CD Review: Ashley Locheed & Chris Rottmayer, "So In Love"

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Two extremely accomplished musicians, Ashley Locheed and Chris Rottmayer have joined forces to record and release a wonderful new CD, "So In Love".  The CD is a wonderful example of how the beautiful songs out of the " American Songbook" can still light up your musical ears!  Vocalist, Bandleader Ashley Locheed has an impressive resume.  She recently headlined the Musica per i Borghi Festival in Umbria, Italy with The Perugia Big Band.  Locheed tours regularly with two-time Grammy winner, Michael Bolton and also performs with Engelbert Humperdinck.  She has also opened for the legendary Arturo Sandoval.  Once you hear Ashley sing you will understand why she is in demand as a vocalist.  Her voice is soft and yet strong and clear.  Her phrasing is at the highest level as you will hear in the "YouTube" video I have attached with Ashley singing the difficult but amazing  Thelonious Monk classic "Round Midnight".   When I listen to Ashley sing her voice reminds me of Doris Day in her prime.   

Jazz Pianist,  Composer and Jazz Vibraphonist Chris Rottmayer has been performing since 1990.  Chris has been a Pianist for Walt Disney World since 1999.  Chris is currently the Instructor of Jazz Piano at the highly rated University of South Florida.  His performance on this CD is a perfect blend of Jazz Piano  and Vocal support for Ashley.  Chris and Bassist Chuck Archard did the Arrangements and they are perfect for Ashley and all the world-class composers whose songs are on this CD.  Take a look at the playlist of standards and pop tunes that will soon become standards.

Usually these great standards would call for a stand-up Bass to give them justice but the Electric Bass work by Chuck Archard is nothing short of brilliant.  The Drum work from Keith Wilson is a perfect compliment for his three band members.  In particular, his cymbal work is creative and supportive of the group sound.

Players:

Chris Rottmayer-Piano

Ashley Locheed-Vocals

Keith Wilson-Drums

Chuck Archard-Electric Bass

Playlist:

1. So In Love,  Cole Porter

2. Agua de Beber, Antonio Carlos Jobim

3. Round Midnight, Thelonious Monk

4. Day In, Day Out, Rube Bloom, Lyrics Johnny Mercer

5. I Love Paris, Cole Porter

6. Something So Right, Paul Simon

7.  Summer Wind, Heinz Meier, Lyrics Johnny Mercer

8. Sailing, Christopher Cross

9. Windmills Of Your Mind,  Michel Legrand

10. La Vie en Rose, Louiguy

11. So In Love, Cole Porter

 I have attached two "YouTube' videos for your listening pleasure.  The first is a Paul Simon gem "Something So Right" and the second one is the Monk standard "Round Midnight".  

                                                                "So In Love"

                                                                'Round Midnight"

CD Review: Joel Fleisher, "Love Has Called Again"

I am excited to review Joel Fleisher's new CD, "Love Has Called Again" because from the first time I heard Joel singing live at AJ's on the Green in Cathedral City, CA, I knew he was a vocalist with something very special!   What's special about Joel is that he sings with a strong emotional connection to lyrics.  Many singers with a good voice simply sing the lyrics of great songs.  Not Joel, when he sings a great lyric, he makes his audience forget he is singing someone else's words and paints his own picture of the emotional story these lyrics tell.   I believe Joel's Opera experience helped him acquire this talent.   His vocal phrasing and his stage presence are delightful and his love of music and lyric are immediately clear to anyone listening.  Joel never plays it safe when singing live.  In the true sense of all great Jazz singers, he is not afraid to improvise above, below and inside the medley.  The result is his vocal performances are never exactly the same and that is what makes Jazz singing so special.

