Duke Ellington - The Popular Duke Ellington

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:37
Size: 122,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Take The 'A' Train
(2:36)  2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
(3:14)  3. Perdido
(5:10)  4. Mood Indigo
(5:12)  5. Black And Tan Fantasy
(3:11)  6. The Twitch
(3:37)  7. Solitude
(1:55)  8. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
(5:36)  9. The Mooche
(3:02) 10. Sophisticated Lady
(3:56) 11. Creole Love Call
(5:27) 12. Caravan
(1:59) 13. Wings And Things
(1:56) 14. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me

This CD reissue from 1997 features Duke Ellington and His Orchestra running through 11 of the leader's hits and a lesser-known blues tune, "The Twitch." The 1966 version of his big band still had all of its main stars, including such major voices as trumpeters Cootie Williams and Cat Anderson, trombonists Lawrence Brown and Buster Cooper, altoist Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, and clarinista Jimmy Hamilton. 

All are featured on The Popular Duke Ellington. Since the material is all very familiar, and mostly quite concise (nothing over six minutes long, and a version of "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" that is under two minutes), few surprises occur. But Ellington fans will enjoy this well-played effort. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-popular-duke-ellington-mw0000529326

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Harry Carney, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves (reeds); Cootie Williams, William "Cat" Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones (trumpets); Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors (trombone); John Lamb (bass); Sam Woodyard (drums).

The Popular Duke Ellington

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Von Freeman - Lester Leaps In

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:56
Size: 142,0 MB
Art: Front

(12:55)  1. Scrapple from the Apple
( 3:31)  2. All About Ronnie
( 9:55)  3. I Love You
( 9:12)  4. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
(11:33)  5. The Whippenpoof Song
(14:48)  6. Lester Leaps In

Although Von Freeman's unusual, very recognizable tone has been admired by jazz's avant-garde, the tenorman has always been a hard bopper/post-bopper first and foremost. And that's what makes a Freeman recording jump right out at you -- his tone sounds like it belongs on an AACM recording, but he tackles swift bop chord changes with such enthusiasm that you know bop was his calling. Freeman is in fine form on Lester Leaps In, an unapologetic hard bop date employing pianist Jodie Christian, bassist Eddie de Haas and drummer Wilbur Campbell. The saxman was 69 when this CD was recorded in Paris, and he sounds like he's very much in his prime on hard-swinging, passionate versions of Charlie Parker's "Scrapple from the Apple" and Lester Young's "Lester Leaps In." The album is unlikely to convert those who aren't already sold on Freeman's merits, but the Chicagoan's admirers wound do well to find a copy. ~ Alex Henderson http://www.allmusic.com/album/lester-leaps-in-mw0000665452

Personnel:  Von Freeman (Saxophone); Jodie Christian (Piano); Eddie de Haas (Bass); Wilbur Campbell (Drums).

Lester Leaps In

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Dick Oatts - Two Hearts

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:52
Size: 128,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:39)  1. If I Should Loose You
(5:25)  2. We'll Be Together Again
(6:07)  3. You Don't Know What Love Is
(5:23)  4. Come Sunday
(5:25)  5. Yesterdays
(6:14)  6. My Foolish Heart
(3:41)  7. Darn That Dream
(5:52)  8. Angel Eyes
(5:50)  9. But Beautiful
(6:10) 10. Hello Young Lovers

Dick Oatts is a name well known to seasoned jazz fans, who recognize him for his work as a sideman with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra (and its descendant, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra), Red Rodney,Bob Brookmeyer, Jerry Bergonzi, Fred Hersch, and others, along with his partnership with pianist Garry Dial. Most of Oatts' recordings as a leader have been for European labels, such as this 2009 session for Steeplechase, his seventh for the Danish company. The focus is on ballads, with Oatts looking to build upon each melody in a creative fashion without losing its essence, something that he does consistently throughout the date. Accompanied by pianist Michael Weiss, either Ugonna Okegwo or David Wong on bass, and drummer Rodney Green, Oatts' renditions of the nine standards plus one well-known Duke Ellington gem, the alto saxophonist gives a virtual master class to young jazz musicians (being a veteran jazz educator as well) on how to construct an intelligent solo built upon a familiar theme without resorting to showboating. The brisk rendition of "You Don't Know What Love Is," the brisk, angular setting of "Yesterdays" and the refreshingly unsentimental take of "Angel Eyes" are among the highlights, but simply put, all of the music is rewarding. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/two-hearts-mw0002013877

Personnel:  Dick Oatts (alto saxophone);  Michael Weiss (piano);  Ugonna Okegwo (bass);  David Wong (bass);  Rodney Green (drums).

Two Hearts

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Jerry Bergonzi - Spotlight on Standards

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:19
Size: 145,6 MB
Art: Front

(8:54)  1. Witchcraft
(7:01)  2. Bi-Solar
(8:24)  3. Blue Cube
(6:33)  4. First Lady
(6:42)  5. Gabriella
(6:02)  6. Dancing in the Dark
(6:17)  7. Out of Nowhere
(6:01)  8. Come Rain or Come Shine
(7:20)  9. Stella by Starlight

There's an old saying that a great jazz musician never plays a song the same way once. That could certainly be said of Jerry Bergonzi. He is an intellectual artist of uncompromising integrity and a bold, original composer. On Jerry's new Savant recording he returns to the organ-tenor trio format after a long hiatus from it. From the opening track, Cy Coleman's “Witchcraft” with its hypnotic organ vamp and “bewitching” chord substitutions Jerry gives to the first 8 bars, you know this isn't going to be your parents' organ-tenor gig. Bergonzi and his discmates, Renato Chicco on organ and Andrea Michelutti on drums, take these standards down new harmonic paths and use them as a launching pad for fertile and impressive improvisation. The playing is always intense and distinctive, fresh and spontaneous. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Spotlight-Standards-Jerry-Bergonzi/dp/B01GFZ4BDU

Personnel: Jerry Bergonzi (tenor saxophone); Renato Chicco (organ); Andrea Michelutti (drums).

Spotlight on Standards

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