Guitarist, Composer, Arranger and Radio personality, Doug MacDonald has recently released his latest CD, "Live In Hawaii" and it's a beauty. MacDonald has been praised many times over the years for his beautiful and sensitive renditions of some of the great ballads from the Great American Songbook, but he has taken off the gloves for his new CD and comes out swinging! He has put together a super, talented group of musicians for this up-tempo CD. As soon as I listened to the first song on this CD, "My Shining Hour" it reminded me of one of my very favorite Jazz groups from the past, the Modern Jazz Quartet. I have to say adding the very talented Noel Okimoto on Vibraphone to Doug's usual configuration of Drums and Bass gives the quartet the room they need to swing out. Darryl Pellegrini is on Drums and Dean Taba is on Bass.
This new CD takes no time to get used to, instant gratification for any Jazz buff. It's so great to hear a Vibraphone playing in a Jazz quartet again! Doug has written two of the 7 songs on this CD, and they are both terrific Jazz tunes, "Cat City Samba" and "Bossa Don". The arrangements are classic Doug MacDonald, new, exciting and understandable.
I have been very fortunate to know and hear Doug play for many years in the California desert, mostly in a Jazz Club in Cathedral City, CA where I am sure the inspiration for "Cat City Samba" was born. Doug performs all over the country including in Hawaii where he lived for several years. This CD was recorded live at the Hawaii Public Radio's Atherton Performing Arts Studio in Hawaii. Doug has performed with most of the giants of jazz during his long successful Jazz career including the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Jack Sheldon, Ray Brown and Buddy Rich just to mention a few.
If you love to listen to a swinging Jazz quartet this CD will thrill you. Thank you Doug MacDonald for all your efforts to bring us the best in Jazz in this CD and all your other great releases!
I have attached two cuts from this CD, the first is "My Shining Hour" and the second is a Doug MacDonald original "Cat City Samba".
Ok, all you Trombone lovers, here is a treat especially for you. Alan Goidel and Howard Levy and their quintet Slide Attack have just released their new CD, "Road Trip". The CD is a nod to the great J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding whose musical while recordings made over 60 years ago under the group name "J & K" and are still popular today. I still have the album they recorded in the late 50's, "J & K at Newport". At first blush, a recording with two Jazz Trombone players might seem unusual. But fear not, these two bone players can really play and all of the music on this CD were composed by Goidel and Levy with the exception of one from their Piano Player, Hiroshi Yamazaki. The CD really cooks with straight ahead Jazz. Both of these top-level Jazz musicians went to music school in New York. Alan is a graduate of the State University of New York and received a masters in Jazz/Commercial music from the Manhattan School of Music. Howard is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and received his master's degree from the Lehman College in Applied Music. Both of these gentlemen have extensive musical resumes performing with many of the most outstanding big bands of the last 60 years.
Players:
Howard Levy- Trombone
Alan Goidel- Trombone
Hiroshi Yamazaki- Piano
Michael Goetz- Bass
Chuck Zeuren- Drums
Playlist:
1. Spring Roll
2. Road Trip
3. Clauditti
4. Struttin
5. Look Within
6. Owens
7. A Walk In The Park
8. Early Morning
9. Bluedemic
I know you will enjoy the two songs that I have attached from this CD. The first song is called "Struttin" written by Howard Levy. His inspiration for this composition came from Herbie Hancock's classic "Watermelon Man". The selection is the title tune from the CD "Road Trip" written by Alan Goidel. It's a fun piece that relates to the great feeling of getting away on a road trip.
Singer Jonathan Karrant and Pianist Joshua White are two of the most brilliant young performers on the Jazz scene today and have just released their new album, "Shadows Fall". The CD is a collaboration between two very talented musicians. The playlist is intriguing with songs of traditional standards joined by some contemporary songs. All the songs while different are brought to life by the refreshing new voices of Karrant and White. Jonathan Karrant's vocal phrasing and lush voice work perfectly with these unusual paring of songs. Joshua White would be treasured by any vocalist. His playing is always sensitive and he is careful to keep the spotlight away from his wonderful piano performances and on the singing of Karrant. And ,yet, he is able to blend together with Karrant's voice to make it one voice.
