CD Review: Nica Carrington, "Times Like These"

 This month's review is focused on Jazz Vocalist Nica Carrington and her debut album, "Times Like These".  A native New Yorker, Nica was exposed to Jazz by her father who was a Jazz enthusiast and worked on the promotional side of the music business but also played several instruments.  Nica was lucky to have access to her father's vast record collection and was always drawn to musicians she considered more lyrical, like Chet Baker, Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery.  She also loved Jazz singers but was especially drawn to Frank Sinatra.  "I fell in love with Sinatra when I was 10 years old and especially withh his "Only The Lonely" album.  I really love his phrasing and ability to tell a story without vocal acrobatics."  Perfectly said in my opinion and Nica has followed the Sinatra roadmap in developing her own style.  

Nica has selected a group of "Great American Songbook" classics for "Times Like These".  Mostly torch songs that require great phrasing and sensibility in order to make them believable for the listener.  Nica does a great job on all the songs in her album and is helped along by three of the most talented and sensitive professional musicians performing today.  During the Covid lockdown Nica had been taking voice lessons via "JazzVoice.com" with Los Angeles-based Vocalist, Pianist, Composer and recording artist, John Proulx.  She choose Proulx to be her Pianist, Arranger and Producer for her debut album and then added Bassist Chuck Berghofer and Drummer Joe LaBarbera to complete her trio.  These three seasoned professionals mix perfectly with Nica's rich deep voice and contribute greatly to her wonderful phrasing.  They support but never overwhelm Nica who performs in the spotlight by herself in bringing new life to these old chestnuts. 

I have attached two "YouTubes" for you to listen to.  The first is "When Sunny Gets Blue" written by Marvin Fisher and Jack Segal and the second is a standard written by Carl Fischer and the great Frank Lane, "We'll Be Together Again".  

If you love the beautiful standards and great Jazz singing, you will love "Times Like These".

PLAYLIST:

1. Skylark

2. Left Alone

3. When Sunny Gets Blue

4. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

5. We'll Be Together Again

6. The Summer Knows

7. You Don't Know What Love is

8. Angel Eyes

9. The Shadow Of Your Smile

10 Here's To Life

PLAYERS:

Vocals- Nica Carrington

Piano, Arranging- John Proulx

Bass- Chuck Berghofer

Drums- Joe LaBarbera

                                                           "When Sunny Gets Blue"

                                                             "We'll Be Together Again"
                                                           

CD Review: Manny Kellough And Friends Speaking of Jazz (East Coast to West Coast)

 

Drummer Manny Kellough has had a wide-ranging career including performances with Billy Preston, Ray Charles, Freddie Hubbard, Carmen McRae, Quincy Jones and even the Rolling Stones.  On his new CD Manny has gathered some of his favorite Jazz instrumentalists and singers from both the East and West coasts.  The results are a delightful mix of Jazz sounds that fit perfectly in the finest traditions of American Jazz.  It's always nice to listen to some of the newer Jazz performers of today who are experimenting with new styles, sound and phrasing, but it's so nice to come home to good old American Jazz.   Manny Kellough has led his own band during the past 20 years, is always enthusiastic about uplifting the playing of his sidemen and being an integral part of music rather than feeling compelled to feature himself excessively.   

I have selected two cuts from this great album from "YouTube" for your listening pleasure.  The first song is the Jazz classic "How High The Moon" performed by the musicians from the West coast made up of Gary Brown on Bass, Matt Clark on Piano, Mann Kellough on Percussion and vocalist Azure McCall whose voice and phrasing is perfect for this song

The second song is "Happy Swing in "F" written by Manny Kellough and William Knowles and performed by the East Coast group of Manny Kellough on Percussion, Antonio Parker on Alto Sax, Michael Thomas on Flugel Horn, William Knowles on Piano, Wes "Suga" Biles on Bass.  I hope you can detect some differences in style between East coast and West coast Jazz when listening to this CD.

PLAYLIST:

1. Generosity

2. Secret Love

3. Nothing From Nothing

4. Katrina Ballerina

5. I Thought About You

6. Smile

7. Happy Swing in "F"

8. When I Fall In Love

9. How High The Moon

10. East Of The Sun

11. Foggy Day

PLAYERS:

East Coast:

William Knowles-Piano, Co-Producer

Wes "Suga" Biles-Bass

Antonio Parker-Alto Sax

Michael Thomas-Trumpet, Flugel Horn

Jullian Hipkins-Vocals

Manny Kellough-Percussion

West Coast:

Matt Clark-Piano

Gary Brown-Bass

Azure McCall-Vocals

Ashley Kellough-Vocals

Manny Kellough-Percussion

                                                                  

                                                                "How High The Moon"

                                                              "Happy Swing in "F"                        
  

CD Review: Craig Davis, "Tone Paintings"

