CD Review: Audrey Silver, "Oklahoma"

"Oklahoma" has always been one of my favorite musicals and it Jazz Vocalist and Song Writer, Audrey Silver also has a deep love for this classic American musical.  Therefore her lastest CD release, "Oklahoma" is a special present for me and my readers.   Silver's "Oklahoma" is her fifth CD as leader. Audrey Silver studies every lyric in the same way an anthropologist studies newly discovered ancient bones.  She wants to get the full understanding of what the lyricists are saying.  As you listen to the two songs from this CD that I have attached, I think you will agree with me.

Audrey Silver is a professional Jazz Vocalist in everyway!  She is always looking for great music and lyrics that put forth a story and then she performs these songs by adding her own Jazz interpretations.  When you combine with Silver's ability to sing with her clear, creamy voice, the results are always spectacular.  She brings are own special phrasing to each familar song that causes a rebirth of pleasure for listeners young and old.

I want you to read a quote from Christopher London which was published in the JazzTimes, "If a name ever fit a performer, it is Silver's, for her voice is like pure sterling.  Her phrasing is exquisite, her clarity and enunciation on par with the great Jo Stafford and her breath control-a talent so often, and so wrongfully, overlooked-rivals Sinatra's".   London's quote is exactly how I feel about Audrey Silver.

                                                             "Oh What A Beautiful Day"

                                                                     "Out Of My Dreams"
PLAYERS:

Audrey Silver- Vocals, Native American Flute, Producer

Bruce Barth- Piano, Arrangements

Peter Bernstein- Guitar

Adam Kolker- Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet

Kahlil Kwame Bell- Percussion

Sarah Zun- Violin

Adda Kridler- Violin

Kaya Bryla-Viola

Maria Jeffers- Cello 

All songs by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein 

PLAYLIST:

1. Oklahoma

2. Many a New Day

3. Oh What a Beautiful Mornin

4. I Cain't Say No

5. The Surrey With the Fringe on Top

6. Out of My Dreams

7. People Will Say We're in Love

8. Kansas City

9. Boys and Girls Like You and Me

10. Oklahoma (Reprise) 

 

 

CD Review: Ivan Lins, "My Heart Speaks"

 

If you have never heard of Ivan Lins before, get ready to meet one of the most treasured and recorded Brazilian composers in the world.  The promo information about Ivan Lins described him as a world-class Melodist.  I looked up the word, melodist, and its described as "a composer of melodies".  In my opinion, this definition falls short for Lins because Ivan Lins' melodies are sophisticated and lush and reflect on his heros Carlos Lyra and Jobim.  

If you love Brazilian music, this CD will instantly become one of your go to albums.  There are 11 stuningly beautiful  Ivan Lins songs on "My Heart Speaks" backed by the 91 piece Symphony of Tblisi, capital of the Republic of Georgia.  "My Heart Speaks" was released on September 15, 2023 and features Jazz Vocal icons Dianne Reeves and Jane Monheit,  rising Star Singer Tawanda and Trumpeter Randy Brecker.  Ivan Lins has recorded nearly 50 albums since 1970 and has won four Latin Grammy Awards.

This CD was released by Resonance Records and its founder, George Klabin.  Resonance Records specializes in publishing previouly released recordings by Jazz icons, and they deserve recognition for their efforts advancing the cause of Jazz.

Ivan Lins has brought in Los Angeles-based Composer and Arranger Kuno Schmid to write all the orchestral charts and they are all a perfect fit for Lins' compositions.  Lins' core band on this album included  Josh Nelson on piano.  Nelson's playing has been described as lyrical, harmonically rich, and elegant in DownBeat and his performance on this CD validates this praise.  The Guitarist was Uruguayan Leo Amuedo who has played along side Lins for over a decade. Cuban Carlitos Del Puerto was on Bass. He founded the Grammy-winning Latin band, Irakere. 

I have attached two "YouTude" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first is the title tune from this CD, "The Heart Speaks" (Antes e Depois" that is perfomed with guest Jazz Vocalist, Dianne Reeves. This song was first recorded instrumentally in 1995 by Trumpeter Terence Blanchard on his album of Lins' songs.

The second "YouTube" is the tune "I'm Not Alone" performed by the young and very talented Tawanda.  In 2022, Tawanda was the winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.  She is a wonderful Jazz singer who I am sure we will hear much more of in the near future.  The English lyric for this song was written by Oscar and Grammy winner, Will Jennings who wrote the lyric for "Up Where We Belong" and "My Heart Will Go On".   

