Don Menza & Pete Magadini - Live At Claudio's

Size: 130,8 MB
Time: 56:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Confirmation (8:43)
02. Rose Tattoo (7:55)
03. I Mean You (7:35)
04. These Foolish Things (8:40)
05. Pete's Blues (7:45)
06. On A Misty Night (9:13)
07. 2080 Blues (6:33)

The fiery tenor saxophonist Don Menza has had too few opportunities to record as a leader through the years. This rare quartet date with pianist Wray Downes, bassist Dave Young, and drummer Pete Magadini ranks with Menza's best. He takes hard-driving solos on four jazz standards (including "Confirmation" and Thelonious Monk's "I Mean You"), a couple of blues by drummer Magadini, and his own "Rose Tattoo." This live session finds Menza in top form, showing both humor and versatility in his swinging solos. Recommended. ~by Scott Yanow

Live At Claudio's

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Misha - Dreaming With Eyes Wide Awake

Size: 132,9 MB
Time: 56:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Here Comes Autumn Again (4:53)
02. No Cure (4:54)
03. Where Do I Belong (7:49)
04. Hello, How Are You Doing (5:50)
05. She Wonders Why (4:59)
06. Family Games (4:25)
07. Day And Night (3:29)
08. The House Is Quiet (4:57)
09. Dreaming With Eyes Wide Awake (6:29)
10. Yet Another Love Song (4:27)
11. Time (4:18)

Michaela Steinhauer is a German-born, New York based singer and this self-produced album features eleven of her own compositions and arrangements. These dreamy, romantic numbers benefit from her choice of accomplished musicians, not least Hendrik Meurkens who contributes elegant harmonica featured on five of the songs and vibraphone on another five.

Despite having spent much of her life in Germany and ten years in Moscow, she delivers the songs in perfect English with scarcely a trace of a Continental European accent. Songs such as the wistful "Where I Do Belong?" are evinced with moving poignancy, her voice subtly interlaced with the harmonica.

Not all are ballads, the relatively more strident "Hello, How Are You Doing?" plays well against the vibes and piano. Lyrically, Steinhauer is clearly capable of writing and singing affecting lyrics, as evidenced by numbers like the gentle "She Wonders Why" and the ironically titled "Yet Another Love Song." The lively "Family Games," underpinned by Michal Jaros's walking bass is genuinely foot-tapping and enhanced by Steinhauer's scat singing. The pace quickens with "Day And Night" but is slowed with the elegiac "The House Is Quiet." Meurkens is heard on harmonica again interwoven with Steinhauer's dulcet vocals on the title track.

This is Steinhauer's seventh CD to date and aptly demonstrates her considerable songwriting and singing talents. There's nothing dislikeable here and plenty to like. ~Roger Farbey

Personnel: Misha (Michaela Steinhauer): vocals; Hendrik Meurkens: harmonica, vibraphone; Glauco Lima: piano; Michal Jaros: bass; Samuel Martinelle: drums.

Dreaming With Eyes Wide Awake

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Massimo Farao' Trio - Swingin'

Size: 166,9 MB
Time: 71:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Moanin' (8:09)
02. On A Clear Day (6:22)
03. Almost Like Being In Love (9:21)
04. Yours Is My Heart Alone (7:23)
05. I Hear A Rhapsody (4:41)
06. Just You Just Me (6:27)
07. Falling In Love With Love (8:01)
08. Azule Serape (6:37)
09. A Beautiful Friendship (8:58)
10. Harlem Blues (5:50)

Massimo Farao (16th March 1965 in Genoa) is an Italian jazz - pianist. Massimo Farao studied with Flavio Crivelli and worked with local formations; In 1983 he visited the United States, where he among other things, with the first Red Holloway and Albert 'Tootie' Heath played. In the 1990s he worked with Tony Scott, Adrian Mears, John Enders, Jesse Davis, Franco Ambrosetti, at its Enja -albumsGrazie Italia and Light Breeze he participated. He also played in the Nat Adderley Quintet at a European tour. In 1993 he took for Splasc (h) his debut album For Meon; his teammates included the trumpeter Flavio Boltro and bassist Dado Moroni. In 1995 the album Ciao Baby (on Monad).

