CD Review: Calabria Foti, "In The Still Of The Night"

Writing a music blog requires a lot of time and effort with very little pay.  Come to think of it, isn't that what all my musician friends face every day in their professional lives too?  But the real payment I receive for reviewing new artists and their songs is in the pleasure I receive when I discover a wonderfully-talented musician who I would have most likely missed if not for researching new talent to publish for my followers.  Calabria Foti is no newcomer to the national music scene, but I would bet a lot of my readers have never heard her sing.  I would also bet that you will love her vocal style and impeccable intonation within minutes of first hearing her sing.

Her new album "In The Still Of The Night" contains 11 award-winning songs by the great Cole Porter made new by the wonderful arrangements from Michael Patterson. Patterson is a Grammy and Emmy award-winning composer who has worked across multiple genres and instrumental ensembles including orchestral and chamber music for concert halls, Jazz arrangements and original compositions for big bands and solo artists.  Patterson put together a group of A-listed musicians, including the Clarinet virtuoso, Eddie Daniels, Gene Bertoncini on Guitar, Richard Locker on Cello, Bob McChesney on Trombone, Ike Sturm on Bass and Jared Schonig on Drums.  These guys are as good as you can get.  "Best is breed" as Jim Kramer likes to say.  Eddie Daniels is without question one of the best Jazz/Classical Clarinet players performing today!

What makes Calabria's singing so special?  Her voice is soft and lush and her ability to perform these Cole Porter remarkable melodies and lyrics almost effortlessly is divine!  According to Daniels, "Calabria Foti was the perfect choice, with her tone and musical depth, to bring the delicate sensibilities of Cole Porter's music to life.  I love Cole Porter. His songs are so heartfelt and the sound of Calabria's voice just touches me, I can't help it."  This quote coming from a Clarinet virtuoso tells all that one needs to know about Calabria's wonderful singing!  In case you need more proof of the quality of her singing, Calabria has been called a "Master of improvisation and interpretation".  She is an accomplished Vocalist, Violinist, Composer, Author and Educator.  Now that's what I call doing it all.  Her 2014 single, "Let's Fall in Love" which Calabria recorded with TV's Seth MacFarlane, received a Grammy nomination.

"In The Still Of The Night" was released on July 17, 2017 and you can sample the track "It Was Just One Of Those Things" on: Soundcloud:hhtp://bit.ly/2q 8sxnE.  You can also hear and see Calabria Foti sing and talk about her new CD on the "YouTube" below.

I also attached a second "YouTube" From her CD, "When a Man Love a Women".

PLAYLIST

1. "Just One of Those Things"
2. "Miss Otis Regrets"
3. "Anything Goes"
4. "What Is This Thing Called Love"
5. "Night and Day"
6. "I Concentrate on You"
7. "Every Time We Say Goodbye"
8. "Get Out of Town"
9. "It's All Right With Me"
10. "So In Love"
11. "In the Still of the Night"  

CD Review: The Pete Malinverni Trio, "Heaven"

Pianist, Arranger and Composer, Pete Malinverni has a long list of varied and successful projects in the form of a trio, a quintet, solo piano, a big band and choir formats.  With his newest release "Heaven", Pete as a result of unfortunate health and life situations involving his wife, singer Jody Sandhaus who died in 2012 along with his own health scare, decided that it was time to deal with some spiritual things.  Pete says that going through these health ordeals over the past few years had given him a certain clarity that he wanted to embrace through his music.  The album features songs that speak in varied ways of spirituality.

Normally, I would not review a CD with such emotional and deep feelings, but the music and Pete's beautiful playing and arrangements just captured me.  "Heaven" is a thoughtful and sensitive collection of songs that is inspiring and yet comforting at the same time.  Malinverni says, "We all want to look up, we hope, maybe we even trust, that somewhere there is unalloyed truth and beauty.  Much art memorializes tristesse, encouraging us to abide, to await Relief, Rest, or Joy. This recording is meant to reconcile those two perspectives, presenting music of various traditions with one thing in common - the notion that even this vale of tears is tinged with the essence of the transcendent, of the beautiful and the true".

The wonderful Malinverni Trio consists of Pete Malinverni on Piano, Ben Allison on Bass and Akira Tana on Drums.  The CD "Heaven" was release on June 16, 2017 and it's not to be missed by anyone who loves to hear fresh and creative inspirational music.  Pete Malinverni is one of the most creative and unique Composer/Arranger on the American music scene today!

It was very hard to pick just two songs from this CD for you to sample.  I picked the first two cuts, first the title tune from the track, "Heaven".  "Heaven" is a wonderful song written by Duke Ellington and "Palm23" is a Peter Malinverni composition that I fell in love with. I hope you enjoy both.  Also featured on this CD is a wonderful soulful performance of "Shenandoah" by Karrin Allyson that is just about dead on perfect.  Also adding to the party is Trumpet player, John Faddis and Alto Sax player Steve Wilson.  

Playlist:

1."Heaven"  

2. "Psalm 23"

3. "Down in the River to Pray"

4. "Shenandoah"

5. "Eili, Eili"

6. "People, Get Ready"

7. "Come Sunday"

8. "A City Called Heaven"

9. "Wade in the Water"

10. "Ashokan Farewell"

CD Review: The Bob Lark:Phil Woods Quintet "Thick As Thieves"

As a former Alto Sax player, Phil Woods has always been one of my Jazz heroes.  He was the inspiration for thousands of young Alto Sax Jazz players showing all of us what great Jazz was possible using our instrument of choice.  All these memories from my past were put in front of me when I heard the new CD, "Thick As Thieves" by the Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet.  "Thick As Thieves" is the third and final recording by The Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet and features some of Phil Woods' most dynamic Alto Saxophone solo improvisations.  The music for this remarkable CD was recorded "live" in 2009 at Chicago's legendary "Jazz Showcase".  The energy level of the cuts on this CD prove once again, "live" recordings produce an energy that just cannot be matched when recording in a studio.

Joining Phil and Bob on this CD are the wonderful rhythm section of Jim McNeely, Steve Gilmore and Bill Goodwin who supply perfect foundation support for Phil Woods and Bob Lark.  Listening to this CD brought back fond memories of some of the best Alto Sax Jazz sounds I have ever heard and I hope it does the same for you.  If you love straight ahead Jazz, you will love this CD.  It's new but already a classic. This CD was my first introduction to Bob Lark and his Flugelhorn playing.  He is just outstanding.  What a special pleasure to get the chance to hear Bob and Phil Woods performing together for one last time on this CD.

          Personnel:
Bob Lark- Flugelhorn
Phil Woods- Alto Saxophone
Jim McNeely- Piano
Steve Gilmore- Bass
Bill Goodwin- Drums

            Playlist:
1. "Yardbird Suite"
2. "I Love You"
3. "First Steps"
4. "Rhythm A Ning"
5. "All The Things You Are"
6. "Winter's Touch"
7. "Bille's Bounce"

I have attached a "YouTube" of the group playing the Cole Porter gem "I Love You"  the second cut on this CD for your listening pleasure.  This is a CD that needs to be in your classic Jazz collection.

CD Review: The Mark Masters Ensemble "Blue Skylight"

Arranger/Bandleader Mark Masters has released a terrific new CD, "Blue Skylight" that reimagines the music of iconic Jazz Composers Charles Mingus and Gerry Mulligan.  The beauty of this CD is in the beautiful Jazz music of the Mark Masters Ensemble and the Masterful recomposition work that Mark Masters has achieved.  According to Masters " In many ways, Charles Mingus and Gerry Mulligan couldn't have been more different.  One was notoriously fiery and confrontational; the other understated, the epitome of cool'. Mark was very careful in selecting the players for this CD believing that "It's all about the players.  There are very few people who can be successful when writing music without knowing who's going to play it. The overriding factor for me is creating a framework for the players to be successful in."

"Blue Skylight" was born of a pair of 2015 concerts performed by the ensemble in Palm Desert, California: a "Gerry Mulligan Songbook" evening and a program entitled "Blues by Mingus".  Both featured a trio of undersung elder Jazz statesmen that Masters wanted to feature and celebrate: Bassist Putter Smith, Saxophonist Gene Cipriano and Alto Saxophonist Garry Foster.  Master proudly states "They're true veterans, they're some of my heroes".  The seven-piece ensemble includes some of the West Coast's most in-demand musicians, most of whom have enjoyed long relationships with Masters, Saxophonist Jerry Pinter, Baritone Saxophonist Adam Schroeder, Trumpeter Ron Stout, Trombonist Les Benedict, Pianist Ed Czach and Drummer Kendall Kay.

The music and arrangements in this CD are immediately comfortable even for someone that did not follow Mingus or Mulligan.  For Jazz lovers, this is a real treat as the music seems like having an old friend come over to visit.  This is what Jazz music is all about, new experiences but with the feeling that you have lived here before!

Playlist:
1. "Monk, Bunk And Vice Versa"  Mingus
2. "Out Back Of the Barn" Mulligan
3. "So Long Eric"  Mingus
4. Wallflower" Mulligan
5. Peggy's Blue Skylight" Mingus
6. "Strayhorn 2" Mulligan
7. "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" Mingus
8. "Apple Core" Mulligan
9. "Eclipse" Mingus
10. "Birds of a Feather" Mulligan
11. "Motel" Mulligan

I know you will enjoy listening to the "YouTube" of the Mark Master Ensemble playing Mulligan's composition, "Apple Core".

CD Review: Nicole Saphos: "Tiptoe"

Bassist, Vocalist and Songwriter Nicole Saphos takes the "Great American Songbook" for an exciting ride. On her new CD, "Tiptoe" Nicole has fun with some great classic songs like Cole Porter's "Just One Of Those Things" proving that when a great Vocalist meets a great song, the great song becomes new again.  But singing is just one of Nicole's talents. She is a terrific and inventive Bass player leaving the standard Bass line behind in search of new creative Bass Jazz compositions.  In addition to the standards in this CD, Nicole has also included 4 original songs she composed.  Personally, I like to hear a new singer perform a standard first before I listen to a newly composed song.  The way a singer approaches a standard can tell you a lot about their imagination and style.  Nicole passed this test with flying colors with the first song on her CD, " Cole Porter's "Just One Of Those Things".  I found a video on "YouTube" so you can judge for yourself.

In 2012, Nicole formed her own trio with Ele Rubinstein on Drums and  John Lee on Guitar.  Playing together over the past 4 1/2  years has created a tight fit for this group with each performer anticipating each others every move.  This CD is very refreshing combining great standards with some new musical approaches to new music composed by Nicole Saphos.

I have attached a second "YouTube" of the trio playing one of Nicole's original compositions, "Broken Ballerina".  "This song uses  a ballerina's dedication to art as a powerful metaphor.  Ballerina's careers are tragically cut short by injury and age, yet knowing this fate, they still commit their lives to this fleeting time."

Playlist:
1.  "Just One Of Those Things"
2.  "Broken Ballerina"
3.  "Say IT Isn't So"
4.  " Custom Memories"
5.  "Lady Hip's Great Escape"
6.  "Hot Knife"
7.  "Moon Ray"
8.  "Doesn't Do"
9.  "Ugly Beauty"
10."You Don't Know What Love Is"

CD Review: Glenda Davenport "More Than You Know"

One night last month, I went over to Shanghai Jazz Restaurant in Madison to catch some Jazz sounds.  The singer appearing was Glenda Davenport who was new to me.  I was really impressed with Glenda's smooth style and sensitive voice, the selection of classic songs she performed and her top-notch Jazz styling.  Glenda reminds me of some of my favorite Jazz singers and has the voice and talent to allow her to join their group.  Tonight I heard reminders of Ella and Sarah mixed with Glenda's own unique style and voice.  Glenda is a seasoned pro and a polished Jazz Vocalist!  Tonight she came out and sang for over 90 minutes without a break and never missed a note.

Glenda has two CD's she has published and her latest is "More Than You Know".  It's a perfect CD for anyone who loves the songs from the "Great American Songbook".  Every song and performance on this CD is a gem.  Take a look at the 15 song playlist. Glenda is joined on this CD by her close and long-time friend, Hiroshi Yamasaki who was her Musical Director, Arranger, and Pianist.  Hiroshi is terrific in his own right.  Ryan Berg was on Bass and David Jones was on Drums.  Carmen Leggio was a special guest on Alto Saxophone.

Playlist:

1. "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To"
2. "More Than You Know"
3. "Lover Come Back To Me"
4. "For Once In My Life"
5. "Why did I Choose You?"
6. "My Funny Valentine"
7. "Moonlight In Vermont"
8. "Don't Go To Strangers"
9. "I Could Write A Book"
10. "The Nearness of You"
11. "This Can't Be Love"
12. "The Man I Love"
13. "Be My Love"
14. "Dindi"
15."That's All"

I found a "Youtube" of Glenda singing "That's All" live at the Kitano Hotel in New York City that was recorded on March 6, 2010. Accompanying Glenda is the wonderful Hiroshi Yamasaki Piano Trio.

CD Review: Jeff Rupert & Richard Drexler, "Imagination"

Jeff Rupert and Richard Drexler have just released a new CD that highlights their enormous musical talents.  Jeff Rupert has a long list of credits that include recordings and tours with Diane Schuur, Mel Torme', Ernestine Anderson, and Benny Carter's Grammy winning "Harlem Renaissance".  He toured with Maynard Ferguson from 1997 through 2002.  Here is a quote from Maynard "From the moment I first heard Jeff Rupert with my band I considered him one of the great Jazz players of today".  In addition to Composing, Arranging and playing Tenor Sax, Jeff is a Pegasus Distinguished Professor, Trustee Endowed Chair and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Central Florida and founder of Flying Horse Records.

But on Jeff's new CD, there is no big band, only the talented Richard Drexler on Piano, and as a result, listeners can get a close look at Jeff's improvising mastery and also the sensational tone he produces.  Pianist, Bassist, Vocalist and Composer/Arranger Richard Drexler has performed on over 200 recordings and played Piano in the Woody Herman Orchestra for over 20 years.  He has performed with some of the greats of Jazz, George Benson, Diahann Carroll, Vic Damone, Donovan, Connie Francis, Amy Grant, Al Jareau and tons more other Jazz greats.  Richard is also a faculty member at the University of Central Florida's acclaimed Jazz Studies program.

There are 8 wonderful songs on this CD, one composed by Jeff Rupert and the others from some of the best American composers like Vincent Youmans, Steve Wonder, Claude Thornhill, Dave Brubeck, and Jimmy Van Heusen/ Johnny Burke.  These songs being performed by a great Tenor player and a just-as-great Piano player is a joy to any music lover.  This CD was released on January 2, 2017, and I highly recommend it.

Playlist:

1. "Without a Song"
2.  "I Can't Help It"
3." Snowfall"
4. "Strange Meadowlark"
5. "Imagination"
6. "A Felicidade"
7. "My Mistress' Eyes"
8. "Soul Eyes"  

I have attached a "YouTube" video of Jeff and Richard playing the stunningly beautiful standard, "Snowfall"  composed by Claude Thornhill.

I found another "YouTube" I could not resist attaching for you.  It's Jeff Rupert playing an up-tempo version of the Cole Porter classic "Love For Sale" with the Dirty Martini band.