CD Review: Trish, Hans & Phil, "Greatest Hits Volume #2

 

Superb Volcalist Trish Hatley has recently released a new CD featuring her Jazz Vocal Trio, Trish, Hans & Phil.  Her new CD is titled "Trish, Hans & Phil, Greatest Hits Volume #2" and it is a musical work of art.  Trish Hatley is a well-known and loved singer on the West Coast music scene from Vancouver to Seattle to Palm Springs.  Trish has a sparkling personality and when combined with her beautiful voice and superb phrasing and understanding of lyric make her one of the most sought-after vocalist performing today.

Joining Trish on this CD is Pianist, Vocalist, Arranger and Musical Director Hans Brehmer.  Hans is based inn Seattle where he actively performs on Piano and Vocals.  In addition, Hans is an accomplished composer whose Songs and Lyrics relate current-day experiences.  His arranging skills are wildly recognized in the music scene today.

Phil Demaree is the third part of this trio.  Phil has been playing bass and singing for over 40 years appearing with notable artists like Ray Charles, The Mills Brothers, Dianne Schuur, Joe  Williams and John Gary.

Trish, Hans & Phil have honored the Great American Songbook and the artists who have lived in this sonngbook for their entire careers and continue to perform at the highest levels.  Their musical sounds are always crisp and new and their arrangements breathe new life into the classic standards they sing.  

I have attached a live performance "YouTube" of Trish, Hans & Phil singing Duke Ellington's classic, "Just Squeeze Me" with a terrific arrangement by Hans Brehmer.  Enjoy!
   

                     "Just Squeeze Me"

PLAYERS:

Trish Hatley- Vocals, Arrangements

Hans Brehmer- Vocals, Piano, Arrangements

Phil Demaree- Vocals, Bass, Arrangements

John Anderson- Sax

Brad Boal- Drums

PLAYLIST:

1. Wizard of Oz Medley

2. On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe

3. The Fool On The Hill

4. The Nearness of You

5. I Wan'na Be Like You

6. These Boots Are Made for Walking

7. Red Top

8. Let's Face The Music

9. Hello Walls

10. All Or Nothing At All

11. Unchain My Heart

12. Just Squeeze Me

13. Slow Down/Nice and Easy

14. Beautiful Love

15. Sixteen Tons

16. Utah Moon

                                                              

CD Review: Jae Sinnett's Zero To 60 Quartet, "Commitment"

Multi-talemted Drummer, Composer, Educator and Jazz Producer Jae Sinnett has released a terrific new straight-away Jazz album, "Commitment".   Sinnett is a highly trained and admired Drummer but he brings so much more to the Jazz musical table.  Jae has written over 250 compositions and has also scored music for five documentaries  In addition, he is a dedicated Jazz educator teaching history, theory and percussion at many universities.  In his spare time during the last 37 years, Sinnett has been the Jazz Producer and host for NPR affiliate WHRV-FM 89.5.

The Sinnett "Zero TO 60 Quartet" contains five outstanding highly experienced Jazz musicians who all get to shine on this CD.  Trumpet great Randy Brecker is a special guest and adds greatly to the total Quartet sound on this CD.  Allen Farnham is on Piano and he also composed two songs on this CD.  Steve Wilson playing Alto and Soprano Sax shines on the Sinnett compostion, "Takin It There" and has excellent solos on the rest of the playlist.  Terry Burrell provides a solid foundation for the group on Acoustic and Electric Bass.  Leading the group with outstanding Drum work is Jae Sinnett who has managed to merge all these players into one terrific band.

This CD is a perfect example of the best Jazz has to offer to listeners both young and old.  It upholds the traditional Jazz format but adds new windows to what Jazz can offer today.  It's a surpurb Jazz CD!

I have attached two cuts from the Album, Jobim's "Chega De Saudade" (No More Blues) and an original Sinnett compostion "Takin It There".  

