CD Review: Igor Kogan, "In A Big City"

 

Bassist, Composer and Bandleader, Igor Kogan has recently published his debut studio album, "In A Big City".  This album comprises the personal reflections of Kogan's own experiences living in different places.  Igor wrote the music on this album for his Jazz quintet.  

Igor was born and grew up in Russia and then moved to Israel when he was fifteen.  Later he moved to the US and lived for several years in New York before moving to Los Angeles.  Kogan says,  "All the places I lived in are Big Cities and the main move which is most related to the music in the album is the move from Israel to the US, nine years ago.  It is profoundly personal and is when I began my professional music career".

The songs and sounds on this CD while new are very much in today's music environment, they also pay tribute to the historical path of Jazz in America.  It always fascinates me when I find a great Bass player who also can compose and lead the way for his own group.   When I do find a great Bass player composer,  they usually all have a great understanding of melody and musical construction.   Igor Kogan is an excellent example of what I am talking about.  His compositions are built on Igor's personal reflections of his own experiences living in different places.  

Igor explains that the first tune on the CD, "Takeoff"  is an optimistic piece emoting a feeling of forward-motion for good.  When the airplane physically takes off the ground,  you are also taking off mentally, filled with new beginnings,  big hopes and fulfilling dreams.  The composition starts with a wonderful Tenor solo from Jeremy Lappitt and is quickly followed by a beautiful Trumpet solo from Joshua Aguiar.  And if that is not enough to fill your Jazz appetite, the Pianist Marco Apicella provides more.  Not to be left out of the mix, Igor Kogan steps up next to show us why he is considered one of the best Bass players on the scene today. The song runs 9:19 minutes long and I never tire of listening to even one second of it.   I have attached a "YouTube" of "Takeoff" for your listening pleasure.  

The second "YouTube" I have attached is the recording of the song "Vocalise" sung without words by perhaps the foremost Jazz Vocalist performing today, the always spectacular Tierney Sutton.  After listening to Tierney Sutton's free improvisational wordless dialogue on this recording, you will fully understand why she has received 9 Grammy Award nominations.  Igor wrote this song with Sutton in mind knowing her voice and style would fit perfectly.  He was so right!  The song starts slowly but builds dynamically and emotionally with a Flugelhorn solo by Joshua Aguiar that creates an emotional climax.   A marvelous piece of music from Igor Kogan and a surpurb vocal performance by Tierney Sutton.

PLAYLIST:  

1. Takeoff

2. Qwerty aka False Start

3. Expectations

4. Illumination

5. Emergency Call

6. Bass Introduction

7. New York Blues

8. Vocalise (Feat. Tierney Sutton)

9. Big City

Players:

Igor Kogan- Bass

Jeremy Lappitt- Tenor Sax

Joshua Aguiar- Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Marco Apicella- Piano

Matthew Baker- Drums

Tierney Sutton- Vocal (Track 8)

                                                                                 "Takeoff"

 

                                                       "Vocalise" Featuring Tierney Sutton

CD Review: Tierney Sutton and Her Band Continues their Recording Excellence With Their New CE: "Screenplay"

On May 17, 2019, Tierney Sutton and her wonderful band released a simply beautiful new CD called "Screenplay" that covers outstanding songs from American films.  Tierney Sutton has been performing for over 25 years  and has gathered 8 Grammy nominations for her stellar Jazz vocal work.  You might think that receiving 8 Grammy Nominations would make Tierney one of the biggest popular vocalist performing today but wait, Tierney Sutton is a Jazz singer.  Jazz singers just don't get the respect they deserve. Not only is Tierney a Jazz singer but one of the very best in her trade.  Tierney doesn't show up and just sing Jazz standards like most Jazz singers.  No, Tierney's arrangements are spectacular, fresh and unique.  So different that lots of up and coming Jazz singers borrow them and mostly without permission,  I have to add.  The wonderful arrangements were created with help from The Tierney Sutton Band's talented band members including of course, Tierney herself.  Tierney Sutton deserves tons more accolades and more attention from the listening public and the music industry.  She is in a class of her own, never playing it safe and always taking chances and her final music product is always superb!

A few months ago I had the pleasure of hearing Tierney sing at Pete Carlson's Golf Shop in Palm Desert, CA and her performance reminded me again of how special her singing is.  Tierney is a gift for any music lover of Jazz singing.  I have no doubt that she is one of the top 5 Jazz vocalists performing today.  The Tierney Sutton Band tours the country so be alert to when she is performing in your area and don't let anything stop you from hearing Tierney Sutton and this band.

