Stan Getz - At The Shrine

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:55
Size: 160.1 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1954/2009
Art: Front

[8:33] 1. Flamingo
[5:25] 2. Lover Man
[6:45] 3. Pernod
[8:21] 4. Tasty Pudding
[7:31] 5. I'll Remember April
[4:37] 6. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[5:47] 7. Open Country
[5:55] 8. It Don't Mean A Thing
[8:43] 9. We'll Be Together Again
[8:14] 10. Feather Merchant

Bass – Bill Anthony; Drums – Art Mardigan, Frank Isola; Piano – John Williams; Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz; Valve Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer.

Tenor Stan Getz and valve-trombonist Bob Brookmeyer made a mutually beneficial team. Although they had not played together all that much in 1954 (Brookmeyer had left Getz's band earlier in the year to join the Gerry Mulligan Quartet), the strong musical communication between the two horns during this set is obvious. Eight of the ten selections are from a live concert (with pianist John Williams, bassist Bill Anthony, and drummer Art Mardigan) while the final two numbers (on what was originally a pair of LPs) were cut in the studio the following day with the same personnel except that Frank Isola was on drums. Highlights of this cool-toned bop music (which, in addition to the solos, has many exciting ensembles) include "Lover Man," "Pernod," "Tasty Pudding," and "It Don't Mean a Thing." ~Scott Yanow

At The Shrine

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Duke Jordan Trio - Wait And See

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:14
Size: 128.8 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1989
Art: Front

[7:27] 1. Love Train
[7:27] 2. Misty
[7:20] 3. My Heart Skips A Beat
[7:39] 4. Dancer's Call
[6:31] 5. The Bullet
[6:16] 6. Undecided Lady
[4:31] 7. Wait And See
[6:40] 8. Out Of Nowhere
[2:20] 9. Jordu

Bass – Wilbur Little; Drums – Dannie Richmond; Piano – Duke Jordan. Recorded (live) in Copenhagen, Denmark, November 16 & 17, 1978.

Recorded at the same Copenhagen session that resulted in "Tivoli One" and "Tivoli Two," this trio set -- reissued on CD with two additional selections -- features pianist Duke Jordan, bassist Wilbur Little and drummer Dannie Richmond on seven Jordan originals (including his famous "Jordu"), "Misty" and "Out of Nowhere." Another excellent bop-oriented Duke Jordan session, one of many for SteepleChase. ~Scott Yanow

Wait And See

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Karen Mason - Sweetest Of Nights

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:52
Size: 102.7 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Cabaret
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:58] 1. A Whole New World
[2:49] 2. You And I
[5:23] 3. Watch What Happens / I Will Wait For You
[2:17] 4. Almost Like Being In Love
[2:31] 5. My Foolish Heart
[3:20] 6. He's Got A Way
[4:18] 7. Now I Have Everything / Married
[4:18] 8. What's Wrong With This Picture
[3:23] 9. Cold Enough To Cross
[3:53] 10. The Winner Takes It All
[2:50] 11. Let's Face The Music And Dance
[3:32] 12. People
[3:14] 13. The Sweetest Of Nights And The Finest Of Days

Karen Mason has starred on Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and recording: and "has few peers when it comes to ripping the roof off with her amazing voice that knows no bounds!" (TheatreScene.net) Karen is an nine time MAC Award winner and has won the MAC Award for Major Female Vocalist of the Year for six consecutive years. She has also won the 2006 Nightlife Award for Major Female Vocalist and three Bistro Awards.

Ms. Mason originated the role of Tanya on Broadway in Abba’s MAMMA MIA!, and was awarded a 2002 Drama Desk nomination as Best Actress. Her other leading roles include Norma Desmond in SUNSET BOULEVARD which she performed to critical acclaim and standing ovations on Broadway and in Los Angeles for three years; Mazeppa in JEROME ROBBIN’S BROADWAY; Rosalie in CARNIVAL (another Drama Desk nomination); plus featured roles in Broadway’s TORCH SONG TRILOGY; and PLAY ME A COUNTRY SONG.

Karen won the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND, and starred Off-Broadway in her own show KAREN MASON SINGS BROADWAY, BEATLES AND BRIAN. Her television appearances include the hit dramas ED and LAW & ORDER SVU. Film credits include SLEEPING DOGS LIE and A CHORUS LINE.

