Mauricio J. Rodriguez, "LUZ"

 

Composer, Arranger and Bassist Mauricio J Rodriguez writes and performs Latin Jazz that he reinvents with fresh musical ideas that he combines with only the very best musicians.  This winner formula produced his new and terrific CD, "LUZ".   Mauricio has composed 4 original songs on his CD that includes 4 original songs by Venezuelan composer Vicente Vilora who also co-produced the project. 

Mauricio has spent many years living and playing music in Cuba and then Venezuela before coming to the US in 2001.  In addition to Composing and Arranging the songs on his CD, Mauricio performs brilliantly on his six-string E. bass and his fretless E. bass.  His Composing, Arranging and performing result in invigorating Latin Jazz with a lighter than-expected ensembles, subtle by virtuoso solos and rich new melodies.

I have selected two "YouTubes" to open a window to Mauricio's work.  The first selection is called "Vocalize" that features very inventive piano playing by Gabriel Hernandez Cadenas.  The second song attached is a Mauricio J. Rodriguez original entitled "Danzon No. 1 Opus 1 con Cha" that features Clarinetist Jose M Sardinas leading on Clarinet.  It's a lilting "Cha Cha" that I am sure everyone will love.

 "Vocalize"

                                                                       

                                           "Danzon No. 1 Opus 1 con Cha"

 Playlist:

1. Casualty

2. Monday

3. Es el Amor

4. Tuesday

5. Claudia

6. Luz

7. Wednesday

8. Danzon No. 1 Opus 1 can Cha

9. My Funny Valentine

10. Vocalize

Players:

Mauricio J.  Rodriguez- Composer, Arranger, Six-string E. Bass, Double Bass

Adrianna Foster, Jorge Quintero, Big Johnny Boffa- Vocals

Gabriel M. Hernandez Cadenas- Piano

Ahmed Barroso-Guitar

Zachary Bornheimer, Jorge Pinelo- Saxophone

Jose M. Sardinas- Clarinet

Richie Viruet- Trumpet

Jose Pradas- Violoncello

Reinier Guerra, Lucio Vieira- Drums

Orlando "Landy" Mosqueda- Udi, Afro-Percussion, Timbal, Cuban Percussion

Tomasito Cruz- Bata Drums

Andy Fornet- Cajon

                                                                                                        

CD Review: Sheila Jordan, "Comes Love"

 

Singer/Songwriter Sheila Jordan is still going strong at the age of 92.  She was unknown to me before I received a review copy of a CD Sheila recorded on June 10, 1960.  You might think that it would be hard to be impressed by a CD recording made over 60 years ago but you would be wrong.  Shelia Jordan is one of the few singers I have heard who knows what Jazz singing is all about.  What a pleasure to listen to her unique voice and effortless Jazz phrasing.  According to Sheila, most of her musical influences have been instrumentalists rather than singers.  This is not the first time that I have heard this comment coming from an outstanding Jazz singer.  Her greatest influence, and mine also by the way, was Charlie Parker.  She married pianist Duke Jordan and studied with Lennie Tristano.  She did not begin recording until the early 60's.

This CD recording was lost for a long while but was unearthed by record dealers Jeremy Sloan and Hadley Kenslow who purchased it among a large collection of acetates several years ago.  Jordan has no recollection of the names of her accompanists who are wonderful.  The CD was released by Tom Burns, the owner and founder of Capri Records who had this to say about the supporting group of musicians,  " Whoever is playing on it is really good. The group seems to have an empathic relationship with her".

I wanted to mention a quote from another world-class singer from this same period for whom I recently published a review of a new release of one of her old CDs,  Roseanna Vitro. Roseanna had this to say about Sheila Jordan, "Sheila Jordan is a one-of-a-kind artist who possesses the power to captivate audiences, inviting all to join her on a magical mystery tour of Jazz history".

