CD Review: Deborah Silver, "Basie Rocks"

Vocalist Deborah Silver has just released her groundbreaking new album, Basie Rocks, a vibrant and swinging reinterpretation of some of the most iconic rock classics of the last fifty years. What makes this project truly exceptional is Silver’s bold choice to reimagine these beloved hits through the rich, brassy textures and signature rhythms of the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, under the direction of Scotty Barnhart.

Silver explains, “These classic rock songs are actually the soundtrack of my life. As a vocalist, I have always loved performing timeless big band arrangements, and it has been incredibly exciting to bring these two worlds together.” And she does so with elegance, flair, and a voice that is as strong and confident as it is silky and seductive.

On Basie Rocks, Deborah Silver doesn’t simply cover rock tunes—she transforms them. Each track is revitalized with swaggering horn sections, swinging rhythm, and sophisticated jazz phrasing. From high-energy anthems to tender ballads, the album is a seamless and joyful fusion of three powerhouse elements: the timeless melodies of classic rock, the infectious swing of the Count Basie Orchestra, and the luxurious voice of Deborah Silver. 

A large cast of super talented "Hall of Fame" musicians contributed to this project.  their contributions make "Basie Rocks" one of the year's best Jazz album!  The group included Peter Frampton, Kurt Elling, Steve Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, Pedrito Martinez, John Clayton, Monte Croft, Trombone Shorty, Bill Frisell, George Coleman, Wycliffe Gordon, Herlin Riley and Scotty Barnhart.

I have attached two cuts from "Basie Rocks" for your listening pleasure.  The first is the Sting block buster, "Every Breath You Take" and the second is the Rolling Stone's classic "Paint It, Black" with a wonderful solo from Arturo Sandoval.

                                                                    "Every Breath You Take"

                                                                "Paint It, Black"

 PLAYLIST:

1. Paint It, Black (feat. Arturo Sandoval & Pedrito Martínez)

2. Bennie and the Jets

3. Baby, I Love Your Way (feat. Peter Frampton)

4. Tainted Love (feat. Kurt Elling, Steve Jordan & John Clayton)

5. Band on the Run

6. A Hard Day’s Night (feat. Monte Croft)

7. Joy to the World (feat. Trombone Shorty)

8. Fly Like an Eagle (feat. Bill Frisell)

9. Every Breath You Take (feat. George Coleman)

10. Old Time Rock & Roll (feat. Wycliffe Gordon & Herlin Riley)

11. Life’s Been Good (feat. Scotty Barnhart)

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PLAYERS:

• Deborah Silver – Vocals

• The Count Basie Orchestra – Full ensemble conducted by Scotty Barnhart

• Arturo Sandoval – Trumpet

• Pedrito Martínez – Percussion

• Peter Frampton – Guitar

• Kurt Elling – Vocals

• Steve Jordan – Drums & Co-producer

• John Clayton – Bass

• Monte Croft – Vibraphone

• Trombone Shorty – Trombone & Vocals

• Bill Frisell – Guitar

• George Coleman – Tenor Saxophone

• Wycliffe Gordon – Trombone & Vocals

• Herlin Riley – Drums/Washboard

• Lisa Fischer & Bernard Fowler – Background Vocals

The Count Basie Orchestra’s deep roster includes standout players such as David Glasser, Frank Greene, Clarence Banks, Glen Pearson, Will Matthews, Trevor Ware, and Robert Boone, among others—each contributing their own Basie-authentic flair to the production.

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CD Review: James Zito, "Zito's Jump"

Guitarist and composer James Zito makes a powerful and compelling debut as a bandleader with "Zito’s Jump",  a richly conceived album that showcases not only his exceptional guitar skills but also his remarkable gifts as a composer and arranger. At just 28 years old,  Zito demonstrates a depth of musicality and maturity that belies his age, drawing clear inspiration from jazz legends Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, and George Benson—yet bringing his own fresh voice to the genre with confidence and finesse.

The album is a well-crafted journey through twelve tracks, seamlessly blending six Zito originals with six timeless jazz standards. The interplay between the new and the familiar is so fluid that it becomes difficult to distinguish where tradition ends and innovation begins. Zito’s original compositions—such as the title track "Zito’s Jump", the breezy "Island Girl", and the beautifully lyrical "Pense Nisso" (“Think About It”) in Portuguese)—stand shoulder to shoulder with standards like "The Nearness of You", " and the upbeat classic "After You’ve Gone".

"After You’ve Gone" is given a spirited and modern reading, brimming with swing and personality. In contrast, "Pense Nisso" reveals Zito’s more introspective side—a melodic and harmonically rich composition that lingers long after the final chord fades. These two selections alone offer a glimpse into Zito’s range, from exhilarating virtuosity to poignant lyricism.