Sweetest Of Nights

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Bobby Darin - The Ultimate Bobby Darin

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:53
Size: 95.9 MB
Styles: Vocal, Traditional pop
Year: 1988/2004
Art: Front

[2:10] 1. Splish Splash
[2:11] 2. Queen Of The Hop
[1:54] 3. Plain Jane
[2:29] 4. Dream Lover
[3:02] 5. Mack The Knife
[3:12] 6. Clementine
[2:04] 7. Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey
[2:32] 8. Lazy River
[2:08] 9. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
[2:32] 10. Irresistable You
[2:15] 11. Multiplication
[2:30] 12. Things
[2:11] 13. I'll Be There
[2:14] 14. Early In The Morning
[3:17] 15. Artificial Flowers
[2:10] 16. Somebody To Love
[2:54] 17. Beyond The Sea

At the time of its release in 1988, The Ultimate Bobby Darin was arguably the most thorough single-disc compilation available. And for range and selection it remains the most thorough single-disc retrospective of the legendary singer, effectively capturing the stunning range of his unique musical vision. Each of its 17 songs is a gem. Included are "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," "Mack the Knife," and "Beyond the Sea," as well as "Somebody to Love" and "I'll Be There," which don't appear on The Hit Singles Collection. For sound quality, however, both this release and the early-'90s retrospectives Splish Splash: The Best of Bobby Darin, Vol. 1 and Mack the Knife: The Best of Bobby Darin, Vol. 2 have been supplanted by the more recent Hit Singles Collection and other post-2000 releases of his Atlantic catalog. ~Bruce Eder

The Ultimate Bobby Darin

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Jed Levy - Sleight of Hand

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:10
Size: 134,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:27)  1. Sleight Of Hand
(7:44)  2. Zinno
(8:12)  3. Three And Me
(5:27)  4. Bird's Mother
(9:18)  5. Desert Church
(5:34)  6. Did I Remember?
(5:06)  7. Bright Lights
(8:03)  8. Nice And Easy
(3:16)  9. Indigenous

Saxophonist Jed Levy has been a mainstay on the New York jazz scene for over 20 years. In addition to performing and recording as a leader, he has had long standing working relationships with such jazz luminaries as Jaki Byard (a musical mentor, 3 recordings and countless performances), Don Patterson, Jack McDuff (valuable road experience), Ron McClure (2 CDs and on going performances), and Headhunters drummer Mike Clark (2 CD's and new projects in the works.)  He has also been fortunate to have worked with, Junior Mance, Eddie Henderson, Jack Walrath,The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Shirley Scott, Kevin Mahogany, Gene Bertoncini,Don Friedman,Cedar Walton, Curtis Fuller, Chico O'Farrill, Attilla Zollar, Groove Holmes, Tom Harrell, and many others. Levy has toured Japan as a leader and appeared at several international jazz festivals as well as leading bands at such New York venues as Sweet Basil, Blue Note, Birdland, Visiones and Zinno. Diversity has been the key to Levy's success on the New York scene. A recent week found him moving from a concert with the Cab Calloway Orchestra to a night with Mike Clark and Charley Hunter at the Knitting Factory, to the Apollo Theater with the Temptations and the Four Tops, to Birdland with Chico O'Farill's Afro Cuban Orchestra. In his presentations as a leader, as well as in his compositions, Levy tries to incorporate these varied musical experiences. His compositions have been recorded by such artists as the Headhunters, Don Friedman, Eddie Henderson, and Mike Clark. http://www.jedlevy.com/

Personnel:  Jed Levy Tenor Sax;  George Colligan Piano;  Gerry Gibbs Drums;  Ron McClure Bass.

