CD Review: "Ted Rosenthal Trio, "Classics Reimagined: Impromp2"

 

All jazz lovers owe it to themselves to know the remarkable pianist and composer Ted Rosenthal. For decades, Rosenthal and his gifted jazz trio have been producing some of the most compelling jazz recordings of our time. With Classics Reimagined: Impromp2, Rosenthal delivers his 18th release as a leader, a follow-up to his acclaimed 2010 album Impromptu that deepened his exploration of jazz through classical themes. 

What Rosenthal achieves on Classics Reimagined: Impromp2 is nothing short of magical. He shines a spotlight on beloved classical melodies, completely reimagining them through his jazz sensibilities. Every track on this release is a musical gift to the jazz world — expressive, inventive, and deeply felt. I have often said that the line between classical and jazz is very thin, and after listening to Rosenthal’s vivid musical imagination, he provides ample proof of this idea.

As Rosenthal himself explains:

“I have often heard classical themes as being ripe for jazz treatments. Setting these melodies with embellished jazz harmonies comes naturally to me. Finding a satisfying form for improvisation and rhythmic groove that makes the whole treatment work without sounding forced or contrived is key.” 

And Rosenthal lives up to this ideal on every track. What could be rigid or academic becomes sumptuous, spontaneous, and exciting.

 The Players

• Ted Rosenthal — piano (leader, arranger, improviser)

• Noriko Ueda — bass (anchoring harmony and rhythmic drive)

• Quincy Davis — drums (responsive, swinging, intuitive)

Adding further color to this project are two jazz luminaries:

• Sara Caswell — violin (featured on several tracks with profound lyricism)

• Ken Peplowski — clarinet (whose warm, expressive tone deepens the reinterpretations) 

The chemistry among these players is palpable throughout the album. Ueda and Davis provide a foundation so secure that Rosenthal’s flights of fancy feel effortless, while Caswell and Peplowski bring emotional depth and tonal contrast that elevate several pieces to new heights.

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Playlist 

     1. Waltz in C-Sharp Minor 

     2. Slavonic Dance 

      3. Mazurka In A Minor

      4. The Old Castle (feat. Ken Peplowski)

      5. Vocalise (feat. Sara Caswell)

      6. Allegretto from Symphony No. 3

      7. “Pathetique” Sonata, 2nd Movement

      8. “Pathetique” Sonata, 3rd Movement

      9. Salut d’Amour (feat. Sara Caswell)

     10. Je Te Veux (feat. Sara Caswell)

     11. Waltz in A-Flat Major (feat. Ken Peplowski)

For anyone who loves jazz piano,  or just craves bold musical conversation, Classics Reimagined: Impromp2 is an essential listen — and a rewarding experience from start to finish.

I have attached two songs from this CD, the first is a Chopin composition, "Waltz In C-Sharp Minor" and the second is  a Dvorak composition "Slavonic Dance".  I know you will enjoy these tracks and encourage you to pick up this CD and make it part of your Jazz collection. 

                                                                "Waltz In C-Sharp Minor"

                                                                                F. Chopin

                                                                      "Slavonic Dance"
                                                                            A. Dvorak                                  

                        

CD Review: Angela DeNiro with the Ron Aprea Big Band, "Swingin' With Legends 2"

 

Arranger, Conductor and Alto Sax genius Ron Aprea and Vocalist Angela DeNiro have recently published their new album, "Swingin' With Legends 2" which includes the marvelous singing from Angela DeNiro, The Ron Aprea Big Band with special guest artists, Randy Brecker, Ken Peplowski and Lew Tabackin.  The first "Swingin' With Legends" album was published in 1997 to outstanding critical praise!  Now 26 years later, Ron and Angela have published their second "Swinging With Legends 2" album and its a spectacular example of what Big Band music with a vocalist is all about.  This new CD swings and reminds us all of the golden years of Big Band Jazz so sadly missing from today's music scene.  The truth is that this music is still wonderful but very expensive to produce.  Thanks to Ron Aprea's and Angela DeNiro's relentless desire to keep Big Band music going, we can still enjoy this exceptional music today.  Ron and his big band featuring vocalist Angela DeNiro are still performing and recently appeared at several Jazz venues in the New York area including a recent performace at Birdland.