Zito’s band on this album is nothing short of stellar. Featuring jazz luminaries such as drummer Joe Farnsworth and bassist Rodney Whitaker, as well as a dynamic lineup of emerging talents including Luther Allison on piano and Chris Lewis on tenor sax and flute, the ensemble brings Zito’s vision vividly to life. Vocalists Georgia Heers and Tyreek Mcdole add further texture and soul to the project, while the horn section—including Nicholas DiMaria (trumpet), Joseph Miller (alto sax), Jack Kotze (trombone), and Jarien Jamanila (baritone sax)—adds depth and swing in all the right places.

A New York City native, Zito has already graced the stages of top-tier jazz venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Birdland, The Django, and The Blue Note. His recent completion of Juilliard’s prestigious Artist Diploma program adds another layer of credibility to his rapidly rising career.

"Zito’s Jump" is a confident and exciting debut—one that not only honors jazz tradition but also pushes it forward. James Zito is clearly an artist to watch, and this album is a strong indication that his voice will be an influential one in the next generation of jazz. I thoroughly enjoyed this recording and eagerly await what Zito will share with us next.

I have attached two songs from the album, the first is an up-tempo version of the classic evergreen, "After You Have Gone" and the second is a beautiful Zito original composition entitled,  "Pense Nisso"  that means "Think About It" in Portuguese.                                             

                                                                    "After You've Gone"

                                                                        "Pense Nisso"

PLAYERS:

James Zito- Guitar, Compositions, Arrangements

Joe Farnsworth- Drums

Rodney Whitaker- Bass

Luther Allison- Piano

Chris Lewis- Tenor Sax, Flute

Georgia Heers- Vocalist

Tyreek Mcdole- Vocalist

Nicholas DiMaria- Trumpet

Joseph Miller- Alto Sax

Jack Kotze- Trombone

Jarien Jamanila- Baritone Sax

Playlist:

1. Zito's Jump

2. Bird In The Wind

3. Island Girl

4. Time Zone

5. Ready 'N Able

6. Pense Nisso

7. Minor Lies

8. The Nearness Of You

9. The End Off a Love Affair

10 After You've Gone

11. It Could Happen To You

12. After You've Gone (Alternate Take)

CD Review: Pete McGuinness, "Mixed Bag"

 

Trombonist, vocalist, professor, and composer Pete McGuinness has recently released his band’s fourth CD, Mixed Bag. From the very first track, the album lives up to its name — offering a vibrant and eclectic collection of big band jazz that is both rooted in tradition and bursting with originality. McGuinness, long respected as a multifaceted musician, delivers a standout project that showcases his masterful ability to breathe new life into the large ensemble format.

The arrangements throughout the album are a highlight, brimming with creative textures, surprising turns, and a fresh sense of swing. McGuinness’s vision as a composer and arranger is unmistakable — he balances sophistication with accessibility, crafting charts that challenge the ear while remaining deeply musical and emotionally resonant.

A professor of jazz arranging at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, McGuinness brings decades of experience to this recording. He has performed with jazz legends such as Maria Schneider, Woody Herman, Jimmy Heath, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and John Fedchock. Mixed Bag reflects that depth of experience, exploring a wide range of styles and genres that contemporary jazz artists often traverse.

The ensemble — made up of seasoned New York City musicians and longtime colleagues of McGuinness — plays with sensitivity, power, and cohesion. Their chemistry is evident throughout the record. McGuinness not only leads the band with clarity but also contributes tasteful jazz vocals and expertly crafted arrangements that both honor tradition and push it forward.

Mixed Bag is a beautifully conceived and executed big band album — a blend of familiar sonorities with fresh ideas. The music is thoughtful yet swinging, complex yet highly listenable — a true testament to McGuinness’s artistry.

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PLAYERS:

Band Leader / Arranger / Vocalist

• Pete McGuinness – trombone, arranger, composer, vocals

Saxophones & Woodwinds

• Dave Pietro – alto saxophone

• Mark Phaneuf – alto saxophone

• Tom Christensen – tenor saxophone

• Rob Middleton – tenor saxophone

• Dave Riekenberg – baritone saxophone

Trumpets & Flugelhorns

• Jon Owens

• Tony Kadleck

• Bud Burridge

• Chris Rogers

Trombones

• Bruce Eidem

• Mark Patterson

• Matt Haviland

• Jeff Nelson

Rhythm Section

• Mike Holober – piano

• Bill Charlap – piano

• Mark Wade – bass

• Scott Neumann – drums

• Pete McCann – guitar (tracks 5 & 7)

