CD Review: Lili Malljic, "The Nearness of You- In Loving Memory of Jim Rotondi"

 Austrian-based jazz vocalist Lili Maljic has just released her debut album, The Nearness of You – In Loving Memory of Jim Rotondi, and it is a heartfelt, masterful tribute — as well as a bold artistic statement in its own right. Her smoky, vintage jazz voice wraps around each lyric and instantly invites the listener into a world of warmth and emotional intimacy. Her phrasing is exquisite and her talent as an arranger equals her vocal gift, proving she understands not just melody, but narrative and nuance.

On this album, Lili re-imagines beloved standards from the "Great American Songbook" with deep emotional insight. The result is both familiar and freshly personal — a respectful nod to tradition, rendered with her own unmistakable voice.

Jim Rotondi’s presence looms large over the entire record. As trumpeter, arranger, and mentor — and sadly, now in memoriam — he helped shape the mood, texture, and harmonic soul of this project. The album becomes more than a collection of songs; it feels like a musical conversation, a farewell, a celebration, and a beginning all at once.

I have attached two songs from this album, the first is the title tune, "The Nearness Of You".  This Carmichael classic is usual performed as a ballad but Jim Rotondi has provided a spirted 7/8 time arrangement that Lili performs perfectly.  The second is "The Shadow Of Your Smile" set to a Bossa Nova beat that make this tune new again!

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Playlist:

    1.The Shadow of Your Smile

1. Easy To Love 

2. Never Let Me Go 

3. The Touch of Your Lips 

4. The Nearness of You 

5. This Can't Be Love 

6. You Go To My Head

7. The Song Is You 

8. I Didn't Know About You 

9. That Old Black Magic 

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Players:

• Lili Maljic — vocals (and arrangements on some tracks) 

• Jim Rotondi — trumpet and arrangements (notably on several tracks) 

• Oliver Kent — piano 

• Miloš Čolović — bass 

• Mario Gonzi — drums 

            

        

                                                            "The Nearness Of You"

                                                             "The Shadow Of Your Smile"

CD Review: Piper & The Hard TImes, "Good Company"

Piper & The Hard Times — Good Company

The super blues band Piper & The Hard Times has just released their second album, Good Company, and it delivers everything their fans — and the blues world — have been waiting for. I reviewed their first album Revelation, which went on to win the 2025 IBC Best Independent Produced Album and the Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist Album at the 46th annual Blues Music Awards in Memphis — accolades that were no surprise to me. Piper & The Hard Times is one of the strongest and most compelling blues-rooted groups I’ve heard in years. 

Their new album, Good Company, is every bit as strong as their debut and firmly cements the band’s place among the genre’s most exciting contemporary blues acts. It’s soulful, raw, and inventive — and I wouldn’t be shocked to see this creative ensemble collecting even more awards in the future.

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Playlist:

    1. Good Company-3.59

    2. Now I’m Lovin’ You – 4:12

    3. Tear It Down – 5:14

    4. Cowboy Gucci – 3:52

    5. In The Meantime – 5:06

    6. Turn the Tables – 2:20

    7. Runaround Man – 4:12

    8. Cheatin’s Gotta End – 3:41

    9. Keep It to Yourself – 4:08

    10. Not Your Fault – 4:23

    11. My Place – 3:43

    12. Those Days – 7:56 

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Players:

• Al “Piper” Green — Vocals, Songwriting

• Steve Eagon — Guitar, Songwriting, Bandleader

• Dave Colella — Drums, Percussion, Songwriting

• Amy Frederick — Keyboards (Piano, Organ, Rhodes)

• Parker Hawkins — Bass

Additional Musicians 

       .  Eddie Meyer — Tenor Saxophone

• Charlie DiPuma — Additional Saxophone

• John Wallum — Organ (guest on select cuts)

• Lisa Oliver-Gray — Background Vocals

• Etta Britt — Background Vocals

What Makes Good Company Special

One thing you never get with Piper & The Hard Times is imitation. Their music is original and authentic — not derivative or formulaic. You can feel their joy in playing together, and that spirit comes through in every groove and solo. This record isn’t just a collection of songs — it’s a musical conversation between players who have trusted each other’s ears and instincts for years.

Recorded over just three days in March 2025 at the legendary Oceanway Studio A in Nashville, the performances are tight and energetic yet full of heart. The production by Tres Sasser and engineering by Joe Costa captures the band’s raw power without polishing away the grit that makes their sound so compelling. 

Tragically, just as the band’s momentum was peaking — their touring calendar packed and excitement building — frontman Al “Piper” Green was diagnosed with cancer on June 4, 2025. The band has understandably scaled back live dates to allow Piper time to heal, and the blues community has rallied around him with an outpouring of support. We all wish Al a speedy and full recovery and look forward to the day they hit the road again full force. 

