CD Review: Glenn Wilson "Timely"

When I received this new CD from Glenn Wilson, I was excited to hear it since you don't get many Baritone Sax players putting out CDs these days.  One reason for this is that I think the Bari Sax is one of the hardest of the Sax family to produce a satisfying tone and improvise Jazz.  Glenn Wilson could show any Sax player how it is done perfectly.  His tone is terrific and he improvises on the highest professional level.  Glenn's career spans five decades ,and he has played with some of the giants in Jazz like Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Tito Puente and Bob Beiden. Glenn has performed on seven solo albums and appeared in dozens of Jazz recordings as a sideman.  

The second pleasant surprise for me when listening to this CD was the discovery of the terrifically talented, world-class Trumpet player, John D'earth who just knocked me out with his performances.  Wilson and D'Earth have worked together many times in the past and the synergy between them comes through with flying colors.  Also joining in the fun on this CD was John Toomey on piano, Jimmy Masters on Bass and Tony Martucci on Drums.  Putting all of these polished musicians together for this CD produces the most wonderful sounds of the listener.

The CD has 8 cuts and it was difficult to pick a favorite because I liked them all.  Of particular note for me was Cut#3 "Inner Life" that was written by John D'earth.  I have a soft spot for ballads, and this song was just beautifully written and played.  I also loved Cut#4 " Dylan's Delight" written by Bari Sax legend, Pepper Adams and Cut#6 "Sightseeing" a song written by the great Wayne Shorter.  The CD was recorded Live at Havana Nights Jazz Club in Virginia Beach, VA.  The release date for the CD will be February 24, 2015 by Cadence Jazz Records.

The music by this group is a wonderful example of why Jazz is still alive today!

             Playlist:

1. "Timely"                                                        2. "To Wisdom the Prize" 

3. "Inner Life"                                                   4. "Dylan's Delight"

5. "Fat Beat"                                                      6. "Sightseeing"

7. "Nothing Like You Has Even Been               8. "Diabolique II"

     Seen"

Glenn Wilson-Baritone Sax

John D'earth-Trumpet/Flugehorn

John Toomey-Piano

Jimmy Masters-Bass

Tony Martucci-Drums

I found a "YouTube" of Glenn Wilson and friends at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival that will give you a good idea of Glenn's wonderful Baritone Sax Sound.

  

Carl Davis Hosts A Spectacular Jazz Bash At THREESIXTY North

Peter White and Carl Davis

On Monday, March 23, Carl Davis hosted a Jazz Bash at Threesixty North and invited a large group of some of the best musicians in Southern California including the marvelous Smooth Jazz Guitarist, Peter White.  According to Carl, he wanted to throw this Jazz Bash to thank all his musician friends and other music lovers who have supported his efforts in the music and dance industries.  Carl owns "The Davis Dance Studio" in Palm Springs, one of the best dance studios in Southern California.  For many years, Carl provided dance instruction every Sunday just before "The Ted Herman Big Band" performs at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel in Indian Wells, CA. Carl has had a life-long interest in music and has been very active using his business skills to help  promote musicians in the Valley.

Tonight's roster of exceptional singers and musicians was enough to satisfy any music fan.  I tried to take as many                  pictures of the performers for this blog, but I know I missed a few and they have my apologies.  This event was more like a Jazz party than a concert.  Lots of fun and great music!  Because of this event's popularity and success with a capacity standing-room only crowd, Carl indicated he may do others in the future and open them up to the public.  He certainly has my vote.

   List of Tonight's Performers:
Johnny Meza, Larry Capeloto, Michael D'Angelo, Paul Elia, Jessie Davis, Darci Daniels, Slim Man, Carolyn Martinez, Tony DiJerlando, Mike Costley, Chase Huna, Peter White, Michael Paulo, Ron Kokco, Gilbert Hanson, Craig Chesnut, Jay Lewis, David Ring, Tony, Victor Roblas and Steve DiTtullio.