Strings & Additional Instruments

• Violins: Hiroko Taguchi, Whitney LaGrange, Annaliesa Place, Caleb Burhans

• Violas: Todd Low, Angela Pickett

• Cellos: Melissa Westgate, Alon Bisk

• French horn: Chris Komer

• Flute: Steve Kenyon

PLAYLIST:

1. From This Moment On

2. Rebecca

3. The Dark Hours

4. Lilac Blues

5. Down the Rabbit Hole

6. Body and Soul

7. So in Love

8. Django

9. ’Round Midnight

10. The Sly Fox (In Memory of Bill Holman)

11. Where Do You Start?

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CD Review: Kristina Koller, "Walk On By"

Jazz Vocalist, Songwriter, and Arranger Kristina Koller has published her fourth album as leader.  The Album is titled "Walk On By" and it's a tribute to one of the greatest American composers, Burt Bacharach.

Bacharach's compositions are always strong on melodies and fit perfectly with Koller's love of taking popular songs to new places with her arrangements and her free ranging voice that can be soft or strong but always hip.  As I listened to "Walk On By" on "Youtube" I was able to listen to other Albums that Koller has published and they are very impressive.  Her voice and phrasing are very exciting and accessible. She is a true Jazz vocalist in every aspect.  She won a scholarship at the The Hartt School's Jackie MacLean Institute of Jazz where she turned her attention to full-time Jazz.  She then transferred to City College of New York where she earned a Batchelor of Music in Jazz studies.  Koller says, "I love Jazz because it gives you room to take different approaches to music.  You can add funk or R & B to a song but still keep it in the Jazz idiom". 

Joining Koller on "Walk On By" are a group of longtime and talented bandmates including Brooklyn-based Ukrainian Jazz Pianist and Rhodes player Fima Chupakhin.  Koller is an admired and well-known Jazz singer in all the New York Jazz clubs like Smalls, Smoke, Minton's and Mezzrow.  If you love Jazz vocals you must get to know Kristina Koller, she is a real Jazz pro!

I have attached two "YouTube" music videos for you to sample.  The first Bacharach classic, "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" and the second is "That's What Friends Are For".  Koller is joined on this song by her long-time friend and Vocalist, Rosemary Minkler.

PLAYERS:

Kristina Koller, Vocals, Arrangements

Fima Chupakhin, Piano & Rhodes

James Robbins, Bass, Arrangements

Cory Cox, Drums

Rosemary Minkler, Vocals (4)

PLAYLIST:

1. I'll Never Fall In Love Again

2. Close To You

3. A House Is Not A Home

4. That's What Friends Are For

5. Say A Little Prayer

6. Don't Make Me Over

7. Walk On By

8. Reach Out For Me

9. Loving Is A Way Of Living

10. What The World Needs Now

                                            

                                                              " I'll Never Fall In Love Again"

                                                                "That's What Friends Are For"

CD Review: Deb Bowman, "Reflection"

 

Actress, Storyteller and Vocalist Deb Bowman has just published her 4th Jazz album, "Reflection". The album is a tribute to three of the greatest American songwriters, Michel Legrand, Burt Bacharach and Stephen Sondheim all whom have passed away between 2019 and 2023.  The recording process was done over a few years during which selections were revised to include a wide range of composers.  Bowman is an accomplished Actress who has appeared in many live productions as well as in television and her acting skills have helped her to not only understand the meaning of musical lyrics but also how to phrase them so they tell compelling stories.  .

Bowman has worked closely with her musical director and Pianist, Dean Fransen to create wonderful arrangements that support Bowman's voice and phrasing.  The results are Jazz vocals that sound fresh and new!  

I have attached two "Youtube" video tracks from "Reflection" for your listening pleasure.  The first is "He Was Too Good For Me" a seldom heard song from the pen of Lorenz Hart.  Hart's lyric covers a 😏 wide range of emotions and Bowman starts with a verse that is seldom heard. but is an interesting part of the story in the Lyric.  The second is the classic Michel Legrand song, "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" with sensational lyric from Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

PLAYERS:

Deb Bowman- Vocals

Dean Fransen- Piano, Organ and Arrangements

Jim Donica-Bass

Jakubu Griffin- Drums

Joel Mateo- Percussion

Tom McCaffrey- Guitar

Kurt Bacher- Woodwinds

Bruce Harris- Trumpet

Rashaan Salaam- Trombone

Tim Aucoin- Bass (2,8)

Jared Lanham- Drums (2,8)

Marla Feeney- Woodwinds (8)

PLAYLIST:

1. Send In The Clowns

2.. Moon River

3. Somewhere Over The Rainbow

4. This Girl's In Love

5. He Was Too Good To Me

6. Somewhere That's Green

7. How Do You Keep The Music Playing

8. Till There was you

9. Baby Mine

  