Ron Aprea has an amazing musical resume that includes a long-time association with his friend, Alto Sax giant Phil Woods back in the 1970s.  Ron and Phil remained close friends until Phil's death in 2015.  Ron composed and arranged "For Phil" as a tribute to his friend.  I have attached a "YouTube" so you can listen to Ron's tribute to Phil. It's a terrific arrangement with a vocal by Angela and some sweet Alto work by Todd Bashore.

I was first introduced to Ron and Angela by two California desert friends, Steve Madieo and Pat Rizzo.  Steve and Pat both played along side Ron when they were all living in New York many years ago. Ron's and Steve's friendship started when they both recorded with John Lennon and continued throughout their lives.

Ron and Angela were married in 1985 and have been making beautiful music ever since.  They both are dedicated to their music and have never let anything stop them from performing and recording sensational music.  The songs they selected for this album are perfect for anyone who loves the big band sound.  Ron Aprea's arrangements are refresing, new and inspiring as you will discover from Angela's major league vocals.

My personal thanks to both Ron Aprea and Angela DeNiro for continuing to make music for the rest of us to enjoy!  If you are a fan of the big band sound and great music in general, please buy this album and support this talented pair of world class musicians.  

PLAYLIST:

1. New York City Blues

2. You'd Be So Easy To Love

3. Hello Young Lovers

4. A House Is Not A Home

5. Willow Weep For Me

6. It Might As Well Be Spring

7. Don't Cha Go 'Way Mad

8. Two For the Road

9. That Old Black Magic

10. Come In From The Rain

11. On Green Dolphin Street

12. My One And Only Love

13. For Phil

14. The Curtain Falls

PLAYERS:

Angela DeNiro-Vocals

Ron Aprea- Arranger and Conductor

Todd Bashore- Alto Sax, Flute

Elijah Schiffer- Alto, Flute

Nathan Childers- Tenor Sax, Flute, Clarinet

Lee Greene- Tenor Sax, Flute, Clarinet

Doug Dehays- Baritone Sax, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet

Bryan Davis- Trumpet

Chris Persad- Trumpet

Matthew Timm- Trumpet

Shawn Edmonds- Trumpet

Wayne Goodman- Trombone

Matt Haviland- Trombone

Brandon Moodie- Trombone

Dale Turk- Bass Trombone

Cecilla Coleman- Piano

Tim Givens- Bass

Jonathan Mele- Drums

Guests:

Lew Tabackin- Tenor Sax & Flute (Track 6 & 8)

Ken Peplowski- Clarinet (Track 2)

Randy Brecker-Trumpet (Track 3)

  

I had a difficult time picking just two cuts from this CD.  The first one is the classic "You'd Be So Easy To love" and I think Angela vocal just excell.  For all vocalist, singing with a big band charging behind you is always a difficult task that few ever master.  Angela's voice and phrasing on this CD become one with this blazing band, never too little and never too much.  The second "YouTube" is the original Aprea tune, "For Phil",  composed by Ron as a tribute to the late Phil Woods.

                                                             "You'd Be So Easy To Love"

                                                                           "For Phil"

CD Review: David Larsen, "Deviate From Standards"

 

Multi-talented David Larsen is one of only a few superb Baritone Sax players recording these days.  But David Larsen's talents don't stop at Baritone Sax.  David is an exceptionally good composer.  His compositions have won many awards and has been performed and recorded by a wide variety of groups around the US and abroad.  He is also a noted educator who is currently the director of instrumental studies at Spokane Falls Community College.  He holds a PhD from Washington State University and degrees from Pacific University, University of Oregon and Western Oregon University.  

