CD Review: Terell Stafford "BrotherLee Love"

It's time to leave the "Great American Songbook" for a while and get back to the "Great American Jazz Songbook".  I just finished listening to some straight-away Jazz from Trumpeter Terrell Stafford.  His new CD "BrotherLee Love" is a tribute to the soulful musical legacy of Philadelphia's Lee Morgan.  Stafford is not a Philadelphia native but for the past two decades he has helped past the torch to the next generation through his work as Director of Jazz and Chair of instrumental studies at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance.   According to Stafford, "This project is about how I was embraced by this city and about a Trumpet player who has always been a huge inspiration to me".  Stafford offers this for Lee Morgan, "The Trumpet was merely a vehicle to express who he was.  There was rasp, there was grit, there was personality, there was sass, exactly who he was as a person was inside of his sound and that's what I loved about it".

There are nine cuts on the album, seven were written by Lee Morgan, one "Favor" was written by Terell and the last song is a beautiful interpretation of Alex Kramer's ballet "Candy".  Terrell features his rock-star quintet of Saxophonist Tim Warfield,  Pianist Bruce Barth,  Bassist Peter Washington, and Drummer Dana Hall.  Every one of these guys is a great musical Jazz star.  To put a top on this beautiful piece of Jazz art, Terrell selected the great John Clayton produce the CD.  When you deal with the top musicians, they only surround themselves with the best and this outstanding CD proves why that is the only way to go!

This is a Jazz Trumpet performance at it highest level.

              PLAYLIST

1. "Hocus Pocus"                                       2. "Mr Kenyatta"
3. "Petty Larceny"                                      4. "Candy"
5. "Yes I Can, No You Can't"                     6. "Favor" 
7. "Stop Start"                                            8. "Carolyn"
9. "Speedball" 

I have attached a "YouTube" of Terell Stafford playing a Lee Morgan composition "Petty Larceny" with support from Tim Warfield-Tenor Sax, Bruce Barth-Piano, Peter Washington-Bass and Dana Hall-Drums.

Spotlight on Contemporary Outstanding Singers: Hilary Kole

Over the past few years, I have been involved in many conversations with friends who would remark that there are very few young singers performing today that compare with the great singers of the past.  I think my friends believe this because they have not been exposed to all the great young singers on the music scene today.  How do people find out about today's great singers?  This is one of the main reasons this blog was established, to shine a light on musicians from around the country who have exceptional talent.

I am introduced to a lot of great musicians by recommendations from friends, musicians and materials sent to me by music producers.  I would like to introduce them to you by starting a new series of postings to highlight musicians that come into my life that are simply terrific.  I hope some of these musicians become favorites of yours also.

My first musician spotlighted in this series is the multi-talented Singer/Arranger/Pianist Hilary Kole. Hilary has a wonderful musical resume and has performed in top New York City venues like Town Hall, Birdland, Blue Note, Tridium, 54 Below, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall with Michael Feinstein and the The New Pops.  Her career was interrupted for over 2 years because of a dispute with her management company that stopped her from recording.  She won her release from her former contract in April 2013 and has since been rebuilding her musical direction.  She is currently working on a Judy Garland tribute album that should be terrific.  A friend forwarded a "YouTube" of Hilary singing "Over The Rainbow" that I thought was an example of Hilary's wonderful vocal work.  I wanted to share the "YouTube" with followers of my blog.

CD Review: Henry Prego "Wicked"

For those of you who love the "Great American Songbook", you will be delighted to know that Henry Prego is introducing the songs and the smooth stylings reminiscent of the vocal greats of the past.   Even better news is that Henry is performing to sell-out audiences in venues all over the country.  For the past couple of years, he has been selling out every night at the Las Vegas review hit he co-created "The Rat Pack is Back".  Henry's latest album, "Wicked" represents a great example of his silky-smooth voice and his wonderful styling generating standing ovations at all his performances.