                                                                                               

CD Review: Sherry Williams and John Rodby "Just Us Two"

The delicious Sherry Williams has a new CD out with her long-time friend and collaborator, Pianist John Rodby.  Sherry and John have worked together at various gigs since the early 1980's and after listening to this CD, it's clear that they know each other very well.  I have had the pleasure of hearing Sherry sing on several occasions and each time I become more of a devoted fan.  Her voice is heavenly, a mix of all the greats I love including Ella and Sarah. Her style and treatment of lyric is as good as any performer I have ever heard.  Sherry has recorded several CDs in the past to rave reviews, and you can add this CD to the list.  John Rodby is a perfect pianist to support Sherry's phrasing and velvet voice.  He never gets in her way but always provides a supportive background for her.

The selection of songs for this CD is outstanding.  These two excellent musicians just didn't take a casual walk through these songs.  It's obvious that Sherry and John spent many hours working on the approach to each of these musical gems, and the results will please any Jazz lover.  Sherry can swing, but I think the ballads on this CD are as good as you can get.  So, you have one of the best singers in the country performing with one of the best pianists doing great songs out of the Great American Songbook, and you don't own this CD?  You can buy this CD or any other Sherry Williams CD at CDBaby and I highly recommend you do.

         Playlist  

1. "It's A Lovely Day Today", Irving Berlin

2. "Social Call", Gigi Gryce, Lee Sears, Bashir Qusim

3. "How Insensitive/If You Never Come To Me", Antonio Carlos Jobin

4. "Yesterdays", Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach

5. "Since I Fell For You", Buddy Johnson

6. "Night And Day", Cole Porter

7. "When Sunny Gets Blue", Jack Segal, Marvin Fisher

8. "Almost Like Being In Love", Frederic Lowe, Alan Jay Lerner

9. "I'll Be Seeing You", Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal

10. "The Puppet Who Dances Be-Bop", Jack Segal, Ivy Irwin

11. "What'll I Do?", Irving Berlin

12. "Fly Me To The Moon", Bart Howard

13. "I Keep Goin' Back To Joe's", Jack Segal, Marvin Fisher 

I have attached a real treat for you.  I found a "YouTube" of Sherry and John performing some great songs from the "Great American Songbook", including Sherry singing her brilliant rendition of my number one greatest song of all times, "The Nearness of You".  Enjoy! 

CD Review: Sweet Lu Olutosin "Sweet Lou's Blues"

Jazz singer Sweet Lu Olutosin has just released his first CD, "Sweet Lou's Blues" with the Antonio Ciacca Quintet.  Sweet Lu heard the Antonio Ciacca Quartet when the band was playing at the Blues Alley Jazz Club in Washington D.C.  He fell in love with the original Antonio Ciacca's compositions and his live performances of material from Henry Mancini, Harry Warren, Chick Corea, Frank Signorelli and Joe Lovano.  He also thought Ciacca's performance was soulful.  After the performance, Sweet Lu and Antonio met and Sweet Lu expressed the desire to record some day with a great band like the Antonio Ciacca Quintet.  A short time later, when Antonio was able to hear Sweet Lu sing, these two great musicians started talking about material, arrangements, personnel and this CD was born.   

During the following months, Antonio played an engagement at "Jazz at Lincoln Center" that was a tribute to the Soul Jazz of the 50's performing the music of the Adderley Brothers, Benny Golson, Joe Henderson, Donald Byrd and Horace Silver.  With this music still in his head, Antonio proposed a set list of the same soulful grooving music of the 50's but with lyrics yet to be written.  Six months later Antonio and Sweet Lu were is the studio cutting the CD.

Sweet Lu Olutosin has a deep rich wonderful voice that will remind his listeners of Joe Williams, Joe Henderson and the best of the big band singers of the 50's.  But Sweet Lu brings his own current style to the CD and added some clever musical touches to the playlist.  He has a great voice and he knows how to deal with a lyric.  The playlist that is on the CD would be no easy assignment even for the most experienced and skilled singer but Sweet Lu mastered it all.

