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: Dave Stryker, "Stryker WIth Strings Goes To The Movies"

Master Guitarist Dave Stryker and Arranger and Composer Brent Wallarab joined forces to create a beautiful new CD, "Stryker With Strings Goes to the Movies".   In addition to the outstanding playlist of songs, Wallarab and Stryker decided to employ an unusual instrumental configuration of a 30 piece studio orchestra featuring a Jazz Quartet, Strings, and Trombones, punctuated by solo work from Violinist Sara Caswell, Saxophonist Greg Ward, Flugelhornist Mark Buselli, and Trombonist Jim Pugh.  The Arrangements and musical sounds on this CD are perfect for all Jazz lovers who like to listen to Jazz that respects melody while at the same allows musicians room to show their musical skills.

Stryker picked some outstanding movie songs for his CD; some you will know well but there is a good chance you missed a couple along the way.  One example would be "Flirtibird" from the movie "Anatomy Of A Murder".  This song was composed by Ellington and Strayhorn and the sensational Wallarab arrangement features Dave Stryker on Guitar, Mark Buselli Plays a great Flugelhorn solo, Greg Ward adding some wonderful Sax work and master Trombone player Jim Pugh.  This cut alone is worth the cost of the Album in my opinion.  I have attached a YouTube video of this cut below.

                                                                    "Flirtibird"

PLAYERS:

Dave Stryker- Guitar

Brent Wallarab- Arrangements and Conducting

Xavier Davis- Piano & Fender Rhodes

Jeremy Allen- Bass

McClenty Hunter- Drums

Featured Soloists:

Sara Caswell- Violin

Greg Ward- Alto Ssxophone

Jim Pugh- Trombone

Mark Buselli- Flugehorn

PLAYLIST:

1. In Your Eyes

2. Cinema Paradiso

3. You Only Live Twice

4. Taxi Driver

5. Theme From Shaft

6. Cavatina

7. Flirtibird

8. Low Key Lightly

9. Moonglow

10. Dreamsville

11. Edelweiss 

I have attached another song from the CD from composers Mancini annd Livingston that fits it's title perfectly; "Dreamsville".

                                                                        "Dreamsville"

CD Review: Mary Foster Conklin."These Precious Days"

 

Jazz Vocalist and radio host Mary Foster Conklin has released her fifth album, "These Precious Days" in February of this year.  The  theme of this CD features mostly outstanding women composers plus a mix of lessor-known but terrific Jazz and Pop tunes.  

Conklin has been playing music that celebrates women composers and lyricists on her radio show, called "A Broad Spectrum-the Ladies of Jazz", since 2016.  The program streams online every Sunday on WFDU.FM's HD2 channel at http://www.wfdu.fm which is broadcast from Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

Mary Foster Conklin has a strong, clear voice and she has a real focus on the lyrics in the songs she selects. Her phrasing and understanding of the meaning of the lyric of every song she sings makes listening to her a real pleasure.  Master oil painters have often said that you need to have a connection to any painting you work on or it will project no emotional message.  The same is true for singing,  the very best Vocalists have an emotional connection with the the lyric.  Mary Foster Conklin not only sings songs that have lyrics she can relate too, she also chooses melodies that inspire her.  Both of these personal requirements show up on her new CD, "These Precious Days".  The collection of songs is wonderful and satisfiying to the listener.

I selected two songs on the album to attach for your listening pleasure that really appealed to me.  The first is "Summertime" but it's not the Gershwin classic.  This song was written by the great poet, Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson.  Conklin sings this song like she is telling her own story.   The second one is a relatively unknown song written by Dory Previn and her x-husband Andre Previn set to a samba tempo.  

Conklin has invited some very high-level musicians to join her on this CD.  John Di Martino is on Piano and wrote all the arrangements.  Sara Caswell plays violin and will be heard on the first cut, "Summertime".  Ed Howard on Bass, Vince Cherico on Drums, Guilherme Monteiro on Guitar and Samuel Torres on Percussion.

PLAYLIST:

1. Summertime

2. Some Cats Know

3. Just A Little Lovin

4. Come in From the Rain

5. Scars

6. Just For Now

7. A Little White Ship

8. Heart's Desire

9. Rainbow

10. Until It's time for You to Go

11. September Song   

 

   "Summertime"

                                                          

                                                                     "Just For Now"