Drummer Manny Kellough has had a wide-ranging career including performances with Billy Preston, Ray Charles, Freddie Hubbard, Carmen McRae, Quincy Jones and even the Rolling Stones. On his new CD Manny has gathered some of his favorite Jazz instrumentalists and singers from both the East and West coasts. The results are a delightful mix of Jazz sounds that fit perfectly in the finest traditions of American Jazz. It's always nice to listen to some of the newer Jazz performers of today who are experimenting with new styles, sound and phrasing, but it's so nice to come home to good old American Jazz. Manny Kellough has led his own band during the past 20 years, is always enthusiastic about uplifting the playing of his sidemen and being an integral part of music rather than feeling compelled to feature himself excessively.
I have selected two cuts from this great album from "YouTube" for your listening pleasure. The first song is the Jazz classic "How High The Moon" performed by the musicians from the West coast made up of Gary Brown on Bass, Matt Clark on Piano, Mann Kellough on Percussion and vocalist Azure McCall whose voice and phrasing is perfect for this song
The second song is "Happy Swing in "F" written by Manny Kellough and William Knowles and performed by the East Coast group of Manny Kellough on Percussion, Antonio Parker on Alto Sax, Michael Thomas on Flugel Horn, William Knowles on Piano, Wes "Suga" Biles on Bass. I hope you can detect some differences in style between East coast and West coast Jazz when listening to this CD.
PLAYLIST:
1. Generosity
2. Secret Love
3. Nothing From Nothing
4. Katrina Ballerina
5. I Thought About You
6. Smile
7. Happy Swing in "F"
8. When I Fall In Love
9. How High The Moon
10. East Of The Sun
11. Foggy Day
PLAYERS:
East Coast:
William Knowles-Piano, Co-Producer
Wes "Suga" Biles-Bass
Antonio Parker-Alto Sax
Michael Thomas-Trumpet, Flugel Horn
Jullian Hipkins-Vocals
Manny Kellough-Percussion
West Coast:
Matt Clark-Piano
Gary Brown-Bass
Azure McCall-Vocals
Ashley Kellough-Vocals
Manny Kellough-Percussion
