CD Review: The Susan Krebs Chamber Band "Simple Gifts"

"Simple Gifts" is a new CD released this month by The Susan Krebs Chamber Band.  When I received my review copy of this CD, my first thought was "what's Jazz got to do with Chamber music?".  It turns out that Jazz and Chamber music fit perfectly together especially when Susan Krebs is leading the direction of the music.  

Chamber Music is defined as "music composed for small instrumental ensembles and performed with a conductor.  Traditionally intended for performance in a room or reception hall, often solely for the performers' own pleasure."  The Susan Krebs Chamber Band takes the classic Chamber music concept, infuses wonderful modern day musical thinking and performing and suddenly it becomes a new Jazz paradigm.

The songs on this CD have been around for a while, but I would bet that when you listen to them they will feel fresh and brand new.  The selection of supporting instruments is unusual, but the sound that this amazing group of musicians produce is pleasing to the ears!  The idea for "Simple Gifts" came out of music salons hosted by Vocalist Susan Krebs at her home.  Susan calls these salons "ThemeScenes" in which she and a small group of her friends who just happen to be some of the finest Jazz musicians in Southern California get together to explore various motifs through wide-ranging music, poetry and spoken word.

Supporting Susan's wonderful Vocals on this CD are:

Rich Eames, Piano
Rob Lockart, Woodwinds
Scott Breadman, Percussion
Paul Cartwright, Violin/Viola

I can only describe the music on this CD as fresh and beautiful.  Susan Krebs has a glorious voice and the musical performance from Eames, Lockart, Breadman and Cartwright produces sounds that are heavenly!  Paul Cartwright's contribution with Violin and Viola is terrific!

               Playlist
1. "Let's Call A Heart A Heart"
2. "Looking Back"
3. "So Many Stars"
4. "Once Upon A Summertime"
5. "Falling Grace"
6. "Throw It Away"
7.  "For All We Know"
8.  "Simple Gifts"

I am excited to attach a "YouTube" video of The Susan Krebs Chamber Band playing "Let's Call A Heart A Heart".  This tune was originally recorded by Billie Holiday.  Enjoy!

CD Review: Jerry Kalaf "Welcome To Earth"

On January 23, 2015 Composer, Arranger and Drummer Jerry Kalaf will release his latest CD, "Welcome to Earth".  Usually, when I am reviewing a new CD with original compositions, it requires listening to the CD several times in order to get comfortable with the music.  Not so with the music written and arranged by Jerry Kalaf.  The songs are constructed in such a pure musical way that I found myself loving the material after my first time through the CD.  All the compositions are rich in melody, harmony and rhythm.  While they all are new songs, they all have a very comfortable feel.  I believe this is because of Jerry's approach to songwriting.  "My approach to composing can be termed absolute rather than programmatic.  In other words, I usually don't draw from sources outside the music. I don't have a specific subject matter or imagery in mind; rather, I'm concerned with melody, harmony, and rhythm.  I often think of the names only after the piece is written."  The result of this approach is outstanding world-class songwriting!  In addition to writing the 8 tracks on this CD, Jerry has also done a superb job writing the arrangements.

The arranging for these songs was no easy task since Jerry decided to use three different bands on this project, two different trios playing 5 songs and a sextet playing 3 songs.  When listening to the full CD,  the change between the two trios and the sextet seems seamless.  Perfect job of mixing and production in my opinion.

Jerry Kalaf is a rock solid Drummer and plays on all 8 cuts on the CD.  He has assembled a core of excellent-seasoned veterans to record with him and the resultant product is close to being musically perfect as you can get. The title of this CD is "Welcome to Earth" and it has something of a new rebirth feel.  The title could have been "Welcome to Spring" because the music has a clean, fresh sound reminding me of Spring.  Jerry Kalaf is a terrific Drummer and a fantastic Composer and Arranger.
                                               
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