This CD was re-released on September 17, 2021 on Capri Records and I highly recommend it.  I have attached a YouTube of Sheila singing the title tune from the CD, "Comes Love".   It's just terrific!  I also found another you TubeTube of Sheila singing "I Thought About You" that was from her CD "Straight Ahead" which was released on October 13, 2015.  It will give you a wonderful comparison between the younger and older Sheila Jordan.  Spoiler,  she is great on both cuts!

Playlist:

1.  I'm The Girl

2.  It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 

3. Ballad of the "Sad Young Men"

4. Comes Love

5. Don't Explain

6. Sleeping Bee

7. When the World Was Young

8. I'll take Romance

9. These Foolish Things

10. Glad TO Be Unhappy

11. They Can't Take That Away From Me.

                                                                      "Comes Love"

                                                                     "I Thought About You"

CD Review: Kenny Shanker, "Beautiful Things"

Kenny Shanker is one of the young alto saxophonists on today's Jazz scene who loves to perform music from Bebop to traditional standards.   Shanker released his fourth CD in August of 2021 entitled "Beautiful Things" that contains original compositions and some Jazz standards out of the "Great American Songbook".  The common element that brings all these diverse songs together is that they are all beautifully written songs.   Kenny Shanker is just not a great alto player, he is an award-winning composer, pianist and vocalist.  His compositions are melodic and accessible;  two important traits that I look for when enjoying Jazz.  

Shanker lives in NYC and has played at almost all the Jazz venues in the city starting with Carnegie Hall, Birdland,  Dizzy's Club, Smoke, Smalls, Fat Cat, and Jazz at Kitano just to name a few.   

I  remember being fascinated with Cannonball Adderley in the 60's.  He played a lot of Bebop but then Adderley released an album entitled, "Cannonball Adderley with Strings" that covered standards.  I remember how impressed I was with his ability to perform Bebop and still have an emotional feel for some great standards.  Shanker possesses the same skills;  he can do it all and makes his alto come to life on everything he plays.  His compositions are remarkably good, and will be heard for years to come.

Joining Shanker to create this CD is a talented group of musicians who have been performing with Shanker for a long-time.  Bill Mobley on Trumpet, Daisuke Abe on Guitar, Mike Eckroth on Piano, Yoshi Waki on Bass and  Brian Fishler on Drums.    

I have attached two "YouTube" tracks from Shanker's new CD.  The first is an original composition entitled "Prestissimo".  Shanker was inspired to write this composition by the early Bebop recordings that he loved.  The second, another Shanker original,  is a total change of pace that shows Shanker's versatility; it's called "Beautiful Things".     

                                                                         "Prestissimo"

                                                                        "Beautiful Things"

Playlist:

1. Cool Mint

2. Prestissimo

3. It Never Entered My Mind

4. Mirth

5. L'Impossible

6. Orange and Gray

7. Without A Song

8. I'm Old Fashioned

9. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 

Players:    

Kenny Shanker- Alto Saxophone, compositions

Bill Mobley- Trumpet

Daisuke Abe- Guitar

Mike Eckroth- Piano

Yoshi Waki- Bass

Brian Fishler- Drums

CD Review: Michele Faber, "Journey Back"

 

Pianist, Composer and Arranger Michele Faber recently published a couple of wonderful Jazz albums a few years ago that I recently received.  Michele is a classic Jazz Pianist who performed for many  years in the LA area and then 12 years ago moved to Barcelona, Spain.  She fell in love with Barcelona and the outstanding Jazz environment there and decided to make it her permanent home.  A good friend and wonderful singer, Beverly Jenson who has known and performed with Michele Faber told me about her.  I received two CD's that Michele Faber has published and I fell in love with both of them.  The one that I am reviewing is "Journey Back" and it was recorded in Barcelona.  It's a classic Jazz album that includes 6 songs that Michele wrote, two standards and one song written by Guitarist Doug MacDonald.  Michele's compositions are beautiful and are matched perfectly by her outstanding Jazz Piano playing.  I have attached a YouTube of one of her compositions from the CD, "Here We Go Again" so you can judge for yourself.  Michele is joined on this cut by Fredrik Carlquist on Tenor Sax and Bassist Pete Loewe.  For me this composition brings to mind the cool Jazz scene of Barcelona as I invision it.  The second song that I have attached is the Duke Pearson Jazz classic "Jeannine" that features Doug MacDonald on Guitar and Pete Loewe on Bass.