                                                      "No More Blues" (Chega De Saudade)

                                                                "Takin It There"

PLAYERS:

Jae Sinnett- Drums, Leader, Arrangements and Compositions

Randy Brecker- Trumpet and Flugelhorn

Allen Farnham- Piano, Compositions

Steve Wilson- Alto and Soprano Sax

Terry Burrell-Acoustic and Electric Bass

Playlist:

1. Takin It There

2. Wait For Me

3. Morning

4. Simone

5. Skylark

6. Muhammara's Dance

7  Be It As It May 

8. Everything Must Change

9. Guise

10. No More Blues (Chega De Saudade)

                                                            

CD REVIEW: John Pizzarelli

 

New Jersey Born and world-renowned Guitarist and Vocalist John Pizzarelli recently released his lastest album, "Stage & Screen".  Pizzarelli has dedicated this album to the great songwriters and performers who helped to establish the "Great American Songbook".  His focus is on the Broadway stage and the silver screen:  "In thinking about some of the songs that I really love to play, it struck me how many of them come from either a Broadway show or from a movie".  John shares this "An idea like "Stage & Screen" frees me to explore a wide range of songwriters and eras, and it continues to offer a wealth of new possibilities."

I have followed John's career almost from its beginning when I was stunned by his abilities on the Guitar. In addition he has worked hard on his Vocals and has greatly improved them to the same high performance level as his Guitar playing.  I think John has now achieved professional excellence on both Vocals and Guitar playing.  In many ways, he has develop his own style and approach to music and lyric.  He is comfortable in his current position and the results for all his many listening fans, including me, is an honest, free flowing approach to important music that makes it very accessable.  

 I always thought that Bing Crosby was the people's singer because he makes it seem like he was singing with very little effort.  Listening to Bing, you could easily think  "I could sing like that and I am sure that many people growing up during Bing's era thought they were singing like him everyday in the shower.  John Pizzarelli, like Crosby, brings his own style to every song he sings and plays and makes it seem easy, understandable and accessable.  We think "If I could learn to sing or play like John and I can't I would approach every great song just like he does.  

John brings his own inner voice and feeling to every song he performs.  In today electrified music world,  John Pizzarelli brings warmth and honesty to his Vocals and Guitar skills at a level few performers today even know exist.  He is the kind of guy you want to hang out with all night, playing, talking and laughing!

John is touring again with his wonderful trio of Isaiah J Thompson on Piano and Michael Kern on Double Bass.  The chemistry between these three musicians is quite apparent to any listener.  These three highly trained professionals  perform as one voice!   Don't miss a chance to catch John and his trio when they perform near you, I promise you will leave the theatre whistling and smiling!  Bravo, John Pizzarelli for this great CD and for keeping great music alive!

                                                                 "Too Close For Comfort"

                                                                    "I Want To Be Happy"

PLAYERS:

John Pizzarelli - Guitar, Vocals, Arrangements

Isaiah J. Thompson- Piano

Michael Karn- Double Bass

PLAYLIST:

1. Too Close For Comfort

2. I Love Betsy

3. I Want To Be Happy

4. Tea For Two

5. Just In Time

6. Some Other Time

7. Where or When

8. Oklahoma Suite

9. Time After Time

10. Your're All The World To Me

11. As Time Goes By

12. Coffee In A Cardboard Cup
                                                                    

                    

                                                                    

                                                                    

CD Review: The Las Vegas Boneheads, "Sixty annd Still Cooking"

 

I don't know why but many professional musicians like to tell jokes about Trombone players.  Personally, I love the sound of a Trombone and especially when there are more than one playing.  So I was delighted when I received the new release from The Las Vegas Boneheads, "Sixty and Still Cooking".  I have been visiting Las Vegas yearly for over 40 years and know a lot about the town and its history.  But why I never came across The Las Vegas Boneheads is a mystery.  No matter, this talented group of Trombone players is a musical delight.  This group was formed in 1962 by Abe Note to give some of Las Vegas' top Trombonists an opportunity to play Jazz after their regular gigs.  These late night sessions were legendary over the years and they became a popular hangout for some of the best Trombone players in Jazz history.

Some of the great musicians who have been part of this group included Trombonists Charlie Loper, Archie LeCoque, Carl Fontana, Bill Harris and Jummy Trimble.  Pianists Frank Collett and Tommy Todd, Bassists Carson Smith and Bob Badgley and Drummers Karl Kiffe and Santo Sabino were also frequent participants in this group.  The group disbanded in the mid-1980's, but in 2011 Carl Miller who had been with the band since 1978 thought it was time to get the band back together.  

The band is back with new arrangements and a younger generation of enthusiastic and skilled Trombonists.  The arrangement and musical sounds on "Sixty and Still Cooking" are nothing short of terrific and will thrill not only Trombone-loving listeners but any Jazz music lover.

I have attached two cuts from "Sixty and Still Cooking" the first tune is "Al Cohn Tune" and it's a real barn burner.   I really wanted to attach "Home Again" because the sounds are so lush as is the beautiful solo work by special guest, Andy Martin.  But I just couldn't turn away from the Mercer/Carmichael classic, "Skylark".  It has special solos from Trombonist Curt Miller and Pianist Uli Geissendoefer.  The chords and Trombones are warm and lush.