This review would not be complete without showering  praise on the members of this talented and creative band.  Every member of this band is a high-level musician not only for their playing capabilities but also their understanding of Tierney Sutton's phrasing and touch for lyrics.  Of course, their contributions to the arrangements are stunning!  The band is one of the most creative and artistically satisfying groups performing currently.

The CD has 15 cuts, each one a gem, and the Band approaches every one of these great songs from American movies in a different path than the original arrangements.

PLAYERS:

Tierney Sutton- Vocals
Christian Jacob- Piano
Kevin Axt- Bass
Trey Henry- Bass
Ray Brinker- Drums
Serge Merlaud- Guitar (5, 12,13)
Alan Bergman- Vocals (12)

PLAYLIST: 

1. "The Windmills of Your Mind"
2. "Moon River/Calling You"
3.  "On a Clear Day"
4. "What Are You doing the Rest of Your Life"
5. "I've Got No Strings"
6. "If I Only Had a Brain?"
7. "The Sound of Silence"
8. "Goodbye for Now"
9. "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"
10. "Hopelessly Devoted to You"
11. "You're the One That I Want"
12. "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?"
13. "It might Be Now"
14. "Every Now and Then"
15. "Arrow"

I have selected  2 "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure.  The first one is one of my personal favorites, "The Windmills of Your Mind" with music by the late Michel Legrand and lyric by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.  The arrangement is by Tierney Sutton.  The second is "The Sound of Silence" from the move "The Graduate".   The arrangement is by Trey Henry and Ray Brinker.

CD Review: Katie Thiroux Debut CD "Introducing Katie Thiroux"

Bassist/Singer/Composer Katie Thiroux released her first CD on February 3, 2015 titled "Introducing Katie Thiroux".  Before I even listened to this CD, I read the liner notes and knew this CD from Katie Thiroux would be terrific.  Soon after I was able to see Katie in person when she performed with the Larry Fuller Trio and Graham Dechter at "Pete Carlson's Jazz For Jazz Lovers Series".  When I first listened to Katie's CD, I was so focused on her beautiful voice and singing style, I somewhat overlooked her great Bass playing.  However, at the Graham Dechter concert,  Katie's Bass brilliance was in full view.  Katie told me that she had always loved Ray Brown and that she had spent some time working with John Clayton.  At the concert, she played a couple of great Ray Brown arrangements,  and if you closed your eyes, you might have thought is was Ray Brown or John Clayton playing.  The audience loved her Bass playing and she received many rounds of applause every time she played a solo riff.

Katie Thiroux is a multi-talented musical threat, she sings with great style as good as any of the best Jazz singers around today and her Bass playing would be welcomed in the best Jazz groups.
Katie studied with the great Jazz Vocalist Tierney Sutton.  So she has had guidance from two Jazz giants, Clayton and Sutton.  The results of her years of study are evident in her Bass playing and her singing, she is one of the best around in both categories.  Here is a quote from John Clayton "Katie has developed into a swinging and "Killer" Base player!  Of course, I heard her talent and advanced abilities when she was younger, but her playing now is something else--It's at another level. I'm talking about the level of playing that allows the groove to feel right, the arrangements well thought out and rehearsed and the performance to be tight".  Quite a compliant from one of the Best Bass players in Jazz history!

True of all the very best musicians, Katie has put together an impressive group of musicians to join her quartet on her debut CD.  Graham Dechter, a celebrated guitarist was at nineteen the youngest member of the acclaimed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.  In addition, his credits include work with Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, John Pizzarelli, singers Jon Hendrick, Nancy Wilson and Kurt Elling.  Not too bad for someone that is only in his late 20's, don't you think?  Saxophonist, Flutist, Composer, Arranger and Music educator, Roger Neumann added a wonderful warmth to Katie's singing and Bass playing.  Matt Witek a former student of Grammy-winning Drummer, Jeff Hamilton was on Drums, and you can tell he must have been a wonderful student.  His Drum work is excellent, both creative and solid at the same time.

Katie has written three interesting instrumentals for her CD.  "Ray's Kicks" is  dedicated to Ray Brown.  Katie says she was inspired by a pair of Ray's stylish shoes that were gifted to her.  "Rosebird" was written on the framework of Earl Hines's "Rosetta" and Charlie Parker's "Yardbird Suite". "Can't We Just Pretend" is a beautiful ballad with an Ellington flavor and it's delightful.

This may be Katie Thiroux's first CD but she has already established that she has established place to be among the Jazz giants in years to come!

                Playlist:
1. "There's A Small Hotel"                                         2. "Don't Be On The Outside"
3. "A Beautiful Friendship"                                        4. "Wives and Lovers"
5. "I'm Old Fashioned"                                               6. "Ray's Kicks"
7. "The One I Love (Belongs to Somebody Else)"      8. "Rosebud"
9. "Can't We Just Pretend?"                                        10. "Shiny Stockings"
11. "Oh What A Beautiful Morning"

I found a "Youtube" video of Katie singing "Wives and Lovers" for your hearing pleasure.