I first learned about Henry Prego from my friend and world-class bass player, Jim DeJulio.  Jim co- produced this CD with producer Henry Prego and also provided the marvelous Bass work.  Henry has selected a playlist of great songs including (the first cut on the CD), Lennon/McCartney's classic, "Norwegian Wood".   The "Great American Songbook" is alive in Henry's hands, and he is attracting new young listeners to these great standards every night he performs in Las Vegas and other venues around the country.  What makes Henry such a perfect ambassador for the classic songs is his confident and commanding stage presence that is larger than life. His unique style and personality is perfect for the music he loves and never fails to capture his audiences.  Henry sings as good as any of the vocal giants of the past, yet he is not trying to be them.  He brings his own unique voice and style to each song, and that's what makes him unique and special.

I must mention the musicians on this CD supporting Henry.  They are among the absolutely best musicians performing today:

Piano: Josh Nelson
Bass: Jim DeJulio
Drums: Joe LaBarbara
Vibraphone: Emil Richards
Sax & Flute: George Young


I have attached a "YouTube" of Henry singing "Beautiful Friendship" for your listening enjoyment.        

     

CD Review: "Janice Friedman Trio: Live At Kitano"

Pianist/Composer Janice Friedman has recently released her first live CD, "Janice Friedman Trio: Live At Kitano".  I first met Janice when I was doing a review of "Diva" Rose Kingsley's Cabaret debut at Cafe Noctambulo at Pangea in New York City a few months ago.  I was impressed by the way Janice played Piano in support of Rose's unique vocal approach to standards.  In talking with Janice after the show, she mentioned that she had just cut a CD, and I knew it would be something I would like.

I certainly was correct.  In fact, there was a bonus for me on her CD.  Janice does Vocals, Arranging and Composed four wonderful songs. What I like the most about Janice is her unique approach to music.  When she plays you can hear little parts of the best Jazz Pianists in history, and yet she has the ability to create music that is totally her own.  Her touch on the Plano is soft and thoughtful as are her vocals.  Her arranging skills are also remarkable.  The first cut on the CD is an original composition, "Get Set", and Janice constructed an Oscar Peterson-inspired arrangement that is terrific.  Janice also brilliantly co-wrote a Chopin Nocturne in a beautiful Jass style.  According to Janice "I took Chopin's beautiful nocturne, changed it into a Jazz waltz, straightened up the form to make it comfortable to improvise on, adjusted the rhythms and phrases to have them swing, used my own chords, put in an improvised recitative spot where Chopin had one written and voila!"

Supporting Janice on her live CD are: Victor Lewis on Drums and Ed Howard on Bass.  Both of these musicians are highly talented and clearly fit together with Janice's style perfectly.

I have attached a "YouTube" of Janice Friedman's sensitive and beautiful rendition of Bill Evan's "Turn Out The Stars" live at Kitano in NYC on March 18, 2015.  And after you listen to this performance, just think, she also does Vocals, Arranging and Composing!  Janice Friedman is a super-star musical talent!

  

CD Review: "Muddy Waters, 100"

"Muddy Waters, 100" is a new tribute Album that was recorded in honor of Muddy Waters on the occasion of his 100th birthday.  Muddy Waters is to Blues what Elvis was to Rock & Roll!  Producer, Larry Skoller has gathered some of the best Blues musicians still performing today to record 15 classic Muddy Waters' songs. Because of the importance of this CD to the Blues world, I asked Blues "Aficionado" Tim Marchio to do a guest review of this wonderful CD.

                             "Muddy Waters 100"

                                                                              By Tim Marchio

When I first received this assignment, I was excited because Muddy Waters is one of the giants of the Blues genre and has influenced pretty much everyone in Blues and Rock.  As per the press materials accompanying the CD (which comes in a hard cover book-like case with exceptionally well done liner notes), “This officially authorized centennial tribute to Muddy Waters . . . .  celebrates, commemorates and contributes to the musical legacy of this American icon”.  This is not a typical “tribute” album.  Muddy Waters 100 contains 15 newly recorded tracks of his music featuring band alumni and several of today’s blues and roots artists, including Johnny Winter, Derek Trucks, James Cotton, Shemekia Copeland, Bob Margolin, Gary Clark, Jr., Keb Mo and John Primer who played with Muddy until his death in 1983. 

