CD Review: Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project "Kites and Strings"

 

Pianist, Composer, Arranger and Accordionist Ben Rosenblum has just released his debut CD of the Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project, "Kites and Strings".  The CD playlist covers a special group of composers and music from Leonard Bernstein to Neil Young to Ben Rosenblum originals.  It also includes a great group of relatively new and brilliant Jazz musicians including Trumpeter Wayne Tucker, Guitarist Rafael Rosa, Reed man Jasper Dutz, Bassist Marty Jaffe and Drummer Ben Zweig.  One of the main reasons this CD caught my musical attention was the diverse influences that Rosenblum has joined together in the playlist.  Rosenblum's creative fingerprints can be felt on every aspect of this CD.  The music is new, fresh, beautiful and yet listener friendly.

Rosenblum has established a national profile for himself as a bandleader performing at over 100 gigs annually.  He has experimented with all forms of music and it's easy to pick up the New York Jazz feel embedded in "Kites and Strings".  Rosenblum was brought up in New York and earned a BA from Columbia University while also studying piano at Juilliard in a joint degree program. Rosenblum shared this about his educational experiences "I needed to hear about getting my left hand together and being rhythmically solid,  how to lead a piano trio, the importance of listening to certain recordings.  I'm surrounded with great young musicians who are never shy about telling me if they hear something different".  It's one thing for a musician to experiment with a wide spectrum of musical compositions and style but to be able to join these compositions and styles into one playlist is a rare and treasured event.

This CD is loaded with beautiful music.  Trying to pick two tracks for my readers to listen to was no easy task.  The first tune I have selected is a Rosenblum original titled "Cedar Place".  The composer has this to say about it "a hat tip to the inestimable pianist/composer Cedar Walton. The propulsive bass line and one-chord vamp section bring to mind the deceptively simple elegance and forceful swing of Walton's standard Bolivia."   The Second tune I have attached is wonderful Neil Young composition "Philadelphia" played as a Jazz Ballad.  Music doesn't any more beautiful than this!

Playlist:

1. Cedar Place

2. Kites and Strings

3. Halfway to Wonderland

4. Motif from Brahms (Op. 98)

5. Fight or Flight

6. Somewhere

7. Philadelphia

8. Bright Above Us

9. Laughing on the Inside

10. Izpoved

Players:

Ben Rosenblum- Piano (except 4,6) Accordion

Wayne Tucker-Trumpet

Jasper Dutz- Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet

Rafael Rosa- Guitar

Marty Jaffe- Bass

Ben Zweig- Drums, Percussion (5) Conductor (10)

Jake Chapman- Vibraphone (2,8)

Sam Chess- Trombone (7,8)

Jeremy Corren- Piano (4,6)

                                                                  "Cedar Place"

                                                                           "Philadelphia"

CD Review: Peter Leitch and The New Life Orchestra, "New Life"

 

Guitarist, Arranger and Composer Peter Leitch has just released the debut 2-disc recording with his New Life Orchestra.  Peter a respected Jazz Guitarist who has worked with some of the top names in American Jazz including Oscar Peterson, Ron Carter, Milt Jackson, Woody Shaw, Pepper Adams, Jake Byard, Jack McDuff, Kenny Wheeler, Al Grey and John Hicks.   His long and successful playing career came to a quick stop in 2012 after he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.  Eight years later he is still alive but unable to play his guitar.  Peter's story is so inspiring and uplifting I wanted to share it with you. 

Peter started his intense treatment of chemo and radiation which quickly resulted in the loss of his left arm effectively ending his playing career.  As a life long musician, you can imagine how devastating the realization that he could not longer play guitar had on Peter.   After a relatively short period of mental adjustment, Peter relates "It occurred to me that I was free from the tyranny the Jazz Guitar--of having to practice every day.  I realized I could create music that was not limited to four fingers on six strings.  I began to write."   "I  couldn't play anymore but I couldn't get rid of this urge to be involved in music and it seemed to me that the only way I could do it was to start writing."  Peter spent two years composing, Arranging and Orchestrating the 17 pieces that are included in this 2-CD project.  The results are outstanding by any musical measure.  Every song on these 2-CD's has special meaning for Peter including the name of his Orchestra, The Peter Leitch New Life Orchestra.  Yes, rather that l spend his life regretting his loss of ability to play the instrument the loved, Peter reinvented himself as a highly talented Composer, Arranger and Band leader.  

The 14 original composition Peter wrote and arranged for this project are all stunningly beautiful.  They cover a wide range of musically thoughts with ideas that are new and sometimes classically inventive while being fully accessible and enjoyable for the listener.

