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"

Pat Rizzo Is Back Leading The Musical Charge At 360 North In Palm Springs, CA

 "The Riz "is back making wonderful music again at 360 North in Palm Springs.  Pat had put his Sax and his voice away for more than a year, but he is playing and singing like he never left the stage!  Pat is teaming up with ultra-talented Dennis Michaels who plays beautiful piano and also sings and joins Pat in duets covering some of the greatest songs from the "Great American Songbook".  The duo plays every Friday at 360 North and anyone that loves beautiful, live music should make it down to 360 North to see Pat and Dennis.  The chance to hear two of the classic music stars of the Desert perform live, should not be missed by any fan of great Jazz sounds!  It's like taking a live look back at the musical history of the Palm Springs music scene.

What a treat to hear Pat sing and play again and his sense of humor is still very much intact!  Pat Rizzo remains a musical treasure to all music fans here in the Coachella Valley.  Pat's musical resume could fill a book and his many years playing for Sinatra in LA and at Sinatra's Rancho Mirage Estate could fill several chapters with interesting stories.  Pat Rizzo is the real musical deal!  We get very few opportunities to listen to a music legend with such a strong successful career perform live right now;  so go over to 360 North and enjoy the playing, singing and personality of Pat Rizzo soon! 

Dennis Michaels has his own splendid musical resume.  He has played for many of the major Vocalists of the last 50 years.  He also worked for Keely Smith as her Musical Director and Arranger.  He toured with her for over 25 years.  He has a special talent for Arranging and a sensitive feel for lyric that make it a pleasure to listen to his singing and playing.

And there are always special guests who show up to see Pat at every performance from all of the country.  Tonight,  LA sensation Michael Dees who moved to Palm Springs a few years ago,  sat in to sing a few songs.  Michael is one of the best Vocalist, Arranger and Composer on the music scene today!  Also, direct from "Birdland" in New York City, Bandleader, Arranger and super Sax player, Ron Aprea came in to see Pat who he knew from the time Pat lived in New York.  Ron also was close to another Palm Springs great we just lost, Steve Madaio.  Ron and Steve had a long musical past including recording with John Lennon.  Ron's big band currently performs regularly at "Birdland".  The next singer Angela DeNiro (Ron's wife) came up to sing one of the best retendions of "Someone To Watch Over Me" I have ever heard with Dennis Michaels on the Keys.   All this musical talent at 360 North on a normal Friday night in Palm Springs with no cover.  They just keep the music history of Palm Springs alive!  

For your listening pleasure, I have attached a "YouTube" from Pat Rizzo's CD, "Gold For Silver" on which Pat shares the stage with the great Trumpeter, Conte Condoli.  

I have also attached a "YouTube" of Pat singing "Nancy With The Smiling Face"  from his CD "The Tokyo Blues" to give you a sample of Pat's smooth and relaxed singing style.

CD Review: Deanna Bogart's "Pianoland"

One of the brightest stars musically performing in the Coachella Valley this year is Deanna Bogart.  I first saw Deanna when she was playing her Tenor Sax with Pat Rizzo.  I thought she was good but I had no idea how talented she was until I saw her perform at Woody's a few weeks ago.  Deanna is a dynamo on stage and a lot of that excitement has been captured on her latest CD, "Pianoland".  On this CD, Deanna gets to showcase not only her wonderful Keyboard playing but also her marvelous voice and world-class composing skills.  On this CD, Deanne sings and plays with a blend of Country Rock and R & B.  But she also shows that her musical roots include music from years ago when she was learning her trade.  Deanna wrote 6 great songs for this CD.  The lyrics for these songs tell stories that are interesting, and I am pretty sure express Deanna's life experiences.  My favorites were Cut# 1, "In the Rain" Cut#4 "Couldn't Love You More" and Cut#9 "Pianoland".  Also included on the CD is Deanna's own styling of "Over the Rainbow" and  two fabulous Boogie Woogie classics, "Boogie Woogie Boogie" written by Errol Garner and "Death Ray Boogie" written by Pete Johnson.  My guess is that it has been a long time since you heard anyone play Boogie Woogie and Deanna's versions on this CD are hard to top!  Cut#6 "I Love The Life I Live" pretty much states how much she love her music. Deanne's songs are a perfect fit with her voice.

I highly recommend this CD!  Deanna is fun to listen to and this CD can give the listener a clear picture of all of her talents.  Interesting to note that Deanna has chosen to use both Electric Bass and Upright Bass in her band.  This produces a wonderful driving rhythm that supports Deanna's voice and singing style perfectly.