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I have attached two tracks from "Good Company".  The first is the title tune on the album, "Good Company".  The second track is "Cowboy Gucci".  If you are a Blues fan, you will love the music of "Piper & the Hard Times"!

                                                                        "Good Company"

                                                                         "Cowboy Gucci"

CD Review: Sacha Boutros, "Sacha: Paris After Dark"

Jazz Vocalist, Composer, Arranger and Producer Sacha Boutros has recently released her fifth album, "Sacha: Paris After Dark".  This release follows her first successful CD,   Sacha: NY After Dark". According to Sacha, "For me, this album is a love letter to Paris, to music, to my childhood and family, and to the powerful bond between cultures.  The "After Dark" aesthetic captures the sound and spirit of a city at night. The music you hear in cafes, clubs, taxi, and on the streets."  

This was my first experience listening to Sacha and I was totally impressed by her beautiful voice and perfect Jazz phrasing.  Americans love French singing and music as much as the French love American music especially songs from the "Great American Songbook".  I have always enjoyed French singing even when, in my opinion, the vocalist might not have been the best.  But with Sacha Boutros you get it all,  a beautiful voice, a great selection of songs, an understanding of lyric and spot on Jazz phrasing!  Multi-talented Sacha Boutros speaks seven languages and sings in 14.  

Sacha is now working on two follow-up cd's in this series that I am looking forward to:  "Sacha, Las Vegas After Dark" and "Sacha, Mexico After Dark" .  I highly recommend adding this CD to your core Jazz collection. 

I have attached two songs from "Sacha, Paris After Dark".  The first is the American classic, "La Belle Vie"  (The Good Life)  and the second is the romantic "Je Reviens Te Chercher" that tells the story about a lover coming back years after a break up. 

Full Playlist — Sacha: Paris After Dark

1. Je Reviens te Chercher

2. Si tu Vois Ma Mère

3. Ne Me Quitte Pas / I’m a Fool to Want You

4. April in Paris

5. Et si tu n’existais pas

6. La Javanaise

7. Smile

8. Love in Portofino

9. In the Still of the Night

10. La Belle Vie (The Good Life)

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Contributing Musicians

• Sacha Boutros — vocals, piano

• Franck Amsallem — piano, vocals; arrangements

• Hugo Lippi — guitar

• Thomas Bramerie — bass

• Stéphane Belmondo — trumpet

• Tony Rabeson — drums

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Production Credits

• Produced by Sacha Boutros

• Arrangements by Sacha Boutros & Franck Amsallem

• Recorded & mixed at Studio Sextan – La Fonderie (France)

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                                                                      "Le Belle Vie"

                                                                    "Je Reviens Te Chercher" 

CD Review: Jennifer Madsen, "Reimagine"

Vocalist Jennifer Madsen has given us a beautiful gift with her new CD Reimagine, an album in which she lovingly reinterprets some of the most beloved standards through her own musical lens. It takes rare courage and artistry to revisit songs that are so familiar, and still make them feel fresh, meaningful, and deeply personal. With Reimagine, she succeeds not by showing off, but by listening, shaping, and inhabiting each lyric with intelligence and heart.

What immediately strikes me is how Madsen combines technical command with emotional honesty. She knows the words, the phrasing, the tradition—but she also imagines: she lets us hear what she feels when she sings them. That dual gift—respect for the song’s history, and the freedom to re-express it—is the hallmark of an artist confident in her own voice. Even when you’ve heard a song a dozen times, Madsen makes you hear it again.

Offstage, she is also deeply committed: as an educator at Snow College in Utah, she mentors budding vocalists in jazz, commercial voice, and songwriting. She holds a monthly residency at The Edison House Club in Salt Lake City, creating real musical community and helping newer singers find their footing. She is exactly the kind of artist this field needs—grounded, generous, and fearless

These performances alone make this album worth listening to again and again—but the full experience of Reimagine is richer still. The sequencing flows like an evening set, with peaks, valleys, and quiet moments that leave space to reflect.

If you are anywhere near her region, I strongly encourage aspiring vocalists to seek out her workshops or classes. Jennifer Madsen is not just a jazz singer—she’s a mentor, a collaborator, and a torchbearer for the next generation of singers.

In short: Reimagine is not a mere collection of standards. It is a thoughtful, emotionally alive conversation—with the songs, the musicians, and the listener. Jennifer Madsen proves here that standards are not static relics—they can be fresh, open, and full of new life. This is a recording to cherish.

