Drummer Jay Lewis puts together a Great Jazz Trio with Bill Saitta and Micha Schellhaas

Tuesday is always Jazz night at Backstreet Bistro and there always seems to be musical surprises.  This season, talented and popular Drummer, Jay Lewis has been putting together different groups each week and it has been a highly successful Jazz season.  Tonight,  Jay introduced a young and talented Dutch Guitarist, Micha Schellhaas to the Desert Jazz scene.  With veteran musical support from Jay on Drums and Bill Saitta on Bass, they allowed Mischa to show his stuff.  It's so interesting to hear musicians from different countries play Jazz because there are always some different, interesting approaches to American classic tunes.  The group performed wonderfully including some super Blues singing from Bill!  The reception from the audience was excellent which is usually the case at Backstreet Bistro because this is where ardent Jazz fans hang out on Tuesdays.  And the food and service are also excellent.  Always call for a reservation because there are seldom any empty seats on Jazz Tuesdays.

I have heard from many followers of the Music Man Blog that they really enjoy having some live music to listen to at the end of each blog.  Since I don't have any recording from this particular group that features the talented Micha Schellhaas, I decided to attach a "YouTube" of one of the most admired Jazz Guitar players in American Jazz History.  Please enjoy, Joe Pass playing "All The Things You Are" with Stephen King on Bass.

The 20 Greatest American Standards- 2018

Sonny Stitt

It's been 8 years since I published my "20 Greatest American Standards Ever Written" blog and its still one of my popular blogs for visitors.  We all have had life experiences over the past 8 years and I thought it would be fun to revisit the list and make some adjustments that might be appropriate at this time.  In order to qualify for the list, the song must be over 50 years old.  The list represents the very best songs from the "Great American Songbook".  In order to make the list they had to contain both the best music and lyrics.  The oldest song to make the list is the Gershwin tune, "Someone To Watch Over me".  Think about this.... this song was published 92 years ago and it's still being played today to the delight of all ages.  Now that is the sign of a super, great American standard!

Some other interesting observations about the list:

There is one pair of songwriters that has 3 songs on the list:
           Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

Several other songwriters who have two songs on the list:

           Cole Porter
           Jimmy Van Heusen
           Johnny Mandel
           George and Ira Gershwin
           Hoagy Carmichael
           Johnny Mercer
           Johnny Burke

The Year 1939 was a terrific year for great songs:,

           4 songs written in 1939 made the list.

The six-year period from 1936 to 1941 was the golden area for great songs;  12 out of the 20 songs on the list were written during this period.




"Someone To Watch Over Me"                    George Gershwin & Ira Gershwin                   1926

"Night and Day"                                            Cole Porter                                                          1932            

"The Very Thought of You"                           Ray Noble                                                           1934

"The Way You Look Tonight"                       Dorothy Fields & Jerome Kern                        1936

" I Got You Under My Skin"                         Cole Porter                                                          1936

 "Where Or When"                                        Richard Rogers & Lorenz Hart                         1937

" They Can't Take That Away From Me"   George and Ira Gershwin                                   1937      

"The Nearness of You"                                   Hoagy Carmichael & Ned Washington            1937

"My Funny Valentine"                                    Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart                     1939

"What's New"                                                 Bob Haggart & Johnny Burke                          1939

"Over The Rainbow"                                      Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg                          1939

"These Foolish Things"                                   Eric Maschwitz & Jack Strachey                     1939

"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"         Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart                    1940

"You've Changed"                                           Bill Carey & Carl Fischer                                 1941

"Skylark"                                                         Johnny Mercer & Hoagy Carmichael              1941

 "My One and Only Love"                               Guy Wood & Robert Mellin                             1952

"Here's That Rainy Day"                                 Jimmy Van Heusen & Johnny Burke              1953

"All My Tomorrows"                                       Jimmy Van Heusen & Sammy Cahn                1959

"Emily"                                                            Johnny Mandel & Johnny Mercer                     1964

"The Shadow of Your Smile"                          Johnny Mandel & Paul Webster                       1965 

CD Review: The Jeff Hamilton Trio, "Live From San Pedro"

As Drummer, Arranger and Leader of the Jeff Hamilton Band, Jeff Hamilton has just released a new CD with his amazing trio, "Live From San Pedro".  To say this is a great Jazz album would be an understatement because everything I have ever heard from Jeff Hamilton is great.  The Jeff Hamilton Trio consists of Tamir Hendelman on Piano and Christoph Luty on Bass.  These  gentlemen are among the best Jazz musicians performing today. Putting them all together with Jeff Hamilton's leadership is nothing short of spectacular! Tamir Hendelman is without question one of the greatest Jazz pianists performing today, and I search out anything new he does.  Christoph Luty is one of only a handful of Bassists who can meet Jeff Hamilton's driving, extraordinary rhythmic control and  stop-on-a dime arrangements.  He makes it look easy.  This trio is a swing machine and even with Jeff Hamilton's tight control over detail,  the Trio always sounds free and creatively inspired.  Perfectly framed improvisations never seem restrictive for this trio.  This is exactly what every Jazz Trio should reach for.

