The Five Most Heart-Felt American Ballads Named After A Women

                                                       "Tulips and Oranges"  2117
                                                Still Life Oil on Canvas- 16 X 20

While spending time in "Lockdown" for the last couple of weeks, I started to think about some of the great songs that have been written and named after women.  So I started to search out a list and I was surprised that I found a lot more candidates then I had imagined.  I wanted to select only five songs that I believe are the best examples performed in a Jazz-like format.   I think that the five songs below would find their way on anyone's list.  There are others that one may argue should be among the top five, and I have no argument with that thinking.  But these five songs are hard to ignore.  In order to add to your enjoyment, I have attached a vocal arrangement and an instrumental of each song.  The list of performers is sterling.  Some old, some young but all are best of class at what they do.

The first "YouTube"is for the classic song "Laura".   I have selected the instrumental version which includes a terrific Trombone solo performed by Bob McChesney with Pat Tuzzolino on Piano.  Pat also did the wonderful arrangement.  I felt that McChesney and Tuzzolino captured the emotion of the music and presented the story of Laura even without the lyrics.   The selection of the vocal version was difficult as many of our great vocalists have recorded this song.  I finally decided to go with The Four Freshman's recording.   The Music for "Laura" was composed for the 1944 movie of the same name by David Raksin  and the lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer.

                                                                      "Laura"

The second "YouTube" is "Emily" with music by the great Johnny Mandel and Lyrics by the incomparable Johnny Mercer.  The song was composed for the 1964 film "The Americanization of Emily" but strangely it was not sung in the movie, so it couldn't be nominated for an Academy Award.  The award for best song in 1964 was "Chim Chim Cher.ee" from Mary Poppins.  If the Directors of "The Americanization of Emily" had any musical brains, they would have taken home an Academy Award for this Mandel and Mercer gem.  But who knew!  I selected the Tony Bennett recording of "Emily" because Tony's approach to the lyric just brings it alive with emotion.  The fact that the pianist accompanied him was Bill Evans makes this recording as good as you can get.   For the instrumental version, I wanted to use Fred Hersch's solo piano recording but I could not find it posted on "YouTube".  I did find a recording with The Bill Evans Trio that I also love.  Bill is joined by Eddie Gomez on Bass and Marty Monell on Drums.

                                                                          "Emily"

The third selection is the song "Mona Lisa" , music and lyric by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston.The song was written for the 1950 film "Captain Carey" and won an Academy Award for best picture.  The title and lyrics refer to the Leonardo da Vinci painting "Mona Lisa" .  I'm sure it is no surprise that the vocal I choose was Nat King Cole's recording.  This recording was made 70 years ago and it still sounds like it could have been recorded yesterday.   I chose a recently released instrumental version performed by Pianist Larry Fuller.  It's on Larry's new CD, "Overjoyed" and it's a great piece of music!

                                                              

                                          " Mona Lisa"

The fourth selection is the song "I Loves You Porgy" written by George and Ira Gershwin with lyric help from DuBose Heyward.  This song was published in 1935 for the Opera, "Porgy and Bess" and is still being performed all over the world.  A great piece of music with a lyric that brings the emotion of the story to life .   I picked the Billie Holiday vocal because it still speaks to me.   The instrumental is a haunting recording by Trumpet superstar Arturo Sandoval.
                                 
                                    "I Loves You Porgy"

                                       
Our last selection is the song "Nancy With the Laughing Face" written by Jimmy Van Heusen and yes, comedian Phil Silvers.  This song written for Sinatra's daughter has been covered by tons of Jazz greats.  It just has a nice feel to it and having the Sinatra history attached  certainly helps its longevity.  The instrumental version I selected is from my life-long favorite Alto Sax player, Cannonball Adderley who is joined on Piano by Bill Evans.  The vocal version I picked is from the fabulous Jazz Vocalist, Kurt Ellin.


Well, there you have it!  Some of the finest Ballads composing and singing the American Jazz world has ever produced.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it.

                                                                                   " Nancy With the Smiling Face"

Steve Madaio Makes His First Appearance at Backstreet This Season

Jazz fans in the Valley were delighted that the brilliant Trumpet player Steve Madaio finally was able to perform again at Backstreet Bistro on Tuesday,  April 13.   Steve has had a rough winter, first recovering from a pretty serious illness and then losing his beloved father last week.  All his fans are so happy his health has returned to top-form and also want to wish Steve their condolences for the loss of his Dad.

Tonight Steve gathered two of the most important and professional players in the Desert, Pat Tuzzolino on Keyboard and Vocals and Jay Lewis on Drums.  Steve showed no sign that his recent health problems had any effect on his playing.  In fact,  his breath control and energy level were  higher than the last time I heard him play.  When it comes to music, Steve can do it all.  From tender ballads to straight-out Jazz, Steve makes the musical transitions effortless and is comfortable with both.  

Pat Tuzzolino has always been one of my favorite Jazz performers because he is so original in his approach to music.  Pat's approach to music has always been related to what he feels inside about a song and its lyrics.  His vocals are superb!  His phrasing and timing are a pleasure to listen to, because of his own interpretation of the composer's lyrical message.  I never miss a chance to hear him.

I have written about Jay Lewis many times in my blog and with good reason.  Jay is one of the best Drummers playing today.  He never overwhelms the members of the group, he never falters in putting down a solid Drum line and contributes wonderful Drum solos when called upon.

