2011

BRAD MEHLDAU – “LIVE IN MARCIAC” (Solo piano outing, 2 discs, with a great mix of originals, standards and new standards, recorded live).



Reviews and Quotes:

• Huffington Post (Joseph Vella): "What makes his solo outings and the Live at Marciac recording so exciting is the repertoire that he incorporates into his performances.  His blend of jazz and classical styles, the American Songbook, unique covers of pop tunes and originals all seamlessly blend into a fulfilling and varied musical experience.  His breathtaking command of his instrument is undeniable. But what he is able to say musically as a soloist within the context of each song combined with his improvisations is simply masterful. "
• LA Times (Chris Barton): "Sounding almost like a piano duet more than a few times, Mehldau's technical mastery can be enough to make your head spin, but the feeling is invigorating.
  

Goodbye Storyteller from Brad Mehldau Music on Vimeo.

BOBBY MATOS AFRO LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE – “BEAUTIFUL AS THE MOON” (Recorded at his Jazz Live concert last June, with one studio track).



Reviews and Quotes:

• CDBaby: "Beautiful As The Moon is a very personal statement from the band--all of the music comes from the band members or is inspired by their families and their influences." "With all but one song recorded at the Saville Theater, San Diego City College for a live concert on KSDS Jazz88 radio in San Diego, this is an excellent opportunity to experience some great Latin Jazz live without any edits or tricks so common on many studio produced sessions where the music is recorded overdub by overdub. Not here, this is the real deal--seasoned Jazz and Latin Jazz musicians running risks to create great art, passionate rhythms and beautiful melodies resulting in music that is as beautiful as the moon."

FRED HERSCH – “ALONE AT THE VANGUARD” (Solo live piano recording, with a mix of originals, jazz tunes and standards).



Reviews and Quotes:

• AllAboutJazz (Dan McClenaghan): "Hersch has what it takes to ignore the "never open with a ballad" advice: a supple and exquisitely-refined touch; a sharp focus on the melody; a deep sense of classical harmony; and a magical ability to get inside the tune and make it his own. Hersch's sound here has a uncommon fragility/strength dynamic, and it is serious and cerebral, with an opposing simplicity buoyed by a rich complexity, born of a lifetime's immersion in the music."
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SCOTT HAMILTON AND ROSSANO SPORTIELLO – “MIDNIGHT AT NOLA’S PENTHOUSE” (Sax/piano duet rendering of standards).



Reviews and Quotes:

• Scott Hamilton Wikipedia: "He emerged in the 1970s and at the time he was considered to be one of the few musicians of real talent who carried the tradition of the classic jazz tenor saxophone in the style of Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins as well as Zoot Sims and Don Byas forward. He began playing in various rhythm & blues outfits in Providence (Rhode Island), but subsequently shifted to jazz and the tenor saxophone. In 1976 he moved to New York City at, in part the recommendation of Roy Eldridge. He there joined Benny Goodman for a period of time and in 1977 recorded his debut album for Concord Records, with whom he would have a long recording career in his own name and as one of their Concord Jazz All Stars. He also worked as a backing musician for singer Rosemary Clooney and others."