The CD has 9 cuts and Antonio did all the marvelous arrangements.  He also wrote three of the songs on the CD: "Logos Blues", "Baron 5" and "Sweet Lu".  His quintet was outstanding thanks to the efforts of Tivon Pennicott on Sax and Flute, Jeremy Pelt on Trumpet, Mike Carn on Bass and Jerome Jennings on Drums.  This is a beautiful Jazz CD that pays tribute to the Jazz greats of past years and yet puts out modern sounds that will truly satisfy any Jazz lover.

       Playlist:

1. "Malcom's Song" (Theme for Malcom)                  2. "Every Day I Fall in Love"

3. "Those Lagos Blues"                                               4. "Call Him Blackjack"

5. "Let's Go Drifting"                                                  6. "Nancy With The Laughing Face"

7. "The Baron"                                                             8. "Be My Mamacita"

9. "Sweet Lou's Blues"

I was able to find a "YouTube" on Sweet Lu singing "Malcom's Song".  Once you listen to this cut you will want to buy the complete CD.   It will give you hours of great listening pleasure.

CD Review: Trish Hatley "I Remember- 2nd Set"

Trish Hatley has just released her 8th Cd, "I Remember-2nd Set" and its outstanding!  Trish tours and divides her time between Seattle, Washington and Palm Springs, Ca.  Trish is an accomplished and polished singer with a golden voice.  She also has a wonderful stage presence.  For new CD continues her personal exploration of great songs out of the "Great American Songbook" and we get to hear the wonderful results.  There are 16 cuts on this CD including one that Trish wrote, "I Don't Want To Hurt You".  Trish covers songs from the greatest American composers including George & Ira Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Harold Arlen and Duke Ellington.  These great songs are perfectly fitted to Trish's style and her understanding and mastery of lyrics.  She sings songs that were written year ago but her approach breaths new life and sparkle into all of them.

All the arrangements were done by Darin Clendenin who has as long musical history with Trish.  His arrangements are perfect for Trish and bring out the best in her performances.  Cut#5 was arranged by  John Anderson and Cut#6 was arranged by the Desert's great Bass player, Larry Holloway.  The excellent supporting musicians playing on this CD are:

Vocals & (whistling): Trish Hatley
Piano: Darin Clendenin
Bass: Larry Holloway
Drums: Ken French
Saxes: John Anderson
Flugelhorn: Paul Mazzio
Trombone: Dan Marcus
Vibes: Susan Pascal
Guitar: Dave Peterson
Rhythm Guitar: Rebecca Killgore
Percussion: Jeff Busch

          Playlist:
1. "It Don't Mean A Thing"                            2. "Lover Man"
3. "Shadow Waltz"                                         4. "I Don't Want To Hurt You"
5. "Four Brothers                                            6. "Robbins Nest"
7. "I'm Glad There Is You"                             8. "A Sleeping Bee"
9. "Why Don't You Do Right"                        10. "Midnight Sun"
11. "'S Wonderful"                                          12. "AN Occasional Man"
13. "Smile"                                                     14. "Beyond The Sea"
15. "Thou Swell"                                            16. "That's All"

I attached a "YouTube of Trish Hatley singing her stunning interpretation of, "Where Do You Start".  Listen to this and there will be no further need to tell you that she is a super-star singer!

Mike Costley Is Back and Singing Better than Ever!

