Johnny Maestro - A Date With Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge

Size: 140,2 MB
Time: 59:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Pop Rock, Doo Wop
Art: Front

01. The Worst That Could Happen (Live) (3:55)
02. Lonely Teardrops (Live) (3:15)
03. I'll Be Satisfied (Live) (2:20)
04. Unchained Melody (Live) (4:00)
05. Little Bitty Pretty One (Live) (2:23)
06. Gimme Some Lovin' (Live) (3:49)
07. You'll Never Walk Alone (Live) (5:11)
08. 16 Candles (Live) (2:37)
09. Sweetest One (Live) (2:41)
10. Gee But I'd Give The World (Live) (2:41)
11. Pretty Little Angel (Live) (2:14)
12. Knockin' At My Front Door (Live) (2:10)
13. What A Suprise (Live) (3:03)
14. Step By Step (Live) (2:00)
15. Welcome Me Love (Live) (2:33)
16. I Thank The Moon (Live) (2:49)
17. Trouble In Paradise (Live) (2:22)
18. Your Husband, My Wife (Live) (3:19)
19. The Angels Listened In (Live) (2:28)
20. Blessed Is The Rain (Live) (3:26)

The precise recording dates of this CD is elusive until one looks at the credits — the notes give a nice general history of Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, but it's only on checking the production notes (inside of the package) that the modern origins of the recordings at hand become clear. The packaging might lead the unwary purchaser to think these were vintage sides. That said, the stuff sounds great — these recordings do successfully mimic a classic late-'50s/early-'60s doo wop/R&B harmony vocal sound, a little on the slick side and a bit cleaner than what one ever heard on records at the time, but nothing to offend too badly, apart from some synthesized sounds here and there (which are inevitable with modern privately made recordings such as this). There's nothing revelatory, but it is a superb showcase for the post-2000 version of the group, and a lot of fun for those who take their vintage music in off of PBS broadcast concerts and the more slickly packaged oldies shows.

Bio:
After making a name for himself as lead singer of the Crests, vocalist Johnny Maestro formed Brooklyn Bridge in 1968 and scored a gold record the next year on Buddah with a cover of the Fifth Dimension's heartbroken "Worst That Could Happen." Brooklyn Bridge were an amalgam of Maestro, the Del Satins (the vocal group that backed Dion on many of his early-'60s solo hits), and a brassy outfit called the Rhythm Method. Brooklyn Bridge enjoyed several more hits in 1969 and 1970, and Maestro often performed on the oldies circuit during the decades to follow. He died of cancer at his home in Cape Coral, FL, in March 2010 at the age of 70.

A Date With Johnny Maestro

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Oliver Lake Organ Quartet - Plan

Size: 112,6 MB
Time: 48:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Plan (3:43)
02. Backup (6:16)
03. Ta Ta Ta (5:48)
04. After Touch (8:33)
05. In This (6:05)
06. Spring-Ing (5:55)
07. 2 Parts Air (4:40)
08. Dance Two (7:15)

Personnel:
Oliver Lake - alto saxophone
Johnathan Blake - drums
Freddie Hendrix - trumpet
Jared Gold - Hammond b-3 organ

Eight original compositions by Oliver Lake are performed by his organ quartet with style, spirit and zeal. The album features some of the best young talented musicians in the New York area: brilliant organist Jared Gold, inspired by the great jazz organist Larry Young; Trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, reminiscent of the great Freddie Hubbard; and the highly creative drummer, Johnathan Blake. Lake's organ quartet takes these compositions on some unusual journeys for organ jazz, exploring freebop, funk, fun and musical conversations.

The veteran alto saxophonist advances the suspense from his previous 2008 organ quartet disc, Makin’ It. Lake comes out explosively from the opening title track, on which he employs his acerbic tone and sidewinding phrases in unison with trumpeter Freddie Hendrix before blasting off into a vigorous improvisation. Adding to the restive energy is Johnathon Blake’s propulsive drumming and Jared Gold’s squawking, almost pianistic approach to the Hammond B3. When the quartet explores a groove as on the bluesy “Backup” or the Latin-tinged “After Touch,” the rhythmic and harmonic foundation shifts unexpectedly and the front-line horns soar.

