RALPH BOWEN – “POWER PLAY” (Straight-ahead saxophone quartet, doing all but one original, on the edgy side). AllAboutJazz (Bruce Lindsey): Power Play
is an apposite title: for saxophonist Ralph Bowen is certainly one of
the most powerful players in contemporary jazz. But power alone is
seldom, if ever, enough, and Bowen combines power with exceptional
control, feeling and tone. The rest of the quartet shares Bowen's
characteristics, ensuring that this collection of tunes is constantly
rewarding
ROYCE CAMPBELL – “MAKE ME RAINBOWS” (Guitar/organ trio, doing mostly standards, recorded in 1995, but newly released). JazzLoft: This is the same rhythm section featured on the classic Wes Montgomery
recording "Boss Guitar." This CD contains three originals by Campbell
along with such standards as "Ruby," "You Go To My Head," "If I Should
Lose You," "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," and a seldom recorded Cole
Porter tune called "Could It Be You."
FRANCIS COLETTE/JONAS TAUBER – “PORT SAID STREET” (Guitar/cello, doing interesting arrangements on originals and standards).
LUIS CONTE – “EN CASA DE LUIS” (Percussionist, leading a hard-core latin session. Lots of vocal tracks, mostly originals).Amazon: En Casa de Luis is the 7th release for Multi-Grammy Winner Luis Conte,
an acknowledged master of percussion. His celebrated career includes
touring and or recording work with some of the greatest names in
contemporary music including Madonna, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins,
Santana, Jackson Browne, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Ray Charles,
Tony Bennett, Pat Metheny, James Taylor, Shakira. Ozzy Osborne and Cuban
legends Arturo Sandoval and Cachao.
JERY COSTANZO – “DESTINATION MOON” (Male vocalist backed by a big band, doing all standards. More of a lounge vibe, but great arrangements).
BENOIT DELBECQ TRIO – “THE SIXTH JUMP” (Progressive piano trio, doing all originals).
MONIKA HERZIG – “COME WITH ME” (Pianist, leading a variety of band configurations, with originals, standards and new standards).
RICK HOLLAND-EVAN DOBBINS LITTLE BIG BAND – “TRILBY” (A swingin’ collection of jazz standards and originals). Lazaro Vega, Radio Host, Blue Lake Public Radio :Rick Holland’s flugelhorn improvisations flow with a seasoned musician’s
imagination and a hard working trumpeter’s ability to play whatever
comes to mind. His piquant touches to the top of the staff (or above)
from wherever he happens to be in the improvised melodic line are a
great example of where daily practice can take you.
VIJAY IYER WITH PRASANNA/NITIN MITTA – “TIRTHA” (Pianist acknowledging his Indian roots, with tabla and sitar, doing all originals). CMJ (Brianne Galli): Composed by Iyer and Prasanna, Tirtha communicates a spiritual
journey free of labels. The music does not submit to any one type of
music that each of its members creates, and does not fit neatly into
just one genre. For the group, the collaboration celebrates India’s
freedom by representing a more global sound as a result of independence.
ANDREI KONDAKOV – “BLUES FOR 4” (Russian pianist, backed by a great band, doing all originals, straight-ahead).
BRIAN LYNCH – “UNSUNG HEROES” (Trumpeter paying tribute to under appreciated fellow trumpet players, straight-ahead groove). Elements of Jazz (Atane Ofiaja): Lynch says, "Unsung Heroes pays tribute to and features the
compositions of jazz trumpet giants such as Joe Gordon, Tommy
Turrentine, Idrees Sulieman, and other greats who have flown under the
radar of popular acclaim despite their artistry and influence on players
such as myself."
RENEE MANNING – “ALL GROWN UP” (Female vocalist doing a mix of standards and new standards, with a couple of originals).CDUniverse: Renee Manning's life has been quite a musical odyssey. Transitioning
from a classical soprano to a soul/funk stylist (with a range comparable
to Minnie Ripperton) and finally into a Jazz and Blues Contralto, her
vocal journey has been phenomenal. The truth is, anything with a touch
of the blues (or that depth of feeling), is well within her domain of
expression. Couple Manning's musical style with that of her becoming an
incredible vocal coach and educator along the way, and you have an
inspirational force to be reckoned with.
DADO MORONI – “LIVE IN BEVERLY HILLS” (Piano trio, doing a straight-ahead mix of standards and originals).
EDDIE MENDENHALL – “COSINE MEETS TANGENT” (Piano/vibes quartet, doing all but one original, straight ahead).
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS – “DOWN IN THE BOTTOM” (Mix of straight-ahead and big band tracks, with organ, guitar and drums providing hard driving rhythm). Vancouver Sun - The Nightcrawlers Top Up Their Bottom: We did some concerts in the summer [of 2010] where we had an organist
from Montreal visiting and she brought all these big band charts with
her because there are all these great Jimmy Smith records on Verve from
the ’60s with great arrangements,” Cahill says. “We played a whole bunch
of that and Cory [Weeds] said, ‘Why don’t we do the next record half
with a big band and half as a quintet?’ And I was like, ‘How the heck
are we gonna do that?’ ”
ARTURO O’FARRILL & THE AFRO LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA – “40 ACRES AND A BURRO” (Great big band latin grooves, can also be aired in straight-ahead segments). AllAboutJazz (Dan Bilawsky): Throughout
the program, the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra demonstrates a signature
flair for all things spicy, and Arturo O'Farrill continues to define the
sound of his own creation, which can simply be called all-inclusive
Latin jazz.
ONE FOR ALL – “INVADES VANCOUVER” (Live recording of this all-star ensemble, doing mostly their originals).
JANE STUART – “DON’T LOOK BACK” (Female vocalist, doing the Great American Songbook and new standards).
HRISTO VITCHEV QUINTET – “THE PERPERIKON SUITE” (Guitar/vibe quintet, doing all straight-ahead originals).
YELLOWJACKETS – “TIMELINE” (Mostly straight-ahead outing, with some contemporary tracks).
ZZYMZZY QUARTET – “ZZWING!” (More gypsy jazz from local musicians).
Pat Launer's Center Stage