Mike Costley

Sal Frisaura, Mike Costley, Chuck Buffamonte, Larry Holloway and David Ring

David Ring

Check Buffamonte

Larry Holloway

Sal Frisaura

To the delight of everyone in the Valley, Mike Costley is back performing.  Mike retired two years ago and  has been very much out of sight.  However, Mike is back with a vengeance, singing and performing better than ever.  He has put together a terrific show that just explodes with excitement.  Even before Mike entered the stage, I could feel electricity in the capacity audience, and I knew I was going to experience something really special.  From the first note Mike sang until the end of the first set, one hour and fifty minutes later, the Purple Room was on fire.  Mike Costley has vocal talents that few singers could ever dream of reaching.  His octave range is unbelievable, and he has one of the strongest voices I have ever heard.  And what makes him really special is Mike is sensationally good singing songs from every genre of music from the sweetest ballads, swing, R & B, Jazz and even hip hop.  Few singers I have heard have this ability to ease from one school of music to another.  Mike has a wonderful ability to scat Jazz songs that would certainly impress  Ella.

There are lots of entertainers that I think are good but good does not come close to describe the show that Mike put on; he is in a class of his own.  It's not only his marvelous singing that sets Mike apart from others, he does vocal impersonations, jokes with the audience and has the stage presence only major stars have.  The Mike Costley show must be experienced by anyone who loves being entertained by great singing. 

Mike has selected four of the best Valley musicians to support him on stage.  His long-time friend, Chuck Buffamonte is on Guitar, David Ring is on Keyboard and he also controls the arrangements, Larry Holloway is on Electric Bass and Sal Frisaura is on Drums.  This group could star on their own but this show is all about Mike Costley.  My only regret is I can't put into words how terrific Mike's performance was tonight!

The Mike Costley show plays every Thursday at the Purple Room starting at 7:00pm.  I also need to tell you that the food at the Purple Room is outstanding and the prices are reasonable.  And no cover charge...how good is that! 

Bill Saitta's Quartet Features Lovely Songbird, Beverly Jensen at Backstreet Bistro

Beverly Jensen, Bill Saitta, Tom Keenlyside and Doug MacDonald

Jay Lewis, Bill Saitta, Tom Keenlyside and Doug MacDonald

Tom Keenlyside

Doug Macdonald

Jay Lewis

Beverly Jensen

Beverly Jensen, Bill Saitta and Tom Keenlyside

Bill Saitta

Backstreet Bistro was jumping again on Tuesday night with Bill Saitta leading a group of talented musicians who play Jazz with a vitality and freshness that one seldom gets to witness.  Bill puts together a different group of musicians every week, and he never disappoints with the music results.  Tonight Bill put together a group that included Tom Keenlyside, the specular Flute and Sax player; the marvelously talented Jay Lewis on Drums and world-class Guitar player, Doug Macdonald.  The music tonight was hot and was more than enough to overcome the cold front that has been in the valley the last couple of days.  Making tonight's performance even more special was the  beautiful singing of Desert favorite, Beverly Jensen.  Beverly has a long, star-singing resume that includes touring with the Dorsey Band for many years, and she still has a wonderful pure voice with perfect pitch.  As great as the band was tonight, the addition of Beverly's sweet singing voice took the music to an even higher level.

Tom Keenlyside never disappoints his audience and tonight was no exception.  He played Tenor Sax with the energy of a twenty-year old and his flute playing has never been sweeter.  Tom also treated the audience with his singing that had everyone cheering.  It's always a treat to hear him perform.  Jay Lewis continues to impress everyone with his Drumming skills.   Jay could teach a course to any young wannabe Drummer on how to use sounds and rhythms to support a band.  Jay is one of the top Drummers playing today.  There are a lot of good Guitar players around today but if you want to hear a great Guitar player, Doug is your man.  Doug's solos are intelligent with clarity.  He is one of the most sought-after players in the Desert.

Bill Saitta was playing his upright Bass tonight to the delight of the capacity audience.  Bill works very hard producing these Jazz shows and never looks for credit.  But he deserves lots of credit for always putting the spotlight on other musicians, preferring to give them all the accolades without consideration to himself.  Without Bill Saitta's efforts, the Tuesday night Jazz series would never have reached its current high esteem among Desert Jazz lovers.  From all of us that come to Backstreet to dine and listen to Jazz, we all thank you Bill!