Deanna has selected a top-draw cast of supporting musicians for this CD:

Deanna Bogart: Acoustic Piano, Vocals, Arrangements, and Producer
Scott Ambush: Electric Bass
Mike Aubin: Drums
Dan Leonard: Guitar
Jeff Reed: Upright Bass

       Playlist
1. "In The Rain"
2. "On And On And"
3. "Boogie Woogie Boogie"
4. "Couldn't Love You More"
5. "Where The Well Never Runs Dry"
6. "I Love the Life I live"
7. "Death Ray Boogie"
8. "Over The Rainbow"
9. "Pianoland"
10. "Blues At 11"
11. "Close Your Eyes" 

I found a couple of "Youtube" videos of Deanna that will give you a good taste of the range of her talents.  The first one is a Boogie Woogie tune"Down The Road" with Del Pushcart on Tenor Sax. The second and third videos are of songs from her previous CD entitled, "Just A Wish Away": "If You Had Crying Eyes" a duet with Chris Jacobs and  "Just A Wish Away".  

                                               
                                               "Down The Road With Del Puschert"

                                                      "If You Have Crying Eyes"

                                                           "Fine By Me Good Bayou"

Deanna Bogart Brings Down the House at Woody's in Palm Springs

Chuck Alvarez, Jeff Olson, Bill Saitta and Deanna Bogart

Deanna Bogart

Chuck Alvarez

Jeff Olson

Steve Sarandos

                                                           Debbie Davies, Bill Saitta and Deanna Bogart

I first heard Deanna Bogart play Sax last year when she sat in with Pat Rizzo any played a few tunes.  I thought she was exceptional  talented and so did Pat.  No one sits in with "The Riz" unless they have some chops.  As soon as I found out that Deanna had a regular Wednesday gig at Woody's great Jazz Club in Palm Springs, I decided to catch her act.  I called for a reservation only to find out that her show was sold out.  I decided to call the owner of Woody's, Wayne Woodliff and ask if he would do me a favor and find me a spot.  I arrived at Woody's about 6:00 PM, one hour before the show, and the entertainment room was already packed.  I knew I was about to see and hear something special.  We were not disappointed as Deanna rocked the place from the first note she played on the Keyboard.  In addition to Sax, Deanna plays Keyboard and sings like a Blues angel.  Deanna loves making music and she transfers her love of performing directly to the audience that was totally captured by her performance.  Tonight, Deanna had invited a special guest, renown guitarist, Debbie Davies, to join her and the marvelous guitar wizard Chuck Alvarez,  everyone's favorite bass player Bill Saitta on Electric Bass and marvelous Jeff Olson on Drums.  I have never heard the level of excitement as high as Deanna brought it tonight.  She is a musical dynamo with unlimited energy.  Over and above that she exhibits "Sprezzaturo" with her incredible mastery of her craft and the effortless ability of her performance.

Deanna had always know what she wanted to do.  She posted the following on her web-site "Around the  age of six, she was "gently removed" from the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for playing piano by ear instead of learning to read music.  While in middle school, Deanna yearned to play the Sax.  Typical of those times though, she was told, Girls play the Clarinet, not the sax."  Thankfully, nothing could stop Deanna from creating her own music.  Deanna has created her own style of music by blending the best of Boogie-Woogie, contemporary Blues, Country and Jazz into what she calls "Blusion".  It works for her and certainly works for her audiences who never stop loving her.

Deanna has several CDs she has recorded including her most recent, "Pianoland" that I intend to review soon.  Deanna and her talented bank own Woody's on Wednesday nights.  Don't wait to see her as she finishes her current Wednesday engagement  on January 21. I found a "YouTube" of Deanna performing one of her original compositions which will give you a taste of her talented voice.

 

    

Exceptional Musicians Name Their Top 10 Favorite Songs, Chapter Four: Pat Rizzo

Pat Rizzo Shares His Top 10 Favorite Songs

Pat Rizzo has been entertaining audiences from New York to California for over 40 years.  Pat has a huge fan following and never fails to fill any room where he is performing.  Pat has toured with many giants of the music industry: Tito Puente, The Allman Brothers Band and funk band, War.  He toured for over 15 years with Sly and the Family Stone.  He was also one of Sinatra's favorites and performed with him in Vegas, LA and at Frank's home in Rancho Mirage. Pat's band plays at Vicky's on Tuesday nights and was voted one of the top 3 best local bands by "Mycoachella.com" in 2013.