This Cd will no doubt be one of the best Jazz releases this year.   The Cd is being released on February 16 and it's not to be missed.  Thank you Jeff for continuing to release only the highest quality Jazz of recordings.   I have to also mention that Jeff continues to support a lot of creative releases with young up-and-coming artists. Here is a Jazz artist that never forgets to give back to the next generations of Jazz performers!

I found a "YouTube" of one of the tracks on the CD, "Sybille's Day".  It swings from beginning to end.

Playlist:
1. "Sybille's Day"
2. "Poinciana"
3. "Hammer's Tones"
4. "I Have Dreamed"
5. "In Walked Bud"
6. "Gina's Groove"
7. "Brush This"
8. " Bennissimo"
9. "Gary Indiana"
10. "Hoosier Friend"

Eric Reed Plays Hot and Cool Jazz at Peter Carlson's "Jazz For Jazz Lovers" Series

Pianist, Producer and Educator, Eric Reed brought his Quartet to Pete Carlson's Golf & Tennis Shop on Saturday, February 24 and impressed the Jazz-loving audience with his ability to play serious up-tempo Jazz tunes while at the same time show his skill at playing sensitive ballads.  The Quartet   started with a couple of up-tempo tunes and then Eric performed a piano solo of the Michel Legrand gem "Spring Can Really Hang You Up".  Eric clearly demonstrated his ability to handle a sensitive, soft ballad along with straight-ahead tunes.

 I arrived early and observed Eric and his talented Quartet do their sound check and set up.  Watching them check the proper sound levels and even the best position of the players spoke to their high professional standards.  The Eric Reed Quartet included Saxophonist Ralph Moore whose style and tone brought back memories of John Coltrane.  Mike Gurrola was on Bass and it was satisfying to see a young Bassist who performs with strength and a warm traditional Jazz style.  Drummer Kevin Kanner is also young but brought the crowd to life with some of his remarkable solos.  It was clear to anyone in the audience that these four Jazz professionals play at the highest level and also love what they are doing.

Another all-around great Jazz night at Pete's.  In case you have not been over to Pete Carlson's Golf and Tennis Shop for their "Jazz for Jazz Lovers" music series you are missing some of the best Jazz in the Valley!  I also want to let everyone know that Pete Carlson's is the very best place in the Valley to hear live Jazz.  The audience is quiet and appreciative of great players.  The audience's focus is 100% on the music and the players!

Upcoming Concerts At Pete's:

March 3, 2018    Ernie Watts Quartet

March 7, 2018    Tom Ranier Quartet

March 10, 2018  Joe LaBarbera Quintet

I could not find a "Youtube" of this particular Eric Reed Quartet playing but I did find a "YouTube" of Eric playing a NYC medley of "Autumn in New York, Skating in Central Park/ Central Park West" that is delightful music and showcases Eric's Piano talents.

CD Review: Andrew Distel, "It Only Takes Time"

There does seem to be something of a tradition of trumpet players who are also singers.  Now we can add Andrew Distel to this impressive list.  In Distel's CD, "It Only Takes Time" he sings 11 beautiful songs including two that he composed, "Wait for Me" and "Your Last Song".  Andrew Distel has a wonderful, smooth delivery and a rich, pure voice that reminds me of one of my favorite singers, Kenny Rankin.  His voice and delivery also remind me of Chet Baker.  Now if you are a young Jazz vocalist having these two Jazz Vocalists as heroes is perfect!  Trumpet player, Composer and Arranger Andrew Distel is already a major part of the Chicago Jazz scene and as soon as you listen to the two "YouTube" cuts below you won't have to ask why.  The first one is "Alfie" and the second one is a tune Andrew wrote "Your Last Song".

True to the tradition of all Jazz Pros, Andrew has enlisted some outstanding musicians to join him on this CD.  The impressive list includes Peter Martin who performed on and arranged Diane Reeve's Grammy winning CD, "Good Night and Good Luck"  Carlos Enriquez is a regular in the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.  

"It Only Takes Time" is a winner CD that introduces Andrew Distel as Vocalist and Trumpet player who is surely headed for greatness. 