Jonathan Karrant has paid his dues to reach his current level of vocal performance. He has studied privately under the direction of Marilyn May and Kurt Elling two of the greatest Jazz Vocalists of our times. Jonathan has received many awards for his singing as you would expect. He has learned his lessons well and his phrasing and warm rich voice are as good as any Jazz singer could hope for. Joshua White is a creative and technically accomplished pianist. Herbie Hancock called White an "Immense
Talent" and lauded him for his daring and courageous approach to improvisation. He placed in the top two of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition.
I highly recommend this new album to anyone who appreciates the very best in Jazz singing and performance.
Players:
Jonathan Karrant- Vocals
Joshua White- Piano
Playlist:
1. Simply the Best
2. My Romance
3. Detour Ahead
4. I Try
5. Stop This World
6. Lush Life
7. Wrap You Troubles in Dreams
8. So In Love
9. Your Smiling Face
10. I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over
11. I Thought About You
12. My One and Only Love
13. Being Me
I had a tough time picking just two songs because every song on this album is so unique and so pleasurable to listen to. If you are a fan of Jazz vocals you must add this CD to your collection. I have to mention that I was blown away with Jonathan singing on the Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life". In my opinion this great classic is one of the hardest songs for any singer to conquer. It's complicated and yet produces a simple story of romance, pain and reality. My favorite is the Johnny Hartman cover and it's almost unfair to compare any other performance to his version. But Jonathan and Pianist Joshua White do a mighty fine job with this song. The two songs I have attached from YouTube are "I'm Afraid the Masquerade is Over" and a Mose Allyson classic, "Stop This World".
Multi-talented Judy Wexler has just released her sixth album, "Back To The Garden" and it has already received high marks in the JazzWeek radio charts. "Back To The Garden" is a departure from Wexler's previous albums which featured modern Jazz songs and songs from the best of the Great American Songbook. This album selections are some of the great songs from the 60s and Judy has applied her creative ability to reimagine these wonderful tunes. According to Wexler, "I was a bit young in the 60s to be completely aware of the great music going out, but my older brother bought all the new records, and I have such great memories of hanging out in his room and listening to him play guitar and sing along with Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel. I could feel the powerful messages of the music even if I didn't fully understand the context. Music of the 60s is truly a reflection of the times, and the music reflected the turbulence engendered by war, political protests, and the rise of important social movements like feminism and racial justice." Sadly we are still struggling with these issues today!
In her new album Wexler has done a masterful job of re-imaging 10 of the best songs from the 60s to reflect her interpretation of these songs and bring forth their messages of hope, love and change again. This is what truly outstanding Jazz musicians do. They take great music and lyrics and give them a re-birth while never sacrificing the integrity of the original brilliance of the music and lyric. Wexler has a lot of tools in her musical bag that allow her to succeed with her re-interpretation of these golden songs. She has near perfect pitch, her voice is clear and strong, her phrasing is always perfect and she puts forth a real understanding of the issues that the lyrics cover.
The arrangements are sparkling and new and the group of musicians Wexler has gathered together to record this album are spectacular by any measure. She started with her long-time pianist and arranger Jeff Colella whose resume is extremely long and distinguished. He toured with Lou Rawls for 16 years and was Musical Director for Jack Jones, just to mention two. She called upon the brilliant young Pianist and Composer Josh Nelson who contributed two arrangements. World-class Guitarist Larry Koonse was joined by Bass player Gabe Davis, and Drummer Steve Hass. They were joined by Bob Thiele, Jr on Electric and Baritone Guitar, Danny Janklow on Alto sax, Jay Jennings on Trumpet and Hendrik Meurkens on Harmonica. The string section included Violinists Joel Pargman and Carrie Kennedy,Rodney Wirtz on Viola, and Cellist Stefanie Fife. Erin Bentlage arranged and contributed background vocals on four tracks. As you can see from this list of master musicians, Wexler has spent whatever money was necessary to produce the finest musical product she could. She has succeeded! "Back To The Garden" is an outstanding new album that deserves all the praise that it is receiving already by the music press. The music and lyric on these old songs are still as enjoyable as when I first heard them played over 60 years ago and that's a tribute to the musical talent of Judy Wexler.