                                         Pat Rizzo's Top 10 Favorite Songs....In No Particular Order

1.  "Just in Time"

2.  "It Could Happen To You"

3.  "Just A Little Street"

4.  "I've Got You Under My Skin"

5.  "Hurry" (Written by Pat Rizzo)

6.  "The Nearness of You"

7.  "Dancing In The Dark"

8.  "I'll Close My Eyes"

9.  "Down In Birdland"

10."I'm Just a Lucky Guy (Written by Pat Rizzo)

Pat Rizzo--Still Resident King of Jazz at Vicky's

Pat Rizzo

The Pat Rizzo Quartet, Pat Rizzo, Yarek Urant, Jeff Stover & Steve Neilen

                                                                         

Jeff Stover

Steve Neilen

Yarek Urant & Jeff Stover

Every winter when I return to the Desert, I can't wait to hear Pat Rizzo play. He never fails to impress me with his talents. I have given much thought to what makes Pat such a marvelous performer. First and foremost, Pat is a world-class sax player with years of experience. Second, Pat has been working on his vocal skills over the past several years and he now sings so well he really doesn't need to do anything else when he performs.  And lastly, Pat has a talent that few performers have, impeccable timing and an audience-pleasing stage presence. Pat Rizzo has star power!

Being the astute professional Pat is, he always makes sure he gets the very best supporting case of musicians.  Tonight, Pat was joined by his usual support players, the always wonderful Yarek Urant on Piano and the rock-strong Drummer, Steve Neilen.  Pat's favorite Bass player, Jim DeJulio was unavailable tonight and Jeff Stover stepped in to cover for him.  Jeff is well known in the Desert as an elite Bass player and also has been a very successful producer of several big band shows. Jeff did an amazing job playing arrangements he had no previous experience with. Great job Jeff!

The Pat Rizzo Quintet & "All That Jazz" plays at Vicky's on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Don't leave the Desert without going to hear this group perform.

Pat thanks for all the years of great entertainment....Long Live The King!





    

Pat Rizzo and Patrick Tuzzolino Rock At The Purple Room Lounge In Palm Springs

Patrick Tuzzolino & Pat Rizzo

Patrick Tuzzolino & Pat Rizzo

Riz & Tuz

Pat Rizzo

Patrick Tuzzolino

There was excitement in the air in Palm Springs last Sunday night in the Purple Room Lounge at Club Trinidad.  Pat Rizzo, a long-time Palm Springs favorite joined with Pianist, arranger and vocalist Patrick Tuzzolino opened a new show to the delight of a packed house of Palm Springs Jazz lovers. For Pat Rizzo this was a nostalgic return to a place that holds many fond and important memories.  It was in the Purple Room that Pat auditioned for an unexpected listener. According to Pat, "Jilly Rizzo sent a limo to Los Angeles to pick me up in Hollywood. I was recording with Sly and the Family Stone at the time. They brought me to Palm Springs and gave me a room at the famous Howard Manor. They took me to the club and put me onstage to blow my horn accompanied by the great Pianist Jose Massters.  I had no idea at all that I would be playing four feet away from Frank Sinatra and his complete entourage".

Sinatra liked what he heard and as a result, Rizzo played all of Sinatra's parties including the famous New Years Eve Parties at Sinatra's home. It's easy for anyone that has heard Pat play Sax to understand why Sinatra loved Rizzo. Pat swings with his Sax in the same groves that Sinatra sang in. Rizzo had a warm and long relationship with the Chairman of the Board and delighted the crowd by relating lot of Sinatra stories during the show.

Joining Rizzo in this new show is the extremely talented singer, Pianist and arranger, Patrick Tuzzolino.  Patrick has been performing in the Coachella Valley for many years and has a large group of fans. This was my first experience hearing Patrick play and sing and he was very impressive.  Patrick has a rich, deep voice and a smooth Jazz singing style that reminds me of a young Joe Williams. He is a double musical threat. He plays swing Piano in a perfect compliment to Rizzo's Sax playing and also does a great job on the Great American Standards. Patrick has an outstanding voice and I need to hear more of him in the near future.

In the audience tonight was the new singing trio, The Blonde Divas.  This talented sister trio is on tour and just finished a gig in Las Vegas and were invited to sing a few songs. They live in Portland Oregon and they sing in the harmony style similar to the sound of the McGuire Sisters. Their sound was sensational, and they received a very warm reception from the audience.

The Blonde Divas, Dixie Lou, Dixie Jo, Dixie Sue

This Rizzo/ Tuzzolino duo will be holding court at Trinidad's Purple Room every Sunday from 7pm to 11pm.  From the positive reaction they received from tonight's appreciate audience, I sure they will be performing in this stop for a long time.

Pat Rizzo also performs with his great quartet at Vicky's of Santa Fe in Indian Wells on Monday and Tuesday.  And Patrick performs at Castelli's in Palm Desert every Wednesday through Saturday.