 Pianist Craig Davis is a major player in the Pittsburgh Jazz scene.  He recently released his new CD, "Tone Paintings: The Music of Dodo Marmarosa". Dodo Marmarosa was a major performer in the 1940s and was compared to the giants of bebop pianists like Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk.  He worked in bands led by most of the major swing-era bandleaders, including Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa and Artie Shaw.  He worked with legendary musicians including Lester Young, Barney Kessel, Lionel Hampton, Slim Gaillard and Mel Torme.  But things changed quickly by the end of the decade for Marmarosa due to health reasons and he became a near recluse for much of the rest of his life 

 Craig Davis has been on a mission to raise Dodo's profile in Jazz history.  Both Davis and Marmarosa perform by blending both classical influences and progressive Jazz into one voice.  On his new album,  Davis offers his beautiful interpretations to ten classic Marmarosa tunes as well as a new song he wrote dedicated to Marmarosa.  Davis explains "Dodo's story really resonated with me because he was such an enigmatic figure.  He never got the recognition he deserved beyond having a flurry of fame in the forties.  I thought maybe I could help bring his music to light".  Davis goes on to say "We share similar stylistic interests.  I love bebop and of course he was a bebop innovator, and we're both classically trained and bring those influences to our music. He also tried to push the art form forward a little bit and not just kind of settle on what was popular. Dorsey didn't like him because he was too progressive, but Artie Shaw loved it.  All the music on this CD is musically beautiful! 

Davis brought two of the finest musicians in modern Jazz today to join him,  John Clayton one of the most accomplished Bass players in Jazz history and Jeff Hamilton one of the tecnically proficient Drummers in the Jazz world.  I am sure most of you are more than familar with John and Jeff and know that if they agree to participate in a new CD, it will always produce great sounds.  

I found two cuts from the CD on "YouTube" for your listening pleasure.  The first is "Dodo's Bounce" which gives both Clayton and Hamilton a lot of room to show their stuff.  The second one is "Mellow Mood" a song written by Marmarosa when he was 14 years old.

                                                                  "Dodo's Bounce"

                                                                   "Mellow Mood"

Playlist:

1. Mellow Mood

2. Dodo's Bounce

3. Dodo's Blues

4. Escape

5. A Ditty For Dodo

6. Opus No. 5

7. Compadoo

8. Dary Departs

9. Tone Paintings

10. Battle of the Balcony Jive

11. Dodo's Lament

Players:

Piano-Craig Davis

Bass-John Clayton

Drums-Jeff Hamilton

CD Review: Juan Carlos Quintero, "Table For Five"

 If you are a big Latin music fan or are new to Latin music, I think you will enjoy Juan Carlos Quintero's  CD, "Table For Five".  This CD was released in January of this year but I didn't get a chance to listen to it until recently. Quintero was born in Medellin, Colombia and his sound reflects the colorful sounds and diverse rhythms of his birthplace.  What attracts me to Quintero's music is his clarity when improvising on his Guitar.  His playing always seems to have direction and planning even when he is improvising.  His music is beautiful, jazzy and understandable.  His latin rhythms are enjoyable and happy.

Quintero is extremely musically talented.  He started his own label called Moondo Records in 2000. The purpose of his label was to create a nurturing, supportive environment for artists. In 2021, he released the critically acclaimed "Caminando"  about which the London Jazz News said, "The music in question is spirited, uplifting and dance-inflected and will surely have broad appeal, within and beyond the boundaries of Jazz".  I wish I could have written such a dead on description of Quintero's music because that's what I felt when I listened to his CD for the first time.

The musicians Quintero gathered to join him on this album are longtime friends and master Latin musicians.  Their playing fits Quintero's style of music perfectly.   Eddie Resto on Bass, Joe Rotondi on Piano, Aaron Serfaty on Drums and Joey DeLeon on Percussion.  

The CD playlist contains Jazz standards, two Quintero original compositions and a few gems from the Great American Songbook.  It all works wonderful together!

I have picked two cuts from the CD that are on "YouTube".  The First is "Mambo Balahu" written by legendary Cuban percussionist Armando Peraza.  The second is a Quintero original "Table For Five" and it's beautiful.    

                                                            "Mambo Balahu"    

                                                                   "Table For Five"

THE PLAYLIST:

1. Alone Together

2. Mambo Balahu

3. The Gentle Rain

4. Manha De Carnaval

5. Table For Five

6. Song For My Father

7. Porque Si Quieres

8. Days of Wine and Roses

9. Giant Steps

10. Beautiful Love

PLAYERS:

Juan Carlos Quintero- Guitar

Aaron Serfaty-s Drums

Joey DeLeon- Percussion

Joe Rotondi-Piano

Eddie Resto-Bass 

CD Review: Keith Oxman and Frank Morelli, "The Ox-Mo Incident"

This review covers a new CD from Tenor Saxophonist Keith Oxman and Bassoon virtuoso Frank Morelli and their delightful quartet.  Ok, when was the last time you heard a Bassoon playing Jazz?  My guess is never or quite a while ago.  Bassoon players are usually found in Classical music environments,  but no longer.  Keith Oxman and Frank Morelli have joined forces to bring us "The Ox-Mo Incident".  

