CD Review: VR Smith, "Once I Loved"

 

The Jazz world lost a very special Jazz singer recently, Verna Rose "VR" Smith who died 2 days after this CD was completed.   VR  Smith had been performing and recording with her husband Bassist Putter Smith and his highly regarded Jazz quartet for many years in LA Jazz clubs.  VR Smith was the prototype of what a Jazz singer should be.  She made singing seem easy and comfortable.  VR sings from the soul with her own interpretation of rhythm mixed with class and her own style.  She always considered her voice to be a part of the band, carefully taking her turn in songs and always blending rather than staring.  Her husband the great Bass player, Putter Smith provides the exact amount of support behind VR.  Putter is a Southern California legend and has worked with an endless list of Jazz musicians including Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Duke Ellington, Billy Eckstine, Art Pepper and the Manhattan Transfer just to name a few.  His approach to Jazz tunes is sensitive and caring and it's a perfect match for VR's voice and interpretation of lyrics.  VR offers, "The words have to mean something to me. Having acted I learned that you have different choices on how you say a thing.  I try to let the tune be the focus and let the words fall into that."

Putter Smith's  band consists of a fine group of Jazz musicians that know how to produce great music.  Chuck Manning does an outstanding job on Tenor, Michael Kanan on piano is as good as it gets, and Tim Pleasant provides the perfect support on Drums.  What can you say about Putter Smith's Bass playing,  it's a master class in how to play Bass for Jazz ballads.

My thanks go out to another great Multi-talented Bass player, Henry Franklin who produced this CD and turned me onto VR Smith!  The CD was released on Henry's own label, Skipper Productions. 

I have picked a couple of YouTube videos for you to listen to.  The first is a wonderful balled composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Ray Gilbert ,"Once I Loved".  This tune has been recorded by many outstanding vocalists but VR's version is uncomplicated but overflowing with life emotion that she puts into the lyric.  Chuck Manning's opening chorus sets the stage perfectly for VR.   The second song is a golden oldie composed by Albert Hague and Arnold Horwitt, "Young and Foolish".   VR makes this song's wonderful lyric so real and understandable that it feels like an intimate conversation between her and the listener! 

Playlist: 

1. Once I Loved

2. East of the Sun

3. Why Did I Choose You

4. Who Cares

5. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

6. You're My Everything

7. Soul Eyes

8. Speak Low

9. Young and Foolish

10 Goodbye

Players:

VR Smith- Vocals

Putter Smith- Bass

Michael Kanan- Piano

Chuck Manning- Tenor Sax

Tim Pleasant- Drums

                                                                        "Once I Loved"

  "Young and Foolish"

 

CD Review: Mon David, "D+N+A"

 Mon David (pronounced moan da-Vid) has released his fourth US release, "D+N+A, a duet with brilliant Pianist, Composer and Arranger Josh Nelson.  Mon David is a classic example of what a Jazz Vocalist should be; original style with a unique approach to lyrics and a world class ability to scat sing.  David left a  lucrative and successful career in the Philippines and moved his family to the US in 2007.  He felt that he had to make this move to pursue a career as a Jazz Vocalist.  Since moving to California he has been a popular mainstay one the Southern California music scene.  

David's new release DNA is a duo project featuring Josh Nelson and it's a truly creative and imaginative musical accomplishment.  David provides a refreshing new approach to some wonderful standards while still capturing the essence that has kept these songs popular for years.  Josh Nelson's piano performance is always inventive and his improvisations are always new and yet comfortable and accessible.  He never falls to impress!   David's primary instrument is his voice but he also plays Guitar, Piano and Drums.  David says, "for me, the human voice is the primary instrument for expressing the emotional depth of a song, but the Piano is a close second. That's why I wanted to work with Josh. His solo performances are terrific, but when he plays with a singer or other instrumentalists, his music has an almost symphonic quality".   

DNA is an album of music created by two young,  but seasoned master musicians!  Bravo to David and Nelson for their musical achievements publishing this album.   I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure.  The first cut is a vocal tribute to Monk and Bird,  a medley of "Straight No Chaser" and "Billie's Bounce", with a great arrangement and feel.   David wrote additional Filipino lyric and joined them because they are two of his favorite pieces. The second is a newer song composed by one of the hardest working singer, composer and arranger,  the talented Mark Winkler.   The song is "I Chose the Moon".  I was not familiar with this tune but it's a beauty! 

