Jennifer Porter - The Way You Look Tonight

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:39
Size: 96,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:13)  1. The Way You Look Tonight
(2:34)  2. There's A Small Hotel
(4:19)  3. Sophisticated Lady
(2:40)  4. I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You)
(3:40)  5. A Foggy Day
(3:38)  6. Don't Explain
(3:47)  7. There Is No Greater Love
(3:30)  8. Ain't Misbehavin' (I'm Savin' My Love For You)
(3:29)  9. I'm Beginning To See The Light
(4:37) 10. Can't Help Lovin' That Man
(6:07) 11. Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms

As an award-winning actress, musician, screenwriter, composer and arranger, Jennifer Porter leads a very busy life. It is obvious from listening to The Way You Look Tonight that Jennifer has a beautiful voice, a real feeling for vintage lyrics and the ability to swing at every tempo. Featured on the CD are pianist / accordionist Sonny Barbato, guitarist Kevin Barry, trumpeter Trent Austin, saxophonist Matt Langley, drummers Les Harris, Jr. and Dave Jamrog, and bassists Jim Lyden and Aubrey Harris. Each contributes colorful solos and blends in very well with Jennifer's voice. The set opens with "The Way You Look Tonight," a happy version reminiscent of Billie Holiday's recording with Teddy Wilson. Austin's exuberant trumpet is a major asset. "There's A Small Hotel," inspired by Ella Fitzgerald's version from her Rodgers and Hart Songbook project, is sung sweetly and with feeling. Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" is taken as a tasteful duet with pianist Barbato.

"I'll Get By," usually performed as a slow ballad, is taken as a medium-tempo cooker with some fine tenor from Langley. Jennifer's expressive vocal on "A Foggy Day" is followed by a creative trumpet solo and a colorful tradeoff by piano and drums. After a quietly passionate version of "Don't Explain," Jennifer swings "There Is No Greater Love," which has an excellent chorus from guitarist Barry.

A playful and sensuous "Ain't Misbehavin'" and a spirited "I'm Beginning To See The Light" precede Jennifer's heartfelt duet with guitarist Barry on "Can't Help Lovin' That Man." The set concludes with a rollicking "Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms" which features infectious New Orleans parade rhythms, Sonny Barbato on accordion, and a party atmosphere that is pure joy. First trained as an opera singer and classical pianist, Jennifer has been performing Jazz for over twenty years. With her partner Dana Packard, she co-founded The Originals Theatre Company and Honey Tree Films. She starred in and composed the film scores for The Ballad Of Ida And Doob, and wrote, starred in and composed the film scores for Mr. Barrington and the recent 40 West. Among the 17 international film awards that 40 West has received, Jennifer won six, including two for best original score and one for best original song. In 1988, Jennifer was the first vocalist in Maine inducted into the prestigious music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda. Audiences will love the way Jennifer Porter uplifts songs with her simple and effective delivery, her phrasing, and the beauty of her voice.~ Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76   http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jenniferporter

The Way You Look Tonight

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Fraser MacPherson Quartet - Honey & Spice

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1987
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:02
Size: 107,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Soon
(6:40)  2. How Deep is The Ocean
(4:44)  3. How Long Has This Been Going On
(6:06)  4. Blue Prelude
(6:15)  5. I Love You Samantha
(6:31)  6. Suddenly It's Spring
(4:43)  7. Memories of You
(6:21)  8. You Took Advantage of Me

Although recorded in Montreal, Canada, this album features the same quartet (with guitarist Oliver Gannon, bassist Steve Wallace and drummer John Sumner) that tenor saxophonist Fraser MacPherson used during his notable tours of the Soviet Union. All eight of the selections are veteran songs (Cole Porter's mid-'50s "I Love You Samantha" is the most recent), and the emphasis is on relaxed, slow to medium tempos. MacPherson's cool tone sounds as beautiful as ever and works well with Gannon's quiet guitar. ~ Scott Yanow   

http://www.allmusic.com/album/honey-and-spice-mw0000664401.

Personnel:  Fraser MacPherson (tenor sax); Oliver Gannon (guitar); Steve Wallace (bass); John Sumner (drums)

Honey & Spice

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Plas Johnson - Rockin' With the Plas

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1982
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:03
Size: 71,9 MB
Art: Front + Back

(2:02)  1. Hoppin' Mad
(1:56)  2. Blow your Blues away
(1:54)  3. Popcorn
(2:02)  4. Downstairs
(2:20)  5. The Loop
(2:19)  6. Swanee River Rock
(2:24)  7. The Big Twist
(2:11)  8. Little Rockin' Deacon
(2:19)  9. You Send Me
(2:12) 10. Robin's Nest Cha Cha
(2:09) 11. Plas Jazz
(2:20) 12. Come Rain or Come Shine
(2:33) 13. Dinah
(2:17) 14. Everyone Knows

Jazz aficionados know him by name, but almost anyone exposed to music is familiar with his playing. His is the purring sax solo on Henry Mancini's famous “Pink Panther” movie theme song. His is the saxophone counterpart to Harry “Sweets” Edison's trumpet on Neal Hefti's signature music for “The Odd Couple” TV series. Plas is the featured soloist heard on countless albums, including those of such artists as Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt and Sarah Vaughan. Plas was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, about sixty miles north of New Orleans. As teens, Plas and brother Ray formed a band, the Johnson Brothers Combo, that played in and around New Orleans for a number of years. Plas left New Orleans in 1951 to go on the road with the Chartes Brown Blues Band. The road, a stint in the Army and a permanent move to California followed. 

Plas attended the Westlake School of Music in Los Angeles for a year and a half, when his studies were derailed by an overloaded schedule of record dates. He was brought to the attention of Johnny Otis, who immediately added him to his blues aggregation. Johnny then introduced Plas to Dave Cavanaugh, who held an influential A&R position at Capitol Records, where he soon became a regular session sideman and soloist during Capitol's halcyon years. Plas has been one of the most well-known and sought-after musicians around the California studio scene. He joined “The Merv Griffin Show” band, led by Mort Lindsey, in 1970, where he remained for the next fifteen years, joining an all-star line-up which also included such prominent instrumentalists as Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Jake Hanna, Benny Powell, Jack Sheldon, Kai Winding and others. He has kept busy ever since on a constant touring schedule and appearing on scores of sessions. Plas' recent recordings include his own albums, “Hot, Blue & Saxy,” “Evening Delight,” “Christmas in Hollywood,” and “Keep That Groove Going!” on Milestone, with Red Holloway. ~ Bio   

http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/musician.php?id=8127#.UzxMk1dSvro

Rockin' with the Plas

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Karen Jones - A New York Vibe In Tokyo

Size: 77,4 MB
Time: 33:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz: Vocals
Art: Front

01. Song For My Father (5:33)
02. So Many Stars (5:14)
03. All Blues (4:58)
04. All Or Nothing At All (3:22)
05. Both Sides Now (5:05)
06. Who Can I Turn To (3:14)
07. My One And Only Love (5:55)

I had been giggin' singing jazz for many years in Tokyo before the idea came to me to create a KICKSTARTER project to create a CD. The setting is the Park Hyatt Tokyo's New York Bar on the 52nd floor. The same setting for the film "Lost in Translation" with Bill Murray. To this day many people come in to check out this famous space with spectacular views and food!

The band I was given while I was under contract were some of the best Jazz musicians in town. Jonathan Katz on piano, Brent Nussey on Bass and last but not least Tod Carver on guitar! These stellar musicians give me the harmonic foundation to create the melodic wonder that fill my nights, and the crowds, every night I work with them.
I wanted everyone to taste the magic of what that is like......so I asked my friends, family and fans to contribute to making that happen with this vibin' album. And together, as a coming together of energy, we did it!!!

So please enjoy a night out in the big city of Tokyo with a New York vibe,
(I'm a native and New Yorker and so is Jonathan the piano player) ;-)
listening to some great jazz where jazz is loved and revered.

A New York Vibe In Tokyo

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Eric Alexander - Chicago Fire

Size: 130,1 MB
Time: 56:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Post-Bop, Straight-Ahead
Label: HighNotert: Front

01. Save Your Love For Me (7:43)
02. The Bee Hive (9:10)
03. Eddie Harris (6:19)
04. Just One Of Those Things (5:14)
05. Blueski For Vonski (7:19)
06. Mr. Stitt (7:53)
07. You Talk That Talk (6:26)
08. Don't Take Your Love From Me (5:54)

Eric Alexander is a lunch pail tenor saxophonist. He isn't afraid to get dirty and will work changes till there is nothing left. Chicago Fire is a prime example of an artist simply going about his work with all the tools of his trade firmly in hand. The intangibles are what make Eric Alexander a master at his craft. A harmonic depth of field other tenor players could only dream of combined with his fat sound and superior technique make Alexander an A list talent be it as a leader or first call improvisational utility infielder. Eric Alexander smokes!

Chicago Fire has some familiar names in his rhythm section of the great Harold Mabern on piano, John Webber on bass, and mainstay Joe Farnsworth on drums. A very special guest is trumpet phenom Jeremy Pelt who sits in on 3 tracks. The tribute here is to the Chicago saxophone greats such as Eddie Harris and Johnny Griffin and those that just cooled their heels there including Sonny Stitt. Chicago Fire smolders with highlights including the "Blues for Vonski" in tribute to the great Von Freeman who passed a few years back at 88. This is a musical conversation, intimate yet brimming with passion. An interesting dynamic tension is created with the Harold Mabern tune "Mr. Stitt." Why so good? Chemistry, Love and Passion. First or second takes have Chicago Fire with the classic warm sound of jazz recordings made fifty years ago.
To sum it up:
Roll tape!

Personnel: Eric Alexander: Tenor Saxophone; Jeremy Pelt: Trumpet: Harold Mabern: Piano; John Webber; Bass; Joe Farnsworth: Drums.

Chicago Fire

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Inga Swearingen - First Rain

Size: 120,8 MB
Time: 51:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Jazz/Blues/Folk: Vocals
Art: Front

01. April Afternoon (4:01)
02. Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair (3:55)
03. Brick By Brick (4:16)
04. Blackbird (3:29)
05. Heart And Soul (3:53)
06. Two Trees (4:46)
07. Rooted (5:56)
08. Before The Journey (3:50)
09. Indian Summer (4:16)
10. Skylark (4:57)
11. Visa Fran Jarna (3:32)
12. Ample (4:58)

Inga infuses her signature jazz style with a good helping of folk and finds herself right at home.

"First Rain" enters new territory with songs rooted in family, farm, nature and love. It’s an upbeat mixture of smoky, bluesy jazz and beautiful down-home folk, with acoustic layers that bloom like a flower. Deeply personal, most of the songs were written, arranged and produced by Inga and feature silky vocal harmonies with her sister, Britta. The instrumentation is warm and intimate, with electric and acoustic guitar, stand up bass, cello, violin and Inga’s signature scatting solos.

“This album is a departure for me musically and it feels very personal,” says Inga. “The lyrics are about the people, places and times that have been and still are most dear to my heart. The making of it felt like a community barn-raising. Friends contributed and donated to the project adding another layer of gratitude to the music.”

A regular guest on "A Prairie Home Companion," Inga has earned consistently high praise from audiences around the world for her effortlessly natural phrasing, infectious positive spirit and vocal gifts that allow her to juxtapose husky textures with silky lightness.

“Inga has a gorgeous voice, very fresh and evocative and note perfect.”
- Garrison Keillor, A Prairie Home Companion

First Rain

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