In Trio with Ira Coleman and Jeff Tain Watts played Farao 1998 Brooklyn for Enja album Black Inside a; 2000 followed (also on Enja) the recorded in trio and quartet album Thorn on which Drew Gress, Jack DeJohnette and saxophonist Chris Potter participated. In 2001, he was (with Wayne Dockery and Bobby Durham)member of the quartet of Archie Shepp; 2001-2005 was the artistic director of the jazz department Farao the label Azzrra Music. In 2003, he stepped on the Jazz Piano Festival in Lucerne. In 2006 he recorded an album with compositions by Ennio Morricone on; In 2007 he toured in a trio with Joey DeFrancesco through Europe and the USA.

Swingin'

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Simone Honijk - From This Moment On

Size: 113,3 MB
Time: 48:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Astronaut (3:24)
02. Slap That Bass (3:18)
03. The Healing (5:24)
04. From This Moment On (3:26)
05. Prepared For Midwinter (4:30)
06. Pensativa (5:02)
07. Fascinating Rhythm (4:01)
08. Dance For The Old People (3:35)
09. Dream Dancing (5:14)
10. A Drug Called Love (4:15)
11. Dienda (6:18)

At the age of ten Simone Honijk started with classical piano lessons and continued these lessons for nine years. However, over time, singing became her real passion! From the age of 20 she took vocal lessons with professional teachers (pop and jazz styles) and attended many vocal improvisational and interpretaional workshops with various professionals. (i.e. Mathilde Santing, Carmen Gomes, Joris Teepe, Sheila Jordan, Jody Gilbert).

Simone later started performing and singing in an a capella vo cal group, a small jazz choir and as a backing vocalist of a soul/funk band. Then, wanting to try her wings as a soloist, she started a duo with professional guitarist Cees Swart, performing a repertoire of jazz and pop songs, as well as his own compositio ns. In the years following, she felt her heart pull more towards the jazz idiom, because of her love for improvisation and freedom of interpretation. She then dove deeper into more modern and mainstream jazz styles with various Dutch jazz groups (i.e. conc ert in Cristofori, Amsterdam with Rob van Bavel, Jasper van Hulten en Rene van Beeck in sept. 2005). In addition, Simone sang with various bigband ensembles; along with guest performers, such as Frits Landesbergen. In 1999 she attended the Vocal Jazz Works hop at Stanford (Palo Alto, California, USA). There, she studied with Madeline Eastman, Judy Niemack and Dena De Rose as well as the guest teacher Kenny Barron.

In 2005, Simone completed her studies at the Vocal Jazz Department at the Amsterdam Conservatory and obtained her degree. In the Conservatory she actively attended clinics given by Deborah Brown, Mark Murphy, Nancy Marano, Rhiannon, Edwin Rutten and Ronald Douglas: as well as masterclasses by Bobby Mc Ferrin, Dianne Reeves and Dee Daniels. Upon co mpletion of her degree,she studied acting and singing at the A m- sterdam Theatreschool. Since 2003 she has been performing with her own jazz group, "The Simone Honijk Quartet" and as a guest vocalist of different professional jazz ensembles. Since 2008 Sim one has been working in projects in which they are certain composers or jazz musicians Central (D. Ellington/B. Strayhorn, Bill Evans, 2012 Stephen Sondheim and in 201 3 project about Tadd Dameron with also her own lyrics ). In 2012 she also organized (together with the jazz singer Karen Vrijburg) 10 special concerts for piano trio 's called "To The Full".

From This Moment On

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George Anderson - Body And Soul (Deluxe Edition)

Size: 167,8 MB
Time: 71:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Smooth Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk
Art: Front

01. Intro (0:14)
02. G Funk (5:54)
03. Joys Of Life (3:21)
04. Don't Waste My Time (3:56)
05. Interlude, Pt. 1 (0:16)
06. Miller Time (4:02)
07. Beautiful (5:06)
08. Miracle (4:00)
09. Interlude, Pt. 2 (0:12)
10. Festival De La Vida (4:51)
11. All Or Nothing (3:32)
12. Promised Land (3:16)
13. It's Our World (5:37)
14. Cape Town 2017 (4:42)
15. Can't Hide Love (5:05)
16. G Funk (Funk Party Mix) (3:24)
17. G Funk (Funk Party Extended Mix) (3:58)
18. G Funk (Old School DJ Extended Mix) (6:18)
19. G Funk (Old School DJ Radio Mix) (3:50)

Celebrated British bassist GEORGE ANDERSON leads an unusual dual musical life. He is, of course, best known for his work with smooth jazz icons Shakatak. He's a key member of the band – on the road and in the studio. George was also instrumental in co-writing many of Shakatak's best tunes ....most famously 'Day by Day' featuring Grammy award winner Al Jarreau. George was responsible too for co-writing the song 'Perfect Smile' which was a smooth-jazz radio play hit in the US for Shakatak in the 90's.