I have attached a "Youtube" of Steve, Pat and Jay playing the Jazz standard, "Killer Joe" and know you will enjoy it.  I also couldn't help attach a second "Youtube" of Steve playing "Europa", a song that has almost become his Musical trademark.

                                 

Super-Star Drummer Jay Lewis leads a group of exceptional musicians at Backstreet Bistro

Last Tuesday night April 14 was another wonderful night of Jazz at Backstreet Bistro.  Jay Lewis assumed leadership of the band for Bill Saitta who is off working and partying in the "Big Easy".  Jay invited Tom Keenlyside, Blake White and Pat Tuzzolino to join the fun.  Jay Lewis is one of the most respected musicians playing in the Desert, and I know this is true because every musician I talk to tells me he is on their list of top Drummers.  In addition to his wonderful Drumming talents, Jay is a truly wonderful person.  No flash or ego,  he just gets in front of his Drums and makes wonderful things happen.  If you love intelligent, swinging Jazz Drumming, don't ever miss a chance to hear him.

Tom Keenlyside, the talented Canadian Sax and Flute player has only been in the Desert for a few years but, he has already become a Jazz household name here.  Tom plays the greatest Flute I have been privileged to hear and his Sax playing is top rate.  Tonight, Tom also proved he is also quite the singer, performing several tunes with the band. What's also great about Tom is that his whole life is focused on music and not just playing it.  Tom composes, records in his own music studio, arranges and tours with the best groups in the business when he has any free time.  He is a true professional and brings no agenda with him.  He always has time to help other musicians with suggestions and direction expecting nothing more than a thank you!  I understand that Tom will be back at Backstreet next Tuesday, so make your plans to be there.  The opportunity for Jazz lovers to get up-close to a talented performer like Tom are rare, so don't miss any chance you get to hear him.

On Bass tonight was the young and talented Blake White.  I have heard Blake a few times over the past few years and in my opinion he is now playing as good as I have ever heard him.  His solos are new and crisp and original.  Blake has obviously has been working hard to lift the level of his Bass playing and the results are terrific.

The last member of the group tonight was Pat Tuzzolino.  I found Pat a few years ago and became an instant fan.  Pat played wonderful guitar tonight, and also sang several songs.  Multi-talented Pat also plays keyboard and Bass.  But in my opinion, Pat's real brilliance is in his singing.  Pat sings Jazz standards in his own unique way,  and he provides his own arrangements that are outstanding and can turn an old classic "Chestnut" into something new and beautiful.  It always surprises me that so many Jazz fans in the Valley are not familiar with Pat because he is without a doubt one of the most talented musicians you will ever hear.  I know this is a bold statement but I believe it is true.  Pat plays in the bar area at Castelli's Restaurant in Palm Desert on Wednesday through Saturday.  Never miss a chance to hear him.

I found a "YouTube" of Pat singing "Yellow Days" at Vitello's on 7/29/13.  He is joined by Larry Koonse on Guitar and Dan Williams on Drums.  This video will give you a good idea of the remarkable musical talents of Pat Tuzzolino.

   

Pat Tuzzolino At His Very Best At Castelli's Ristorante in Palm Desert

Pat Tuzzolino

Pat Tuzzolino

Patrick Tuzzolino

Robert Callister & Pat Tuzzolino

Ron Kastas & Pat Tuzzolino

I heard Patrick Tuzzolino sing and play piano for the first time at the Rizzo/Tuzzolino gig at the Purple Room Lounge last Sunday and I wanted to hear more from Pat. So I went to Castelli's Ristorante in Palm Desert where Pat performs Wednesday through Saturday. My first reaction about Pat proved to be on target. Sitting at one of the high-top tables in the bar area gave me the opportunity to see Pat close-up. He is a terrific musician.  He plays great piano and has a deep golden voice that when applied to great American standards it is hard to not be impressed.  What I especially liked about Patrick's singing is that he does not try to sing like the great vocalists who came before him.  He blazes his own vocal trail in his own unique style. His voice is like velvet, and I am sure that even if Patrick sang names out of the phone book it would great!

Patrick was born and raised in New York City, came to California and became part of the LA music scene.  While in LA he got to play with a lot of the musical greats like Pete and Conti Condoli, Ross Tompkins and Eddie Shaughnessy.  In 1991 Pat headlined in Las Vegas at the Aladdin Hotel Casino playing alongside Slide Trombone player Carl Fontana and the great Sax player, Sam Butera.  It was while Pat was working in Vegas that he met his now long-time-friend, Pat Rizzo. I learned that Patrick, in addition to playing piano and singing,  plays major league guitar and, in fact, he joined Jack Jones at a recent gig Jack did at Feinstein's in New York.  Patrick also has had a long career writing TV commercials and his own charts for some of the classic songs out the of the "Great American Songbook". 

Patrick Tuzzolino is a musical treasure to all music lovers here in the Desert.  When you go to hear Patrick play at Castelli's Ristorante you might want to reserve one of the high top tables in the bar area.  The view and sound from this location is perfect if you really want to be into Pat's music.

Castelli's Ristorante has been around for a long time and it is a great place to dine and hear wonderful music . It has a comfortable feel due to the excellent staff, the food is as good as any Italian food you can get even in the New York area,  The maitre d', Ron Kostas made us feel at home as soon as we entered the restaurant and our server, Robert Callister was attentive and friendly. Put Patrick Tuzzolino and Castelli's on your "To Do" list, you won't be disappointed.

I have a treat for you below, a YouTube video of Pat singing "I'll Remember April" live!