Sleight of Hand

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Lisa Bell - The Italian Project

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:33
Size: 97,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:29)  1. Bring the Love
(3:04)  2. I Can Be Anything
(4:02)  3. Set It Free (The Boomba, Boomba Song)
(4:33)  4. Come My Way
(4:12)  5. One Face, One Race
(3:59)  6. A Brighter Day
(3:17)  7. Walk With Me
(3:42)  8. Love Hurts
(3:24)  9. Quilt
(4:03) 10. From the Outside Looking In
(3:42) 11. The Best of Me

The Italian Project is the product of a beautiful dream come true; one that embodies love, hope, and the overriding positive message that we can truly achieve anything we set our minds to. In 2009, Lisa Marie Simmons and I, who both attended high school at the same time in Boulder, CO, reconnected by Facebook for the first time in more than 25 years. This synchronistic virtual meeting resulted in a four-year international music adventure that included performances in Italy and Colorado, and culminated with co-writing (along with Bob Story) the 11 songs on this CD. We wrote the songs largely via Skype over a two-year period, and recorded tracks both in Italy and Colorado. While the writing and recording process has been lengthy and challenging at times, the journey has been priceless. The Italian Project is a big departure for Lisa Bell and her band, with heavy roots rock, country, bluegrass, pop and blues influences. Throughout the writing process, we used a theme of positive messages and beautiful stories of change, manifestation and empowerment. Some of the songs are uplifting. Others share important stories such as the challenges of homelessness, racism and our societal fears. All are designed to make the listener take heart and take action. The music is fun, fresh, upbeat and thought provoking. http://lisabellmusic.com/discography/the-italian-project/

The Italian Project

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Ron McClure Sextet - Double Triangle

Styles: Jazz, Straight-ahead/Mainstream
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:43
Size: 167,1 MB
Art: Front

( 5:45)  1. In Flight
( 7:04)  2. Night Bird
( 5:20)  3. Con Alma
( 9:12)  4. Thunder
( 4:42)  5. More Than a Notion
( 4:20)  6. Let Freedom Ring
( 9:32)  7. Minor Spree
( 9:16)  8. Maya
(11:06)  9. April in Nimes
( 6:24) 10. We'll Be Together Again

As a vehicle for documenting his original compositions, veteran mainstream jazz bassist McClure envisions his sextet as a double triangle of rhythm section (he, pianist Marc Copland and drummer Billy Hart) and front line (Rich Perry on tenor sax, Tim Hagans on trumpet, Conrad Herwig on trombone) to work as one. With such outstanding musicianship present, and the interesting pieces they have to play with, listeners have a real treat involving themselves with this finely crafted project. There are two standards, the trombone-led ballad "We'll Be Together Again" and Dizzy Gillespie's easy swinger "Con Alma," on which Herwig is up first, Perry grabs the baton on the second and repeated first melody, and the whole group joins at the end. Leader's prerogative dictates that McClure solos frequently; he does on the known numbers, but takes more license on his own. He is dominant for "In Flight" in the intro and up front through the entire, even-tempo horn chart. "Night Bird" has him long-winded in the deliberately paced undertow of hushed melody he adapted from Herbie Hancock's "Speak Like a Child." McClure also modified Joe Henderson's "Gazelle" into "Thunder" with juggernaut trombone and bass; the rest of the horns stay on top of this well-swung melody, which is concluded with the band employing potent interplay. Swinging and especially blowing from Perry is emphasized on the Jazz Messenger-ish "Minor Spree"; a steady rhythm for "More Than a Notion" allows the horns to languish in multiple lines, while freer, darker structures and Hagans' tasteful solo inspires a pounding Hart in mid-flight during "Let Freedom Ring." Another feature for Perry, "April in Nimes," has "April in Paris" references during a wonderful tenor-bass-piano unison line, and "Maya," written for McClure's daughter, goes from waltz to 4/4 bridge time with darker trombone, clarion echoes, and Copland's always colorful piano inserts. McClure has long been underrecognized as a fine bassist, improviser, bandleader and writer. This very fine CD should start to wake the jazz world to his many gifts. Highly recommended.~ Michael G.Nastos http://www.allmusic.com/album/double-triangle-mw0000259830

Personnel:  Ron McClure: Bass, Tim Hagens: Trumpet; Conrad Herwig: Trombone; Rich Perry: Tenor Saxophone; Marc Copland: Piano; Billy Hart: Drums.