George, though, also fronts his own band and under his own name he's released three solo albums... 'Positivity', 'Expressions' and 'George Anderson Band... From Cape Town To London'. On that latter, our man was brave enough to tackle George Duke's 'Brazilian Love Affair' and Luther Vandross' 'Never Too Much' while his own 'Back In the Day' (from 'Expressions' and featuring vocals from Debby Bracknell) won George loadsa friends in the modern soul community.

Mr Anderson is now all set to release a fourth solo set... 'Body and Soul'. The lead single pairs a smooth but tough in places 'Don't Waste' with a grittier 'Gfunk'. The title of that kinda says it all! Both feature a feisty femme vocal (Mary Pearce) and blistering bass lines. Both auger well for the long player!

Body And Soul

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McCoy Tyner - Nights Of Ballads And Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:32
Size: 88.2 MB
Styles: Soul jazz
Year: 1963/2016
Art: Front

[5:36] 1. Satin Doll
[3:36] 2. We'll Be Together Again
[6:18] 3. 'Round Midnight
[3:49] 4. For Heaven's Sake
[5:00] 5. Star Eyes
[5:18] 6. Blue Monk
[5:31] 7. Groove Waltz
[3:20] 8. Days Of Wine And Roses

Lex Humphries/Drums; Steve Davis/Bass; McCoy Tyner/Piano.

As the title implies, this McCoy Tyner release is a low-key, after-hours affair. Far removed from the intensity of work with then-boss John Coltrane, Tyner stretches out on a fine mix of standards and bebop classics. The pianist, of course, always had his own fleet and rich way with ballads, in spite of the galvanizing marathon solos he became known for on live dates and his later experimental recordings with Coltrane. His ballad style is even touched with a bit of sentimentality, which thankfully is kept in check by a bevy of tasteful lines. Backed by the topnotch rhythm tandem of bassist Steve Davis and drummer Lex Humphries, Tyner finds the room to develop classic statements on highlights like Monk's "'Round Midnight," Ellington and Strayhorn's "Satin Doll," and Parker's "Star Eyes." On more easeful tracks like "For Heaven's Sake," Tyner utilizes his block chord approach to meditative and romantic effect. Rounded out by solid blues sides like "Blue Monk" and Tyner's own "Groove Waltz," Nights of Ballads & Blues qualifies as one of the pianist's most enjoyable early discs. ~Stephen Cook

Nights Of Ballads And Blues

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Jamil Sheriff Big Band - Ichthyology

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:36
Size: 147.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[5:32] 1. Future Car
[9:00] 2. Ichthyology
[6:39] 3. T.T.F
[9:07] 4. Ewiz
[5:51] 5. Blues Through The Night
[8:18] 6. Themes
[6:38] 7. On The Wall
[6:54] 8. Tick Tock
[6:32] 9. Calmforth

Pianist/composer Jamil Sheriff, a pivotal figure in the influential jazz programme at Leeds College of Music, has made a real difference to the vitality of the jazz scene in the north. Ichthyology was commissioned in 2010 by the PRS for Music Foundation – and Sheriff's affection for 1960s hard-bop gives the soloists in a fine northern orchestra (including saxophonists Joel Purnell and Tori Freestone) their cues. A classic late-50s modal-jazz hook launches the intricate Future Car; the title track swaps sumptuous brass and sax phrases expanded on by Sheriff and the trumpets; Jamie Taylor's edgy fusion guitar burns through TTF; and Purnell's electronic EWI sax adds unusual pungency. Sheriff's inventiveness can tempt him into piling everything he knows into a song, and the band sometimes swaps themes so restlessly that daydreams of minimally eventful ECM sessions can distract the mind. But the leader is often inspired at updating the straight-ahead, and the stomping Blues Through the Night, a traditional hard-groover that would blow the roof off in a live show, is an exuberant episode to savour from this accomplished session. ~John Fordham

Ichthyology

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Ingrid James, Alexis Tcholakian Trio - Trajectoire

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:37
Size: 129.6 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[6:29] 1. A Timeless Place-The Peacocks
[4:08] 2. Trajectoire
[5:06] 3. An Angel Touched Me
[6:50] 4. Blue Confluence
[4:49] 5. Jagged Thorn
[4:22] 6. Midsummer Flower
[5:18] 7. A Page Has Turned
[5:18] 8. Night Reflection
[4:40] 9. Circle Of Love
[4:08] 10. Dance With Me
[5:24] 11. It's Not Over

Ingrid James: vocals; Alexis Tcholakian: piano; Simon Teboul: bass; Thierry Tardieu: drums; Simon Spang-Hanssen: saxophone; Miroslav Bukovsky: flugelhorn; Mariane Bitran: flute; Guillaume Muschalle: guitar; Todd Harrison: drums.

