When you’re the daughter of a legend like Tony Bennett, the expectations can feel overwhelming—but Antonia Bennett rises beautifully to the challenge. With Expressions, she steps out confidently from her father’s shadow and into her own well-deserved spotlight.
The title of Andy Ezrin's new CD, "I Was Here" was picked because Andy Ezrin was a prodigy on Piano since childhood. When other boys were saving up for Strats and collecting Hendrix recordings, Ezrin was already in love with the Piano. His first professional gig was at the age of 12, and with the advantage of starting his learning career so young, he was able to listen and acquire musical knowledge with many different schools of music provided by major Jazz players like Andre Previn, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett and the Fusion years players like George Benson and Herbie Hancock. He learned his lessons well as you will hear on "I Was There" where Ezrin showcases not only his playing skills but also his brilliance in composing. Ezrin composed the 13 songs on this CD. The playing and the composing of Ezrin's music is outstanding. Sometimes when listening to new music, it requires hearing it more than once before you can understand the greatness of the composing. Not with Ezrin's compositions; while they possess tenderness they also project happiness that allow the listener to assimilate the music at first hearing.
"I Was There" is a powerhouse of Jazz music! I would like to share some of the promotion notes written by Adam Gopnik that were given to me with this CD because they are so wonderful and so true. "No Instrument in Jazz has been more fertile, adaptable and misleadingly evasive than the piano. The most workaday of all instruments-the lectern or drawing board where musicians teach, singers learn, songs get composed, recomposed, arranged and rearranged. It has also been the place of the most sublime flights into personal ecstasy, as with Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. The Piano also displays the most virtuosic technique as with Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, or the place of the most profound pure thoughts in Jazz, as with Bud Powell, Lenny Tristano and John Lewis." These wonderfully written words were prompted after listening to the music of Andy Ezrin.
PLAYERS:
Andy Ezrin- Piano, Rhodes, Compositions, Arrangement, Leader
Randy Brecker- Trumpet
Donny McCaslin- Tenor Sax
John Patitucci- Bass
Marcus Gilmore- Drums
Ari Hoenig- Drums
PLAYLIST:
1. Grapes
2. This Is What It Is
3. Greenwoman
4. Luna
5. Siren Song
6. Snowfall
7. Ain't That Some Shit
8. If I Don't See You
9. Wiggle Room
10. Never Enough
11. I'm Runnin' Outta Time
12. Lost Days
13.. Cascades- Andy Exrin Solo
Multi-talemted Drummer, Composer, Educator and Jazz Producer Jae Sinnett has released a terrific new straight-away Jazz album, "Commitment". Sinnett is a highly trained and admired Drummer but he brings so much more to the Jazz musical table. Jae has written over 250 compositions and has also scored music for five documentaries In addition, he is a dedicated Jazz educator teaching history, theory and percussion at many universities. In his spare time during the last 37 years, Sinnett has been the Jazz Producer and host for NPR affiliate WHRV-FM 89.5.
The Sinnett "Zero TO 60 Quartet" contains five outstanding highly experienced Jazz musicians who all get to shine on this CD. Trumpet great Randy Brecker is a special guest and adds greatly to the total Quartet sound on this CD. Allen Farnham is on Piano and he also composed two songs on this CD. Steve Wilson playing Alto and Soprano Sax shines on the Sinnett compostion, "Takin It There" and has excellent solos on the rest of the playlist. Terry Burrell provides a solid foundation for the group on Acoustic and Electric Bass. Leading the group with outstanding Drum work is Jae Sinnett who has managed to merge all these players into one terrific band.
This CD is a perfect example of the best Jazz has to offer to listeners both young and old. It upholds the traditional Jazz format but adds new windows to what Jazz can offer today. It's a surpurb Jazz CD!
I have attached two cuts from the Album, Jobim's "Chega De Saudade" (No More Blues) and an original Sinnett compostion "Takin It There".
"No More Blues" (Chega De Saudade)
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This CD was released by Resonance Records and its founder, George Klabin. Resonance Records specializes in publishing previouly released recordings by Jazz icons, and they deserve recognition for their efforts advancing the cause of Jazz.