Double Triangle

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Chris Byars - Blue Lights

Styles: Flute And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 61:27
Size: 113,0 MB
Art: Front

( 7:04)  1. Luck Swing
( 6:17)  2. Sans Souci
(10:47)  3. Al-Ghashiyah
( 6:52)  4. The Infant Song
( 8:16)  5. Baba's Blues
( 8:09)  6. Shabozz
( 7:07)  7. Blue Lights
( 6:52)  8. Anne Marie

During a relatively brief career, alto saxophonist/composer Gigi Gryce was one of the promising contributors to hard bop, though he suddenly stopped playing and composing to take up music education. Though Gryce wrote a number of important works that have been frequently explored by other jazz artists, alto saxophonist Chris Byars chose to record seven of his lesser known works, in the process, discovering several previously unrecorded compositions, premiering one of them. Joined by two of his frequent collaborators, pianist Sacha Perry and bassist Ari Roland, plus trombonist John Mosca and drummer Stefan Schatz, Byars utilizes the composer's arrangements as written, though a bassline was not included in the charts. Gryce's enchanting "Al-Ghashiyah" is the undiscovered gem, blending a peppy opening and closing with an exotic central section. The leader switches to flute for the Latin-flavored introduction to "Sans Souci" (derived from the changes to "Out of Nowhere"), though the chart quickly shifts into a midtempo bop setting showcasing Perry, with the leader's father James Byars added on oboe in the ensemble sections. Byars is equally skilled on tenor in the driving blues "Blue Lights." Roland adds a taste of Paul Chambers with his solid arco technique on several tracks. This is an excellent tribute to an unjustly neglected jazz musician. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-lights-mw0000833156

Personnel: Chris Byars (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); John Mosca (trombone); Sacha Perry (piano); Stefan Schatz (drums).

Blue Lights

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Harry Allen - Christmas in Swingtime

Styles: Christmas
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:30
Size: 158,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:44)  1. O Christmas Tree
(6:22)  2. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
(5:46)  3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
(5:52)  4. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
(6:10)  5. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
(5:51)  6. White Christmas
(3:28)  7. Blue Christmas
(6:07)  8. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
(5:13)  9. Rudolph Red-Nosed Reindeer
(5:26) 10. I'll Be Home for Christmas
(3:01) 11. Ding! Dong! Merry on High
(5:20) 12. Winter Wonderland
(4:03) 13. A Christmas Love Song

Although it was recorded in New York City, the liner notes for this splendid holiday release by tenor saxophonist Harry Allen are in Japanese, an indication that it was not necessarily aimed at a domestic audience but one that is somewhat farther east. What’s more, the copy I have is on the BMG label while the accompanying press release is from Koch Jazz, which, presumably, obtained the distribution rights from BMG (and has provided an English translation of Dan Polletta’s notes). Are you following me so far? Good. There’ll be a pop quiz later. Allen, who turned thirty–five in October (happy birthday, Harry), is a throwback to an earlier era in which lyricism and a lovely sound reigned supreme, and his influences range from Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and Ben Webster to Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn and, among his contemporaries, Scott Hamilton. To these ears, he sounds most like Getz with Zoot’s unerring sense of time. What’s important, of course, is that Allen swings under any and all conditions including seasonal. When it comes to Jazz, there’s little difference between Christmas songs and others; they’re all comprised of chord changes, and once one knows the changes he can treat them like any other number, which is what Allen and his talented colleagues do here. After stating the melody they take the song wherever it leads them, which is invariably along a most picturesque and agreeable byway. Larry Goldings, who’s also an excellent pianist, stays with the Hammond on this date. He and mellow guitarist Peter Bernstein obviate the need for a bassist, while drummer Jake Hanna is a model of taste and proficiency. The quartet is augmented on one number, “Blue Christmas,” by vocalist John Pizzarelli who sounds rather like a latter–day version of Chet Baker. Most of these tunes should be immediately familiar to anyone who’s not been sequestered in a cave, the possible exception being Johnny Mandel’s “Christmas Love Song,” which closes the album. There’s one bona fide “burner,” the traditional carol “Ding! Dong! Merry on High,” on which everyone is in an exuberant holiday mood. The rest is slow to medium but no less earnest. If you can envision Stan Getz playing carols and other seasonal fare you’ll have a reasonably accurate idea of what to expect from Christmas in Swingtime.

 ~ Jack Bowers https://www.allaboutjazz.com/christmas-in-swingtime-harry-allen-koch-international-jazz-review-by-jack-bowers.php
 

Personnel: Harry Allen, tenor saxophone; Larry Goldings, organ; Peter Bernstein, guitar; Jake Hanna, drums; John Pizzarelli, vocal

Christmas in Swingtime

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