Trajectoire is a collaboration between the French pianist composer Alexis Tcholakian and the Queensland based vocalist Ingrid James. Their paths crossed in France when she was performing in a Paris jazz club when he approached her to write lyrics to some of his melodies as part of a vocal project with other singers in France. After completion of several songs together it felt right for them to do an album and in June 2014 Trajectorie was recorded in Paris.

Consisting mostly of their original compositions (the one exception being a comely version of the Jimmy Rowles standard "The Peacocks" with lyrics by Norma Winstone) this vocally outstanding album is now available through Newmarket Music in Australia. Throughout the recording Tcholakian's pianoforte is flawless on every track. His world class trio accompanies him dextrously on every move, slipping and gliding through the various stories of love, disillusion, hope and hip jazz life like a Maserati manoeuvring the climbs and gradients of a curving mountainous path. There are highs and lows at every turn and Ms James is always in command vocally at the wheel of this transcendently impressive outing with her flawless technique and gilded timbre. Adding to this are some magical improvisational moments from the wind section especially Simon Span—Hanssen's tenor on several tracks and Mariane Bitran's flute on the title track. Miroslav Bukovsky's sympathetic flugelhorn on "Night Reflection" mourns wistfully on a soulful ode to the brevity of life. May their paths continue to cross in many harmonious musical journeys in the future. ~Barry O'Sullivan

Trajectoire

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Stefano Bollani - Ma L'amore No

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:43
Size: 118.4 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[5:53] 1. Here's To Life
[4:49] 2. Se Non Avessi Piu Te
[5:46] 3. Ma L'amore No
[4:25] 4. Arrivederci
[4:32] 5. Una Lacrima Sul Viso
[4:57] 6. De Conversa Em Conversa
[6:27] 7. Sono Cotento
[6:11] 8. Non Ho L'eta Per Amarti
[1:55] 9. Boccuccia Di Rosa
[6:45] 10. I'm Beginning To See The Light

Bass – Ares Tavolazzi; Drums – Walter Paoli; Piano – Stefano Bollani; Vocals – Stefano Bollani. Recorded at The House Recording Studio in Rome on January, 27 and 28 2004.

Jazz pianist Stefano Bollani was born in Milan, Italy, on December 5, 1972. He began playing piano as a child in order to accompany his singing, but soon concentrated solely on the instrument, enrolling in a conservatory in Florence when he was 11. There, he studied both jazz and pop music, and after graduating in 1993, added his keyboard skills to albums for many of Italy's top pop stars, including Laura Pausini, Irene Grandi, and Jovanotti. When working with the latter in 1996 he met avant-garde jazz trumpeter Enrico Rava, who invited the young pianist to play with him in Paris, an opportunity Bollani quickly accepted. He then began to release more jazz albums, first with his trio (completed by bassist Ares Tavolazzi and drummer Walter Paoli) but also as a solo artist (like on 2003's Småt Småt and 2006's Piano Solo) as well as with other trios (2002's Fleurs Bleues drew from the talents of bassist Scott Colley and drummer Clarence Penn, while 2005's Gleda: Songs from Scandinavia used his trio with bassist Jesper Bodilsen and drummer Morten Lund) and even a quintet (2006's I Visionari). Bollani has also appeared on stages at the Umbria and Montreal Jazz Festivals, among others, and has performed with musicians like Gato Barbieri, Lee Konitz, Pat Metheny, Paolo Fresu, and Phil Woods. ~ Marisa Brown & Thom Jurek

Ma L'amore No

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Barbara Lea - Lea In Love

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 36:00

Size: 82.4 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz

Year: 1956/1990

Art: Front

[3:48] 1. Will I Find My Love Today

[2:03] 2. We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together

[3:21] 3. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To

[2:02] 4. Am I In Love

[3:08] 5. The Very Thought Of You

[2:14] 6. I've Got My Eyes On You

[2:57] 7. True Love

[2:20] 8. Mountain Greenery

[4:40] 9. More Than You Know

[2:42] 10. Ain't Misbehavin'

[3:19] 11. Autumn Leaves

[3:21] 12. Sleep Peaceful, Mr. Used-To-Be

Bass – Al Hall; Drums – Osie Johnson; Guitar – Al Casamenti; Horn [Alto Horn] – Dick Cary; Piano – Dick Cary, Jimmy Lyons; Trumpet, Leader – Johnny Windhurst; Vocals – Barbara Lea.