                                                         "The Heart Speaks" (Antes e Depois)

                                                            "I'm Not Alone"   (Anjo de Mim)

PLAYLIST:

1. Renata Maria

2. The Heart Speaks 

3. Nao Ha Porque

4. I'm Not Alone

5. Congada Blues

6. E Isso Acontece

7. Easy Going

8. Corpos

9. Missing Miles

10. Rio

11. Nada Sem Voce

PLAYERS:

Ivan Lins- Composer, background singing

Kuno Schmid- All Arrangements

The Tblisi Symphony Orchestra

Josh Nelson- Piano

Leo Amuedo- Guitar

Carlitos Del Puerto- Bass

Mauricio Zottarelli- Drums and Percussion

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Dianne Reeves

Jane Monheit

Tawanda

Randy Brecker

CD Review: Debbie Spring, "Tocamos"

 

You don't usually hear Jazz musicians playing in a Jazz group including a Viola however, when you listen  Debbie Spring's recent CD, "Tocamos" it is a breath of fresh air.  Debbie Spring is a classically trained Viola player of the highest skill level, and she plays a five-string viola that in itself is rare.  At first glance, the Viola looks very similar to a Violin.  Both are tuned in perfect fifths.  Debbie gives us insight into what the differences are.  The Violin tuning is G, D, A and E.  While the strings of the Viola are tuned one fifth lower than the Violin,  C, G, D and A.  In addition, Debbie has added a high E string to her instrument to be able to play closer to the the range of a Violin. 

Debbie Spring has written all of the compositions for her CD except "Fragile" which was composed and recorded by Sting.   She performs her music in a technically flawless manner and her songs are very lyrical and accessible to the listener.   Her tones on the Viola produce a beautiful, warming and mellow sound.  Her classical background and her dexterity and creativity while playing her Viola reminds us that the line between Classical and Jazz is sometimes hard to identify.  Good music is never limited by genre and Debbie Spring's composing and performing make that point very clear.  One of her favoite gigs was touring with Shakira, "I loved playing with Shakira. I'm a Jazz musician at heart and Shakira didn't dictate what I was supposed to play.  She let me improvise, and I had some of the most fun trading riffs with her on the stage".

I have attached below two "YouTube" recordings from her album.  The first is a tango titled, "Tango Y Mas".  The inspriation for this song came as a result of Debbie's many trips to Argentina with Shakira where she fell in love with the music.  Debbie brought in two-time Grammy winner, Howard Levy who is a widely acknowledged master of diatonic harmonica to give the tango a different direction.  It's a beautiful piece of creative music.  The second song is "Senegal" which was written in 5/4 time and is supported by Rusty Heck on Bass and David Schanzer on Percussion with rhythms captured in West Africa.     

 

                                                                      "Tango Y Mas" 

                                                                            "Senegal"

PLAYLIST:

1. Mockingbird

2. Fragile

3. Summer

4. Tocamos/English

5. Bossa Minha

6. Tango Y Mas

7. Senegal

8. Tocamos/Spanish

PLAYERS:

Debbie Spring- 5 String Viola, Compositions

Hal Roland- Piano, Keyboards, Vocals Track 2

Rusty Heck- Bass and Compositions Track 4 & 5

Ettienne Fuentes Jr- Drums

Scott Marischen- Harp Track 2

Phil Fest- Guitar Track 5 

Howard Levy- Harmonica Track 6

David Schnazer- Percussion Tracks 2,5,6,7  Keyboard Track 7

Julio Matta- Percussion Tracks 4 & 8

Eddy "Oriente" Balzola: Vocals Tracks 4 & 8, Composition Tracks 4 & 8w 

                                                

CD Review: Mike Jones, Penn Jillette and Jeff Hamilton, "Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What Your're Doing?"

 

Pianist Mike Jones whose day job over the last 21 years has been being musical director and opening act with the legendary magicians Penn & Teller at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.  Jones is a graduate from the Berklee College of Music and has performed at numerous Jazz clubs in Boston and New York.  He has published more than 12 albums as a leader and is a straightahead pianist whose heros are Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. He can handle Jazz standards with ease and grace.  Mike would be a perfect lead in any Jazz trio but he is really at his best playing with one of the very best drummers performing today, Jeff Hamilton.  I have done many reviews of Jeff Hamilton on this blog and all his Cds are great.  I think Jeff's work with Diana Krall has been fantastic and "The Diana Krall Live in Paris" recording with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra is still one of my all-time favorite albums.  The third member of the group became famous not because of his Bass playing but because he is one of the most respected and irreverent magician of his generation.   Penn and Teller have headlined one of the most successful Las Vegas shows for over 30 years. However there has been another love in Penn Jillette's life that started late in his life at age 48 when he decided he had to learn how to play the upright Bass.  As soon as Penn honed his skills on the Bass he started playing with Jones as part of the opening of his show.  As you will hear on this CD, he has become skilled at playing upright Bass.