CD Review: Julie Kelly "Happy To Be"

My first listening introduction to Julie Kelly was by way of her new CD "Happy To Be".  After listening to just the first few songs, it became clear why Julie is one of the most respected Jazz singers on the West Coast.  If anyone ever asks you to define Jazz singing, save your time and theirs by simply telling them to listen to Julie Kelly and her CD "Happy To Be". Julie's pure warm voice has a sensibility to melody and lyric that's very rare.  Her selection of songs on this CD reinforces her perfect taste in the best in melody and her wonderful lyric writing abilities.  She wrote the lyrics for two songs on the CD, "The Blues According to Orpheus" and "For Joni".   "For Joni" began as a poem she wrote for Joni Mitchell.  Tierney Sutton the marvelous Jazz singer in her own right calls this tune nothing less than a "gorgeous anthem" to all who love Joni Mitchell.

One of the essential talents that all Jazz singers need to develop is the ability to pick the best  musicians who will lift the singer to higher levels.  The musicians Julie has selected to support her on this CD are spectacular!  Bill Cunliffe has worked with Julie on other projects and is a widely respected pianist and Grammy Award-winning arranger, Anthony Wilson the outstanding guitarist who works with only the best musicians including Diana Krall, Tom Warrington known as one of the best Bass players in the country, world-class Drummer Joe LaBarbera who worked with Bill Evans for years and a Horn section comprised of A-list players including Bob Sheppard, Clay Jenkins, Ron Stout and Bob McChesney.  Also, there is an additional contribution made by the following fine musicians:  Walter Rodriguez, Percussion, Kim Richmand, Saxophone and on Vibes the "superb" Nick Mancini.

Julie Kelly has given the Jazz world a wonderful gift of great music that validates that Jazz singing still has a special place in today's music scene!

I have attached a "You-Tube" video of Julie singing "You're The Dangerous Type" from her CD "Happy To Be".

CD Review: "Diane Hubka Goes To The Movies"

Last month I published information about a new CD, "From California With Love" that was recorded by a talented group of West Coast Musicians with the sole purpose to raise money for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief.  I learned about the effort from one of the talented musicians who recorded on the CD, Diane Hubka.  Diane  found my blog and enjoyed the live music reviews I did last winter from the Palm Springs, California area. I really loved the way Diane sang on the "From California With Love" CD and I wanted to find out more about her.  Turns out she was performing to rave reviews in the New York City area for many years before moving to Hollywood California in 2004 where she collaborated with pianist Christian Jacob (who married the daughter of one of my all-time trumpet  faves', Maynard Ferguson).  Christian Jacob has also recorded with the uniquely talented Tierney Sutton.  Together Diane and Christian recorded "Diane Hubka Goes to the Movies" in 2007, and I decided to review the CD.

Diane Hubka is not just another singer!  In addition to singing, Diane plays a 7-string guitar with great skill and improvisation. She selects her material like a fine chef selecting just the right products at a food market. After her move from NYC to Hollywood Diane picked 13 songs that were written for movies, some standards and others relatively unknown but still great songs. According to Diane "It seemed the logical choice. Since coming here, I've enjoyed working with some fantastic West-Coast musicians, many who've made their living at least in part from playing in the studios."  The arrangements are wonderful and were all written by Christian Jacob. Diane chose all the musicians for the band from those she had heard and worked with after moving to California. The group includes Christian Jacob on Piano and did the arrangements, Carl Saunders on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Larry Koonse on Guitar, Chris Colangelo on Bass and Joe LaBarbera on Drums.

There are 13 songs on this CD all taken from movies from 1937-79 and none of them are easy to play or sing.  Diane really gets to show her professional singing skills to the fullest on this CD and also solos, singing and playing her 7 string classical guitar on Track #12, "Manha de Carnaval" more popularly known as "A Day In The Life Of A Fool".  My other favorites were Track #1 "All God's Children Got Rhythm" from 1937 movie "A Day at the Races".  It's a perfect opening number for the group with everyone in the group making their presence known. Track #4, "Lovers in New York" from the 1961 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was written by Henry Mancini, Jay Livingston and Ray Evans swings with great Trumpet work from Carl Saunders. Track #5, "He's a Tramp" from the 1955 movie "Lady and the Tramp" written by the great Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke played in an up-tempo Samba rhythm that fits the song perfectly.  Track #7 "I'm Old Fashioned" written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 movie "You Were Never Lovelier" features some great piano and Guitar work by Christian Jacobs and Larry Koonse. Track #9 "Close Enough for Love" from the 1979 movie "Agatha" showcases some outstanding Piano and Bass work from Jacob and Colangelo. Track # 11 "Wild is the Wind" the old Johnny Mathis hit from the 1957 movie of the same name features a great up-tempo rhythm used very effectively to showcase an outstanding piano solo from Christian Jacob. There is one member of the group that needs some praise for his skillful performance on this CD, Drummer Joe LaBarbera.  Joe has done some outstanding playing with the great Bill Evans and shows us on this CD why Bill Evans loved him.  Joe fits his percussion work into every song and rhythm perfectly, never overplaying or underplaying Diane or any member of the group.  Great Job, Joe.