Singer Barbara Lea often recalls her idol and friend Lee Wiley on this set of love songs. The backup is uniformly tasteful but changes from song to song with such impressive stylists as trumpeter Johnny Windhurst, baritonist Ernie Caceres, Garvin Bushell (on oboe and bassoon), Dick Cary (the arranger on piano and alto horn), guitarist Jimmy Raney and (on a beautiful version of "True Love") harpist Adele Girard making memorable appearances. Lea's straightforward and heartfelt delivery is heard at its best on such songs as "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "Mountain Greenery," "More than You Know" and "Autumn Leaves" (which is partly taken in French). These interpretations are often touching. ~Scott Yanow

Lea in Love

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Lenny Breau - Cabin Fever

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:31
Size: 120.2 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1997/2014
Art: Front

[ 7:03] 1. Lenny's Warm Up And Improvisation Of Autumn Leaves
[ 2:14] 2. Lenny's Mood
[ 1:34] 3. East Side
[ 4:29] 4. You Came To Me Out Of Nowhere
[ 7:48] 5. What Is This Thing Called Love
[10:33] 6. Days Of Wine And Roses
[ 6:56] 7. Lenny's Mode
[ 6:30] 8. Here's That Rainy Day
[ 5:19] 9. Celtic Dream Stream

Almost any jazz fan who has become very familiar with recordings by the late guitarist Lenny Breau is likely very aware of his tremendous battles with drug addiction, which both hampered his career and shortened his life considerably. This undated studio session came about after a friend, Glen McDonald, bailed Breau out of jail and isolated him in his remote cabin -- which lacked electricity, heat, running water, or plumbing -- in an effort to straighten him out. So how was this session recorded? Breau, who plays acoustic guitar throughout this CD, was taped because a generator was available to power the tape machine and two microphones; the results are simply amazing. This is a talented artist heard woodshedding for his audience of one, mixing standards such as "Out of Nowhere" and "What Is This Thing Called Love?" with captivating originals like "Lenny's Mode" and the soft improvisation "Celtic Dream Stream." The lack of formal studio post-production adds to the appeal of this disc because the listener gets the feeling of being Breau's sole audience, so an occasional warmup passage or bit of conversation don't prove to be distracting. A brief interview with McDonald (which isn't listed in the CD packaging) concludes the disc. Released following Breau's death in 1984 by Guitarchives, a label founded to share his music on a wider scale, this CD is an excellent place to start an exploration of his brilliant musicianship. ~Ken Dryden

Cabin Fever

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Hal Galper - Reach Out!

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1976
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:53
Size: 116,7 MB
Art: Front

( 9:13)  1. Reach Out
( 7:15)  2. I'll Never Stop Loving You
( 5:57)  3. Spidit
( 3:51)  4. My Man's Gone Now
( 8:09)  5. Waiting for Chet
( 3:14)  6. I Can't Get Started
(13:11)  7. Children of the Night

Hal Galper was on a tear during the 1970s, writing a number of adventurous post-bop compositions and getting regular opportunities to record them. This 1976 studio session for Steeplechase features the pianist with trumpeter Randy Brecker, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, bassist Wayne Dockery, and drummer Billy Hart. The turbulent opener, "Reach Out," must have been incredible to hear in a live setting; this studio version features an intense, constantly searching solo by the leader, as well as impassioned solos by the Brecker Brothers. Michael switches to flute for the brisk "Spidit," which blends post-bop and elements of Latin jazz. Galper, a former sideman for Chet Baker, penned the multi-faceted "Waiting for Chet," possibly to represent the tumultuous life of the troubled trumpeter; in this song, Michael starts on flute but switches to tenor sax. The leader arranged terrific interpretations of two Gershwin standards. Ending the CD is the extended composition "Children of the Night," in which everyone solos, though everyone drops out as Wayne Dockery delivers a stunning performance. This is easily one of Hal Galper's best recordings. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/reach-out-mw0000191866

Personnel: Hal Galper (piano); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Wayne Dockery (bass); Billy Hart (drums).

Reach Out!

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Barbra Lica - Who Knows ?