                                                              "He Was Too Good For Me"

                                                     "How Do You Keep The Music Playing"

CD Review: Ermelinda Cuellar, "Under A Lavender Sky"

 

Vocalist Ermelinda Cuellar has just released her new CD, "Under A Lavender Sky".  Ermelinda is an American singer of Peruvian descent who lives in Houston, Texas.  She collected songs for her CD that were inspired by her mother's journey from Peru to Texas to achieve a better life for her child.  The playlist for this CD is a beautiful blend of American and Spanish tunes that Ermelinda navigates perfectly with her warm and confident voice.  The switch from English to Spanish lyrics presents no problem for Ms Cuellar who is one of the most sought after musicians in the Houston area specializing in American, Latin and Spanish Jazz vocals.  With the release of her new CD, Ermelinda Cuellar will gain well deserved recognition from American and Latin Jazz lovers across the US. 

The Arrangements for this CD which were created by Horace Alexander Young with help from Cuellar are bright and refreshing and a musical joy when combined with Cuellar's vocals. 

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of songs from "Under Lavender Sky" so you can get to know Ermelinda Cuellar.  The first is a lovely Latin inspired tune written by Cesar Portillo de la Luz titled "Tu, Mi, Delirio".  The second attachment is the American classic, "Midnight Sun" written by Sonny Burke,  Lionel Hampton and Johnny Mercer.

PLAYLIST:

1. Poinciana

2. Echos of the Past

3. Morning

4. Muenca Rota

5. Agua de Beber

6. Midnight Sun

7.. Song For My Father

8. Maria Lando

9. Tu, Mi Delirio

10. Sol De Medianoche

PLAYERS:

Vocals: Ermelinda Cuellar

             Anthony Caceres 2,3,8

Piano: Darrell Lavigne 3,4,5,6,7,9,10

Guitar: Greg Petito

Bass: Anthony Caceres

Drums: Jerre Jackson 2,3,4,5,6,9,10

Percussion: Sam Dinkins III 2,3,4,7

                    Marion Simon

Trumpet: Myron Jackson 3,9

Trombone: Andre Hayward 3,6,7,9,10

Saxophone: Horace Alexander Young 3.9.10

Flute: Horace Alexander Young 5

Accordion: Deborah Ungar 4

Cello: Steven Barrett Sills 8

                                                                "Tu, Mi, Delirio"

                                                                    "Midnight Sun"

CD Review: Russ Anixter's Hipple Big Band, "What Is?"

 

For all my readers who like a hip big band sound,  a new CD "What Is?" from Arranger Russ Anixter contains tons of musical enjoyment for you!  "What Is?" is a collection of arrangements from Anixter that represents his love and background for big band jazz and rock groups that improvise.  Russ states, "Most of what you hear was written with specific players in the band in mind."  "I've selected 11 musical adventures that represent our breadth and depth in styles, that best feature the great solos in the band and the two prodigious great artists we have along for the wild ride."  

Russ Anixter has a master's degree in Jazz composition at the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Manny Albam and developed his writing for Jazz bands and chamber ensembles.  He worked as a music copyist in New York for over 30 years which gave him a chance to study many great scores while getting paid.  According to Russ, "I learned a lot of craft on the job".  When listening to   "The Hippie Big Band" it's clear that the talented group of musicians are having lots of fun playing Russ' arrangements.  In addition to the band members listed below, Russ included two special guests, Steven Bernstein on slide Trumpet and Oz Noy on Guitar.  

I have attached a video performance by "The Hippie Big Band" that was recorded live at the "Cutting Room" on September 6, 2024.  They perform the title tune of this CD,  "What Is Hip".  This tune was made popular by the "Tower of Power" and it never sounded better!

PLAYLIST:

1. What Is Hip?

2. Dixie Chicken"

3. Free Man In Paris

4. She Said, She Said

5. Heaven On Their Minds

6. Saint Stephen/Turn On Your Love Light

7. Uncle John's Band

8. Hide Away

9. Into the Mystic

10. Whipping Post

11. Green Hornet

PLAYERS:

Russ Anixter- Arrangements and Orchestrations

Matt Hong: Alto Sax, Flute, Bass Clarinet

Stan Harrison- Tenor & Soprano Saxes, Alto Flute

Frank Vacin- Baritone & Soprano Saxes, Alto Flute

Matt Owens- Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Audrey Flores- French Horn

Dan Levine- Trombone

Jack Schatz- Bass Trombone

Bill Hayes- Vibes, Xylo, Congas

Michael Aarons- Guitar

Steve Count- Bass

Scott Neumann- Drums

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Steven Bernstein- Slide Trumpet

Oz Noy- Guitar

                                          "What Is Hip?" Live from the Cutting Room 9/6/24