This CD was started as a COVID-19 escape and you will see the four players performing in the first "YouTube" song, "He Who Getz The Last Laugh" all in separate spaces.  David credits the compositions on this CD originated from his life experiences in the last four years of his life.  During these four years he earned his doctoral degree and had more exposure to Jazz composers from a variety of eras and genres.

Composing music has never been easy but David Larsen makes it look easy.  His compositions are new and creative but still are anchored in the tradition of great Jazz composers of the past.        

I have attached two videos from "YouTube" for your listening pleasure.  The first one is titled, "Who Getz The Last Laugh" and David wrote this as a nod to the great Stan Getz.  It's a sparkling composition and the video shows the group in action.  The second cut is "Augmented Reality" that features Jazz master Ken Peplowski on Clarinet.  I think you will like both of these David Larsen originals.

                                                               "Who Getz the Last Laugh"

                                                                "Augmented Reality"

Players:

David Larsen- Baritone & Tenor Saxophone. Compositions

Brendan McMurphy- Trumpet, Flugel Horn and Drums

Greg Yasinitsky- Tenor & Baritone Saxophone (Tracks 1,9)

Ken Peplowski- Clarinet (Track 3)

Kate Skinner- Piano & Keyboards (Tracks 1,3,5,8,9)

Danny McCollim- Keyboards (Tracks 2,4,6,7)

Josh Skinner- Bass (Tracks 1,3,5,8,9)

Nick Isherwood- Bass (Tracks 2,4,6,7)

Playlist:

1. A New Thing Comin'

2. Smoke Screen

3. Augmented Reality

4. Family

5. He Who Getz The Last Laugh

6. See You at 8

7. Into The Light

8. Into The Mild

9. Tensai

The Ken Peplowski Quartet Brings the Audience to Its Feet at Pete Carlson's Golf and Tennis Store

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.  The Ken 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 Josh Nelson 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".

CD Review: Ken Peplowski, "Enrapture"

If I asked a group of Jazz buffs to name today's top performing Clarinet players, Ken Peplowski's name would be on everyone's list.  Ken has worked with the "Who's Who" of Jazz luminaries over his career including Benny Goodman, Bill Charlap, Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Howard Alden and George Shearing as well as Madonna, Woody Allen and Marianne Faithfull. Ken has recorded over fifty albums as a leader or co-leader and has participated on scores of recordings by other artists.  I want to share a wonderful quote about Ken Peplowski from noted critic Will Friedwald, "Peplowski sounds the way (Benny) Goodman might if he had kept evolving, kept on listening to new music, kept refining his sound, polishing his craft, and expanding his musical purview in the 21st century".

Anything Ken Peplowski plays is wonderful but what makes this CD really special is the wide-ranging material Ken has put together. He has picked songs from composers that normally would not be joined together in a single CD.  The lists includes John Lennon, Duke Ellington, Noel Coward, Herbie Nichols, Peter Erskine, Anthony Newley and Bernard Herrmann.  Ken is joined on this CD by three outstanding musicians, Ehud Asherie on Piano, Matt Wilson on Drums,  Martin Wind on Bass and Ken Peplowski joining the group on Clarinet and Tenor Sax.

Talking about "Enrapture", Ken Peplowski offers the following comments: "A year or so of sifting through material, a year or so playing with these great musicians, and very little time in the studio; we really wanted to approximate what we do in the clubs.  This is us, in as close to a live setting as one could ask for in a recording environment.  Every song in pretty much one take--we just like to capture the spontaneity and interplay of four people who enjoy making music together".

                     PLAYLIST: 
1. "The Flaming Sword" -Duke Ellington
2. "An Affair To Remember"- Harry Warren/Leo McCarey/Harold Adamson
3. "Oh, My Love"- John Lennon/Yoko Ono
4. "Cheer Up, Charlie"- Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley
5. "I'll Follow My Secret Heart"- Noel Coward
6. "Enrapture"- Herbie Nichols
7. "Twelve"- Peter Erskine
8. "Veritigo Scene D'Amour"- Bernard Herrmann
9. "When October Goes"- Barry Manilow/Johnny Mercer
10. "Willow Tree"- Thomas "Fats" Waller/Andy Razaf 

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first one is "Enrapture" with Ken on Clarinet and the second is "When October Goes" with Ken on Tenor Sax.