Joel has been singing his entire life.  His father was a big-band reed player and his mother studied classical piano and Joel has fond memories of her playing Rachmaninoff.  Classical music and Opera were Joel's first loves but as time went he began experimenting with singing Do-Wop harmony while at the same time singing in the "Mambo King" band in Philadelphia.  After serving in the Vietnam war, Joel resumed his musically education at Monterey Peninsula College.  While at Monterey Peninsula College, Joel started doing music-theater as well as doing Opera workshops,  performing principal roles in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", "Roar of the Paint", "House of Blue Leaves" and "Jesus Christ Superstar".  After moving to San Francisco,  Joel continued his degree at San Francisco State and sang the leading roles in "Cosi Fan Tutti" and "La Traviata" Operas.  Even though Joel had much success singing in many schools of music including Theater and Classical Operas,  his love for Jazz never left him and he now is where he always wanted to be,  a successful Jazz Vocalist. 

In putting together the supporting band for this amazing CD,  Joel selected a group of the finest musicians performing today.  I personally know everyone of these outstanding musicians and they all have A-list resumes.  Joel's first election was the remarkable and much sought after Jazz Pianist Tamir Hendelman.   Tamir Hendelman is always busy and would never agree to do a CD with any Jazz vocalist who didn't bring something special to the table; a great compliment to Joel.  Tamir also did all the arrangements that are perfect for Joel and this group. Joining Tamir is one of the most talented Guitar players in the country Doug MacDonald.  On Woodwinds is Canadian Tom Keenlyside who is considered and is one of the finest Sax and Flute players performing today. Multi-talented Jim Watson is on Drums and also produced the CD.   Bill Saitta performs perfectly on Bass.  Bill has a huge following of admirers in the Southern California area.  On Trumpet is Will Caviness who also is a Southern California favorite who often joins Bill Saitta on gigs. And last but not least the remarkable Peter Curtis performs on Acoustic Guitar.  Peter plays Acoustic Guitar with the same emotional feel for music and lyrics that Joel does.   

I have attached two YouTube videos from Joel's new CD.  The first tune is "Love  Walked In" and the second is a beautiful song written by Ann Hampton Callaway " You Can't Rush Spring".  I know you will enjoy both and the entire CD for that matter!

                                            

                                                                       "Love Walked In"

                                                

                                                                   "You Can't Rush Spring"

Players:

Joel Fleisher- Vocals

Tamir Hendelman-Piano

Jim Watson-Drums

Bill Saitta-Bass

Doug MacDonald- Electric Guitar

Tom Keenlyside- Sax and Flute

Will Caviness- Trumpet

Peter Curtis- Acoustic Guitar

Playlist:

1. Gotta Go

2. Love Walked In

3. Better Than Anything

4. Barquinho

5. Celia

6. You Can't Rush Spring

7. Devil May Care

8. I'm All Smiles

9. Spring Can Really Hang You up

10. Love Has Called Again

11. E Luxo so

12. My Romance

13. If I Should Lose You

14. At Long Last Love

CD Review: Fred Hersch, "Songs From Home"

If you read my blog on a regular basis you know that Fred Hersch is one of my musical heroes.  He is amazing in any environment whether Solo, Big Band,  Piano Trio or other larger configurations.  His Solo recordings are gems!  Speaking of musical gems, Fred's latest solo offering adds to his list of gems!  The idea for his new CD, "Songs From Home" originated from his emotional reaction to our country's lockdown which we are all suffered through.  Fred spent most of the lockdown in his home in the Pennsylvania woods facing what he calls his "Loss of his identity".  Like most professional musicians, performing music becomes more than just their job, it overwhelms their entire identity to the point that a day without performing becomes a giant void.   

Fifteen-time Grammy nominee, Fred Hersch explains why he recorded this CD,  "In the beginning, I think it was a way for me to feel like I wasn't helpless.  I needed to remind myself that music will go on and I'll be able to continue playing the piano for people, even if it's in a new way".   Fred has recently celebrated his 65th birthday while in quarantine and selected a collection of songs he had fond memories of during his long career.  According to Hersch, "It's kind of a comfort food album with a little badass stuff in there too.  I didn't want to make an easy listening record, but I did want to play some music that would make people happy".  Mission accomplished,  "Songs From Home"  is a warm and wonderful example of Jazz interpretation that gives a new voice to some old standards and two Hersch originals.  It illustrates the wide depth of Hersch's musical mind with songs from composers Loewe, Webb, Porter, Mitchell, Ellington and Lennon/McCartney.     