Oxman and Morelli give the listener the feeling that these two gifted musicians have known and worked with each other for years but the fact is they barely knew each other prior to this recording session. But what they did know was that each of them was a highly skilled and experienced musician.  Oxman offers, "Frank is just an unbelievable musician.  So I was really excited when he suggested this.  Even though Jazz might not be his musical field, good musicians are good musicians.  And when somebody's as good as Frank, there's got to be something there."

Frank Morelli Studied at the Manhattan and Juilliard Schools of Music and was the first Bassoonist awarded a doctorate by the Juilliard School. He is a member of the Orpheus Camber Orchestra and the woodwind quintet Windscape.  He serves on the faculties of  The Juilliard School, Yale School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, SUNY Stony Brook and was recently named Distinguished Lecturer in Woodwinds at the Aaron Copland School of Music.

Keith Oxman burnished Tenor sound is born of a love of classic players like Sonny Stitt, and Charles McPherson who he has played with.  He has also played with Jazz giants Art Blakey, Buddy Rich, Jack McDuff, Phil Woods and Dave Brubeck,  He recently reunited with his iconic Denver brand the Jazz Worms to release the quintet's first new album in nearly three decades.

"The Ox-Mo Incident" is a totally relaxing and enjoyable CD experience and I highly recommend it.  The successful combining of Jazz with Classical again proves that good music has no boundaries.       

I have attached two "YouTube" cuts from "The Ox-Mo Incident" CD that are well- known standards we all know and love.  The first is from the brilliant composing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top".  The second is from the equally brilliant composing team of Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, " I Could Have Danced All Night".

                                                     "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top"

                                                          "I Could Have Danced All Night"

Playlist:

1.  Happy Talk

2. Full Moon and Empty Arms

3. The Surrey With the Fringe on Top

4. Baubles, Bangles and Beads

5. The Ox-Mo Incident

6. Three for Five

7. Stranger in Paradise

8. Poor Butterfly

9. A Wasp in Search of a Hart and Lung

10. Pavane

11 I Could Have Danced All Night

Players:

Keith Oxman-Tenor Saxophone

Frank Morelli-Bassoon

Jeff Jenkins-Piano

Ken Walker-Bass

Todd Reid-Drums 

                

    

CD Review: Eric Goletz, "A New Light"

Virtuoso Trombonist, Arranger and Composer Eric Goletz released his second CD as a leader earlier this year.  The CD is titled, "A New Light" and the CD does shine a new light on the immense talents of Eric Goletz. Eric composed and arranged eight new terrific compositions for this CD along with leading the band and performing wonderful improvisations on his Trombone.  The CD has a fresh, happy feel and Eric's compositions and arrangements are nothing but genius.  When listening to this wonderful group of musicians and these brilliantly written compositions, it reminds me of the big band music of the past, the present and the future all playing together!  

Eric began studying classical piano, guitar and music theory from the age of six with private teachers, but at age 14, he fell in love with the sound of the Trombone in his father's band, and he knew from then on that music was going to be his life's work.  

Goletz also began composing music at a young age and was soon writing and arranging music for the various groups he was involved with.  Goletz says, "I think of music as having endless possibilities.  It's a journey where you can never be absolutely sure where it will lead. Although my background is in Jazz and  Classical music, I spend much time listening to other forms of music such as Pop, Rock, Country, Motown, Funk, Latin and even Heavy Metal.  There's always something new to learn, and I try to keep an open mind to the simple joy of listening to music"  Certainly sage advise for every musicians to remember.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of two original Goletz's compositions that are part of "A New Light".  The first is "Greene Street Groove" which has a funky, bluesy feel and the second is "Don't Gimme That", that features solos buy Goletz on Trombone, Randy Brecker on Trumpet and Allen Farnham on Keys.  I know you will love both of these swinging big band tunes.

PLAYLIST: 

1. Prelude: Before the Light

2. A New Light

3. Edge of Night

4. Dig

5. Enchanted

6. Greene Street Groove

7. Sunrise, Sunset

8. Song for Elizabeth

9 Don't  Gimme That!

10. The Mirror

11. Postlude: After the Light

PLAYERS:

Eric Goletz: Trombone, Keyboards, All Compositions except "Dig", "Sunrise, Sunset", and "Song for Elizabeth" , Arranging

Randy Brecker: Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Jim Ridl: Piano

Allen Farnham: Keyboards

Henry Heinitsh: Guitar

Marco Panascia: Bass

Steve Johns: Drums

Joe Mowatt: Percussion

Trumpets: Tony Gorruso, Freddie Maxwell, Kent Smith

French Horn: Will DeVos

Alto Sax: Bob Magnuson

Trombones: Erick Storckman, Chris Rinaman

Bass Trombone: Jonathan Greenberg

Tuba: Matt Ingman

Violins: Robin Zeh, Paul Woodiel

Violas: Michael Roth, David Gold 

Cello: Sarah Hewitt-Roth

                                                                   "Greene Street Groove"

                                                                  "Don't Gimme That"

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