The idea of the CD came about when Hamilton dropped by to see the Penn and Teller Show and suggested that the three of them record together.  One would think that such a seasoned performer like Penn Jillette would not have stage fright playing with anyone, however Jeff Hamilton is Penn's favorite Drummer and he suddenly came down with a case of the jitters.  "Penn freaked out" Jones recalls, "He was as nervous as I've ever seen him with quotes like "This is absurd and I'm out of my league".  Penn's concern contributed to the title of the CD "Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You're Doing?". Happily for us, this trio recorded this CD and it is a delight to listen to.  The playlist gives all three musicians the room to stretch their musical Jazz imaginations and musical skills.  This Cd is a perfect example of why the Piano Jazz trio has always been a favorite with Jazz lovers.  

Playlist:

'S Wonderful

Doxy

What A Difference A Day Makes

The Girl From Ipanema 

Watch What Happens

On Green Dolphin Street

You've Changed

Perdido

Medley: I'll Close My Eyes and Close Your Eyes

Gone With The Wind

Blues For Burns 

Players:

Mike Jones- Piano

Penn Jillette- Bass

Jeff Hamilton- Drums

   

                                               
                                                               " 'S Wonderful"

                                                                    "Gone With The Wind"

CD Reveiw: Eric Goletz, "Standard-ized"

Muti-talented Trombonist, Pianist, Composer and Arranger Eric Goletz released his third CD as leader and it's a beauty.  Jazz Trombone is a beautiful instrument when played at the professional level Eric provides.  His tone and dexterity are warm and hot all at the same time.  Until Eric released his first CDs, "Into The Night" in 2021 and his second CD  "A New Light" in 2022, Eric had already made his succefull mark as composer and sideman.  Since taking over control of his own CDs, he has already established himself as one of today's Jazz performing super-stars.  His arrangements on "Standard-ized" are exciting and brilliant.  They bring new life to a list of not only sensational Jazz standards but some comtempory gems too.  Eric skillfully re-imagines modern Jazz standards and classic songs out of the Great American Songbook with hip arrangements and great band sounds.

I can't say enough about the quality of the players on this CD or the creative mix of the playlist Eric has put together for "Standard-ized".  He chose music composed by Stevie Wonder, Charlie Parker, Horace Silver, Michel Legrand, George Gershwin, and Stanley Turpentine.  Once you listen to Eric's CD, I guarantee you will be longing for more.  I hope Eric puts a Standard-ized II on his "To Do" list.

I usually only attach two songs from the CD I am reviewing but not this time.  Eric's exceptional talents just can't be covered with two songs so you are treated to 3 songs off the CD.  The first song attached below is a Charlie Parker original composition, "Now's The Time".  It will let you hear Eric's sensational arrangement and the swing band.  The second song is an old chestnut, "Just In Time" and you will marvel at the tempo, the arrangement and Eric's fine Trombone work.  And I couldn't resist attaching Stevie Wonder's classic "Overjoyed" so you could hear Eric's melow Trombone tones doing justice to this comtempory gem. 

Playlist:

1. Now's The Time

2. Just In Time

3. Caravan

4. Nutville

5. Nature Boy

6. Train Shuffle

7. Jungle Juice

8. Mayreh

9. The Summer Knows

10. Summertime

11. Sugar

12. Windmills of Your mind

13. Overjoyed

14. Now's The Time Outro

Players: 

Eric Goletz- Trombone, Piano (Tracks 9,12,13) Compositions, Arrangements

Special Guests:

    Don Braden- Soprano Sax

    LaJuan Carter- Vocals

Henry Heinitsh- Guitar

Jim Ridl- Piano

Brian Glassman- Acoustic & Electric Basses

Marco Panascia- Electric Bass (Track 12)

Steve Johns- Drums

Joe Mowatt- Percussion

The Strings:

    Robin Zeh- Violin

    Paul Woodiel- Violin

    Michael Roth- Viola

    David Gold- Viola

    Sarah Hewitt-Ross- Cello

    Brian Glassman- Contra Bass   

 

                                                                        "Now The Time"

                                                                        "Just In Time"

                                                                            "Overjoyed"

