SYLVIA BENNETT (@SylbiaBennett)– “SONRIE” (Female vocalist, singing the Great Latin Songbook in
Spanish).
AllAboutJazz.com (about 2010 English version?): Within the genre of gentle jazzy love songs, Bennett's treatment of this music delivers a musical experience sure to draw a well-deserved Smile.
CHICK COREA (@ChickCorea) / STEFANO BOLLANI (FB, YouTube) – “ORVIETO” (Pianists, performing live, doing
a mix of originals, standards and improvisations).
AllaboutJazz.com (John Kelman): Unlike most duo recordings, Bollani and Corea are not split into left and right channels; instead, the two instruments converge towards the center of the mix from lower register to upper, giving Orvieto an even greater "you are there" feeling—but "there" isn't in the audience, it's right up there with the pianists. Those familiar with either player will have no difficulty in identifying them here; for those who aren't, does it really matter? Instead, it makes Orvieto all the more appreciable for its remarkably empathy, telepathy and synchronicity—symmetry, even, at times—less a duo, and more the remarkable melding of musical minds for a most singular purpose.
CARLO DE ROSA’S CROSS-FADE – “BRAIN DANCE” (Bassist, leading a quartet,
doing progressive originals).
AllAboutJazz.com (Mark F. Turner, March, 2011): There are "musician-for-hire" gunslingers—professionals employed at a moment's notice to bring their skills to a gig or recording. But the mercenary analogy is only a small part of their repertoire, as many of these invaluable side musicians are leaders and composers just awaiting the opportunity to release their own material. Such is the case with Brain Dance, by bassist Carlo De Rosa, who has performed with The Chico O'Farrill Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, Rudresh Mahanthappa, and many others. Of the seven tracks, "Terrane / A Phrase" is the most revealing of De Rosa's abilities: a contemporary opus of expansive writing and improvisation, filled with extensive individual spots, aerial flight patterns, and harmony and dissonance. Its conclusion prompts the question of why it's taken De Rosa so long to record this music. More, please.
ESP (@ESPJazz, FB) – “REACH” (Not the San Diego band, doing all originals with a mix of straight-
ahead and contemporary).
TIM HORNER – “THE PLACES WE FEEL FREE” (Very nice straight-ahead session,
with a variety of band configurations, doing all originals).
Mark Sherman's Blog (the vibest on the date): Horner not only writes in an assortment of time feels, he plays each style with the up-most capability. He is one of our modern masters when it comes knowing what the music needs from the rhythm section. His contributions are played with passion and conviction! His time feels so good. It makes you want to play if you’re a musician. It makes you want to move if you’re a listener. He is a superb musician!
CLAY JENKINS QUARTET – “GOOD SIGNS” (Trumpeter, leading a quartet, doing
mostly straight-ahead originals).
DAVID LINX / RHODA SCOTT / ANDRE CECCARELLI – “ROCK MY BOAT” (Male
vocalist, with an unpretentious style, doing mostly straight-ahead originals).
TISH ONEY (@TishSings)– “SWEET YOUTH” (Female vocalist, with guitar accompaniment, doing
a mix of standards and originals).
AllAboutJazz.com: On Out Of This World (Playscape Recordings), the new collection featuring Rosenthal on piano, bassist Noriko Ueda and Quincy Davis on drums, 10 timeless classics from the golden era of American song craft are rendered in an impeccably lyrical, colorful manner that compels the listener to rethink them. Rosenthal and crew embrace the familiar tunes—reliable standards like “Embraceable You," “People Will Say We're In Love" and “Cry Me a River"—and, without ever losing sight of the melody at the heart, reimagine them from the ground up. Rosenthal thrives on re-creating these cultural cornerstones in his own image.
PONCHO SANCHEZ AND TERENCE BLANCHARD – “CHANO Y DIZZY!” (Two
modern day icons, paying tribute to the progenitors of Latin Jazz).
PONCHO SANCHEZ AND TERENCE BLANCHARD – “CHANO Y DIZZY!” (Two
modern day icons, paying tribute to the progenitors of Latin Jazz).
Latin Jazz Network: While the album includes songs originally written and performed by the two legends, it also showcases compositions crafted by other writers that capture the flavor of traditional Latin jazz. “To me, Latin jazz is the world’s greatest music,” says Sanchez. “It has the melodic and harmonic sophistication of jazz and American standards, and the flavor and energy of Latin American music. What I’m most proud of is that this music – while it may sound exotic at times – is from America. It was born in New York City, when Chano Pozo met Dizzy Gillespie for the first time in the mid-1940s. They created something that didn’t exist before in this country. I’m very proud to take this music all over the world all the time.”
PopMatters (John Garratt): If you are able to keep up with Chicago trumpeter Rob Mazurek’s various side projects, you will know that his new band Starlicker is comprised of three members from his Exploding Star Orchestra. So if you take a 14-piece supernova group and reduce it to a trio, you have something that licks stars. Do with that what you will.
JOHN STOWELL & MICHAEL ZILBER – “SHOT THROUGH WITH BEAUTY”
(Guitarist and saxophonist, leading a quartet, with an edgy mix of originals and
standards).
(Guitarist and saxophonist, leading a quartet, with an edgy mix of originals and
standards).
The Urban Flux: Master musicians guitarist John Stowell and saxophonistMichael Zilber team with the Bay Area’s first-call rhythm team of bassist John Shifflet and drummer Jason Lewis, crafting a unique and dynamic recording of modern jazz that transcends the whole. Telepathic exchanges are in abundance as the group tackles a compelling mix of originals and compositions from Kenny Wheeler & John Scofield.
CORY WEEDS – “JUST LIKE THAT” (Typical straight-ahead grooves from this
saxophonist, doing mostly originals).
CORY WEEDS – “JUST LIKE THAT” (Typical straight-ahead grooves from this
saxophonist, doing mostly originals).
CDBaby: Cory Weeds is at it again this time featured on the alto saxophone with the stellar piano trio led by pianit Tilden Webb backing him up. It features award winning bassist Jodi Proznick and drummer Jesse Cahill. An eclectic mix of originals, a swinging standard and a reworking of a classic John Hiatt tune.
Plus...coming up 10/3....
George Benson - "Guitar Man"
Chico Hamilton - "Euphoric"
Reuben Wilson Trio - "Revisited"
Cecilia Coleman Big Band - "Oh Boy!"
Ali Ryerson - "Con Brio!"
Kevin Kizer Quartet - "Aspects"