I have picked and attached two cuts from these CD's  and a third one of Peter playing a solo on the standard "Yesterdays". for your listening pleasure.  These three songs will give you a good look at Peter immense talents as a Composer, Arranger and Guitarist.  The first tune is the opening track on the first CD, "Mood For Max".  Peter wrote and dedicated this song to Dr. Maxim Kreditor, the oncologist who saved his life.  This joyous music Jazz composition expresses Peter's feelings about his medical past, his talented doctor and his newly found musical life.   The next tune is the standard  written by Thelonious Monk, "Round Midnight".  Its a fresh and wonderful interpretation of his great song by the outstanding 17-piece orchestra.  I attached the third song, a solo by Peter Leitch in order to let you experience his talented Guitar playing,   Peter plays the standard "Yesterdays".  

Playlist:

DISC ONE:

1. Mood for Max

2. Portrait of Sylvia

3. Sorta, Kinda

4. Monk's Circle

5. Round Midnight

6. Penumbra

7. Brilliant Blue, Twilight

8. Fulton Street Suite

DISC TWO:

1. Exhilaration

2. Elevanses

3. Clifford Jordan

4. Ballad for Charles Davis

5. The Minister's Son

6. Spring Is Here

7. Back Story

8. Tutwiler 2001

9 The Long Walk Home

Players:  

Duane Eubanks- Trumpet

Bill Mobley- Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Tim Harrison- Flute

Jed Levy- Tenor, Flute, Alto Flute

Steve Willson- Alto & Soprano Sax

Dave Pietro- Alto & Soprano Sax

Carl Maraghi- Baritone Saz, Bass Clarinet

Matt Haviland- Trombone

Max Seigel- Bass Trombone

Phil Robson- Electric Guitar

Chad Coe- Acoustic Guitar

Peter Zak- Piano

Dennis James- Arco Bass

Yoshi Waki- Bass

Joe Strasser- Drums

                                             "Mood For Max"

https://soundcloud.com/user-673478697/01-mood-for-max/s-aKQs3yzVHFu?in=user-673478697/sets/peter-leitchs-new-life-orchestra-new-life-discs-1-2//s-hE1o53qfzQc

                                               "Round Midnight"

https://soundcloud.com/user-673478697/05-round-midnight/s-wb0QYnX8gHQ?in=user-673478697/sets/peter-leitchs-new-life-orchestra-new-life-discs-1-2//s-hE1o53qfzQc

                                                                        "Yesterdays"

CD Review: Kenny Washington, "What's The Hurry"

World-renowned Vocalist Kenny Washington has releases a new CD, "What's The Hurry".  It's hard to believe that this is Kenny Washington's first studio album, hence the title "What's The Hurry". This CD is a joy for anyone who loves vocalists who still sing standards out of the "Great American Songbook"  with classic Jazz phrasing, sensitivity, warm tones and class.  Here is what Wynton Marsalis has to say about Kenny Washington's singing " I love this man! He's a consummate professional, with impeccable intonation. He's a real improviser who brings depth to everything he does."  I could not agree more.  Kenny Washington is a gift to all lovers of classic standards.   Kenny makes singing seem simple and easy but don't get fooled by his relaxed style.  He makes lyrics that may have been asleep for a while come back to life with full emotional understanding.  Once you listen to "What's The Hurry"  I guarantee you can not just listen to it once...It will call you back again and again.

Kenny has gathered some of the best talented musicians in the country, led by the young genius Jazz pianist Josh Nelson.   Josh in addition to providing perfect piano support for Washington and all the wonderful tunes on this CD, wrote all of the sparkling arrangements.  Take a good look at the list of players attached below and I am sure you will agree that it contains the best of the best Jazz musicians playing today.

I honestly had a most difficult time selecting two tunes from this CD because every song was at the top of my list.  I settled on these two but I would have attached the complete CD.  My first pick is the Rodgers and Hart classic "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered".  My second pick is the Jobin/Moraes "Chega De Saudade" with Lyric by Jon Hendricks.  

Do yourself a musical favor and buy this album, it will keep giving you joy for years!  Better yet, buy a few to give as Christmas presents. 

Playlist: 

Players:

Ken Washington- Vocals

Josh Nelson-Piano

Gary Brown- Acoustic Bass

Lorca Hart- Drums

Victor Goines- Tenor Sax and Clarinet

Jeff Massanari- Guitar

Mike Olmos- Trumpet

Peter Michael Escovedo- Bongos

Dan Feiszli- Acoustic Bass

Jeff Cressman- Trombone

Ami Molinelli-Hart- Percussion

y

                                                      "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"

                                                     "No More Blues" (Chega De Saudade)

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"