Pat Rizzo Makes Musical Magic at Vickys In Indian Wells, Ca.

Pat Rizzo

Pat Rizzo

Jim DeJulio

Yarek Urant

Steve Neilen

I reviewed Pat Rizzo and his talented quartet a few times over the past few years, and yet every time I hear Pat and his musical friends, I always leave just overwhelmed by the talent of the group. Pat Rizzo has been a musical fixture here in the Valley for many years, but not everyone knows about his superb musical resume.  Pat Rizzo is a polished entertainer, he sings, plays Tenor, Baritone and Alto Sax and Flute.  He is funny and witty with his comments, and he evolved over the past years into one of the best singers in the Valley. While Riz has always been recognized as a great Sax player, his singing ability and style has been developing over the past several years.  Pat shared with me that in the many years that he played for Sinatra, he studied very closely the "Voice" every night from his seat on the stage directly in back of Frank. All those years of observation have certainly paid off for Pat who now draws just as many fans to hear him sing as well as to hear him play Sax.

Pat has performed and recorded with many diverse artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, the Tito Puente Orchestra, Conte Condoli, Chiz Harris, Sly and the Family Stone and the Group War. In addition, Pat is an excellent composer, arrange and producer.  When it comes to great music, Pat does it all! Pat has performed many times with Valley favorite, Mike Costley.

Pat's supporting cast consists of Steve Neilen on Drums, Jim DeJulio on Bass and Yarek Urant on Piano.  This talented trio has been playing with Pat for a couple of years now and they have become so tight together that the group has never sounded better.

Pat also shared with me that a major music label will be reissuing his past CD, "Riz, Gold For Silver" in the near future.  This is a dynamite Jazz CD, and I will publish more information as soon as I receive it.

You owe it to yourself to get over to Vickys  to take in the great sounds.  With no cover and no minimum, it is quite frankly the best value in town!  Pat and his quartet will be performing again on Monday and Tuesday starting February 25th and 26th,  so be sure to call and make your reservation.

The Music Man's 2012 "Coachella Valley Live Music Hall of Fame"

Dreaming Of LaQuinta
Oil by Robert Nicosia

                                                                   
Well the winter music season is just about over and it's time to publish the 2012 "Coachella Valley Live Music Hall Of Fame."  This year has been a wonderful season for live music, and I had the great pleasure to meet and hear the marvelous musicians listed below. I would like to personally thank all of these musicians for the hours of great music they provided me and all the music lovers in the Valley. I know there are other great musicians that I have probably missed and I apologize for any oversights. Please keep the music playing, and I look forward to another great season next winter!

 I would like to give special recognition to two new music venues that excelled in their efforts to support live music in the Desert this past season.

The first is "The Indian Wells Resort" that brought Frank Di Salvo to us last year.  This year they expanded their music program to 6 nights a week to the delight of all of us. I can't wait for next winter to return to this great hotel for more great food and music! For those readers that live in the Desert year-round, please continue to support The Indian Wells Resort so we can keep the live music playing.

The second is "Woody's Burgers & Beer" in  Palm Springs.  Woody's opened this past year and has booked live music 6 nights a week to sell out crowds.  It used the formula of reasonably-priced good food and great music with no cover charge to become one of the hottest music spots in the Desert. Woody's will continue to have live music through the rest of the year, so anyone staying in the Desert, please continue to support this great live music gem!

Eric Lindstrom

Blake White

Pat Rizzo

Steve Madaio

Frank Di Salvo

Ken Steele

Leo Vigil

Yve Evans

Kelly Corbin

Poupee Boccaccio

Bill Saitta

Jack Jones

Dan Papaila

Gino Antonacci

Ron Kalina

Dale Curtis

Beverly Jensen

Missoni Lanza

Larry Holloway

Brian Nova

                                                 

Mikole Kaar

Josh Parker

Mike Costley

Ted Herman

Ted Herman Big Band

Carole Hampton

                                 


                                       

Jimmy Dykes

Carolyn Martinez

Barnaby Finch

Ron Kokolj

Tom Kennlyside

Vito Pizzo

Anita Gardner

Aubrey Tadman

                                        

Jim DeJulio

Yarak Urant

Rich Bono

Jeanie Stanhope

Jeff Olsen

Andy Fraga Jr.

John Leys

Joe Canoura

Jay Lewis

The Four Freshman

Jenny Irvine

Eleanor Peffley

Michael D'Angelo

Margie Grennan

Ilona Albert

Noel Grennan

Rich Aiello

Sally Skeoch

Mel Albert

Johnny Morris

Earl Knauss

Bill Marx

Lola Rossi

Bobbi Fletcher

Chase Huna