I hope "The Las Vegas Boneheads" decide to tour in the near futurre and I will be the first one in line for tickets.

PLAYLIST:

1. Al Cohn Tune

2. Ceora

3. Samba Deez Bones

4. Home Again

5. Carl

6. Skylark

7. The Nervous Nellie

8. I Thought About You

9. Cherokee

10. Giant Steps

PLAYERS:

Curt Miller- Trombone and Leader

Trombones:

    Nathan Tanouye

    Nate Kimball

    Andrew Boostrom

    llai Macaggi

Sonny Hernandez- Bass

Ralph Pressler- Bass Trombone

Ull Gelssendoerfer- Piano

Steve Flora- Bass

Larry Aberman- Drums

Special Guest Trombone Artist- Andy Martin

 

 

CD Review: Fred Hersch & esperanza spalding, "Alive at the Village Vanguard"

 

I am sure a lot of the readers of this blog are familar with Fred Hersch and esperanza spalding (stylized in all lower case at artist's request).  Both artists are acclaimed as two of the most inventive Jazz performers in music today.  Fred Hersch is the senior of this creative duo, but Fred never shows his musical age because he loves to keep reinventing himself.  He has released CDs as a single, duo, trio and with large bands and orchestras.  In my opinion, his work reinventing standards through his own emotional feelings puts him in a rare group of Jazz performers.  And yet, Fred can and does play all other genre of Jazz at the very top level of performance and style.  I would consider Fred Hersch as the Jazz renaissance man, never confined to any particular area of music.

Joining Fred on this CD "Alive At The Village Vanguard" is esperanza spalding.  While five-time Grammy Award-winner esperanza spalding is much younger than Fred Hersch in age, she is so talented that she performs at a similar creative and musical level as Fred.  On their new CD recorded live at the historic and internationally known Village Vanguard, both performers delight their Jazz audience with beautiful and creative performances that will become Jazz classics in future years.  These two spactacular musicians playing together is a wonderful treat for all Jazz lovers both young and old proving that Jazz at its finest level has no age barrier.  If it is good, it's good for everyone.  The chemistry between these two Jazz giants is very apparent to anyone listening to their CD.    And recording it live a the Villiage Vanguard is a super treat.  Fred offers, "This recording sounds like you're in the best seat in the Vanguard for a very live experience.  You can really feel the vitality of the room, of the audience, and of our interplay.  We decided on the word "Alive" for the album title as you can really feel the intimacy and energy of the performance."

esperanza spalding has this to say about partnering with Fred on this CD, "Playing with Fred feels like we're in a sandbox.  He takes his devotion to the music as serious as life and death, but once we start playing, it's just fun."  In turn, Fred offers this about esperanza, "I don't think anybody's heard esperanza sing like this.  She's a fearless vocalist, and is one of the biggest talents I know.  She's got a huge reach in her intellectual knowledge and is a big thinker in both her projects and in her outlook."

I selected two songs from this album for you to sample.  The first is a well-known Hersch composition with lyrics by Norma Winstone titled "A Wish".  The second song is their particular take on the Gershwin classic, "But Not For Me".  Both songs will highlight the creativity of both of these world class musicians.  

                                                                            "A Wish"

                                                                     "But Not For Me"

 PLAYERS:

Fred Hersch- Piano

esperanza spalding- Vocals 

PLAYLIST:

1. But Not For Me

2. Dream Of Monk

3. Little Suede Shoes

4. Girl Talk

5.Evidence

6. Some Other Time

7. Loro

8. A Wish

CD Review: Jeremy Monteiro, "Sings"

Pianist and Vocalist Jeremy Monteiro has just released his 47th album titled "Sings".  Jeremy is known as Singapore's "King of Swing" and has spent his last 46 years as a performer, educator, and prolific recording artist.  Jeremy Monteiro is a master of Jazz Piano and has performed with many of the world's greatest Jazz instrumentalists including James Moody, Benny Golson, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker and  Lee Ritenour just to name a few.  But Monteiro has also worked with some of the greatest Jazz Vocalists including Jon Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin, Nancy Kelly, Cassandra Wilson and Carmen Bradford. 