CD Review: Ginger Berglund & Scott Whitfield sing "Solitary Moon", The Johnny Mandel Songbook

"Solitary Moon" is a major league tribute to one of the best composers of Jazz, Pop and Film Music, Johnny Mandel. He has long been recognized within the music industry as one of its creative giants yet, it has always been my belief that Johnny Mandel has never received the deserved level of credit from the music public. But make no mistake about it, the multitalented Mandel is equal to the best songwriters and musicians of the past 100 years.

This CD starts with a tribute to Johnny Mandel, but that is not where the magic ends. Ginger Berglund and Scott Whitfield could have recorded this CD with just the two of them, and I know this CD would have been terrific. However, Ginger and Scott chose to bring along some of the most respected musicians performing on the Jazz scene today. The result is a musical product that is close to perfection music and a musical treat for the ears.

Ginger Berglund has a sterling resume of work as a vocalist including recording with Steve Allen and the great pianist Paul Smith. She has sung with Kenny Rankin and the great Brazilian Jazz vocalist Flora Purim and her husband, the premiere fusion Jazz Percussionist Airto Moreira. Ginger still performs with the Stan Kenton Alumni Band, The Modernaires, The Tracy Wells Big Band and the Jumpin' Joz Band.

Scott Whitfield is a world class Trombonist, Arranger and Singer. He is internationally recognized for his work with many contemporary big bands, including the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, The Clare Fischer Bib Band, The Bill Holman Band, The Phil Norman Tentet and his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra. Whitfield also plays trombone for the Johnny Mandel Orchestra.

Ginger and Scott chose 15 tracks for this CD and Whitfield did all the arrangement from big band to small group, from vocal duets to a cappella five-part harmony.  Singing together they treat us with beautiful Mandel melodies and perfect harmonies that you will seldom hear today. They are perfect singing together! Both Berglund and Whitfield are also members of the Modernaires, the legendary vocal group that performed in the 1940's for The Glenn Miller Band. Whitman is also a member of the LAVA (Los Angeles Vocal Alliance), a new vocal group of brass players who sing in four-part harmony. They make their recording debut on Whitfield's version of the Mandel classic, "Emily".

I can't end this review without listing the superb list of musicians that contributed to this wonderful CD. I am sure that you will know many of them from their past work. Thank you Ginger and Scott for sharing your wonderful musical talents with us!

Ginger Berglund: Voice                     Scott Whitfield: Voice, Trombone, All arrangements
Corey Allen: Piano                            Jennifer Laitham: Bass
Kendall Kay: Drums                         Roger Neumann: Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Bass Clarinet
Rusty Higgins: Alto Sax, Flute, Alto Clarinet       Billy Kerr: Alto Sax
Pete Christieb: Tenor Sax, Clarinet   Nancy Newman: Bari Sax
Jamie Hovorke: Trumpet                   Carl Saunders: Trumpet
Ira Nepus: Trumbone                         Linda Small: Trombone
Rich Nullock: Bass Trombone           John Dickson: Horn
Stephanie O'Keefe: Horn

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Ken Peplowski: Clarinet                    Don Shelton: Clarinet
Jack Peterson: Guitar                         Airto Moreira: Percussion

The Modernaires: Julie Dickson, Ginger Berglund, Jimmy Stephens, Joe Croyle, Scott Whitfield 

Lava: Jonathan Dane, Larry Williams, Scott Whitfield, Rich Bullock


I have attached a "YouTube" video of Ginger and Scott singing the first cut from "Solitary Moon"                                                      "Cinnamon & Clove".