CD Review: Cece Gable: "Next Year's Song"

Today I am reviewing a new CD from Vocalist CeCe Gable.  CeCe has gathered a fine group of veteran musicians to join her on her CD, "Next Year's Song".  CeCe Gable has a believable voice that tells the

listener that she has lived every lyric she sings.  Harvie S the Bassist and Producer for "Next Year's Song" says "She's an honest singer".  That's what I hear also.  The CD contains a wonderful playlist of songs that all have one thing in common, great story-telling lyrics.  

Joining CeCe are a group of super-star musicians that any Vocalist would love.  On Piano is the remarkable Alan Broadbent, on Bass is Harvie S, on Guitar is Ron Ben-Hur and Matt Wilson is on Drums.  They provide the perfect support for CeCe's voice and style.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos so you can hear this wonderful singer for yourself.  The first song I selected was the evergreen uptempo version of "Just One Of Those Things".  Written by Cole Porter in 1939 the song and lyric still sing to me.  The second song is "Moments Like This".  I was not familiar with this song but CeCe does a great job expressing the message of the lyric.   

                                                          "Just One Of Those Things' 

                                                                 "Moments Like This"

Playlist:

1. Next Year's Song

2. No Moon At All

3. Two For The Road

5. Like A Lover

6. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life

7. The Last Goodbye 

8. My Romance

9. Moments Like This

10. Come Rain Or Come Shine

11. From Me To You

Players:

CeCe Gable: Vocals

Alan Broadbent: Piano

Harvie S: Bass

Roni Ben-Hur: Guitar

Matt Wilson: Drums

The Diva Jazz Orchestra, "Diva Swings Broadway"

Since their premiere performance 29 years ago, the Diva Jazz Orchestra has toured the world to critical and popular acclaim.  They have performed in Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and The Newport Jazz Festival just to name a few of the most prestigious music venues they have performed in.  Chances are some of you, especially the big band lovers, don't know about them.  But you should because the Diva Jazz Orchestra is one of today's best performing big bands. The quality of music they perform is at the highest level and the arrangements are new and exciting!  This group of talented musicians make music that will remind you why you always love the big bands of past years.  

The band's focus on their new CD is on some of the best songs from the greatest Broadway shows.  We all will recognize the songs they have selected but Diva gives them new life with reimagined arrangements that will knock your socks off.  The music Director of the Diva Jazz Orchestra is Sherrie Maricle who also plays Drums on the CD.  If you follow "The Music Man Blog" you probably remember Sherrie Maricle from her marvelous Drumming for the 3D Jazz Trio on the CD "I Love To See You Smile" that I reviewed in September of 2020.

I loved the songs and sounds on this CD,  it is simply straight-head big band Jazz at its finest level.  The CD was released on March 17, 2022.

I have attached two "YouTubes" from "Diva Swings Broadway".  The first is from the 1943 Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway show "Oklahoma".  The wonderful arrangement was created by Bass player, Noriko Ueda.  The second selection is a Scott Whitfield arrangement of the 1956 Lerner and Loewe classic, "My Fair Lady'.  Sherrie Maricle added these comments in her liner notes, " This is Scott Whitfield's  "barn-burner" arrangement that serves as the perfect foil for our virtuosic and fiery alto saxophone soloists. Building on their momentum, I added my solo voice to the mix to drive the song to a rousing finale."

                                                             "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin"

                                                          "Get Me To the Church On Time"

PLAYLIST:

1. Heart

2. Pure Imagination

3. The Man I Love

4. With Every Breath I Take

5. The Sound of Music

6. Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin

7. Seventy-Six Trombones

8. Love Who You Love

9. Get Me to the Church on Time

 PLAYERS:

Sherrie Maricle-Musical Director, Drums

Noriko Ueda-Bass

Tomoko Ohno-Piano

Alexa Tarantino-Soprano/Alto Sax, Flute

Mercedes Beckman-Soprano/Alto Sax, Flute

Roxy Coss-Tenor Sax, Clarinet

Laura Dreyer-Soprano/Tenor Sax, Clarinet

Leigh Pilzer-Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Clarinet

Liesl Whitaker-Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Jami Dauber-Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Rachel Therrien-Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Barbara Laronga-Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Jennifer Krupa-Trombone