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PLAYLIST:

1. Body and Soul

2. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

3. Willow Weep for Me

4. Honeysuckle Rose

5. Beyond the Sea

6. I (Who Have Nothing)

7. Gone

8. In the Wee Small Hours

9. You Don’t Know What Love Is

10. Mean to Me

11. Someone to Watch Over Me

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PLAYERS:

• Jennifer Madsen — vocals

• Brent Edstrom — pianist and arranger 

• Clipper Anderson — bass 

• Mark Ivester — drums 

Guest / additional contributions (on select tracks) include:

• Sean Jones — flugelhorn (on Body and Soul) 

• Howard Levy — harmonica (on Beyond the Sea) 

I have attached two songs from "Reimagine".  These performances alone make this album worth listening to again and again—but the full experience of Reimagine is richer still. The sequencing flows like an evening set, with peaks, valleys, and quiet moments that leave space to reflect.

• “Someone to Watch Over Me” (George & Ira Gershwin), with superb piano and arranging from Brent Edstrom. Madsen treats each phrase like a little story, letting it breathe, unspooling the lyric with clarity and intention.

• “Willow Weep for Me”, also featuring Edstrom’s sensitive touch. Here she lingers in the emotional spaces, letting her interpretation unfold with nuance and depth.

                                                            "Someone To Watch Over Me"

                                                             "Willow Weep For Me"

CD Review: Deborah Shulman "We Had A Moment"

 

Deborah Shulman – “We Had A Moment"

Vocalist Deborah Shulman has just released her sixth album, We Had A Moment, and it’s a beauty. The eclectic playlist of standards she’s chosen for this CD is deeply personal — each song has a story and meaning connected to her life. The selections reflect irony, grief, grace, and love, and together they form a portrait of a vocalist who truly lives what she sings. The result is a wonderful gift to her listeners.

Deborah Shulman is one of those rare vocalists who can take a standard you’ve heard hundreds of times and make it sound completely new again. That’s not something that can be faked — it comes only from life experience, empathy, and a deep understanding of the lyric. Every track here shows that she feels and believes every word she sings.

There are ten songs on We Had a Moment, and each one is a gem.

PLAYLIST:

1. Anyone Can Whistle — Stephen Sondheim

2. No Moon at All — David Mann & Red Evans

3. Without a Song — Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose & Edward Eliscu

4. New York State of Mind / On Broadway — Billy Joel / Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller

5. With So Little to Be Sure Of — Stephen Sondheim

6. Goodbye Love / Not Like This — Richard Rudolph & Jeremy Lubbock

7. The Laughter and the Tears — Randy Edelman

8. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea — Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler

9. Miss Otis Regrets — Cole Porter

10. You Must Believe in Spring — Michel Legrand, Alan & Marilyn Bergman

Seven of these tracks were recorded with her longtime pianist and arranger Jeff Colella, and three with pianist and arranger Terry Trotter. Both are master musicians, and it’s fascinating to hear their distinct approaches. Colella’s arrangements feel intimate, harmonically rich, and conversational — he creates space for Deborah’s voice to explore emotional depth. Trotter brings his own elegant phrasing and understated sophistication. Hearing both pianists on one record is a master class in how two great minds can interpret the same vocalist differently but beautifully.

In addition to these two remarkable pianists, Deborah brought together a dream team of musicians — every one of them a hall-of-fame player:

PLAYERS:

• Vocals: Deborah Shulman

• Piano & Arrangements: Jeff Colella

• Piano & Arrangements: Terry Trotter

• Guitar: Larry Koonse

• Bass: Kenny Wild and Chris Colangelo

• Drums: Joe LaBarbera and Kendall Kay

Each of these musicians brings heart, skill, and decades of experience to the project. The result is a sound that is warm, deeply musical, and refreshingly honest.

PRODUCTION CREDITS:

• Produced by: Deborah Shulman and Jeff Colella

• Recorded at: Tritone Studios, Glendale, California

• Engineered and Mixed by: Talley Sherwood

• Mastered by: Paul Tavenner

• Label: Summit Records (Released 2024)

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We Had A Moment is a brilliant CD that will bring joy to listeners for many years to come. These songs are more than performances — they’re stories, reflections, and moments of truth.

Deborah Shulman, I personally thank you for your artistry and for breathing new life into these great songs once again. Your voice, your insight, and your heart make this album unforgettable.

I have attached two songs from "We Had A Moment" for your listening pleasure.  The first song composed by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler is "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea".  The second is one of my all-time favorites, "Miss Otis Regrets" written by Cole Porter". 

                                                       "The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea"

                                                                    "Miss Otis Regrets"

CD Review: Royce Campbell feauturing the Vosbein Magee Big Band, "Vagabond"

Acclaimed guitarist and composer Royce Campbell has just released his new CD, Vagabond, featuring the Vosbein Magee Big Band, and I couldn’t be more impressed. The album contains ten original Campbell compositions plus a stunning version of the timeless standard, Body and Soul.