Fred recorded this CD while playing on his 50-year old, seven-foot Steinway Model B inside his Pennsylvania home.  He shared these comments "Any solo record is essentially about the relationship between the pianist and the particular piano.  My 50-year Steinway does certain things extremely well and other things that are a bit more flawed.  Steinways all have personalities; they're very handmade items.  Rather than be frustrated the it wasn't a perfect piano, I embraced the flaws".  I suspect that the any piano Fred Hersch plays will become instantly a better piano!

I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure.  The first one is Fred's renditions of the Beatles' song "When I'm Sixty-Four" in honor of what was his upcoming 65th birthday.  The second is Fred's straightforward  emotional rendering of Joni Mitchell's classic "All I Want".  

Thank you Fred Hersch for keeping your music alive for all of us!

PLAYLIST:

1.  Wouldn't It Be Loverly

2.  Wichita Lineman

3. After You've Gone

4. All I Want

5. Get Out Of Town

6. West Virginia Rose

7. The Water Is Wide

8. Sarabande

9. Consolation

10. Solitude

11. When I'm Sixty-Four 

                                                                "When I"m Sixty-Four"

                                                                             "All I Want"

            

CD Review: Jim Waller Big Band, "Bucket List"

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Jim Waller is a world-class arranger and multi-instrumentalist with a sterling musical resume.  One of the items on his "bucket list" was to record a big band album.  His new CD "Bucket List" completes his goal in fine fashion.  For those readers who are not familiar with Jim Waller and his career, let's start with a list of the instruments he has mastered: Tenor, Alto and Soprano Sax, Trombone, Organ, Piano and Guitar.  He also is noted as a freelance Arranger, record Producer and Educator.  Waller has worked with   an impressive list of major musicians including Marvin Gaye, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Bill Watrous, Cat Anderson, Richie Cole, Paul Gonsalves and Pete Fountain.

Waller's New CD "Bucket List" is an exciting example of his ability for Arranging and  Composing for a Big Band!  The Jim Waller Big Band consists of a 21-piece big band for which Waller has provided all the arrangements.  The CD contains a balance of 7 standards and 7 Waller original songs.  It also features five vocals from a wonderful Big Band singer,  Jacqueline Sotelo. 

                                                    Playlist:

The Players:

I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure.  The first is a Jim Waller's composition, "Blues For Los Blues" and the second is a composition from the great Peggy Lee "I Love Being Here With You" that features a sparkling vocal from Jacqueline Sotelo.  Both cuts are terrific!

                                                                     "Blues For Los Blues" 

                                                             "I Love Being Here With You"

CD Review: 3 More Sounds, "Live at the Gardenia Club"

Back in January of 2020 I was having dinner at a small restaurant (Backstreet Bistro) in Palm Desert California and ran into the legendary Jazz Bass player,  Henry "The Skipper" Franklin who was playing in a quartet there.  I knew this night would be filled with wonderful Jazz, and it was.  Henry has played with the "Who's Who" of Jazz and I have been fortunate to hear him play with many of the top Jazz performers in the California desert.   He is a real pro and no matter who he is playing with, he always seems to bring the group to a higher level and that's high praise for a Bass player.  But Henry is not just a Bass player, he is a high-level master Bass player and Producer.  In a conversation during one of the breaks, Henry told me about a new CD that he just finished and wanted to get my opinion.  Well, the CD was by 3 More Sounds titled the "Ghetto Princes,  A Tribute to Gene Harris".  I was knocked out by the music on this CD and published a review on my blog on March 20, 2020.  If you missed this review, you can go to my list of published blogs and read the review.