If you like great jazz singing combined with some smooth jazz instrumental sounds, this CD is for you.  Diane Hubka is the real thing.  Her singing skills are finely tuned and she is not afraid to push aside the safety net of the classic songs of the "Great American Songbook" and experiment with new approaches to new and old songs in her own personal way.

You can preview this CD on iTunes and I urge you to do so.  Diane's first CD "Haven't We Met" was released in 1999 featured alto sax legend Lee Konitz and received Jazz Nomination for "Best Recording Debut".  Her Latest CD "You Inspire Me" was released in Japan in 2007.

Note to all my California readers: Diane will be performing live on Oct. 20 at Vitello's Jazz & Super Club, 4349 Tujunga Blvd., Studio City Ca. 91604.  Reservations: 818-769-0905  If you are in the area, make the effort to catch her show, you will not regret it!

A Review of "From California With Love". West Coast Musicians Step Up To Raise Money for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

Diane Hubka

I recently came across a new CD produced as a result of an idea that came from the great singer/guitarist Diane Hubka and renowned producer Bill Reed of SSJ Records. Japan has always been a welcome place for American Jazz performers, and the purpose of this new CD is an attempt by this group of talented musicians to return the love in Japan's time of need. 100% of all sales goes to Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief.

Bill Reed

The CD includes some familiar and respected singers and musicians featuring tracks from: Diane Hubka, Alan Broadbent, Jim Cox, Johnny Holiday, Christian Jacob, Leslie Lewis, Dick Noel, Frankie Randall, Sue Raney, Kurt Reichenbach, Dan Sawyer, Tierney Sutton, Pinky Winters, and a special bonus track by the late Chris Connor.

There are 13 tracks on this CD and if you love hearing superb singers and musicians playing great songs, you must buy this CD. Every singer and musician on this CD will leave you wanting more.

List of Album Tracks and Performers:
1.   Blue Skies: Sue Raney and Alan Broadbent
2.   Sweet and Lovely: Alan Broadbent
3.   Strike Up The Band: Johnny Holiday and Sam Most
4.   Skylark: Leslie Lewis and Gerard Hagen
5.   Here's To Life: Kurt Reichenbach and Jim Cox
6.   Sweet Happy Life (Samba de Orfeu): Diane Hubka and Dan Sawyer
7.   Ue Wo Muite Arukou (Sukiyaki): Christian Jacob
8.   Beautiful Love: Tierney Sutton and Christian Jacob
9.   We Can Work It Out: Jim Cox
10. Dream: Dick Noel
11. I Feel A Song Coming on; Chris Connor
12. The Wave: Frankie Randall
13. You'll Never Walk Alone: Pinky Winters and Jim Cox

I know my music friends in Palm Springs will just flip over this CD.  Many of my favorites are on this CD: Sue Raney, Alan Broadbent,  the always great Frankie Randall and the one and only Tierney Sutton. But as a bonus, I got to know some talented new friends, Johnny Holiday, Sam Most, Leslie Lewis, Gerard Hagen, Kurt Reichenbach, the remarkable Jim Cox, Diane Hubka, Dan Sawyer, Christian Jacob, Dick Noel, The late great Chris Connor and Pinky Winters.  All these great singers and musicians for $20 and it goes to a worthy cause.  The best deal in town!  You can buy the CD on CDBaby.

By the way, singer/guitarist Diane Hubka who was one of the driving forces on this CD, has a new release by SSJ Records, "I Like It Here: Live in Tokyo".  I will be doing a review of this CD in the near future. Look her up, she is an exciting talent.

I can't leave this posting without a comment about producer Bill Reed.  I had no idea of who Bill Reed was or what he had done until I started to do some research for this review.  I went on the SSJ Records site and was just knocked out by the outstanding singers Bill has produced over the years; one better than the next. This gentlemen knows what great sounds are all about.  Thanks Bill for keeping quality music playing!