Campbell has long been a respected figure in the jazz world, having recorded with greats such as Nancy Wilson, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan, Fred Hersch, and Rosemary Clooney, just to name a few. On Vagabond, however, Campbell is front and center—not just for his elegant guitar work, but also for his distinctive writing style. What strikes me most is the way he builds strong, memorable melodies that blossom into beautiful music. It’s easy to understand why Henry Mancini kept Campbell on tour for over two decades, and why Quincy Jones once remarked, “Every note Royce plays is perfect.”

The Vosbein Magee Big Band, formed in 2015, provides the perfect setting for Campbell’s work. Co-led by Terry Vosbein, the band has earned a reputation for reviving unique and under-explored jazz works, and here they bring Campbell’s originals to life with energy, clarity, and swing. This is big band tradition at its best: music that feels both fresh and familiar, accessible yet inventive.

Two tracks especially stood out to me. The title track, Vagabond, swings hard and immediately draws you in with its driving rhythm and smart arrangement. Then there’s Body and Soul, a standard we’ve all heard countless times, but here reimagined with an outstanding Carroll DeCamp arrangement. Campbell’s playing is tender yet assured, making this version one of the most compelling I’ve heard in years.

This is an album that showcases both the artistry of Royce Campbell and the vitality of the Vosbein Magee Big Band. If you’re looking for jazz that honors tradition while offering something truly fresh, Vagabond belongs on your playlist.

PLAYLIST:

1. Peepers

2. Gentle Breeze

3. A Sharp Blues

4. Body and Soul

5. Mambo Puente

6. Moon Cycle

7. Vagabond

8. Middle Ground

9. Dancing Waterfall

10. Inner Peace

11. Viper

PLAYERS:

Bill Schnepper- Alto, Soprano, Flute

Greg Moody- Alto, Clarinet, Percussion

James Cotton- Tenor, Clarinet

Kelli Birchfield- Tenor

Kyle Greaney- Bari

Matthew Billings- Piano

Bob Bowen- Upright and Electric Bass

DeWayne Peters- Drums

Chris Magee, Alec Moser, Brian Quackenbush, Kerry Moffit- Trumpet

Matt Niess, Tome Lundberg, Tom McKenzie, Tyler Bare- Trombone

Royce Campbell- Guitar and Compsitions

Terry Vosbein- Director 

I have attached two songs from "Vagabond".  The first is a spirited Campbell composition and the title tune, "Vagabond".  The second is a beautiful sounding arrangement of "Body and Soul".

                                                                    "Vagabond"

                                                                    "Body and Soul"

CD Review: University of Nevada Las Vegas Jazz Emsemble 1, "Let The Good Times Roll".

The UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 proves that jazz is alive and thriving in Las Vegas with their new release, Let the Good Times Roll. Directed by Dave Loeb and Nathan Tanouye, this 12-track album blends youthful energy with professional polish, featuring fresh student arrangements and first-rate ensemble playing.

From the opening title track to the closing “Finale (for Katie Charlotte)”, the band delivers big-band swing, lyrical ballads, and inventive new works. Guest artists—Laura Taylor, Curt Miller, Kenny Rampton, Clint Holmes, Naomi Mauro, Adam Schroeder, and Dr. Isrea Butler—add star power, while student composers and arrangers showcase the future of the art form.

With nearly 30 musicians bringing passion and precision, the recording is both a celebration of tradition and a glimpse into jazz’s exciting next chapter.

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Playlist:

1. Let the Good Times Roll

2. Chinoiserie

3. Too Close for Comfort

4. Emily

5. Check Up

6. Bohemia After Dark

7. The Night Has a Thousand Eyes

8. Alright, Okay, You Win

9. The Collective

10. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You

11. Braggin' n’ Brass

12. Finale (For Katie Charlotte)

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Players:

Guest Artists: Laura Taylor (vocals), Curt Miller (trombone), Kenny Rampton (trumpet), Clint Holmes (vocals), Naomi Mauro (vocals), Adam Schroeder (baritone sax), Dr. Isrea Butler (trombone)
Student Musicians: 27 members of UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 (saxophones, trumpets, trombones, rhythm section, vibraphone, and French horn)
Arrangers/Composers: Surafael Tamre, Tristan Selzler, Jaren Glick, Renzon Maballo, Mateo Hurtado de Mendoza

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I have attached two cuts from the CD for your listening pleasure.  The first tune is the Johnny Mandel classic "Emily" with a terrific arrangement from Renzon Maballo and features great solo work from Curt Miller.  The second selection is "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" written by Ben Weissman and arranged by Jaren Glick.

                                                                              "Emily"

                                                          "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes"