Jack Sheldon - The Warm World Of Jack Sheldon

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 38:41

Size: 88.6 MB

Styles: Easy Listening, Trumpet jazz

Year: 1968/2011

Art: Front

[2:34] 1. The Look Of Love

[3:04] 2. More And More Amore

[5:00] 3. Forget

[2:35] 4. The Odd Couple

[3:33] 5. Holiday

[2:46] 6. Grazin' In The Grass

[3:23] 7. Emily

[2:04] 8. With A Little Help From My Friends

[2:48] 9. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

[5:13] 10. Nature Boy

[2:52] 11. Daydream

[2:43] 12. Sweet Talk

Still an excellent record more than 40 years after it was recorded. ~jbjazz

One of the great jokesters in jazz (whose spontaneous monologues are as hilarious as they are tasteless), Jack Sheldon's personality has sometimes overshadowed his excellent trumpet playing and effective vocals. Sheldon started playing professionally at age 13. He moved to Los Angeles in 1947, joined the Air Force and played in military bands. After his discharge, Sheldon became a popular figure on the West Coast, playing and recording with many top musicians including Jimmy Giuffre, Herb Geller, Wardell Gray, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Curtis Counce, and Art Pepper. He worked as an actor in the 1960s (including starring in the short-lived television series Run Buddy Run), was seen nightly on The Merv Griffin Show, and in the 1970s and '80s he performed with Benny Goodman, Bill Berry's big band, in the studios, and with his own groups. He also made his mark on millions of American children by being the vocalist for both "Conjuction Junction" and "I'm Just a Bill" from the Schoolhouse Rocks! series. Into the mid-'90s, Jack Sheldon (who often uses a big band arranged by Tom Kubis) remained quite active in the Los Angeles area, recording regularly for Concord and his Butterfly label. ~bio by Scott Yanow

The Warm World Of Jack Sheldon

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Karen Francis - Little Sunflower

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:21
Size: 161.0 MB
Styles: Standards, Vocal
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[8:50] 1. The Great City
[5:51] 2. Here's That Rainy Day
[3:34] 3. I Could Have Danced All Night
[7:36] 4. Brown Skin Gal
[6:07] 5. Love Yourself
[8:57] 6. Little Sunflower
[7:54] 7. Learn From Your Mistakes
[9:00] 8. Dindi
[7:01] 9. You Go To My Head
[5:26] 10. Man, That Was A Dream (Monk's Dream)

In the summer of 1994 in Washington D.C., jazz vocalist Karen Francis was discovered by world renown jazz master (pianist, composer, record label executive, producer, and professor) Stanley Cowell. Cowell, one of jazz music's most talented architects who, with Charles Tolliver in 1971, established and launched Strata-East Records, was hosting a party in his home one evening when he had occasion to be introduced to Francis by one of his students - William Knowles. A significant turn of events during the course of the evening revealed that Karen was a singer and Cowell invited her to sit in with him at an impromptu jam session. They played two duets together - Round Midnight and Lush Life. Once Cowell heard her sing, he knew that this was a voice that would go places and decided to record her. After becoming acquainted with her, Cowell discovered that Francis was relatively new to singing, but not so new to music, as she had played several instruments while in high school in Augusta, Georgia and at Tuskegee University in Alabama.

A few short weeks after his discovery of this extraordinary talent, Cowell gave Francis her first professional recording opportunity and introduction to the international jazz community through an invitation to be a featured artist on a coming project “Mandara Blossoms”. Overwhelmed, nervous, and honored, Karen accepted and in October of ’94, her first efforts as a featured recording artist were committed to history on record in the SteepleChase Records catalogue. This recording featured Cowell on piano, tenor saxophonist Billy Pierce, and drummer Ralph Peterson. Notably, SteepleChase alumni include monumental luminaries such as Ben Webster, Bud Powell, Shirley Horn, Kenny Dorham, Dizzy Gillespie - to name a few. On this roster an awed Francis founds herself in stellar company. Four weeks after the project with Cowell had been recorded, SteepleChase called on Francis to record as a leader. This was an industry nod in light of the fact that SteepleChase's roster of vocalists numbers a very select few.

Little Sunflower

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Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb, Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra - Kindred Spirits

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:09
Size: 144.6 MB
Styles: Swing, Big band
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:03] 1. Lester Leaps In
[5:31] 2. Theme From Chinatown
[5:44] 3. Girl Talk
[4:57] 4. Beautiful Love
[6:34] 5. My Foolish Heart
[5:29] 6. Kindred Spirits
[4:08] 7. Danny Boy
[5:30] 8. E.S.P
[6:48] 9. That Old Feeling
[4:40] 10. My Ship
[6:04] 11. No More Blues
[2:35] 12. I'll Be Seeing You

Alto Saxophone – Rusty Higgins; Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Kim Richmond; Baritone Saxophone – John Mitchell; Bass – Trey Henry; Bass Clarinet, Bassoon – John Mitchell; Bass Trombone – Rich Bullock; Drums – Ralph Razze; English Horn – John Yoakum; Flute – Kim Richmond, Rusty Higgins; Flute [Alto, Bass] – Rusty Higgins; Flute [Alto] – Kim Richmond; Flute, Clarinet – Pete Christlieb; Guitar – Frank Browne; Harp – Amy Shulman; Leader, Arranged By, Liner Notes – Gary Urwin; Percussion – Michito Sanchez, Richie Gajate-Garcia; Piano – Christian Jacob; Tenor Saxophone – Jeff Driskill, Pete Christlieb; Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto], Clarinet – Dan Higgins; Trombone – Alex Iles, Bill Watrous, Charlie Loper, Dave Woodley; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Bobby Shew, Dan Fornero, John Thomas, Mike McGuffey, Rick Baptist, Ron King., Warren Luening., Wayne Bergeron.

For a fellow who practices law for a living, Gary Urwin is one heck of an arranger. His charts for his third CD, though solidly in the modern-mainstream-big-band tradition, use traditional elements in fresh, imaginative ways, such as ending Wayne Shorter’s “E.S.P.” with a sudden and unexpected accelerando. Urwin wrote the arrangements expressly to feature the extraordinary soloists Pete Christlieb on tenor and Bill Watrous on trombone, and they more than do them justice. Christlieb is a whiz of a player and he’s in fine form here, whether sailing through the changes of “Lester Leaps In” or caressing the melody of “I’ll Be Seeing You.” And Watrous employs his phenomenal technique and lush sound for some hard swinging on up-tempo tunes like “Beautiful Love” and a warm expressiveness on ballads like “Danny Boy.”

With saxophonist Kim Richmond, trumpeter Wayne Bergeron and trombonist Charlie Loper as section leaders and a rhythm section of pianist Christian Jacob, guitarist Frank Browne, bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ralph Razze, the personnel couldn’t be more illustrious. And in spite of the focus on Christlieb and Watrous, a few other players, especially trumpeter Bobby Shew and pianist Jacob, shine in solos of their own. ~David Franklin

Kindred Spirits

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Duke Jones - Thunder Island

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:03
Size: 101,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:08)  1. Little Boy Blue
(4:29)  2. No Ordinary Love
(5:09)  3. You And I (Thunder Island)
(4:57)  4. Let's Have It All
(6:13)  5. You Don't Know What Love Is
(5:46)  6. Caribbean Windsor
(4:41)  7. Thunder In The Sky
(3:36)  8. True Lovers

Trumpeter Albert Jones is affectionately known to all friends and followers as “Duke”. A nickname is acquired from his favorite aunt, because of his love of music at an early age. A native of New York City via White Plains. Duke began playing trumpet at the age of nine. In elementary school and through White Plains High School, Duke played and formed a band with The Lewis Brothers and Sharon Bryant. The group, which ultimately became the popular R&B / Pop success “Atlantic Starr”, recorded their first two albums, “Radiant”(1980) and “Brillance” (1982), both featuring Duke. This led to the recording of Duke’s debut solo album for CTI Records entitled “Thunder Island”.

Duke attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, studying music and film. Like most artists; prior to his commercial success, he worked the New York club circuit; i.e., Fat Tuesday’s, Metropolis, Birdland, etc. In the late 70’s, Duke had the privileged opportunity to study traditional Island Rhythms, Calypso and Soca at the University of Virgin Islands with then Professor Larry McCleallan who went on to serve as Dean at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston.  With influences such as Kenny Dorham, Woody Shaw, Lee Morgan, Benny Bailey and of course, Miles Davis, all of whom helped shape Duke’s trumpet voice. Duke went on to tour Japan, Europe and Africa, working with established musicians such as The Temptations, Angela Bofill, Larry Coryell and Marion Meadows. He began collaborating and recording with such artists as August Darnell of Kid Creole and the Coconuts, and drummer, producer Norman Connors, serving as an original member of his Starship Orchestra and spin-off group Aquarian Dream on Buddah Records. In 1992, Duke served as Vice President of Creole Records, a label started with then band mate August Darnell (Kid Creole). The label, distributed by Nippon Columbia, released seven CD’s in Japan and the U.S. with one CD, “The KC2 Meets KC3”, becoming the fifth largest selling English speaking record in Japan. In 2005, he formed Café Soul All-Stars and recorded their debut CD “Love Pages” which featured George Benson, Roy Ayers and Kenny Garrett among other great musicians. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/dukejones

Thunder Island

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Marian Montgomery - Let There Be Love, Let There Be Swing, Let There Be Marian Montgomery

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1963
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 28:11
Size: 59,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:42)  1. Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
(2:31)  2. Hum-Drum Blues
(1:45)  3. There'll Be Some Changes Made
(2:38)  4. Romance In The Dark
(2:33)  5. Danke Schoen
(2:08)  6. Kansas City
(2:18)  7. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(1:53)  8. Candy
(2:28)  9. I Wonder
(2:24) 10. Alright, Okay, You Win
(2:08) 11. The Good Life
(2:37) 12. Let There Be Love

Born Maude Runnels, 17 November 1934, Natchez, Mississippi, USA, d. 22 July 2002, Bray, Berkshire, England. Montgomery quit school to sing on television in Atlanta, Georgia. After working in advertising and publishing, performing in plays and singing in strip joints and jazz clubs, she became an established cabaret performer. Montgomery was signed to Capitol Records after Peggy Lee heard her demo tape, and she recorded three albums for the label. She moved to the UK in 1965 to sing at a new London club, the Cool Elephant, with John Dankworth’s band. That same year she married composer and musical director Laurie Holloway and began to establish herself on the London club scene, equally at home at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club as she was on the less demanding cabaret circuit.

Possessing a voice that was once likened to ‘having a long, cool glass of mint julep on a Savannah balcony’, she expanded her career with a starring role in the 1969 West End revival of Anything Goes, and frequent appearances on radio and television, as well as concerts and cabaret in the UK and abroad. Her one-woman show was televised by the BBC in 1975. Besides her musical association with Holloway, she successfully collaborated with classical composer/pianist Richard Rodney Bennett on several projects, including Puttin’ On The Ritz, Surprise Surprise andTown And Country. With an instantly recognizable, relaxed and intimate style, Montgomery became one of a handful of American artists to take up permanent residence in the UK. She lost her long battle against cancer contracted from passive smoking in July 2002. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/marian-montgomery-mn0000233883

Let There Be Love, Let There Be Swing, Let There Be Marian Montgomery

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Larry Willis - Heavy Blue

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1990
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:08
Size: 140,5 MB
Art: Front

( 8:17)  1. To Wisdom, The Prize
( 6:33)  2. Winther Blue
( 6:32)  3. Earthlings
( 8:37)  4. When I Fall In Love
(10:07)  5. Nightfall
( 6:26)  6. Heavy Blue
( 7:17)  7. Ballad For Frederick
( 7:15)  8. Habiba

Once identified with on-the-edge free music, keyboardist Larry Willis had a profitable flirtation with fusion in the '70s, then moved to hard bop in the '80s and '90s. Willis' playing has been frenetic, ambitious, and interesting, but during his jazz-rock and fusion days it was funky but greatly restrained and simplistic. A devotee of Herbie Hancock, Willis has found a good balance, with expertly constructed modal solos and also lyrical, relaxed statements. Willis graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in the early '60s, then played with Jackie McLean and Hugh Masekela. He recorded with Lee Morgan and McLean in the mid-'60s, and worked with Kai Winding and Stan Getz, as well as recording with Robin Kenyatta in 1969. Willis turned to synthesizer and electric piano in the '70s, doing sessions with Cannonball Adderley, Earl May, Joe Henderson, Richard "Groove" Holmes, and Masekela again. He joined Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1972, recorded with Alphonse Mouzon in both 1972 and 1973, and did dates as a leader and freelance session musician. Willis also recorded with Ryo Kawasaki and Sonny Fortune in the late '70s, and with David "Fathead" Newman and Carla Bley in the '80s. Willis toured and recorded with Nat Adderley in the '80s and joined Woody Shaw's quintet in 1986. He's done sessions as a leader for Groove Merchant, Steeplechase, Audioquest, Brunswick, and Mapleshade, among others, including Blue Fable and Offering on Highnote in 2007 and 2008, respectively. ~ Ron Wynn and Michael G. Nastos https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/larry-willis/id3273573#fullText

Heavy Blue

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Pat LaBarbera - From the Heart

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:56
Size: 149,0 MB
Art: Front

( 5:06)  1. Dream Steps
(10:52)  2. From the Heart
( 6:50)  3. Another Day in the Sun
( 4:50)  4. Second Time Out
( 9:27)  5. Kind of Bill
( 4:29)  6. Just Say Yes
( 9:03)  7. Fantazm
( 7:32)  8. A New Town Is a Blue Town
( 6:44)  9. I Wished on the Moon

The older brother of Joe LaBarbera (drummer with Bill Evans during 1978-1980) and arranger/trumpeter John LaBarbera, Pat has been a fixture in Toronto since moving to Canada in 1974. 

He played in a family band early on, attended Berklee (1964-1967), and gained recognition for his exciting solos with Buddy Rich's big band (1967-1973). After settling in Toronto (where he has done quite a bit of studio work), LaBarbera toured with Elvin Jones (1975-1978). He has recorded as a leader for PM, Sackville, and Justin Time. ~ Scott Yanow https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/pat-labarbera/id5892818#fullText

Personnel:  Pat LaBarbera – soprano, tenor saxophone;  George Cables – piano;  Rufus Reid - stand-up bass;  Joe LaBarbera – drums

From the Heart

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Vincent Gardner - Elbow Room

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:10
Size: 173,0 MB
Art: Front

( 7:24)  1. DoomZoom
( 7:24)  2. Snake Charmin'
( 8:03)  3. I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
( 7:17)  4. Can You Read My Mind?
(10:16)  5. Four And One
( 9:03)  6. Blubber
( 7:16)  7. W. M. II
( 8:22)  8. Relaxin' At Camarillo
(10:01)  9. Liberia

Trombonist Vincent Gardner, an alumnus of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, makes an impressive debut as a leader on Elbow Room, a balanced mix of standards and challenging originals. Joining him in his quintet are saxophonist Walter Blanding, pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Greg Williams and drummer Quincy Davis. The band gets off to a light-footed start on the Dixieland-inflected "Doomzoom. Gardner stretches out on his crisp solo and Blanding's tenor passage is gritty without being grating. "Snake Charmin' is something of a long distance bop conversation between Gardner and Blanding's soprano sax, anchored expertly by the rhythm section. Gardner's soulful touch on "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry blends with Davis' gentle brushstrokes and Williams' plucked solo to underscore the song's melancholy theme. The splendid "Can You Read My Mind? begins with a Mighty Mouse fanfare, then jumps right into Gardner and Blanding engaging in a dynamic, Latin-tinged trombone/soprano dialogue.

The group's clever reading of Monk's "Four and One is equally spirited, with excellent soloing all around. One would expect blues and sadness on a tune entitled "Blubber, but Blanding sprints out of the box exuberantly, Gardner follows with arguably his best playing of the date, and Goldberg is absolute quicksilver, with Davis finally getting some real light on the drums. And the band's slick interpretation of Coltrane's "Liberia, particularly with two horns, gives the song an added dimension. Gardner plays with maturity and confidence, and his supporting members are excellent, but the standout here is Aaron Goldberg, whose solid comping and sometimes dazzling solos enhance the disc. Goldberg plays ascending notes to open "Relaxin' at Camarillo instead of the standard descending intro; and on "Liberia he cleverly frames his stylistic homage to McCoy Tyner within his own keyboard idiom. These inspired elements give Elbow Room added depth, resulting in a top-flight maiden voyage for Gardner.~ Terrell Kent Homes https://www.allaboutjazz.com/elbow-room-vincent-gardner-steeplechase-records-review-by-terrell-kent-holmes.php
 

Personnel: Vincent Gardner: trombone; Walter Blanding: tenor & soprano saxophones; Aaron Goldberg: piano; Greg Williams: bass; Quincy Davis: drums.

Elbow Room

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