Jessica Molaskey - A Good Day

Styles: Vocal

Year: 2003

File: MP3@256K/s

Time: 46:37

Size: 85,9 MB

Art: Front

(4:15)  1. All the Cats Join In

(2:51)  2. Everything Is Moving Too Fast

(3:44)  3. Somebody Loves Me

(2:40)  4. How Come You Ain't Got Me?

(4:12)  5. Small World

(2:30)  6. It's a Good Day

(2:48)  7. I Love the Way You're Breaking

(3:32)  8. I Don't Know Enough About You

(2:49)  9. Adam & Eve

(3:04) 10. The Girl With His Smile and My

(5:28) 11. It's the Bluest Kind of Blues

(2:42) 12. I Wouldn't Trade You

(3:10) 13. Side by Side

(2:47) 14. A Lifetime or Two

Jessica Molaskey is a seasoned Broadway performer who also makes a strong impression in tackling classics from the Great American Songbook or reviving pop songs of the 1940s. Her expressive vocals are effective without resorting to gimmickry, and she's backed by a sterling cast of musicians which includes guitarist John Pizzarelli (her husband and the arranger of seven of the songs), father-in-law Bucky Pizzarelli on acoustic guitar, brother-in-law and bassist Martin Pizzarelli, clarinetist Ken Peplowski, and pianist Ray Kennedy, among others. "All the Cats Join In" was made popular by Benny Goodman but has been only sporadically recorded since; Molaskey not only swings it effortlessly but expands upon its original lyrics. Her treatment of a trio of songs written by Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour (another singer/guitarist married couple), especially the cheerful "A Good Day," will help anyone lose the blues. Molaskey's lyrics in the five pieces written with her spouse are priceless, here's an example from "How Come You Ain't Got Me?": "You buy one ticket and you win the lotto...you down martinis, other folks get blotto." And it's impossible not to be charmed by their lovely ballad "The Girl with His Smile and My Eyes," dedicated to their daughter Madeline Pizzarelli, with the sole accompaniment provided by Kennedy's lush piano. Every track on this highly recommended CD is a gem. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-good-day-mw0000595179

Personnel: Jessica Molaskey (vocals); Tony Kadleck (trumpet); John Mosca (trombone); Ken Peplowski, Andy Fusco (clarinet); Kenny Berger (bass clarinet); Ray Kennedy (piano); Larry Goldings (organ); Bucky Pizzarelli (acoustic guitar); John Pizzarelli (guitar); Martin Pizzarelli (bass).

A Good Day

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Jessica Williams - '... And Then, There's This!'

Styles: Piano Jazz

Year: 1990

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 51:04

Size: 119,7 MB

Art: Front

(5:46)  1. Bemsha Swing

(4:47)  2. ... And Then, There's This!

(5:57)  3. All Alone

(6:11)  4. Nichol's Bag

(4:44)  5. The Child Within

(5:58)  6. Elaine

(6:04)  7. The House That Rouse Built

(3:40)  8. Newk's Fluke

(4:27)  9. Swanee

(3:26) 10. I Mean You

This wonderful little gem features pianist Jessica Williams in trio on a set of six originals, a couple of pieces by Thelonious Monk, and one each by George Gershwin and Irving Berlin. What makes the recording so appealing is Williams' exquisite sense of rhythm and stunning technique, and drummer Kenny Wollensen's outstanding drumming. Williams uses both hands across the whole keyboard. Her style is instantly recognizable, as her bold and confident strokes and ability to move rapidly contrast with a sometimes delicate approach. She seems highly attuned to Monk, and her successful takes of "Bemsha Swing" and "I Mean You" shed new light on the songs' quirky melodies and harmonies. Her own compositions are special, too, with attractive and often catchy lines. Her "The House That Rouse Built," a clever double entendre, and "Newk's Fluke" are particularly fascinating. With the dearth of really fine piano albums in the '90s, it is surprising that Ms. Williams did not receive more attention. This album is one of the finest examples of creative piano performance of that decade. ~ Steve Loewy http://www.allmusic.com/album/and-then-theres-this-mw0000950144

Personnel:  Jessica Williams – piano;  John Wiitala – bass;  Kenny Wollesen - drums

'... And Then, There's This!'

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LeeAnn Ledgerwood - Now And Zen

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:25
Size: 152,7 MB
Art: Front

( 5:54)  1. Summernite
( 7:05)  2. Bridges Burned
( 6:28)  3. Night Lake
( 7:42)  4. Now And Zen
( 8:46)  5. I Wanna Talk About You
(10:09)  6. Stella By Starlight
( 6:45)  7. Water Babies
( 6:02)  8. Nardis
( 6:31)  9. Star Eyes

A fine modern jazz pianist, LeeAnn Ledgerwood has not yet broken through to stardom. She started playing piano when she was four. After graduating from Berklee, Ledgerwood moved to New York in 1982 and worked regularly in local clubs including Bradley's. She toured Sweden with Red Mitchell and was a member of Eddie Gomez's group. In addition to appearing on Gomez's 1988 release Power Play, LeeAnn Ledgerwood led her own 1991 CD for Triloka, You Wish. ~ Scott Yanow https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/leeann-ledgerwood/id160753929#fullText

Now And Zen

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