Michele Faber is a master composer and musician in the traditional American sense.  She creates music that is fresh, new and understandable on many levels.  You don't have to be a Jazz buff to appreciate her writing or her improvising, she just produces beautiful music!  Michele has CD's available for sale that you can add to your Jazz collection and I highly recommend them all.  The second CD I received was titled, "Barcelona Encounter" and it's just as good as "Journey Back".

 PLAYLIST:  

1. Journey Back

2. Letter to J.L

3. Algo Que Paso

4. Once Again

5. Jeannine

6. Estate

7. Madison at Midnight

8. Here We Go Again

9. Dream Love

PLAYERS:

Michele Faber- Piano

Pete Loewe- Bass

Joe Smith- Drums

Fredrik Carlquist- Tenor Sax

Doug MacDonald

                                                                   "Jeannine"

                                                                  "Here We Go Again"

CD Review: The Henry "Skipper" Frankin Sextet, "Blossoms of Blessings"

 

Master Bassist, Composer and Producer Henry "The Skipper" Franklin has just released his new CD, "Showers of Blessings".  The theme for Franklin's latest musical effort is a heartfelt tribute to significant people and events that have touched his remarkable life.  As the leader of this band, a musically perfect sextet, he selected 6 renowned Jazz professionals to join him.  Franklin has gifted us with brilliant Jazz music that is new and refreshing to hear.  Henry Franklin has musically done it all,  but I am so glad he put this sextet together.  I understand that this recording was put together without any prerehearsals which in itself is a tribute to the master level of all the musicians involved.    Theo Saunders is on Piano and he composed 3 of the songs on the CD.  I am attaching one of his compositions "The Return of The Skipper" at the end of this review.  Dr. Teodross Avery is on Tenor and Soprano Sax, Ryan Porter is on Trombone, Nolan Shaheed is on Trumpet and Flugle Horn and Willie Jones III is on Drums.  Franklin also invited three guest artists to join the group:  Benn Clatworthy playing Alto Flute "The Valley of Search",   Najite Agindotan percussion on "Message to Marjorie" and Yaakov Levy Wooden Flute on "Message to Marjorie".  I am also attaching a "YouTube" of one of Henry Franklin's compositions,  " Little Miss Laurie".

Multi-talented Henry Franklin continues to create the highest level of Jazz music for all of us to enjoy.  His formula is simple, great Jazz composing and great musicians playing straight ahead Jazz.  It sure works Henry!  Henry Franklin performs frequently in the Southern California area so next time you are in the area look for him and don't miss seeing him live!

PLAYLIST:

1. Message to Marjorie

2. The Return of the Skipper

3. Coconut Island

4. Ballad for Aisha

5. Black Lives Lost

6. The Valley of Search

7. Skipper Meets Pharaoh

8. The Guardian

9. Little Miss Laurie

PLAYERS:

Henry Franklin-Bass

Theo Saunders-Piano

Dr. Teadross Avery- Tenor and Soprano Sax

Ryan Porter-Trombone

Nolan Shaheed-Trumpet ad Flugle Horn

Willie Jones III-Drums

Special Guets:

Najite Agindotan-Percussion

Yaakov Levy-Wooden Flute

Benn Clotworthy-Alto Flute

  

                                                                "The Return of the Skipper"

                                                                    "Little Miss Laurie"

CD Review: Doug MacDonald "Live In Hawaii"

Guitarist, Composer, Arranger and Radio personality, Doug MacDonald has recently released his latest CD, "Live In Hawaii" and it's a beauty.  MacDonald has been praised many times over the years for his beautiful and sensitive renditions of some of the great ballads from the Great American Songbook,  but he has taken off the gloves for his new CD and comes out swinging!  He has put together a super, talented group of musicians for this up-tempo CD.  As soon as I listened to the first song on this CD, "My Shining Hour" it reminded me of one of my very favorite Jazz groups from the past, the Modern Jazz Quartet.  I have to say adding the very talented Noel Okimoto on Vibraphone to Doug's usual configuration of Drums and Bass gives the quartet the room they need to swing out.  Darryl Pellegrini is on Drums and Dean Taba is on Bass.  

