DC Review: Martin Wind Quartet, "My Astorian Queen- 25 Years On The New York Jazz Scene"

Bassist, Composer and quartet leader Martin Wind has released a new CD, "My Astorian Queen- 25 years on the New York Jazz Scene" featuring the Martin Wind Quartet.  The CD is essentially a thank you to the New York Jazz scene and a remembrance of Martin Wind's  25 years of musical adventures in New York.  He arrived in NY from Lensburg Germany to try to establish himself in the New York Jazz scene.  The quartet consists of Martin on Bass and 3 other very skilled and seasoned musicians.  Every one in the group has been friends and musical partners from almost the day when Martin arrived in New York City.  Their friendship and experience together shines through on all of the songs in this CD.  The liner notes are enlighting because Martin lists the reasons why each of the 9 songs were chosen.  I found the Martin Wind Quartet and all the songs on this CD very accessible.  The CD is a perfect example of what outstanding music from a Jazz quartet can be.  

The first song I have attached from the CD is thhe Jazz standard, "Broadway" and it features the wonderful sound of Scott Robinson's Bass Saxophone.  The Bass Saxophone is not frequently heard but after hearing Scott play it, you have to ask yourself why?  The sound is warm and rich and I would also say smooth.  Martin offers his explanation for choosing this tune.  "Shortly after arriving in New York, I started subbing on a couple of Broadway shows. "Phantom of the Opera" which is still going strong in its 3rd decade, and a fabulous production of Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate".  I've always loved this tune and the way Scott sounds on his "mighty" bass Saxophone".  I couldn't resist adding the second tune, "New York, New York" because I love when a Bass player solos on a strong melody.  Martin adds "I usually close the set with this inevitable anthem.  Matt, of course, jumped right into the sandbox with me on this one."

                                                                        

                                                                    "Broadway"

                                                             

                                                                            

                                                            " New York, New York"

PLAYLIST:

1.  Mean What You Say

2. Solitude

3. Broadway

4. Peace Waltz

5. E Preciso Perduar

6. Out In P.A.

7. My Astorian Queen

8. There's A Boat That's Leaving Soon For New York

9. New York, New York

PLAYERS:

Martin Wind- Bass, Composing, Arranging, Leader

Scott Robinson- Tenor and Bass Sax, Clarinet, Trumpet

Bill Mays- Piano

Matt Wilson- Drums and Percussion

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: "Where Do You Start" with Bill Cote

In a normal month, I receive 10 to 12 new CDs to review. Usually, I discover at least a couple that I really like. The CD I received today titled, "Where Do You Start" with vocals by Bill Cote accompanied by the wonderful Tamir Hendelman Trio is stunningly good!  Bill Cote is a successful businessman and lawyer who has been singing and performing informally for quite a long time.  He has been an avid Jazz supporter and counts among his close friends several Jazz luminaries. It is clear that he must have been a very good listener because his deep rich voice and phrasing skills are polished and professional.  His voice and impeccable phrasing reminds me of the great Johnny Hartman.  The songs he personally selected are nothing short of sensational.  Bill shared that he had been thinking about these songs for years and "Each song resonates with him for a myriad of different reasons".  Bill's singing fills each song with a deep emotional connection that gives life to the melody and the lyrics that transfers to the listener.  My only question to Bill Cote is "Bill, why did you wait so long to record your first CD?

Tamir Hendelman, the award-winning pianist who is a regular in the spectacular Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra did all the wonderful arrangements.  Tamir is one of my favorite pianists ever since I first heard him playing with The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.  His arrangements are perfect, and his piano solos are impeccable examples of great Jazz playing.  Joining Tamir are a group of some Southern California's best Jazz musicians, including Joe LaBarbera on Drums, Bob Sheppard on Sax and Flute, Graham Dechter on guitar and Martin Wind on Bass.

This is an award-winning CD that will be released on April 15, 2014.  If you love songs out of the "Great American Songbook" sung by a seasoned singer who can make lyrics come to life, then you must buy this CD.  As a side note, Bill has included 16 cuts on this CD.  I haven't seen this many cuts on a CD in 20 years, and it still works real good for me.

                      Track Listing
1.  "Where Or When"
2.  "When Do The Bells Ring For Me"
3.  "Teach Me Tonight"
4.  "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life"
5.  "LA State of Mind"
6.  "Who Can I Turn To"
7.  "Satin Doll"
8.  "Where Do You Start"
9.  "Sunday In New York"
10. "My Funny Valentine"
11. "When Sunny Gets Blue"
12. "Never Let Me Go"
13. "On A Clear Day"
14. "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most"
15. "I just Found Out About Love"
16. "Indian Summer"