Plan

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Helen Schneider - Right As The Rain

Size: 148,7 MB
Time: 63:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Full

01. My Ship (10:55)
02. Send In The Clowns ( 6:02)
03. Some Cats Know ( 7:37)
04. I've Got The World On A String ( 6:28)
05. Get Out Of Town ( 7:29)
06. I Was So Young, You Were So Beautiful ( 5:30)
07. I Had Myself A True Love ( 8:57)
08. Over The Rainbow ( 5:40)
09. Right As The Rain ( 5:16)

Helen Schneider (born December 23, 1952 in Brooklyn, New York City) is an American singer and actress working mainly in Germany.

Born the daughter of Dvora und Abraham Schneider (the name is German and means tailor), she studied piano before starting to perform as a singer in venues in New England and New York.

Between 1978 and 1984 she achieved some success as a rock singer in Germany; her song Rock’n’ Roll Gypsy even reached the top 10 record charts. 1980 she toured as an opener with the German rock legend Udo Lindenberg. She played one of the leads and the love interest of Eddie Wilson in the 1983 film Eddie and the Cruisers, which has since gained a huge cult following, especially in unusual places for an American film such as Nepal, Russia and especially Germany, where Schneider had name recognition.

In 1987 she began her acting career at the Theater des Westens in Berlin playing the Sally Bowles in the musical Cabaret. From 1995 to 1998 she performed as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Since 1998 she mainly performs chansons and songs with lyrics pieces by Kurt Weill. She worked with Eberhard Schoener on the recording of the Short Opera (1996) and on the goodbye-song for the TV series Derrick. From 1999 to 2001 she performed as Eva Perón in the musical Evita at the Bad Hersfelder Festspiele.

Right As The Rain

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Gregory Hines - Jazz My Way

Size: 182,8 MB
Time: 78:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Cool Jazz
Art: Front

01. Kruise Kontrol (6:56)
02. Jesus Is The Best Thang (5:26)
03. Spirit Of Washington (6:45)
04. Jazzing It Up (7:02)
05. Jazz My Way (6:10)
06. Nothing To Lose (6:03)
07. Just 4 U (5:54)
08. Butterfly (6:30)
09. Just A Friend (6:16)
10. To Each Its Own (7:43)
11. Steady Rain (7:15)
12. Just In Time (6:35)

Best-known as a dancer — tap, specifically — and an actor of stage and screen, Gregory Hines was also a singer of some accomplishment. A self-titled album appeared in 1987, after a guest spot the previous year on Luther Vandross' Give Me the Reason album. It was the only popular venture that Hines would make, but not the first or last recording. Cast recordings for several Broadway stage hits feature Hines the singer in fine form, including Eubie! (1975), Sophisticated Lady (1981), and Jelly's Last Jam (1992). In 1997 he starred in a television series, The Gregory Hines Show, and had a recurring role on another series, Will and Grace. Hines passed away August 9, 2003, after a battle with cancer.

Jazz My Way

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Laura Dorais - Here's To Life

Size: 81,0 MB
Time: 34:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Let's Face The Music And Dance (3:34)
02. Willow Weep For Me (4:16)
03. I Thought About You (3:58)
04. How Deep Is the Ocean (3:32)
05. At Sundown (3:46)
06. 'Tis Autumn (4:01)
07. That Old Black Magic (3:06)
08. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (2:33)
09. Here's To Life (5:45)

My favorites on this album are simply put, all of them. Let's Face The Music and Dance for the harmonies, the upbeat pace, the fun. Willow Weep For Me for the fact that my father used to play it when I was a kid, for all of us kids, as a nighty night song, and for how Rodney Burge just plays the heck out of it and thereby makes me really sing it. Doug McKeehan did many of these arrangements, well, all right, six of the nine songs here, including I Thought About You which always makes me think about trains and YOU who I had to leave, all over again. How Deep Is The Ocean is deeply satisfying to sing. Thank you, Irving Berlin, for giving all of us such a great song in which to express deep love, and thank you, Doug for your great accompaniment and arrangement here. At Sundown was first made known to me by the great radio singer Ruth Etting. I am so grateful to Walter Donaldson for writing a song with such stunning lyrics and happy melody. 'Tis Autumn by Henry Nemo- 'tis a great song, all about the trees and the birds and love, again, who would have guessed. That Old Black Magic by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen is treated in a fresh way here by Doug McKeehan, moving from a kind of spooky minor key into a spin, and I am loving that spin I am in. On The Sunny Side of the Street is hip hop happy. Here's To Life, first sung by the great Shirley Horn, is my favorite song to sing for girlfriends, i.e., for Ladies Who Lunch, and we all know who we are! Another song with a story, and what else is a singer, but a person who puts stories to song. I hope you love these songs and my fabulous musicians as much as I do. Love and Happiness to You! Laura Dorais

Here's To Life

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Jumaane Smith - I Only Have Eyes For You

Size: 109,2 MB
Time: 46:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Trumpet, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Feat. Michael Buble) (4:39)
02. Dream (3:28)
03. Georgia On My Mind (3:25)
04. I Only Have Eyes For You (Feat. Naturally 7) (3:19)
05. The Way You Look Tonight (5:36)
06. What A Wonderful World (3:58)
07. Yesterday (3:57)
08. Someone To Watch Over Me (4:57)
09. La Vie En Rose (Feat. Jackie Evancho) (4:30)
10. Stardust (5:05)
11. Please Send Me Someone To Love (3:58)

Jumaane Smith, trumpeter and vocalist, has already done what most musicians spend their lives dreaming about. He’s traveled the world, played stages in historic clubs, in massive stadiums and at cultural landmarks, recorded a solo album, appeared on national television and performed for two sitting U.S. presidents.

His collaborations range from pop idols to jazz legends, and the list reads like a lineup for the best New Orleans Jazz Fest ever. He’s worked with Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Buble’, Jackie Evancho, Alicia Keys, The Jonas Brothers, Wyclef Jean, Justin Bieber, Diddy, Natalie Cole, James Ingram, Wynton Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane, Chris Botti and many more.

At 16, while most kids are content with getting a driver’s license, Jumaane was on a plane for the first time headed to Europe. As a member of the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band under the direction of Scott Brown, he spent three weeks performing at such events as the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the North Sea Jazz Festival in Den Hague.

Only a few years later, now living in NY, Jumaane was one of 17 musicians (including only 4 trumpeters) invited to join the inaugural class of Jazz Studies at Julliard – a program developed by Wynton Marsalis.

In 2002, Marsalis awarded him a scholarship to attend the Academy of Achievement Summit in Dublin, Ireland. The attendees were some of the greatest thinkers alive: world leaders such as Gorbachev and Bill Clinton, Hollywood giants such as James Earl Jones, and Nobel Prize winners. Asked the night before the event’s gala finale, Jumaane and a fellow student performed a duet for the event under pressure with no repertoire prepared, “opening” for Chuck Berry. One year later, as February was being declared African-American Music Month, Jumaane and the Jazz Museum in Harlem All-Stars performed for George W. Bush in the East Room of the White House.

In 2005, Jumaane was invited to audition for Michael Bublé’s band. Nine years later, Jumaane continues to perform, record, travel and learn as a part of the Bublé family. “The experience has been what I imagine post-graduate school to be like,” he says. “Michael Bublé is a wonderfully humble, down to earth and extremely generous person who thrives off of his family and friends realizing their own hopes, dreams and goals. It has been truly inspirational working with him.”

From touring the world with Bublé to playing the Grammy Awards show with Stevie Wonder and the Jonas Brothers to recording “As I Am” with Alicia Keys to appearing on the “American Idol” soundtrack to scoring and performing music for the film “Handsome Harry,” Jumaane’s accomplishments go on and on. The recordings he’s appeared on have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, garnered four Grammy nominations and earned three Grammy wins. The TV shows he’s appeared on total an audience of around 100 million viewers.

Now Jumaane steps forward and takes center stage as he has completed his debut record “I Only Have Eyes For You.” A celebration of the Great American Songbook with the theme of love and romance, the album includes interpretations of classic tunes full of personal emotion. The debut features performances by Michael Bublé, Jackie Evancho and Naturally 7.

“I imagine that it is very rewarding to see your own project become successful,” he says. “As the leader, you get back what you put into it.” Now only time will tell how a lifetime of learning and all-star mentorship will pay off.

I Only Have Eyes For You

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Randy Sandke - Unconventional Wisdom

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 63:56
Size: 146.4 MB
Styles: Straight ahead
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[5:05] 1. Just One Of Those Things
[3:55] 2. Ev'rytime We Say Goodbye
[2:48] 3. Meta Blue
[5:52] 4. New Orleans
[5:14] 5. The Best Thing For You
[6:06] 6. Nicki's Journey
[4:18] 7. Django's Dream
[4:06] 8. Little Bix
[6:43] 9. Chega De Saudade
[3:40] 10. December Down
[4:59] 11. For All We Know
[3:30] 12. We're In Love
[6:07] 13. Funkallero
[1:27] 14. Toyland

Listening to a tune like "Chega de Saudade," the ninth tune on trumpeter Randy Sandke's Unconventional Wisdom, there's the feeling that this quartet session is from a recorded concert: the honest, joyous drive of the rhythm section, the trumpet singing Jobim's melody and the guitar supporting it with clear harmonies that are rhythmically in sync. Yet, this turns out to be a well thought-out program of tunes that benefits from the pristine sound quality obtained in a studio environment.

Diverse yet focused, the 14 tracks of Unconventional Wisdom display not only a great trumpet player, an interesting composer and strong leader but also the expansive talents of his band mates, the most dramatic example being that of Nicki Parrott, a solid, swinging bassist who also sings. Moving from a smokin' up-tempo version of Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things" to Parrott's vocals on "Django" (a Sandke original based on Debussy's "Reverie"), the effect is of a band that sounds bigger than just its four musicians.

With "Ev'rytime We Say Goodbye," Cole Porter's beautiful ballad melody is rendered first with trumpet in Eb and then modulates to G for Parrott's breathy voice, Howard Alden's guitar accompaniment and John Riley's brush work in perfect balance with the featured instruments. To say that Bill Evans' compositional work was overshadowed by his piano playing would be quite an understatement, yet "Funkallero" does pop up from time to time. Here the quartet plays the 16-bar tune with a medium-slow Latin grove with wonderful solos by Alden and Sandke, but it's Parrott's solo with deep and honest blues inflections that makes this track a must hear.

Unconventional Wisdom presents five varied Sandke originals complemented by tunes from Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin and Marty Napoleon. Besides the aforementioned "Django," "Nicki's Journey" is reminiscent of early George Russell and "December Down" portrays a bittersweet month with double-edged harmony. Don't try to force Randy Sandke into a simple category of jazz: he has a lot to offer to the open-minded listener. ~Francis Lo Kee

Randy Sandke: trumpet: flugelhorn; Howard Alden: guitar; Nicki Parrott: bass: vocals; John Riley: drums.

Unconventional Wisdom

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Barry Harris Trio - Breakin' It Up

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 32:14

Size: 73.8 MB

Styles: Bop, Piano jazz

Year: 2003

Art: Front

[5:03] 1. All The Things You Are

[3:29] 2. Ornithology

[4:30] 3. Blusey

[3:41] 4. Passport

[2:52] 5. Allen's Alley

[3:52] 6. Embraceable You

[3:52] 7. S R O

[4:52] 8. Stranger In Paradise

Barry Harris (p), Billy Austin (b) and Frank Gant (d). Recorded in Chicago, July 31, 1958.

Barry Harris' debut Argo session captures a uniquely soulful interpretation of bop sensibilities. Light yet commanding, Breakin' It Up moves from strength to strength, belying the pianist's relative youth and inexperience. Paired with bassist William Austin and drummer Frank Gant, Harris dispenses with frills, paring familiar melodies like "Ornithology" and "All the Things You Are" to their absolute essentials. The overall approach is far more straight-ahead than his subsequent efforts, yet his signature melodic ingenuity is firmly in place. ~Jason Ankeny

Breakin' It Up

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Vanessa Da Mata - Vanessa Da Mata Canta Tom Jobim

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:22
Size: 124.5 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:54] 1. Caminhos Cruzados
[2:25] 2. Fotografia
[2:28] 3. Só Danço Samba
[2:50] 4. Este Seu Olhar
[3:19] 5. Chovendo Na Roseira
[3:03] 6. Por Causa De Você
[2:47] 7. Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar
[2:55] 8. Desafinado
[3:38] 9. Sabiá
[3:19] 10. Dindi
[2:50] 11. Wave
[3:50] 12. Só Tinha De Ser Com Você
[3:34] 13. Falando De Amor
[2:12] 14. Samba De Uma Nota Só
[3:01] 15. Correnteza
[2:52] 16. Estrada Do Sol
[3:50] 17. Chega De Saudade
[2:27] 18. Lamento No Morro

Em 1999, quando Maria Bethânia batizou seu disco A Força que Nunca Seca com o nome de uma parceria do cantor Chico César com Vanessa da Mata, o meio musical se perguntou quem era a autora daqueles versos tão fortes e poéticos. Logo o Brasil ficou sabendo que, como o sobrenome 'da Mata' sugeria, Vanessa vinha mesmo do meio rural. Nascida em 1975 na interiorana cidade de Alto das Garças (MG), situada a 400 km da capital de Mato Grosso, a cantora chegou a pensar em ser jogadora de basquete e modelo. Aliás, a beleza e o porte esguios lhe valeram breve contrato com a agência Elite por conta de uma participação no concurso The Look of the Year. Mas a música acabaria ditando o rumo de Vanessa.

Em 1990, com 15 anos, já morando em Uberlândia (MG) para tentar vaga numa faculdade de medicina, Vanessa começou sua carreira artística cantando num bar da cidade mineira. Em 1992, decidiu se mudar para São Paulo (SP), onde acabou integrando a banda de reggae Shalla-Bal – atividade que a credenciou a ocupar o posto de backing-vocal da banda Black Uhuru, com a qual excursionou pelo Brasil.

A então iniciante cantora começou a pensar na possibilidade de ser compositora quando integrou a banda Mafuá, do compositor Tião Carvalho. Era um grupo mais voltado para ritmos regionais. Vanessa começou a fazer e a burilar suas músicas solitariamente. Até que um ouvinte especial se encantou por elas. Era Chico César, que viria a ser seu parceiro na toada "A Força Que Nunca Seca" e que apresentou a jovem artista ao violonista Swami Jr, outro fã de primeira hora.

Com Swami, Vanessa gravou seu primeiro disco, um CD-demo com quatro músicas. Entre 1998 e 1999, a artista começou a fazer shows com mais regularidade, sempre na companhia de Swami. Até que "A Força Que Nunca Seca" chegou aos ouvidos de Bethânia. A gravação da música projetou Vanessa em escala nacional. Em 2000, Daniela Mercury incluiu no seu disco Sol da Liberdade o samba-rock "Viagem", de textura meio bossa-novista.

Em 2001, veio um novo aval de Maria Bethânia, que gravou com Caetano Veloso em seu disco Maricotinha o samba ruralista O Canto de Dona Sinhá, tributo à avó de Vanessa. Em 2002, a cantora mato-grossense finalmente lançou seu primeiro CD, Vanessa da Mata, que teve produção e arranjos divididos entre Jacques Morelenbaum, Luiz Brasil, Dadi Carvalho, Kassin, Swami Jr, Liminha e a própria Vanessa. Incluída na trilha da novela Esperança, a canção "Onde Ir" foi o primeiro destaque do disco. Mas logo o samba-rock "Não Me Deixe Só" foi descoberto pelos DJs. O remix de Deep Lick e Ramilson Maia fez o tema estourar nas pistas, projetando o nome de Vanessa da Mata na noite. O sucesso do remix chegou até à Inglaterra, para onde Vanessa chegou a ir fazer contatos com selos locais.

De volta ao Brasil, ganhou em 2003 novo fã importante: Nelson Motta, que fez a ponte com o novelista Gilberto Braga para que Vanessa regravasse para a trilha de Celebridade um tema da Jovem Guarda, "Nossa Canção". Projetada originalmente na voz de Roberto Carlos em 1966, a música de Luiz Ayrão entraria como faixa-bônus na segunda tiragem do disco Vanessa da Mata.

Em 2004, Vanessa da Mata lançou seu segundo CD, Essa Boneca Tem Manual, trabalho produzido por Liminha (parceiro já em algumas músicas do primeiro disco de Vanessa e em várias faixas deste novo álbum). Foi um trabalho de sotaque mais pop, que destacou nas rádios as faixas "Ai, Ai, Ai" , "Ainda Bem" e "Música". E que trouxe releituras personalíssimas e elogiadas de músicas de Caetano Veloso ("Eu Sou Neguinha?") e Chico Buarque ("História de Uma Gata", do musical Os Saltimbancos), solidificando a trajetória desta cantora e compositora que habita o tempo da delicadeza na cena pop, soando ruralista e ao mesmo tempo cosmopolita.

Vanessa Da Mata Canta Tom Jobim

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Melissa Stylianou - It Never Entered My Mind...

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:15
Size: 78,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:57)  1. It Might as Well Be Spring
(4:05)  2. Tea for Two
(5:39)  3. It Never Entered My Mind
(3:59)  4. You're Blase
(3:37)  5. Never Will I Marry
(5:14)  6. Triste
(4:20)  7. Stormy Weather
(4:20)  8. But Not for Me

Melissa Stylianou appeared on the Toronto jazz scene eight years ago and quickly earned the esteem of the Canadian jazz community. In both 2002 and 2003, she was nominated Jazz Vocalist of the Year at the National Jazz Awards. She has headlined at major jazz festivals all over Ontario, at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, the Atlantic Jazz Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia and The Brandon Jazz Festival in Manitoba. Melissa performs regularly at the country's best jazz clubs and has developed a loyal home-base audience, while her skills as a composer/lyricist have been receiving attention across Canada. In 2004, she was the recipient of a Toronto Arts Council Music Creators Grant and in 2005, Melissa was honoured to receive a Canada Council for the Arts Grant for Professional Musicians. With this grant, Melissa is currently living in New York studying composition, theory and vocal technique with Garry Dial, Theo Bleckmann and Tom Schilling. In the coming year, Melissa plans to increase national and international performance opportunities and share her work as a Canadian artist. Melissa graduated from the acting program at Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto and it was during those years that she discovered her love of jazz.

In 1997, after private studies with the renowned vocalist Carol Welsman, Melissa became the leader of her first trio featuring Richard Whiteman on piano and Artie Roth on bass. In 2001, the Trio gave way to the Melissa Stylianou Sextet (2001 – 2004) with John MacLeod, Nancy Walker, Ted Warren, Kim Ratcliffe and Artie Roth. A new trio formed out of the Sextet (with Ratcliffe and Roth) and this group held the coveted Friday evening performance slot at The Rex Hotel in Toronto from 2000 – 2005. Melissa’s current group features Rob Piltch, Andrew Downing and Davide Direnzo. The Melissa Stylianou Quartet will travel across Canada this summer to support Melissa’s third album, which features many original compositions and arrangements and is due for release in Canada in the spring of 2006 (Sleepin’ Bee Music, Festival Dist.). With funding from both the Ontario Arts Council and FACTOR, this new record introduces Melissa as a talented songwriter/lyricist as well as builds on her reputation as one of Canada’s finest interepreters of the jazz repertoire. Melissa’s debut album, it never entered my mind (SBM), was released in 1999 and features Richard Whiteman on piano and Artie Roth on bass. In 2001, Melissa released her second album, bachelorette* (SBM), to rave reviews. Both albums are available nation-wide as well as online (jazzpromo.com & cdbaby.com) and they continue to receive airplay both locally (JazzFM, CLKN, CIUT) and nationally (CBC).

National recognition has created many new opportunities for Melissa. In 2002, her original compositions were recorded for broadcast by the CBC’s JazzBeat Series and in 2004, CBC Radio invited Melissa to participate in their On Stage series at The Glenn Gould Studio. Later the same year she headlined a concert as part of The Art of Time Ensemble’s concert series, which led to another great opportunity - performing at Roy Thomspon Hall as part of the opening act for k.d. lang. This Art of Time Ensemble project has continued to expand and in November 2005, Melissa was featured in their performance at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, recorded for broadcast by CBC Radio. In May of 2006, this group will perform in Moscow. Touring nationally and internationally continues to be a part of Melissa’s artistic vision. In February 2005, Melissa performed six concerts in Quebec. She performed both jazz standards and original material, communicating with her audiences and the media entirely in French, proving herself to be a versatile and quintessentially Canadian artist. Melissa is also a dedicated educator, and will utilize these skills as she tours across Canada. 

She has been on faculty at the National Music Camp since 2002 and teaches privately in Toronto. She has taught at Mohawk College, Humber College and the University of Toronto, and led workshops at the 2005 Brandon Jazz Festival. As her career progresses, Melissa has begun to gain profile in the United States. She traveled to Chicago in 2004 to record and perform with American violinist Zach Brock at the renowned jazz club The Green Mill. In August 2005, She made her New York City debut with the same band at The Rockwood Music Hall. While living in New York, Melissa plans to secure management and record distribution in the States, thus increasing her performance opportunities and developing her profile as a Canadian musician. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stylianou99

The Jazz Report was there when two taxis halted in front of The Rex Hotel delivering Harry Connick Jr. and his band. Vocalist Melissa Stylianou was performing on stage when Connick and company eased themselves in place. The crowd went wild as Stylianou called tunes with her "piano player." The wit and charm Stylianou exuded that night comes across in this collection of timeless standards."
~ Bill King, editor

"She's the sort of warm, open and secure singer for whom "style" is a means not an end...The keys here are clarity and respect, the same qualities that allow her to rev up Them There Eyes, a song irrevocably associated with Billie Holiday, and come off as quite fresh rather than simply irreverant.
~ Mark Miller, The Globe and Mail

"Melissa Stylianou is one of Toronto's more convincing jazz singers, boasting a relaxed extroversion and surprisingly subtle mood shifts."
~ Stuart Broomer, TorontoLife

It Never Entered My Mind...

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Tchavolo Schmitt Quartet - Mélancolies D'Un Soir

Styles: Gypsy Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:14
Size: 125,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:37)  1. Marie swing
(2:27)  2. Six heures et demie
(4:45)  3. Rue de l'hôtel Colbert
(2:44)  4. Un beau rêve d'automne
(5:42)  5. Tango toi et moi
(4:58)  6. Bal petit bal
(5:35)  7. Tchavolo blues
(3:09)  8. Mon coeur
(5:58)  9. Django. La périphérie des zones
(4:15) 10. Nuages
(4:10) 11. Brazil
(6:48) 12. Mélancolies d'un soir

Tchavolo first studio album since "7 nights gypsy" in 2007; I must say that the guitarist often shows its worth that live (concerts, afters, jam session ...). But it was worth the wait because this is a very great vintage. Several reasons for this; First team: Claudius Dupont, bass and Samy Daussat, accompanying guitar, a rhythm section with ruthless efficiency which "accompanies" Tchavolo last ten years; Marie-Christine Brambilla, actress, author and performer just put his poetic words of 3 pieces, which brings a welcome breath "all strings"; then the directory: 12 titles, 8 compos inspired Tchavolo in which he gives the best of himself. For the rest, Bal, petit bal, revised and corrected, a Brazil perhaps dispensable to the extent that it detracts a bit from the unity of the disc, a beautiful dream Autumn, nostalgic Bolero signed Samy Daussat for music and MC Brambilla for lyrics, combining his narration fragility and luminous presence, punctuated chorus Tchavolo great sensitivity, and of course, the inevitable clouds, in a version of a great freshness, although Tchavolo the play is a few thousand times; a version that makes sense since it is part of a triptych inspired, which begins with a wonderful solo play (there are two others of the same caliber) of serenity, aptly titled My heart, perilous exercise in great tradition of solo improvisations Django Django intense monitoring of peripheral areas, sensitive tribute to the famous gypsy (the only master Tchavolo, he never forgets to celebrate), close in spirit the last rumba Django Primitives of the future, with a poetic text by Marie Christine Brambilla, she lives fervently supported by a haunting theme and sumptuous countermelodies Tchavolo. 

Bright throughout, Tchavolo is totally in control of his expression; immediately recognizable, powerful and instinctive style uses all of an instrument that sounded like no resources, combining a phenomenal flick of the wrist (notes out), alternating single sentences notes he regularly crackle with an innate sense of improvisation, composing and decomposing different patterns in ever personal variations, and chording in lightning raises and a pest swing. Tchavolo is manouche guitar pushed to the end (cf. Rue de l'Hotel Colbert or nervous Tchavolo blues). This very large disk, perhaps the most personal released this year in this highly codified aesthetic ends with a very peaceful Mélancolies evening sumptuous room a solo Tchavolo inhabited by music.Respect! Translate by google  http://www.djangostation.com/Melancolies-d-un-Soir,1747.html

Personnel: Tchavolo Schmitt : guitar;  Samy Daussat : guitar; Claudius Dupont : contrebasse; Marie-Christine Brambilla : vocal

Mélancolies D'Un Soir

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Cindy Bradley - Bloom

Styles: Trumpet Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:26
Size: 112,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:44)  1. Bloom
(4:01)  2. Swing Set
(4:47)  3. Curves Ahead
(4:42)  4. Sycamore Soul
(4:36)  5. Uptown Drive
(4:33)  6. Brooklyn Bounce
(4:11)  7. Take Me There
(4:41)  8. Catch The Wind
(4:13)  9. On Solid Ground
(4:54) 10. Before I Go

The smooth jazz listing in Wikipedia includes only eight trumpeters/flugelhornists and half of them are artists whose surname starts with the letter "B." The names include Chris Botti, Rick Braun, Randy Brecker and Tom Browne, all of whom have their own style and have left their own mark. It's time for another "B" to break up the boys club and her name is Cindy Bradley, following her 2007 self-produced album Just A Little Bit with a major label debut, Bloom. This CD showcases Bradley as an extremely promising young talent who isn't simply following in the footsteps of predecessors, but striking out on some new paths of her own. Bradley's background as a sideman includes stints playing both straight ahead jazz and as a soloist with smooth jazz stalwart Pieces of a Dream. Michael Broening, the longtime producer of saxophonist Marion Meadows, handles the production here and provides Bradley plenty of opportunities to demonstrate her skill both as a player and songwriter. The title track showcases Bradley's skill on flugelhorn as it washes over Broening's shimmering, yet subtle keyboards like a warm spring shower. 

Bradley alternates between flugelhorn and trumpet as the album neatly alternates between slower moodier songs and the up-tempo head-bobbers like "Swing Set" and "Uptown Drive" where Meadows drops in to engage Bradley in a sassy sax versus trumpet tete-a-tete. To her credit, Bradley, the fresh-faced rookie doesn't take a back seat as she matches Meadows, the savvy veteran, blow-for-blow. In this musical genre, a pretty face is no substitute for knowing how to play. 2008 saw the emergence of exciting new jazz women such as bassist Esperanza Spaldingto widespread approval. 2009 may find Cindy Bradley enjoying similar success. Bloom is the sweet sound of something new and fresh on the scene. ~ Jeff Winbush  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/bloom-cindy-bradley-trippin-n-rhythm-records-review-by-jeff-winbush.php#.VHvJ-smHmtg
 

Personnel: Cindy Bradley: trumpet, flugelhorn, horn arrangement; Tim Bowman: lead guitar (1); Mel Brown: bass (1-7); Freddie Fox: guitar, rhythm guitar; Michael Broening: keyboards, programming; Tony Morra: drums (3, 5, 10); Thano Sahnas: guitars (4, 8); Marion Meadows: tenor sax (5); Jaared: alto sax (6); Mario Mendivil: bass (8-10); Jay Soto: guitar (9); Michael White: drums (2).

Bloom

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Jonathan Kreisberg - Wave Upon Wave

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:07
Size: 147,5 MB
Art: Front

(9:17)  1. Wave Upon Wave
(8:27)  2. Until You Know
(5:13)  3. Stella by Starlight
(6:12)  4. Wild Animals We've Seen
(8:44)  5. Being Human
(9:55)  6. From the Ashes
(7:54)  7. The Spin
(8:23)  8. Peace

Wave upon wave of praise has followed the release of each one of guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg's leader dates small group affairs that are typically built with equal parts energy and taste; Wave Upon Wave, balancing fire with heart, stealth movement with direct engagement, and power with grace, is likely to garner some more. The fleet-fingered Kreisberg focuses on originals here, shifting between the mellow ("Being Human") and the charged ("Until You Know"). And through it all, regardless of style and syntax, his molten-and-focused tone shines through. There's a liquid glow behind his every gesture, whether he's flowing atop drummer Colin Stranahan's spry movements in five ("From The Ashes"), taking a more reflective path, or charging into the fray ("Until You Know"). He delivers his fair share of jaw-dropping, guitar hero-esque feats during his solo stands ("Wild Animals We've Seen" and "The Spin"), but nobody would mistake this for a shred-fest. Kreisberg probes and hits hard at times, but there's also lots of breathing room to be found on this date. The band that's featured here Kreisberg's working quartet augmented by pianist Kevin Hays on half the tracks is quite an outfit. 

Saxophonist Will Vinson, once again, proves to be a simpatico front line partner for Kreisberg, able to dish it out all by his lonesome or blend in beautifully with the guitarist, depending on the circumstances at hand; bassist Rick Rosato the most unassuming player on this album is the backbone of this band; Hays comes in and out of the picture, enriching the sound without altering the group dynamic; and Stranhan proves to be the X factor, bringing a lot of horsepower and creativity to the animated material, furthering the state of repose when he picks up brushes, and putting a gentle, Vernell Fournier-worthy groove behind "Stella By Starlight," one of two classics on the program. Together, these men make for a formidable combination throughout Wave Upon Wave. ~ Dan Bilawsky  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/wave-upon-wave-jonathan-kreisberg-new-for-now-music-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php#.VHeCsMmHmtg
 

Personnel: Jonathan Kreisberg: guitar; Will Vinson: saxophone, piano (3); Rick Rosato: bass; Colin Stranahan: drums; Kevin Hays: piano (1, 5, 6, 7).

Wave Upon Wave

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