Sara Jacovino-Trombone

LeslieHavens-Bass Trombone

Annette Aguilar-Percussionist on Tracks 2 and 6

 

 

CD Review: Ermelinda Cuellar, "What A Difference A Day Made"

 Jazz Vocalist Ermelinda Cuellar has just released her new CD, "What a Difference a Day Made".  The CD contains a wonderful mix of two originals and re-imagined Jazz standards.  Ermelinda has a very interesting background that has influenced her musical career.  Born to Peruvian immigrant parents, Ermelinda was exposed to a variety of music at a very young age.  Her parents worked often at lavish parties in Texas where she watched in amazement as musicians created beautiful sounds and this experience convinced her that a music career was what she wanted.  She went on to graduate from the Moores School of music at the University of Houston with a degree in Opera Performance and worked professionally in Opera and musical theatre for many years before focusing her direction on Jazz.  Once arriving in the Jazz world, Ermelinda knew this was the perfect career direction for her and she began finding her own unique sound. "What a Difference a Day Made" is her tribute to her love and study of Jazz vocals.  

Ermelinda Cuellar has a clear, strong voice and her phrasing is flawless.  When she sings it comes out clear, relaxed and comfortable.  She has the talent and experience to become a staple vocalist on the world Jazz scene.  I personally congratulate Ermelinda for the massive effect she has put in to get herself to this high level of vocal Jazz performance.  

Ermelinda has selected a group of some of the best musicians performing in Texas to join her.  She allows plenty of space in her CD for these professionals to shine and the mix with her vocals makes this CD even more enjoyable.

PLAYLIST:

1. Man with a Horn

2. Sabor a Mi

3. Al Mal Tiempo Buena Cara

4. I Could Have Danced All Night

5. Midnight Sun

6. Angelitos Negros

7. What a Difference A Day Made

8. Duerme Nino

9. Who's Crying Now

10. Historia De Un Amor

11. Alone Together

PLAYERS:

Ermelinda Cuellar-Vocals, Composer

Gilbert Sedeno-Piano

Greg Petito-Guitar

Anthony Caceres-Bass

Andre Hayward-Trombone

Marlon Simon-Drums & Percussion

(In Memory of) Anibal Ambert-Percussion

I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure.  The first song is the classic Latin favorite "Sabor a Mi".  The second song is "I Could Have Danced All Night" with a Latin rhythm and Ermelinda Cuellar reminding me of one of her heroes, Ella Fitzgerald.

                                                                     "Sabor a Mi"

                                                             "I Could Have Danced All Night"

   

CD Review: "3 More Sounds Play Ray Charles"

 3 More Sounds is one of my favorite Jazz trios!  They are out with another winning CD, "3 More Sounds Play Ray Charles".  This prolific trio continues to make outstanding music!  And it's no wonder, since the 3 remarkable musicians involved are at the highest level of musical performance.  Robert Turner never fails to impress his listeners with strong overtones of his hero, Gene Harris.  Henry Franklin provides incredibly strong bass lines and solos and the third member of this trio, musical veteran Carl Burnett provides the final solid rhythm support for the group.  These cool cats can play anything and it always comes out great!

This CD is a tribute to the late and great Ray Charles.  It's hard to describe the talents of Ray Charles but let's start with Ray's unique vocal delivery and soulful phrasing.  How do you duplicate Ray's approach in an instrumental recording?  Look no further than this new CD that 3 More Sounds has recorded. They capture the brilliance of Ray Charles performing some of the songs he made famous. 

3  More Sounds should win an Emmy for this CD.  It's the kind of music you can listen to all night and it never gets old.  Robert Turner, Henry Franklin and Carl Burnett you rock! 

I attached 2 "YouTube" videos for your listening enjoyment.  The first is an up-tempo version of "Let the Good Times Roll" and the second is the Percy Mayfield gem, "Hit The Road Jack".  Please support this wonderful trio and music in general by buying this CD.  You will be playing it for years to come! 