The songs on "Back To The Garden" include two written by Bob Dylan, one by Paul Simon and one by Stephen Stills. They will bring back memories of Joni Mitchel, the Youngbloods, Harry Nilsson and Judy Collins. If you are too young to remember these original songs of the 60s, I think you will fall in love with them now. If you do remember these original songs from the time they were recorded, you will fall in love with Judy Wexler and her interpretations.
Players:
Judy Wexler- Vocals
Jeff Colella- Piano, Melodica, Background Vocals
Larry Koonse- Nylon String and Electric Guitar
Gabe Davis- Bass
Steve Hass- Drums
Bob Thiele, Jr- Electric and Baritone Guitar
Erin Bentlage- Background Vocals
Danny Janklow- Alto Sax
Jay Jennings- Trumpet
Hendrik Meurkens- Harmonica
Sara Caswell- Violin
Rodney Wirtz- Viola
Stefanie Fife- Cello
Talley Sherwood- Background Vocals
Playlist:
Get Together (Chet Powers)
Up On The Roof (Gerry Goffin and Carole King)
American Tune (Paul Simon)
Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell)
The Times They Are A-Changin (Bob Dylan)
Since You've Asked (Judy Collins)
For What It's Worth (Stephen Sills)
Everybody's Talking (Fred Neil)
Forever Young (Bob Dylan)
Who Knows Where The Time Goes (Sandy Denny)
I have attached two wonderful YouTubes for your listening pleasure. The first one, "Everybody's Talking" thathas some tasty Harmonic work provided by Hendrik Meurkens. The second one is still very popular today "Up On The Roof" from Gerry Goffin and Carole King.Judy Wexler's voice and phrasing and Jeff Colella's terrific Piano work show us how to turn a great R & B rock and roll tune into a delightful Jazz tune!
Band Leader, Composer and Arranger, Ian Charleton has just released his second big band CD, "A FreshPerspective" and it is a great big band album on many levels. First, the compositions written by Charleton are impressive. Second, the inspiration for the CD name, "A Fresh Perspective" was selected because Charleton has taken some classic standards and redressed them with some brilliant new arrangements. And lastly, Charleton has assembled a surpurb 18-piece band that plays swinging music that is crisp and clear. It's so great that big bands are still recording great albums like this one. According to Charleton, "It's a matter of picking out the best players one can while also making sure that the musicians have the right attitude, enthusiasm, and work well together." Well, Ian Charleton accomplished his musical mission. This 18-piece band plays tight and terrific like they have been together for years. I have attached two songs from this CD from "YouTube". The first is a swinging "Basie-like tune titled "1 West 67th Street". It is a Charleton original and features Bart Kuebler on Piano and Trombonist John Lloyd. The second is a pure instrumental of the standard "When Sunny Gets Blue" with a wonderful Latin arrangement by Charleton. There are great solos from Trombonist John Lloyd and Tenor Saxophonist Keith Philbrick.
MUSICIANS:
Ian Charleton- Leader, Arranger, Composer
Saxohones: Richard Garcia, Jason Hammers, Keith Phibrick, Michael Ferrante, David Fatek
Trumpet and Flugelhorn: Mark Oates, Pete Sutorius, Mark Nixon, Kerry Moffit
Trombones: John Lloyd, Lisa Drefke, Carl Lundgren, Dandrick Glenn
Vocalist/Songwriter Bruce Brown has recently released his new CD, "Death of Expertise" that contains 14 original songs. He wrote both the music and Lyrics. To get right to the point, Bruce Brown is "Hip" man! I'm not sure that the word hip is still allowed to be used, maybe it has been cancelled, but it's a perfect word to describe Bruce Brown's highly creative and clever writing. Brown's songs have wonderful melodies, but it's his lyrics that really hit home with the listener.
