years and continues to tour with vocalist Sara Gazarek and accordionist Richard Galliano, among others.
Josh as you would expect has selected a group of world-class Jazz performers to join him on this CD. They are listed below. The CD was released on September ł5th, 2017 and I give it my highest recommendation. It's Jazz at its finest! PERSONNEL Josh Nelson, Piano, Nord Electro 3, Vocal Anthony Wilson, Guitar, Vocal Kathleen Grace, Vocal Lillian Sengpiehi, Vocal Josh Johnson, Alto Sax, Flute Chris Lawrence, Trumpet, Flugelhorn Brian Walsh, Bb flat Clarinet, Bass Clarinet Larry Goldings, Hammond B3 Organ Alex Boneham, Bass Dan Schnelle, Drums Asron Serfaty, Percussion
Playlist: 1. "Bridges and Tunnels" 2. "The Sky Remains" 3. "On The Sidewalk" 4. "The Architect" 5. "Ah, Los Angeles" 6. "Lost Souls of Saturn" 7. "Pitseleh" 8. "Pacific Ocean Part" 9. "Run" 10. "Stairways"
I have attached a "YouTube" of Josh Nelson and his band playing the first cut from this CD, "Bridgesand Tunnels". Absolutely beautiful music! It was recorded at the Blue Whale in LA.
On Thursday April 3 Bassist Jim DeJulio and Pianist Josh Nelson joined forces to put on a magnificent program of Jazz at the Merc. "The Jazz at The Merc" is a Jazz series that spotlights what Sherry Williams, the creator and manager of this series calls "Chamber Jazz". This Jazz series hosted by the wonderful Jazz singer, Sherry Williams lights up every Thursday at 7:30pm in one of the most intimate Jazz venues you will ever experience. "The Merc" is at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater (42051 Main Street). The acoustics inside the small theater that seats only 48 are hard to explain. Think about going to hear your favorite Jazz players in a recording studio with 50 of your closest friends. The sound is so good, so intimate that you almost become one with the music. I have been told by my musician friends that they make their way to "The Merc" just to enjoy playing in this wonderful acoustical space filled with appreciative Jazz fans.
Tonight was no exception. Performing tonight was one of the most respected Bass players in the country, Jim DeJulio who wasjoined by one of the most talented and sought after young Jazz pianists, Josh Nelson.
Jim DeJulio, well-known and respected by Jazz musicians from coast to coast is one of only a handful of Bassists that understands the beauty and simplicity of playing melody. When Jim played melody on his Bass like he did Thursday night for "HowHigh The Moon", the listener visualized the lyrics and felt the emotion the composer put into the song. Technically trained, he is exceptional when playing all genres of music. He played for Sinatra and the Pittsburgh Symphony for years. No wonder Jim was Sinatra's Bassist of choice for his Vegas concerts and his Palm Springs house parties. In addition to his magnificent Bass playing, Jim has also written some outstanding songs, several of which he performed Thursday to the delight of the audience. The list of world-class musicians Jim has played with could easily make up the "Who's Who" of Jazz: Sinatra, June Christy, Johnny Mathis, Dionne Warwick, Sammy Davis, Jr, Carmen McCrae, Lannie Kazan, Vic Damone and Nancy Wilson to name just a few. In addition, normally when a Bassist is playing with a most-talented Pianist, the Pianist would be leading the charge for most of the concert. But not tonight! Jim carried the lead many times during the evening but by the end of the performance, these two talented musicians shared the lead equally.
Josh Nelson is only in his early 30's but has already established himself as one of the most upcoming Pianists and Songwriters on the West Coast. His approach to Jazz on the piano is fresh and inventive, and his touch is so light and beautiful one wonders how he is able to generate the sounds he does. Josh has already won many awards including being a semi-finalist in the prestigious International Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. In addition to his ongoing songwriting pursuits, Josh has also been busy touring with Jazz vocalist Natalie Cole for the past two years. He is also devoted to maintaining a private studio of Jazz students and teaching Adjunct Faculty at Soka University. Josh's influences are from Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, and Keith Jarrett. Quite a trio of brilliant talents to emulate! Josh Nelson may be young but he is already an accomplished Jazz musician. Don't miss any chance to hear him.
By the way, the piano at "The Marc" is a beautiful-sounding Steinway that makes any Pianist want to play.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE AT THE MARC April 17: Dick Weller Trio featuring Ty Ballie, Organ and John Tendy, Sax April 24: Eric Reed Quartet featuring Danny Janklow, Sax Hamilton Price, Bass and Wesley Anderson, Drums May 1: Doug MacDonald, Guitar/Organ quartet May 8: Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet May 15: Jon Mayer, Piano with vocalist Mark Winkler
May 22: Frank Potenza, Guitarist with Luther Hughes, Bass May 29: Debbie Voltura Quartet June 5: Bruce Lett Bass, Hank Mancini Vibes, and Brad Dutz Perc June 12: Bill Saitta Bass, Jeff Olsen Drums