Playlist:

1. Let the Good Times Roll

2. Unchain My Heart

3. Hit The Road Jack

4. Georgia on My Mind

5. Moonlight in Vermont

6. Halleluja I love Her So

7. Cry Me a River

8. I Can't Stop Loving You

9. Drown in My Own Tears

10. Hit the Road Jack (Alt)

Players:

Robert Turner-Piano 

Henry Franklin-Bass

Carl Burnett-Drums 

                                                                       "Halleluja I Love Her So"

                                                                       "Hit The Road Jack"

CD Review: The Jim Self/John Chiodini Duo, "Hangin' Out"

 

Jazz Tuba Player Jim Self has joined musical forces with Guitarist John Chiodini to record their new CD, "Hangin' Out".  I have been a fan of Jim Self ever since I heard an absolutely beautiful CD he recorded with master Harmonica player, Ron Kalina.  The CD was titled "The Odd Couple" and it's still one of my favorites.  Let's be serious, how many Jazz CDs feature a Tuba player?  And yet, the talented John Self continues to produce wonderful Jazz.  Self is joined by the talented Guitar player, John Chiodini and while paring of a Tuba with a Guitar which is certainly unusual, I think they pull it off perfectly.  "Hangin Out" contains an unusual assortment of tunes that is not surprising considering the long list of well-known artists both Self and Chiodini have performed with over the years.  Both performers also included one of their original compositions.  

This CD is a very sensitive and intimate musical conversation between the two master-class musicians.  In addition, they have asked four equally master musicians: Scott Whitfield on Trombone, David Angel on Baritone Sax,  Tom Peterson on Tenor Sax and Ron Stout on Trumpet & Flugelhorn,  to join them on several songs. 

I want to mention that in addition to playing the Tuba on this CD, Self also plays an instrument called a Fluba.  Self describes this instrument as a tuba-sized Flugelhorn.

I have attached two "YouTubes" of two cuts from the CD.  The first one will surprise you, a Tuba and Guitar playing Stevie Wonder's gem "Sir Duke".   The second one is the classic "It Could Happen To You" with Self and Chiodini joined by their four special guests.  It's a treat!

Playlist:

1. Hangin' Out

2. Spain

3. Lydian Afternoon

4. Dindi

5. Sir Duke

6. Another Thing

7. Felicidade

8. Everything Happens To Me

9. Up Jumped Spring

10. I Walk A Little Faster

11. Modal I Tease

12. Just the Way You Are

13. It Could Happen To You

Players:

Jim Self-F Tuba, Fluba, CC Tuba

John Chiodini-Electric and Acoustic Guitars

 

Special Guests:

David Angel-Baritone Sax

Tom Peterson-Tenor Sax

Scott Whitfield-Trombone

Ron Stout-Trumpet & Flugelhorn

 

 

                                                                   "Sir Duke"

                                                             

 "It Could Happen to You"

CD Review: Kristina Koller, "Get Out of Town"

Jazz Vocalist Kristina Koller has released her third album, "Get Out of Town".  The theme of her new CD is a fresh new focus on the music of Cole Porter combined with Kristina's unique approach to phrasing and arranging.  If you are expecting the usual treatment of Classic Cole Porter evergreens you will be disappointed.  Kristina Koller likes to take well known and some not so well known standards and give them a new birth.   The results are wonderful!  As you listen to her performance of Cole Porter songs you get the comfortable feeling that you know the music but you also know you are hearing something new.  Koller's thought process in selecting the songs on the album and her stylistic decisions on the arrangements were driven by their universal appeal.   Koller states, "I choose songs that I can relate to, or believe they can be relatable to other audiences who don't typically listen to Jazz.  I've always wanted Jazz to reach a broader audience.  I select songs and try to arrange and perform them in a way that I believe are universally appealing".  Kristina Koller is a Jazz vocalist that can bring past and present music together to become the Jazz music of today.