Brown's compositions are full of wit, wisdom and incisive social commentary that reminds me of some of the writing that occurred in the 60's, 70"s and 80's. Brown's fresh lyrical creativity is like a refreshing breeze coming through an open window. His lyrics give clarity to issues of the day without hitting you with a hammer. A much better and I, would guess, a more effective way of sharing social commentary than what we have seen recently in our society. Brown states, "Those ideas are always fleeting, like quick movements of a paintbrush, so the goal is to capture them quickly. Great lyrics have the capacity to get inside and tweak the heart". Brown's melodies are beautiful and written with carefully observed lessons Brown has learned from the Songwriting greats of the past.
Bruce Brown's soft and sensitive voice will surprise you and bring the voice of Chet Baker to mind. His voice is the perfect instrument to allow the listener to focus on the stories the lyrics are expressing. His lyrics are sometimes funny, sometimes emotional but always thought-provoking.
Bruce Brown has lived in New Zealand for over 20 years, and he also lived in Los Angeles for a long period and the LA music scene influence shows and has influenced his writing.
The sidemen Brown has chosen to support him on this CD are all highly established professionals, and they add immensely to the allover enjoyment of this CD. I highly recommend this CD and especially to any lyricists and composers. There is a lot that can be learned from listening closely to Bruce Brown's work.
I have attached two "YouTube" videos for you to listen to. The first is the title track, "The Death of Expertise". I think you will understand Brown's humorous look at where "Googling" has brought us and its unintended consequences. The second attachment "Doreen" is funny, strange and sarcastic but at the same time, a poetic story about human nature.
PLAYLIST:
1. Death of Expertise
2. They're Everywhere
3. Find Three Things to Be Grateful For
4. Love Makes Us Who We Are
5. A Mind Is a Terrible Thing
6. Back in the Day
7. Doreen
8. Love Always Wins
9. To Find Things Out
10. We Click
11. Losers Are People Too
12. Giving Up Is Not an Option
13. The Music Plays Again
PLAYERS:
Bruce Brown- Vocals, Compositions. "Love Always Wins" Music & Lyric by Bruce Brown & Roger Frankham
The Yoko Miwa Trio has released their new CD, "Songs Of Life". Like all of us, pianist Yoko Miwa found the year2020 a tough period to live through. The recording of this album was delayed and her long time home base for performing, Les Zygomates Wine Bar & Bistro in Boston closed its doors for good. Sadly, the pandemic has had the same effect on most musicians. No place to perform and a lot of Jazz venues closed down forever. In addition to this bad news, Yoko's father also passed away. To Yoko's credit she never let these serious roadblocks stop her from continuing her musical creativity. "Once the pandemic started, I decided to write something every day. I just tried to sit down at the piano and play whatever I felt on that day. Of course I was frustrated, but I tried to stay positive". The result of her super positive spirit was the birth of some uplifting emotional and optimistic music that is contained in the five original songs she composed for this CD.
Yoko Miwa plays piano with a Jazz-inspired spontaneity and when it is combined with her classically-trained virtuosity she moves to the top with the list of today's great pianists. Legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal had this to say about Yoko playing, "At 90 years plus, I have known and heard most of the great pianists, including Art Tatum, Oscar Dennard, Phhineas Newborn, Nat Cole, Dodo Marmarosa, Johnny Costa, and Erroll Garner. Yoko is amazing and will continue to grow."
The Yoko Miwa Trio has been performing together for more than 15 years and consists of Yoko Miwa on Piano, Will Slater on Acoustic Bass and Scott Goulding on Drums. When this trio plays they seem inspired and produce music sounds that are a joy to hear. This CD was inspired by Billy Preston's"Song of Joy""With every note I play, I play with love...With all the happiness this melody brings".
MUSICIANS:
Yoko Miwa- Piano
Will Slater- Acoustic Bass
Scott Goulding- Drums
Brad Barrett- Acoustic Bass-Track 11
PLAYLIST:
1. Freedom
2. Largo Desolato
3. Song of Joy
4. Small Talk
5. The Lonely Hours
6. No Problem
7. The Rainbirds
8. Think of Me
9. Inside A Dream
10. Tony's Blues
11. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
I have attached two "YouTube" songs from the CD for your listening pleasure. The first is the BillyPreston's tune, "Song of Joy" and the second is a Yoko Miwa original "The Rainbirds".