Ivan Lins has brought in Los Angeles-based Composer and Arranger Kuno Schmid to write all the orchestral charts and they are all a perfect fit for Lins' compositions. Lins' core band on this album included Josh Nelson on piano. Nelson's playing has been described as lyrical, harmonically rich, and elegant in DownBeat and his performance on this CD validates this praise. The Guitarist was Uruguayan Leo Amuedo who has played along side Lins for over a decade. Cuban Carlitos Del Puerto was on Bass. He founded the Grammy-winning Latin band, Irakere.
I have attached two "YouTude" videos for your listening pleasure. The first is the title tune from this CD, "The Heart Speaks" (Antes e Depois" that is perfomed with guest Jazz Vocalist, Dianne Reeves. This song was first recorded instrumentally in 1995 by Trumpeter Terence Blanchard on his album of Lins' songs.
The second "YouTube" is the tune "I'm Not Alone" performed by the young and very talented Tawanda. In 2022, Tawanda was the winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. She is a wonderful Jazz singer who I am sure we will hear much more of in the near future. The English lyric for this song was written by Oscar and Grammy winner, Will Jennings who wrote the lyric for "Up Where We Belong" and "My Heart Will Go On".
"I'm Not Alone" (Anjo de Mim)
PLAYLIST:
1. Renata Maria
2. The Heart Speaks
3. Nao Ha Porque
4. I'm Not Alone
5. Congada Blues
6. E Isso Acontece
7. Easy Going
8. Corpos
9. Missing Miles
10. Rio
11. Nada Sem Voce
PLAYERS:
Ivan Lins- Composer, background singing
Kuno Schmid- All Arrangements
The Tblisi Symphony Orchestra
Josh Nelson- Piano
Leo Amuedo- Guitar
Carlitos Del Puerto- Bass
Mauricio Zottarelli- Drums and Percussion
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Dianne Reeves
Jane Monheit
Tawanda
Randy Brecker
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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.
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The quality of Baker's playing and singing on this two-CD set is at the highest level. Honestly, I think it's some of his very best work. The CD includes a booklet loaded with "Must Know" information about Chet Baker. The booklet includes an overview by Dutch journalist Jeroen de Vale, Essays by Producer Zev Feldman, Frank Jochemsen and Edwin Rutten. There are also interviews with sidemen Markowitz, Rassinfosse, and Ineke. Trumpeters Randy Brecker and Enrico Rava and Pianist Enrico Pieranunzi have personal tributes included.
What a miracle that these studio performances were found and recovered in excellent condition. Pianist Markowitz who supplied masterful support and solos says "I'm grateful for the lessons I learned with him back then...This recording is really great. Chet Baker's fans are going to be absolutely thrilled because he sounds unbelievable on this recording."
Randy Brecker one of the most highly respected Jazz Trumpet players performing today had some very interesting comments about Baker's Trumpet skills, "Boy, he got to the heart of the instrument like nobody else. You hear him and you want to take everything from his playing, his whole conception, his sound, his melodic content. He was really an improviser. He played off the melody and he played what he heard. To this day, I try to use all those elements. I especially concentrate on playing less, rather than more."
Trust me, this CD is Chet Baker at the top of his game. If you are a Chet Baker fan, you have to buy this CD, If you are new to Chet Baker this CD will make you a fan for life.
I have attached two cuts from the album. The first one is the opening tune on CD#1, "Beautiful Black Eyes". It's a Wayne Shorter tune that features Baker playing as good as I have ever heard him. It's a great piece of music. The second tune has Chet Baker singing the song made famous by the Four Freshmen, "Candy". It's clasic Chet Baker.
Playlist:
CD#1
1. Beautiful Black Eyes
2. Oh, You Crasy Moon
3. The Best Thing For You
4. Blue Room
5. Down
CD#2
1. Blue Gilles
2. Nardis
3. Candy
4. Luscious Lou
5. My Ideal
6. Old Devil Moon
Eric began studying classical piano, guitar and music theory from the age of six with private teachers, but at age 14, he fell in love with the sound of the Trombone in his father's band, and he knew from then on that music was going to be his life's work.