The Blues is a uniquely American musical genre that has its roots in the 1800s when African American slaves were singing work songs, spirituals and field hollers while working on plantations.  It is about hardships and is strongly personal.  The Blues is more about feel than about construct.  Muddy was born in 1915 (some say 1913) in Rolling Fork, Mississippi.  He worked in the cotton fields and started playing harmonica at age 7, then picked up the guitar at age 17.  In 1943, he moved to Chicago and changed the landscape of the Blues.  The full story is quite well documented in the essay included in the CD booklet, written by Robert Gordon, author of “The Life and Times of Muddy Waters”.     

Now to the music, the songs range in years from 1941 to 1978.  As is typical with most Blues classics, many of these songs have been covered numerous times by many artists in many genres (e.g., "Mannish Boy" has been covered by virtually every major Blues artist and the likes of Hank Williams, Wolfmother, Erykah Badu).  Having already named that song, "Mannish Boy" is the most visceral song on the album.  The first time I played it, I was taken aback.  It sounded old and new at the same time (one quick note, the recording itself is done masterfully with excellent mixing and engineering.  It sounds fantastic).  As stated above, some of these songs have new arrangements and this one just nailed it.  I keep playing it as loud as possible in my car.  This arrangement and performance allows me to feel the song, not just hear it.  And this is indicative of the whole CD. 

When I hear “tribute album” with “special guests”, I think - oh no, here we go again.  In many cases, the guests try to show off or take over a song.  Not so here, each artist plays within the framework of the song.  In “I’m Ready", Johnny Winter plays along with the song; he doesn’t overplay.  The other guitarists here do the same.   Derek Trucks, Gary Clark, Jr, Keb Mo, and Bob Margolin are great guitarists and could easily play to impress.  It is similarly the case with James Cotton, Billy Branch and Matthew Skoller on Harmonica.  In each song, the band and guest play to respect the man and the song.  They are there to support, not to shine on their own. 

This is a lovingly put together tribute to an American icon whose songs have already stood the test of time and will continue to do so as new artists take over and continue what Muddy and others like him started.  Get this CD, you will not regret it, even if you only have a passing interest in the Blues. 

                                                          PLAYLIST: 

1. "Got My Mojo Working"                                               2. "Still A Fool"

3. "I Be's Troubled"                                                            4. "I'm Ready"

5. "Mannish Boy"                                                                6. "Rosalie"

7. "Why Don't You Live So God Can Use You"                8. "Good News"

9. "Trouble No More"                                                        10. "She Moves Me"
11. "Can't Get No Grindin"                                               12. "40 Days and 40 Nights"

13. "Last Time I Fool Around With You"                        14. "I Feel So Good"

15. "Feel Like Going Home"

I have attached a "YouTube" of the first cut in this CD, "Got My Mojo Working", enjoy!

John Korba Is Very Impressive at Shanghai Jazz In Madison, NJ

Shanghai Jazz has been one of the foremost Jazz clubs in the country.  The Jazz setting at Shanghai Jazz is perfect, large enough to seat 100 or more Jazz fans, and, yet, small enough to allow everyone in the audience to get up close to the performers.  Also, as I have mentioned in the past, the excellent food and above average service from the waitstaff would make this restaurant popular even without some of the best live Jazz sounds in the East.