Kristina is joined by her Jazz trio that has been performing with her for over 3 years.  Fima Chupakhin on Piano, Juan Chiavassa on Drums and James Robbins on Bass.  The Trio is perfectly matched to Koller's unusual vocal approach.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for you listening pleasure.  The first one is an unpublished Cole Porter song "Why Don't  We Try Staying Home".  Koller discovered this tune along with a second one on the CD, "Greek To You" in a Cole Porter Songbook she found at the Strand Bookstore in NYC.  And some wonder why people come from miles away to spend hours looking at books at this classic NYC bookstore.  The Strand never disappoints!   The second selection is the title track and Koller's wonderful performance of "Get Out of Town".   Kristina Koller is a highly skilled modern Jazz Vocalist who is a great addition to today's Jazz scene.

                                                       "Why Don't We Try Staying Home"

                                                                "Get Out of Town"

PLAYLIST:

1. Get Out of Town

2. What is This Thing Called Love

3. Greek to You

4. It's All Right With Me

5. Why Don't We Try Staying Home

6. In the Still of the Night

7. Just One of Those Things

8. Every Time We Say Goodbye

PERFORMERS:

Fima Chupakhin- Piano

James Robbins-Bass

Juan Chavassa-Drums

CD Review: Tom Keenlyside, "A Night At The Espresso"

 Multi-talented and award-winning Flutist Tom Keenlyside has recently released a brilliant new Jazz CD, "A Night At The Espresso". Tom has brought together a group of sparkling great Jazz talents to join him in a celebration of his Jazz beginnings at a the Espresso Coffee House in Vancouver, BC.  Tom shares his fond remembrances of this time of his life.  "I would arrive home at my appointed curfew hour...11:00 pm and say goodnight to my parents.  When I was assured that they were asleep, I would crawl out my bedroom window, down the trellis, up to Granville Street, and take the bus downtown to the Espresso Coffee House, where I would remain until 5 or 6 in the morning.  What a scene! So exciting!  There, I would revel in the stories of the older cats, John Dawe, Nick McGowan, Rocky Weems...they all had stories to tell, and when they played in was like magic to my ears.  Those guys running through the changes of "Have You Met Miss Jones", " "Stella By Starlight", or "All the Things You Are"...And me, furiously struggling to keep up."

Tom has never lost his love for music and even though he developed into one of the most talented Jazz musicians of our time,  he never lets any opportunity to "sit in" go by.  That's how I got to know Tom.  I first ran into Tom in the Palm Desert California area while having dinner at one of the many local restaurants with live music.  Tom came into the restaurant with his lovely wife Nicki-Lea and it wasn't long before he joined the Trio playing flute as good as I have ever heard anyone playing Jazz flute.  To say that Tom's life has been totally dedicated to music is no overstatement.  Tom plays Flute and Tenor Sax, Composes, Arranges and sings in addition to his studio work with music production.  The best part of all is Tom is a wonderful, caring person with no personality attitudes; just genuinely a nice person.

The music on "A Night At The Espresso" will please any Jazz fan.  It's a cool mix of some great standards and some original compositions from Tom and Miles Black who also provides outstanding Piano work for this CD. I have selected two "YouTube" selections from this CD for you to sample.  The first one is the Cole Porter standard, "All Of You" that showcases the wonderful musicians Tom has brought together including  a great vocal from Melody Diachun.   The second is an original composition that I loved called "Dave".  To all my friends in the Coachella Valley CA area who get to hear Tom sit in all the time in the winter,  you need to absolutely buy this Cd to add to your Jazz collection.  And for any other real Jazz fan reading this, this is one of the best traditional Jazz CD's I have heard in a long time.  Thank you Tom for continuing to produce great Jazz for all of us!  

     

                                            

                                                                         "All Of Me"

                                                                              "Dave"

Playlist:

1. Skwest

2. Amor, O Misterio

3. All Of You

4. Speak Low

5. Ghost of A Chance

6. Garden Bay

7. But Not For Me

8. Lazy Afternoon

9. Cherokee

10 Pelo Amor De Musica

11. Dave

Players:

Tom Keenlyside-Flute

Miles Black-Piano, nylon string Guitar (Track 10)

Miles Foxx Hill-Bass

Bernie Arai-Drums

Brad Turner-Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Tim Porter-Guitar (Track i)

Melody Diachun-Vocals