PLAYLIST:

1. "Speak Low"

2. "Alfie"

3. "One Morningstar Away"

4. "Amor"

5. "Wait For Me"

6. "Who Cares"

7. "Too Soon To Tell"

8. "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"

9. "Your Last Song"

10. "Into Each Life"

11 "You Are There"

Musicians:

Andrew Distel- Vocals, Trumpet

Peter Martin- Piano

Carlos Enriquez- Bass

George Fludas- Drums

Geraldo De Oliveira- Percussionist

Raphael Crawford- Trombone

Dave Onderdonk- Guitar

Jim Gailloretto- Woodwinds

Howard Levy- Harmonica

Brian Schwab- Trumpet

KAJI 95.3FM and General Manager, Alan P. Schultz Put the Spotlight on Local Musicians

Local musicians in the Valley are finally receiving some well-deserved attention.  The new, local 24 hour Jazz station in Palm Desert, KAJI 95.3FM and its General Manager Alan  P. Schultz have decided to start playing music created by local musicians.  Alan and I discussed the possibility of putting together a program on his station where local musicians would have their music played.  The first of these special programs kicked off last Saturday.   The first program was warmly received by musicians and Jazz lovers here in the Coachella Valley and as a result, Alan who also operates as the station's program director has decided to do another program this Saturday, February 17 at 10:00 AM PST.   The best way to hear KAJI 95.3FM is to stream it on your computer.  I have attached a link below that will take you to a site where you can turn the radio on.  It would be great if you would mark your calendar to join the broadcast this Saturday.  The music will be great, and you will be supporting all the musicians performing in our area.

http://mixlr.com/kajiradio/

Listed below are some talented musicians we were able to play on last week's show:

Michael Dees- "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life"
Trish Hatley- "Shiny Stockings"
Rich Bono- "Here's That Rainy Day/My One and Only Love"
Yve Evans- "Just Friends/Guess Who I Saw Today"
Linda Peterson- "My Foolish Heart"
Mike Costley- "I Am A Singer"
Jack Jones- "Skylark"
Beverly Jensen- "Spring Can Really Hang You Up"
Pat Rizzo- "All the Way/Come Rain or Come Shine"
Patrick Tuzzolino- "Don't Be That Way"
Steve Madaio- "What's New"
Rose Mallett- "It's Impossible"
Ron Kalina- "The Nearness of You"
Lee Hartley- "Sister Sadie"
Doug MacDonald-

February 17,  Saturday morning, I am planning to play another group of outstanding musicians so please see if you can join us.

All the cuts I have played and will be playing are from my personal library; all of which I have collected over the past 7 years ever since I started doing live reviews in the Valley.

To all my musician friends:  I don't have CDs and/or individual tracks for many of you and I would like to spotlight your work if we do future programs.  If you can send me your CD or email a link to any individual tracks you may have, I would do my best to get it on the air.  My mailing address here in the Desert is:

57228 Medinah, La Quinta, CA 92253  and my email address is:  Robertnicosia@icloud.com.  If you want to call:  201-320-9060

Real Jazz Is Alive In The Desert AT KAJI 95.3FM!

Doug MacDonald and Friends Bring Out the Musicians at AJ's on the Green

My first visit to AJ's this year was great fun.  Doug MacDonald led a super Jazz Trio consisting of Doug on Guitar, Larry Holloway on Bass and Tim Pleasant on Drums.  Doug plays with lot of groups but this is the first time I saw him in action as the leader of the group.  Turns out he is a natural, controlling all aspects of the performance while still allowing his supporting players to shine also!

Doug started at 7:00 PM and the first hour was just straight-ahead Jazz and it was great!  During the second hour or more, Doug called up any musicians in the audience who wanted to sit in for a couple of tunes.  There must have been over 15 musicians in the audience who came up to play or sing and it was great fun.  Classically trained pianist, Rich Bono was first to come up and play piano for some terrific vocalists.  Rich is without a doubt the most sought-after pianist in the Desert by Vocalists.  He knows how to provide just the right support for all types of music and voices and singers never miss a chance to sing with him.  The parade of musicians continued well into the evening and Doug refused to stop until every musician who wanted to perform; had a chance.  If you want to hear some of the best vocalists in the Valley, AJ's is the place to be on Wednesday evenings.  AJ's has been totally renovated and the food continues to be excellent.

My thanks to Doug MacDonald, Larry Holloway and Tim Pleasant for some of the best Jazz sounds I have heard.  I also want to thank all the performers for providing a great night of music.

I could not find a video of Doug's Group on "YouTube" but I did find a video of Doug playing "Picnic" with a trio consisting of Doug on Guitar,  Yoshi Waki on Bass and Pete Zimmer on Drums.  Doug is one of the finest Guitar players performing today!