Tuesday, July 21, the Jazz star was John Korba on Piano and Vocals accompanied by Julliard-trained Bassist, Hal Slapin.  I hadn't heard John play and sing in person before but he was strongly recommended to me by more than a few well-respected musicians.  John Korba is a multi-talented Pianist, Vocalist, Composer and Producer.  I was aware that Korba had performed with Daryl Hall & John Oates and had recorded with a Blues band called "Hudson River Rats", but I was surprised and very happy when John played and sang several classic songs out of the "Great American Songbook".  He has a wonderful voice and a style that is all his.  His playlist tonight consisted of songs from Stevie Wonder, James Taylor and Nat King Cole.  I loved his vocals however it was his thoughtful and intelligent Jazz Piano solos that represent his greatest talent.  John has a gentle touch that he applies to his piano that puts him in a class above most other performers.  John just doesn't just go through the normal motions when he plays, he brings his own musical ideas that seem to just spring out of songs that have been around for years.  John Korba can superbly play and sing every musical genre at a high level and keeps the total interest of his audience.

John Korba performs at Shanghai Jazz quite frequently and I highly recommend that you try to get over there to hear him.  Shanghai Jazz is located at 24 Main Street, Madison, NJ and you can call for reservations at 973-822-2899.  You can also check future performers at Shanghai Jazz on their site: Info@shanghaijazz.com.

I found a "Youtube" live performance of John Korba playing and singing the Hall and Oates classic, "Sara Smile" at Shanghai Jazz.     I hope John will think about cutting a CD of standards in the near future.

   

CD Review: "Ron Aprea Plays Tribute to John Lennon and the Beatles"

 Ron Aprea, the world-class Sax player, Arranger and Producer has just released a terrific CD cover of some of the best songs written by John Lennon and the Beatles.  The inspiration for this CD was born as a result of the musical experience Ron had when he recorded with John Lennon in 1974 on Lennon's award-winning Album, "Walls and Bridges".  This CD also celebrates the reunion for Ron with Trumpeter and my long-time friend, Steve Madaio.  Turns out that Steve was also on the recording session for "Walls and Bridges".  

Part of the musical joy of this new CD from Ron Aprea is the wonderful arrangements he has penned for this Album.  Ron's playing ability is well known throughout the music world, but I have always believed that his arranging skills put him up with the top arrangers writing today.  When you listen to Beatle songs that you have probably heard hundreds of times and hear some of the new and imaginative arrangements from Ron, the songs take on a new, wonderful feel.

Ron Aprea can and has played everything from BeBop to Ballads but when you add his arranging talent to the mix, he truly stands out as one of the most talented musicians performing today.

The CD starts with an unusual arrangement of "Let It Be" that Ron opens with a soulful playing of the melody and then moves into an upbeat full band treatment of the rest of the melody.  Next up is "Imagine" with Steve Madaio sharing the lead with Ron.  I have been privileged to hear Steve play this classic many times in person but adding Ron's mellow Sax work with Steve's lush Trumpet sounds, produces a brilliant result.

I enjoyed every cut of this Album but would like to spotlight a few of my favorites in addition to "Imagine".  Ron has written a wonderful arrangement for "Can't Buy Me Love" that is not high on my list of Favorite Beatles songs but Ron's arrangement of this song is marvelous.  The swinging arrangement calls out  "Count Basie" and any Basie fan would love it.  Ron's technical and sweet-sounding performance on "Yesterday" just knocked me out.  It reminded me of one of my favorite Albums recorded over 50 years ago, "Cannonball Adderley and Strings".

Ron has gathered a wonderful group of musicians together for this session including special performances by Brian Lynch- Trumpet , Matt Aprea-Violin and Viola,  Steve Madaio-Trumpet, Dom Minasi-Guitar and singer Angela DeNiro.

      PLAYLIST:

1. "Let It Be"                                                2. "Imagine"

3. "Norwegian Wood"                                  4. "Yesterday"

5. "Happy Xmas"                                         6. "Can't Buy Me Love"

7. "Here There And Everywhere                 8. "Blackbird"

9. "Something"                                            10. "Fool On The Hill"

11. "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night"  12. "Goodnight"

I have attached some clips from the CD listed on Ron's site for your enjoyment.

http://www.ronaprea.com/john-lennon-tribute-album.html