Last month Henry Franklin sent me a new CD from 3 More Sounds titled "Live at the Gardenia Club" that he co-produced with sensational piano player,  Robert Turner.  The Gardenia Club is a famous Jazz supper club in East Hollywood that, like most Jazz supper clubs is somewhat past its prime.  Robert chose this venue because he liked the Piano at the Gardenia Club.  It is not unusual for a Jazz Piano player to find themselves every night playing on Pianos that are less than optimum so when they find a great piano it calls to them!  I had the pleasure of hearing Robert Turner play in person many times at various club-venues in the Palm Spring California area.  He is everything you would expect and desire from a Jazz piano player.  His personality is sparkling and he never hesitates to talk about Jazz Piano with piano-playing amateurs sharing his approach to Jazz piano.  He was greatly influenced by many of the great Jazz piano pianists of the past including one of my personal favorites, Gene Harris. When he plays I can hear parts of all of the great Piano Players of past years mixed into his own personal style.  This CD is live at the Gardenia Club and when you listen to the cuts I have attached below, you will feel the emotion generating from the audience and the performers.  The third member of this group is Carl Burnett who also has a very impressive resume.  Carl is the perfect third member of this trio because he swings hard with a perfect groove that completes this group. 

3 More Sounds live at the Gardenia Club is a CD that every Jazz lover should have.  It's real Jazz played by three of the very best American Jazz musicians performing today.  It would make a wonderful present for any Jazz lover you know including yourself.    

I have attached two "YouTubes" from this new CD.  The first is the group's  up-tempo version of the standard "On A Clear Day".  This cut will answer all questions about how good these three Jazz performers are!  Robert Turner just keeps surprising us with his spectacular Jazz Piano skills, Henry Franklin performs creative and tasty Bass work that explains why he has played with almost all of the Jazz greats and Carl Burnett gives the group a driving beat that's perfect for his two amazing Jazz performing partners.  I spent a lot of time picking the second cut because every song on this CD is wonderful.  I finally decided to share "Green Dolphin Street".  Enjoy the 3 More Sounds,  this is what real Jazz is all about!

"On A Clear Day"

                                                                    "Green Dolphin Street"

   

CD Review: The Horizons Jazz Orchestra, "The Brite Side"

 

One of the greatest benefits I receive from publishing CD reviews is the opportunity it gives me to experience new music and the musicians that created it.   The new CD from The Horizons Jazz Orchestra, "The Bright Side" is a perfect example of what I am talking about.   This wonderful big band CD was created through the efforts of the Executive Producer Jeannette C. Pina  and the Musical Director and Producer Michael Balogh.  The CD is a tribute to Composer/Arranger Lee Harris.  Lee Harris was a Baritone Sax player and also a brilliant Composer and Arranger who worked in New York City and Atlantic City.  Harris and Trumpeter Dennis Noday were both alumnus of the Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson bands and when you listen to the two cuts I have attached, the Kenton/Ferguson influence in both sounds and Arrangements will be very clear.

The music The Horizons Jazz Orchestra produces is big and bold music that is very understandable even to those who have not heard a lot of the traditional big band sounds.  The musicianship from the members of this band is incredibly outstanding.  Adding to the wonderful sound of this Orchestra are three guest musicians who I am sure some of you will recognize:  Carl Saunders, Jonathan Joseph and Billy Ross.  I have had the pleasure of hearing Trumpeter virtuoso Carl Saunders perform in person many times and he never fails to overachieve my musical expectations.  He is a brilliant musician and is featured on five of the ten tracks.  Jonathan Joseph who performs on four tracks is a Grammy-winning Drummer who is known for his work with Spyro Gyra, Al Jarreau, Yellowjackets and David Sanborn.  He has toured with Jeff Beck during the last seven years.  And Woodwind Specialist and Jazz great Billy Ross has been a member of the Woody Herman Orchestra and then played with a long list of music greats including Natalie Cole, Barry Manilow, the Four Tops and the O'Jays. 

This CD with its outstanding musicianship, exciting arrangements and some rarely heard compositions from Lee Harris while new to most listeners will seem comfortable and familiar to most!  I give special thanks to Jeannette Pina and Michael Balogh for creating this tribute to Lee Harris, an unheralded but talented Arranger and Composer. 

Playlist:    

1. Red Apple Sweet

2. Pure Imagination

3. After You've Gone, Finally

4. The Runner

5. Fourth Dimension

6. The Brite Side

7. The Sound

8. Summertime

9. Maria

10. A Train Bossa

Players:  

Reeds: Scott Klarman, Mike Brignola, Billy Ross, Joe Mileti, Randy Emerick

Trombones: Michael Balogh, Jason Pyle, Tom Lacy, Steven Mayer

Trumpets: Dennis Noday, Ryan Chapman, Jack Wengrosky, Fernando Ferrarone, Chaim Rubinov

Rhythm Section: Gary Mayone, Ranses Colon, Luke Williams, George Mazzeo

Featuring Carl Saunders, Jonathan Joseph and Billy Ross 

I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening enjoyment.  The first tune is titled "After You've Gone, Finally".  It's a Harris take-off on the familiar standard.  Saunders and Ross take solos along with Gary Mayone on Keys, Scott Klarman on Alto Sax.

                                                            "After You've Gone, Finally"
The second tune is one of my favorite Maynard Ferguson's Big Band standards, "Maria". It's an inspiring solo by Dennis Noday.

                                                                            "Maria"

 

CD Review: David Sills, "Natural Lines"

Los Angeles-based reed player David Sills has recorded and performed for many CDs, 17 to be clear, and has recently released his newest CD "Natural Lines".  This CD features some of the best Jazz musicians on the West Coast including the double Guitars of Larry Koonse and Mike Scott.  Sills has been studying Saxophone since he was 10 years old, and still considers himself a student of the greats!  He performs regularly and teaches privately.  "Natural Lines" is his 17th CD as a leader and it features seven of his original compositions as well as tunes by Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Jimmy Davis, Alan Broadbent and two of Sills' accompanists, Guitarists Larry Koonse and Mike Scott.  He has been wanting to do a CD with two Guitars for quite a well.  Sills explains,  "In recent years, most of my performances have taken place in venues in which no piano was available, so to fill the role of the missing piano, I began adding a second guitar.  This instrumentation seemed to open up many musical possibilities and allowed for an interesting mix of sonic colors.  Thus, the idea for this recording featuring a "Double Guitar Quintet" was born".  After listening to this CD, I totally agree with David Sills thinking!

The CD opens with a great tune called "Minor Monk" that was written by Mike Scott.  I am sure that you can guess who was the inspiration for this tune and it's a beauty!  I have attached a "YouTube" of this tune so you can enjoy the great sounds.  I have also attached a second "YouTube" of the 4th cut on this CD, a song written by Alan Broadbent called "Quiet Is The Star".  I am sure you will enjoy both tunes.

The other players on this CD are old friends of mine that I first heard when they were playing in the Palm Springs California area, Drummer Tim Pleasant and Bass player Blake White.  Both are fabulous Jazz musicians who are in great demand all over the Southern California area.  So basically what David Sills has put together in this CD are some great original tunes, some lesser played great tunes and some of the finest musicians on the West Coast.  The result is a superb CD with beautiful music played by very experienced and skilled musicians.  This formula results in a wonderful Jazz music product!

Playlist:

1. Minor Monk

2. Sync Or Swim

3. Sonny's Side

4. Quite The Star

5. Lover Man

6. Foggy Daze

7. Mellow Stone

8. Nardis

9. Jones' Tones

10. All The Little Things

11. Outside Corner

12. Interplay

Players: 

David Sills: Tenor Sax and Alto Flute

Larry Koonse: Guitar

Mike Scott: Guitar

Blake White: Bass

Tim Pleasant: Drums

Minor Monk

                                                                        Quite Is The Star