"Sings" represents Jeremy Monteiro's first full Vocal album and it's a very satisfying CD to listen to.  "Sings" includes 10 classic standards that never gets old.  The Great American Songbook is always warming and comfortable everywhere in the world and especially in Singapore.  Even though you can hear a slight accent when Monteiro sings, he is no stranger to the meaning of the lyrics.  The story of each song's lyric appears clear and bright.  His phrasing is perfect and shows he fully understands the composer's intent when writing these  beautiful songs. 

As you listen to the two songs from this CD that I have attached, notice Monteiro's gentle approach to each melody that provides the perfect setting for the brilliant lyrics.  Also, notice the musicianship of the group of European and Asian Jazz musicians Monteiro brought together for the album.  They are all master professionals who also understand music from the Great American Songbook. 

Even thought Monteiro published 46 CDs before releasing his first Jazz Vocalist CD, it was worth the wait. Congratulations Jeremy,  on creating this fine CD.  I would also suggest to my readers to do some research to access Jeremy Monteiro's other Jazz Piano albums.   He is a world class Jazz Pianist who every Jazz lover should experience.  I have added a "YouTube" of  a live performance of Jeremy Monteiro and Jazz Brasileiro performing a stunning rendition of "Manha de Carnival "that some know as "Black Orpheus".

PLAYERS:

Jeremy Monteiro- Piano & Vocals

Tony Lakatos- Saxophones

Wesley Gehring- Guitars

Jens Bunge- Harmonica

Ben Poh- Bass

Hong Chanter Techatananan- Drums

The Jeremy Monteiro Jazz Sinfonietta Strings

PLAYLIST:

1. Candy

2. Smile

3. Josefina

4. Moon River

5. Blame It On My Youth

6. Let's Fall In Love

7. You'll Never Know

8. Walkin My Baby Back Home

9. My Romance

10. Softly As I Leave You

  

                                                                               "Candy"

                                                               "Walking My Baby Back Home"

                                                                 " Manha de Carnaval"

                                                  

                                                                   

CD Review: Joyann Parker, "Roots"

Its been quite a long time since I reviewed a country Blues album on this blog, but I just couldn't pass by Joyann Parker's new CD, "Roots".  Blues singer and composer Joyann Parker has an immensely powerful voice and is a world-class composer.  Her songs tell powerful stories, and when she sings you can feel her Blues and Rock and Roll roots.  Her music is uplifting and some times humorous.  I have attached her composition "Stay Home Mama" that I know every mother will relate to.  Joyann is a classically trained pianist with a degree from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.  "Roots" is more than a Blues album, it showcases Joyann's ability to perform and compose at the top level in many different genres of music including Blues, Rhythm & Blues,  Rock and Roll, Country Rock and Gospel. 

Joyann Parker has a strong, brassy, clear voice and everything she composes and performs is real and believable.   Her talents include mastery of the keyboard, Vocals, Guitar, Composing and Arranging.  She is a mega star in all aspects.  "Roots" is another classic Blues album from Joyann and follows her critically acclaimed 2021 release "Out of the Dark".  I know you will enjoy her singing and songs on "Roots".  I have attached another cut from her album, "Faintly Optimistic" which is written and performed in the style of musician Bob Seger.  

According to Parker, "Every time I make a record, I think, "Oh, maybe I should make it more in a particular vein.  Maybe a Blues project that can be marketed to the Blues audience.  But I can't do that. My roots are everything. I go everywhere, but it's still me, and I'm cool with that".  Well, Joyann Parker, we are cool with that too!

PLAYLIST:

1. Roots

2. Faintly Optimistic

3. Wash It Away

4. Closing Someone Else's Blinds

5. What's Good For You

6. Juxtaposition

7. Old Flame

8. Ain't Got Time To Cry

9. Forsaken

10. Miss Evangeline

11. Going Under

12. Stay Home Mama

13. Sconnie Girl 

PLAYERS:

Joyann Parker- Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboard, Compositions, Arrangements

Mark Lamoine- Guitars, Background Vocals

Tim Wick- Keyboards

Chris Bates- Bass

Bill Golden- Drums, Percussion

Scott Graves- Trombone

Rich Manik- Saxophone

Dave Foley- Trumpet

Steve Roehm- Marimbo

Cierra Hill- Strings

Paul Odegaard- Trumpet

Chris Silver- Mandolin

Patricia Lacey- Background Vocals

Nester Theba- Background Vocals

Sarah Morris- Background Vocals

Chris Kroeze- Background Vocals

                                                                    "Faintly Optimistic"

                                                                       "Stay Home Mama"