PLAYERS:

Mon David- Vocals

Josh Nelson- Piano, Keyboards

PLAYLIST:      

1.  Did I Ever Really Live

2.  You Must Believe in Spring

3.  Lush Life

4.  Devil May Care

5.  Here's to Life

6.  In Praise of Bill Evans

7.  If You Never come To Me/Skylark

8.  Straight No Chaser/Billie's Bounce

9.  Imagine

10.  Blame It On My Youth

11.  I Chose The Moon

12.  Always And Forever

                                                                 "Straight No Chaser"

                                                          

                                                                    "I chose the Moon"

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: Allegra Levy, "Lose My Number"

It's hard to believe it has been almost five years since I reviewed Allegra Levy's first CD,  "LonelyCity". 

 I loved that album on which Allegra did an amazing job of phrasing inspiration on a group of songs out of the "Great American Songbook".  As an extremely talented Singer Songwriter and Arranger, Allegra Levy has selected 9 songs that were written by famed Jazz Trumpeter,  John McNeil and wrote her own lyrics for all of them.  This collaboration was a long time in coming because McNeil is a longtime friend and mentor and he produced her first two Albums.  McNeil who has performed with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Horace Silver Quintet and Gerry Mulligan was very open to have a new take on some of his songs especially from Allegra whom he has much respect for as a lyricist and vocalist.  McNeil says "Allegra's lyrics have a somewhat cynical, noir-ish take on the world--right up my alley.  Collaborating with her was an absolute joy".  The feeling was mutual.  "John is my most important collaborator",  Levy says . "He's always been in my corner and always been such an empathetic and important person in my life.  I always felt that his melodies were really memorable , and that they told these stories."  Creating lyrics for Jazz tunes written by an instrumentalist for other instrumentalists is always a difficult task.   Levy says, "Lyrics only add to the experience by letting people find their own stories in the music." 

Levy brings her strong, clear voice to this project as well as her carefully chosen lyrics.  Today I often find singers who label themselves as Jazz Vocalists but really never hit the target.  Allegra Levy not only hits the target but knocks it out of the park!  She is in every sense a supurb Jazz singer and a brilliant composer and lyricist.  I often thought about what separates a world-class Jazz Vocalist from a Singer of Jazz music.  I think Allegra's composing chops and certainly her respect for the composing history of the "Great American Songbook"contain at least part of the answer.   Rather than reject music just because it has age on it,  she embraces the lessons contained in historically popular music and tries to break new ground by keeping a piece of this past in her writing.  She offers "The music is timeless, so I didn't want to change it.  I just wanted to bring my own voice into the picture."  

This wonderful CD not only spotlights Levy's distinctive singing style and writing skills but also brings forth three remarkably talented women musicians,  Carmen Staaf on Piano, Carmen Rothwell on Bass and Colleen Clark on Drums.  Levy is an active supporter of the "Women in Jazz Organization" and tries to perform with women on the Jazz scene whenever possible.  Selecting these three fine musicians was a no-brainer because their performing skills are as good as it gets!   

I have selected two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first one became a favorite the first time I heard it,  "Livin' Small".  The second selection, the title tune for the CD has tons of attitude, "Lose My Number".  According to Levy she wrote "Lose My Number" with McNeil in mind.  Levy says "McNeil is one of the gentlest, kindest, and most compassionate people she has ever met.  Yet as anyone who knows him can attest, he is also infamous for his wicked wit and an acerbic side he makes no attempt to hide".

    

                                                                         "Livin Small" 

                                                                            "Lose My Number"

Players:

Allegra Levy- Vocals, Lyrics and Arranging

Carmen Staaf- Piano

Carmen Rothwell- Base

Colleen Clark- Drums

John McNeil, Compositions, Trumpet, Arranging

Pierre Dorge- "Ukulele"

Playlist:

1. Samba De Beach

2. Livin' Small

3. Tiffany

4. Strictly Ballroom

5. C.J.

6. Dover Beach

7. Ukulele Tune

8. Zephyr

9. Lose My Number

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)