Goletz also began composing music at a young age and was soon writing and arranging music for the various groups he was involved with. Goletz says, "I think of music as having endless possibilities. It's a journey where you can never be absolutely sure where it will lead. Although my background is in Jazz and Classical music, I spend much time listening to other forms of music such as Pop, Rock, Country, Motown, Funk, Latin and even Heavy Metal. There's always something new to learn, and I try to keep an open mind to the simple joy of listening to music" Certainly sage advise for every musicians to remember.
I have attached two "YouTube" videos of two original Goletz's compositions that are part of "A New Light". The first is "Greene Street Groove" which has a funky, bluesy feel and the second is "Don't Gimme That", that features solos buy Goletz on Trombone, Randy Brecker on Trumpet and Allen Farnham on Keys. I know you will love both of these swinging big band tunes.
PLAYLIST:
1. Prelude: Before the Light
2. A New Light
3. Edge of Night
4. Dig
5. Enchanted
6. Greene Street Groove
7. Sunrise, Sunset
8. Song for Elizabeth
9 Don't Gimme That!
10. The Mirror
11. Postlude: After the Light
PLAYERS:
Eric Goletz: Trombone, Keyboards, All Compositions except "Dig", "Sunrise, Sunset", and "Song for Elizabeth" , Arranging
Randy Brecker: Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Jim Ridl: Piano
Allen Farnham: Keyboards
Henry Heinitsh: Guitar
Marco Panascia: Bass
Steve Johns: Drums
Joe Mowatt: Percussion
Trumpets: Tony Gorruso, Freddie Maxwell, Kent Smith
French Horn: Will DeVos
Alto Sax: Bob Magnuson
Trombones: Erick Storckman, Chris Rinaman
Bass Trombone: Jonathan Greenberg
Tuba: Matt Ingman
Violins: Robin Zeh, Paul Woodiel
Violas: Michael Roth, David Gold
Cello: Sarah Hewitt-Roth
I enjoyed and reviewed Albare's last CD, "Albare plays Jobim" a while ago. He has now published "Albare Plays Jobim Vol 2", and it is just as good as his first Jobim CD. Guitarist and Composer, Albare was born in Morocco and grew up in Israel and France. Amazingly his musical development was completely self-taught. Albare was 14 when he first heard the music of Jobim but he waited until he was in his 60's to produce his tribute to Jobim's music. Why the wait?, a reporter once asked him. He started thinking about the question and first answered "I liked the music and it's Samba rhythms". But as he thought about his quick first response, he knew the answer was deeper than this. "When I first started recording in the 90's, it was not Bossa Nova. As much as my love for the music kept growing, I assumed that everything in that genre was already said and done. As I got older, I felt a tinge of nostalgia and romance for my earlier years. Jobim's music was clearly in the past. So I decided that "if I was going to honor the music of my youth that I loved , I had to find my own voice".
So glad Albare came to this decision because great music never gets old. His sensitive Guitar playing brings new life into the wonderful music world of Antonio Carlos Jobim.
MUSICIANS:
Albare- Co-Producer, Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Joe Chindamo- Arranger, Orchestra Conductor, Piano
Pablo Bencid- Drums (Except for Once I Loved and Dindi)
Luisto Quintero- Percussions
Ricardo Rodriquez- Bass
Phil Turcio- Co-Prodiucer, Mixing, Mastering
Guest Musicians:
Randy Brecker- Fluglehorn (On Favela and So Dance Samba)
Nestor Turres- Flute (On Summer Samba and How Insensitive)
Antonio Sanchez- Drums (On Dindi and Once I Loved)
PLAYLIST:
1. Dindi
2. Summer Samba
3. A Felicidade
4. So Danco Samba
5. Caminhos Cruzados
6. How Insensitive
7. Triste
8. Girl From Ipanema
9. Once I Loved
10. Favela
11. Meditation
I have attached two beautiful and romantic "YouTube" videos for your listening and viewing pleasure. The first is "So Danco Samba" featuring guest artist Randy Brecker playing Flugelhorn and the second is "How Insensitive" featuring guest artists Nestor Torres on Flute.
"So Danco Samba" "How Insensitive"
Keith Oxman Returns to the Heart of Jazz with “Home” Acclaimed tenor saxophone player Keith Oxman has ...
