CD Review: Antonio Adolfo, "Jobim Forever"

 

Antonio Adolfo creates beautiful music: his Piano and his Arranging are a pleasure for the ears!  I fell in love with his last release and published a review of "BruMa" that was a tribute to the wonderful composer Milton Nascimento.  Now Adolfo released his latest tribute CD, a tribute to one of the most influential stars in modern day Jazz, Antonio Carlos Jobim.  Jobim introduced the Bossa Nova sound in the USA in 1964 with his multiple Grammy Award winning CD, "Getz/Gilberto".  Jobim's writing has had an effect on almost every Jazz player since 1964 including some special treatment from Francis Albert Sinatra.  Putting together 9 Jobim compositions and making them sound new is no small task.  However, Adolfo's Arranging and performance by his highly talented musical group brings us a fresh new feel to Jobim songs that we all know well.  This is a romantic album but it will satisfy any Jazz buff listener with its Arrangements and Jazz improvisations.  The sounds from this delicious album are fresh, lush and  the band really swings.  You will fall in love with Antonio Adolfo the first time you listen to this CD.  

Antonio Adolfo is a Pianist,  Arranger, Composer and Bandleader. He has recorded over two dozen albums as a leader in the US and Brazil.  More than 200 of his original compositions have been recorded by major artists like Sergio Mendes, Earl Klugh, Herb Alpert, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick and many others.  Adolfo chose Jobim's songs from the 1960s because he wanted to celebrate a great era of music which was when Jobim's innovations helped make Rio de Janeiro an important capital of world culture.  Now we all can celebrate with him!

Falling in love with the songs on this CD was easy but picking just two songs to share with you was almost impossible.  I truly loved every song on this CD.  Every song will be going on my "Jazz favorites" playlist.  Please buy this CD;  you will be playing it for years to come.  My first "YouTube" is the first greatest hit from Jobim, "The Girl From Ipanema" with some great alto Sax work from Danilo Sinna.  The Second attachment is "Agua De Beber" that translates to "Water To Drink".  We are treated to a fine Trombone solo from Rafael Rocha on this standard.

 

                                                                    "The Girl From Ipanema"

                                                                    "Agua De Beber"

Playlist:

1. The Girl From Ipanema

2. Wave

3. A Felicidade

4. How Insensitive

5. Favela

6. Inutil Paisagem

7. Agua De Beber

8. Amparo

9. Estrada Do Sol

Players:

Antonio Adolfo- Piano & Arranging

Jesse Sadoc- Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Danilo Sinna- Alto Sax

Marcelo Martins- Tenor & Soprano Saxes

Rafael Rocha- Trombone

Lula Galvao- Guitars

Jorge Helder- Double Bass

Rafael Barata- Drums

Dada Costa- Percussion

Guest Artists

    Paulo Braga- Drums

    Ze Renato- Vocals

 

CD Review: Roseanna Vitro, "Sing A Song Of Bird"

 

Vocalist Roseanna Vitro has just released her new CD, "Sing A Song Of Bird" that is a celebration of  Alto Sax player Charlie "Bird" Parker.   She conceived and created this project because of her desire to develop new lyrics to Charlie Parker tunes.  The results provide all of us with some wonderful and creative Jazz sounds and lyrics.   Roseanna is joined vocally on this CD by three truly outstanding Jazz Vocalists,  Sheila Jordan, Bob Dorough and Marion Cowings, all three favorites of hers.  Together these four Jazz Vocalists, all Charlie Parker admirers put together new lyrics to six of his compositions.  

"Sing A Song Of Bird" is more than a celebration of Bird's music.  This CD is very special because at the time it was recorded Bob Dorough was 94 and has since pasted while Sheila Jordan is 89 and is still going strong.

Roseanna Vitro is a brilliant musician still performing and creating new and exciting Jazz ideas.  Everything she touches is performed at the highest professional Jazz level.  She remains a major link for all Jazz fans to our rich American Jazz history which helps to keep Jazz alive forever! 

I have attached two "YouTube" selections of this fun Album.  The first one, "Grapple With The Apple" is a solo by Roseanna Vitro scatting at her usual high level.  She is joined by Mark Gross on Sax, Jason Teborek on Piano,  Dean Johnson on Bass and Bill Goodwin on Drums.   The Second selection is "Parker's Mood" a terrific Blues tune sung by Marion Cowings.  Marion is joined by special guest Gary Bartz on Alto Sax.  Gary provides some wonderful Sax work along with the always great Alan Broadbent on Piano, Dean Johnson on Bass and Alvester Garnett on Drums.

                                                             "Grapple With The Apple"

                                                                     "Parker's Mood"

Playlist:

1. People Chase

2. The Scatter

3. Bird's Song

4. Parker's Mood

5. Grapple With The Apple

6. Audubon's New Bluebird

7. Sheila, Jazz Child

8. Quasimodo

9. Now's The Time

10. Yardbird Suite

11. Koko / Cherokee

12. These Foolish Things

Players:

Roseanna Vitro- Vocals

Bob Dorough- Vocals

Sheila Jordan- Vocals

Marion Cowings- Vocals

Jason Teborek-Piano

Dean Johnson- Bass

Mark Gross- Alto Sax

Gary Bartz- Alto Sax

Alan Broadbent- Piano

Alvester Garnett- Drums

                                                           

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"