This new CD takes no time to get used to, instant gratification for any Jazz buff.  It's so great to hear a  Vibraphone playing in a Jazz quartet again!   Doug has written two of the 7 songs on this CD, and they are both terrific Jazz tunes, "Cat City Samba" and "Bossa Don".  The arrangements are classic Doug MacDonald, new, exciting and understandable.  

I have been very fortunate to know and hear Doug play for many years in the California desert,  mostly in  a Jazz Club in Cathedral City, CA where I am sure the inspiration for "Cat City Samba" was born.  Doug performs all over the country including in Hawaii where he lived for several years.  This CD was recorded live at the Hawaii Public Radio's Atherton Performing Arts Studio in Hawaii.  Doug has performed with most of the giants of jazz during his long successful Jazz career including the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Jack Sheldon, Ray Brown and Buddy Rich just to mention a few.

If you love to listen to a swinging Jazz quartet this CD will thrill you.  Thank you Doug MacDonald for all your efforts to bring us the best in Jazz in this CD and all your other great releases!

I have attached two cuts from this CD, the first is "My Shining Hour" and the second is a Doug MacDonald original "Cat City Samba".     

                                           

                                                                       "My Shining Hour"

                                                                        "Cat City Samba"

     PLAYLIST:

1. My Shining Hour

2. Cat City Samba

3. Blues in the Closet

4. Star Eyes

5. Bassa Don

6. Lester Leaps In

7. Stranger In Paradise                  

       PLAYERS:

Doug MacDonald- Guitar

Noel Okimoto- Vibraphone

Dean Taba- Bass

Darryl Pellegrini- Drums

CD Review: Alan Goidel and Howard Levy Slide Attack, "Road Trip"

 

Ok, all you Trombone lovers, here is a treat especially for you.  Alan Goidel and Howard Levy and their quintet Slide Attack have just released their new CD, "Road Trip".  The CD is a nod to the great J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding whose musical while recordings made over 60 years ago under the group name "J & K" and are still popular today.  I still have the album they recorded in the late 50's, "J & K at Newport".  At first blush, a recording with two Jazz Trombone players might seem unusual.  But fear not, these two bone players can really play and all of the music on this CD  were composed by Goidel and Levy with the exception of one from their Piano Player, Hiroshi Yamazaki.  The CD really cooks with straight ahead Jazz.  Both of these top-level Jazz musicians went to music school in New York.  Alan is a graduate of the State University of New York and received a masters in Jazz/Commercial music from the Manhattan School of Music.  Howard is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and received his master's degree from the Lehman College in Applied Music.  Both of these gentlemen have extensive musical resumes performing with many of the most outstanding big bands of the last 60 years. 

Players:     

Howard Levy- Trombone

Alan Goidel- Trombone

Hiroshi Yamazaki- Piano

Michael Goetz- Bass

Chuck Zeuren- Drums

Playlist:  

1. Spring Roll

2. Road Trip

3. Clauditti

4. Struttin

5. Look Within

6. Owens

7. A Walk In The Park

8. Early Morning

9. Bluedemic 

I know you will enjoy the two songs that I have attached from this CD.  The first song is called "Struttin"  written by Howard Levy.  His inspiration for this composition came from Herbie Hancock's classic "Watermelon Man".  The selection is the title tune from the CD "Road Trip" written by Alan Goidel. It's a fun piece that relates to the great feeling of getting away on a road trip.

                                      
                                                                     "Struttin"

                                                                          "Road Trip"