CD Review: Anthony E. Nelson Jr., "Swinging Sunset"

Saxophonist and Composer Anthony E. Nelson Jr. is a young and talented musician who grew up in Essex County New Jersey.  In and around the Newark area Anthony was fortunate to hear some of the best Jazz and R&B musicians performing in the 1990's.  That was where he heard Jimmy McGriff and fell in love with the Organ as a Jazz instrument.  His instrument of choice is the Tenor Sax and Nelson's playing is influenced by some of the Jazz giants in Jazz history.  For his latest album, "Swinging Sunset " Nelson says, "I wanted to honor the cats who knew how to do an organ trio right.  But I also wanted to pay homage to the great sax players that shaped my understanding of music.  I have a great love for artists like Gene Ammons, Houston Person, Stanley Turrentine and other sax giants without whom I wouldn't be the musician I am today".   Nelson's sax playing is very accessible because it's lyrical with a deep warm sound.  He approaches a tune like a singer approaches a song lyric. 

This is Anthony E. Nelson's 5th CD as leader and proves that he can reach across generational and genre lines.   The Baptist church has played a major role in his life, and his spirituality is reflected in his each of his CDs.

Nelson is joined by two veteran musicians, Cecil Brooks III on Drums and Kyle Koehler on Hammond B3 Organ.  This wonderful CD is an excellent example of why Jazz Organ Trios are so popular.

I have attached two "YouTube" songs for your listening pleasure.  The first song is "Canadian Sunset" written by Eddie Heywood and brought into Jazz history by Gene Ammons.  Being a Sax player myself, I have always been drawn to Ammons' version of this song.  Nelson's phrasing and tone pay homage to one of his and our Jazz heroes, the great Gene Ammons.  The second song "Uno Mas Por Roberto" is an original composition written by Nelson for his uncle Bob who speaks fluent Spanish.  Nelson says the song has a Soul/Bossa vibe.

Playlist:

1. Canadian Sunset

2. One More Once

3. Girl Talk

4. Uno Mas Por Roberto

5. These Foolish Things

6. Minor Chant

7. Mildew

8. Why Did I Choose You

9. One A Misty Night

10. Three Little Words

11. Walk With Me

12. Last Call

Players:

Anthony E. Nelson, Jr- Tenor Sax, Compositions

Kyle Koehler- Hammond B3 Organ

Cecil Brooks III- Drums   

                                                                      "Canadian Sunset"

                                                                  "Uno Mas Por Roberto"

CD Review: Ben Cassara, "What A Way To Go"

 

New York based Vocalist Ben Cassara released his new album, "What A Way To Go" in late December of 2022.  Ben is a cabaret and Jazz club singer whose singing will bring you back to when Jazz clubs in both NYC and LA were having their finest hour.  His voice and his interpretion of Lyric and Music is exceptionally good in my opinion.  No noise here, just pure understanding of lyrics performed in a traditional Jazz method.  Cassara sounds cool and calm on his CD and he brings along some of the finest musicians to support him.  The Arrangements from Josh Richman and Ronny Whyte are refreshingly good.

The Playlist Cassara put together for his CD are classic Jazz vocalist examples of cool music.  He draws heavily on the lyrics of Dave Frishberg while including two terrific songs from Jobim.  I have attached a "YouTube" of Cassara singing Jobim's "Living On Dreams" which includes English lyrics by Susannah McCorkel.  

It is so wonderful that gentle Jazz voices like Ben Cassara's can find small and intimate Jazz clubs in which to perform in major cities across the country.  He understands the messages that great songs have and he sings like he is telling a story to his audience.  Sadly, today there are not a lot of Vocalists who can pull off singing lyrics that are sensitive and tell a story.  Ben Cassara is a shining example of what makes Jazz cabaret singing so wonderful, and I am happy to support him and get the word out to my Jazz friends.

Playlist:

1. I Just Found Out About Love

2. Living On Dreams

3. What A Way To Go

4.  The Party Upstairs

5. Zanzibar

6. Fotographia

7. Let's Eat Home

8. Throw Me A Word

9. Secret Love

10. I Wish I Knew

11. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

12. Wheelers And Dealers

13. Linger Awhile

14. I Think I fell In Love Today

Players:

Ben Cassara- Vocals

Josh Richman- Piano & Arrangements

Ronny Whyte- Piano & Arrangements

Harry Allen- Saxophone

Boots Maleson- Bass

Tim Horner- Drums

  

                                                                  " Living On Dreams"    

                            

                                                           "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart"