Gary Smulyan and Brass - Blue Suite

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:46
Size: 133,3 MB
Art: Front

( 6:06)  1. Interlude Blue Suite
( 5:49)  2. Blues Culture
( 7:57)  3. Blues In My Neighbourhood
( 6:28)  4. Charleston Blue
( 8:20)  5. Blues Attitude
(10:38)  6. Blue Speed
( 6:25)  7. Blues Gentility
( 5:58)  8. Blue Stomp

Gary Smulyan and Bob Belden continue their fruitful musical relationship on this somewhat unusual outing. Beginning with an introductory arrangement of Oliver Nelson's up-tempo "Interlude," the disc is then given over to a seven-part "Blue Suite" composed and arranged by Belden. Smulyan leads the proceedings on baritone sax, joined by Bill Charlap on piano, Christian McBride on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums, along with four trumpets, three trombones, two French horns, and a tuba. Most of these brass players are Smulyan's fellow members in the historic Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. An extended meditation on the blues in all its variety, the suite features Smulyan's virtuosic, expressive bari playing and fine solos from trumpeters Scott Wendholt and Greg Gisbert, French horn player John Clark, tubist Bob Stewart, and trombonist John Mosca. To hear the blues genesis of some of these compositions especially "Blues in My Neighborhood," "Charleston Blue," and "Blues Gentility" requires a careful ear. "Blue Speed" and "Blue Stomp," in contrast, are more straightforward blowing vehicles. Throughout, Blue Suite satisfyingly combines exploratory compositions, carefully developed arrangements, and loose-limbed improvisation, all within the inexhaustible framework of the blues. ~ David R.Adler  http://www.allmusic.com/album/blues-suite-mw0000724269

Personnel: Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone); Greg Gisbert, Scott Wendholt, Earl Gardner (trumpet); John Mosca (trombone); Douglas Purviance (bass trombone); Bill Charlap (piano); Kenny Washington, Joe Farnsworth (drums).

Blue Suite

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Jaclyn Guillou - Winter for Beginners

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:38
Size: 104,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:06)  1. Land of the Silver Birch
(4:23)  2. In a Wooden House
(5:16)  3. When the Leaves Fall
(5:13)  4. Winter for Beginners
(6:24)  5. Spring is like a Promise for Beauty
(4:53)  6. Summer Where? (Mr. Sun)
(4:34)  7. Clouds
(4:31)  8. Castle Garden
(5:15)  9. Poetry Man

If ever there was a voice that could balance an icy chill with fireplace comfort and warmth, it's this one. On Winter For Beginners, Jaclyn Guillou's intoxicating voice takes the ear through an odyssey of the seasons, communing with nature in all of its beauty, be it rich or stark. Guillou's originals are built in a contemporary and exploratory vein, eschewing form(al) simplicities for something more complex and meaningful, yet everything is easy and natural to grasp; she bridges modernity with accessibility in seamless fashion. At times, it's her way with words that catches attention and draws in the ear ("In A Wooden House" and "Castle Garden"), but she's just as likely to charm with the tonal purity of her wordless lines. Those heavenly sounds, which alternately move in step-wise fashion, create angular beauty, walk in tandem with guest cellist Peggy Lee, or simply take in the surroundings, aren't a key ingredient here; they're the key ingredient.

Seven of the nine tracks featured herein come from Guillou's fertile mind, but she bookends the album with two vastly different covers that speak to her diversified musical portfolio a beautiful recasting of a traditional number called "Land Of The Silver Birch" and a modern jazz-folk-soul inflected take on Phoebe Snow's "Poetry Man." Both numbers fit in perfectly with her original material, both in sound and spirit. All nine songs truly come together to form a travelogue of sorts. Guillou's companions on this journey do a splendid job bringing her thoughts to musical life. Pianist Bruno Hubert provides directional guidance and serves as a source of support; guitarist David Blake's lines refract and glow in the sonic atmosphere; special guests tabla player Neelamjit Dhillon, producer/trumpeter Brad Turner, and Lee add new layers of depth to the work; and the bass-drum team of James Meger and Andrew Millar add subtle touches and provide momentum and power when needed. It's a team effort, but it's also Guillou's show. And with a voice like that, it shouldn't be any other way.
~ Dan Bilawsky  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/winter-for-beginners-jaclyn-guillou-cellar-live-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php

Personnel: Jaclyn Guillou: vocals; Bruno Hubert: piano; David Blake: guitar; James Meger: bass; Amdrew Millar: drums; Brad Turner: flugelhorn (5), trumpet, triangle (6); Peggy Lee: cello (1, 3, 8); Neelamjit Dhillon: table (6).

Winter for Beginners

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Dave Pike - Smooth Bar Jazz

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:39
Size: 165,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:38)  1. Sono
(4:05)  2. Melvalita
(5:17)  3. Philumba
(4:48)  4. Cattin Latin
(4:58)  5. Jamaica Farewell
(3:55)  6. Ginha
(7:43)  7. La Bamba
(3:39)  8. My Little Suede Shoes
(4:30)  9. Carnival Samba
(3:46) 10. St. Thomas
(3:56) 11. Matilda, Matilda
(4:41) 12. Sambolero
(3:12) 13. Mambo Bounce
(2:27) 14. Limbo Rock
(5:14) 15. Serenidade
(3:44) 16. Calypso Blues

Dave Pike has been a consistent vibraphonist through the years without gaining much fame. He originally played drums and is self-taught on vibes. Pike moved with his family to Los Angeles in 1954 and played with Curtis Counce, Harold Land, Elmo Hope, Dexter Gordon, Carl Perkins, and Paul Bley, among others. After moving to New York in 1960 he put an amplifier on his vibes. Pike toured with Herbie Mann during 1961-1964, spent 1968-1973 in Germany (recording with the Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland big band), and then resettled in Los Angeles, playing locally and recording for Timeless and Criss Cross. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dave-pike-mn0000593911/biography

Smooth Bar Jazz

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