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:19
Size: 106,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:56)  1. Just in Time
(2:07)  2. The Food Song
(3:16)  3. London Town
(4:15)  4. His
(3:48)  5. Who Knows
(2:49)  6. What's in a Name
(4:58)  7. Nashville
(2:47)  8. Fishies
(4:04)  9. Kissing You
(3:57) 10. 5 O'Clock Lullaby
(4:18) 11. I Wish You Love
(3:52) 12. Canoe
(3:07) 13. Star Up

Juno-nominated artist Barbra Lica is a fast-rising star in the Canadian music scene and has been receiving accolades for a unique vocal ability that stresses subtlety and grace. Based in Toronto, Canada, Barbra’s live show captivates audiences all over North America with her genuine warmth and confident stage presence.  A deep passion for the music of classic vocalists like Doris Day and Ella Fitzgerald led Barbra to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto. Shortly after graduating, Barbra was runner-up in the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz VocalCompetition with judges Al Jarreau and Gretchen Parlato. Now a seasoned live act on the Canadian club and festival circuit, Barbra consistently performs in intimate spaces and prestigious theatres, such as Toronto’s Jazz Bistro and Koerner Hall. Most recently, she has been billed as an opening act for the likes of Christian McBride, Pat Metheny, and Terence Blanchard.  Barbra’s debut album That’s What I Do (Triplet / Universal Jazz Japan) was released to widespread acclaim in 2012, ranking her in Canada’s Top 5 Jazz singers on the CBC, as well Top 5 up-and-coming Toronto jazz artists on blogTO.  Her band made their Japanese debut live at the Tokyo International Jazz Festival in 2015 for over 1000 audience members. She is now promoting her latest project, I’m Still Learning, which was released September 2016 by Justin Time Records. It introduces all new original music from Barbra and was nominated for a 2017 Juno Award in the category of “Best Vocal Jazz Album”. It features a stellar band including Larnell Lewis on drums (Snarky Puppy, Laila Biali), Marc Rogers on bass (The Philosopher Kings, Nikki Yanofsky), Lou Pomanti on piano (Michael Bublé, Gordon Lightfoot) and acclaimed pop songwriter-guitarist James Bryan on guitar (Nelly Furtado, Olly Murs). It also presents Barbra’s touring band of up-and-coming jazz musicians who will be joining her on her summer/fall 2017 tour of Canada and the U.S. Barbra’s versatility as a performer continues to grow along with her fan base. "Barbra Lica is a dazzling performer who has talent to burn and vocals that will knock you over.” – Ross Porter (Ceo & President, Jazz.Fm91) http://www.barbralicamusic.com/about

Who Knows ?

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Lee Konitz - Very Cool

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:13
Size: 97,1 MB
Art: Front

(8:08)  1. Sunflower
(5:23)  2. Stairway To The Stars
(7:49)  3. Movin' Around
(7:13)  4. Kary's Trance
(7:27)  5. Crazy She Calls Me
(6:10)  6. Billie's Bounce

One of the most individual of all altoists (and one of the few in the 1950s who did not sound like a cousin of Charlie Parker), the cool-toned Lee Konitz has always had a strong musical curiosity, leading him to consistently take chances and stretch himself, usually quite successfully. Early on he studied clarinet, switched to alto, and played with Jerry Wald. Konitz gained some attention for his solos with Claude Thornhill & His Orchestra (1947). He began studying with Lennie Tristano, who had a big influence on his conception and approach to improvising. Konitz was with Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool Nonet during their one gig and their Capitol recordings (1948-1950) and recorded with Lennie Tristano's innovative sextet (1949), including the first two free improvisations ever documented. Konitz blended very well with Warne Marsh's tenor (their unisons on "Wow" are miraculous) and would have several reunions with both Tristano and Marsh through the years, but he was also interested in finding his own way; by the early '50s he started breaking away from the Tristano school. Konitz toured Scandinavia (1951), where his cool sound was influential, and he fit in surprisingly well with Stan Kenton & His Orchestra (1952-1954), being featured on many charts by Bill Holman and Bill Russo. Konitz was primarily a leader from that point on. 

He almost retired from music in the early '60s but re-emerged a few years later. His recordings have ranged from cool bop to thoughtful free improvisations, and his Milestone set of Duets (1967) is a classic. In the '70s and '80s, Konitz increased his recorded output, issuing consistently stimulating sessions for such labels as SteepleChase, Philogy, Soul Note, and others. In 1992, he won the prestigious Jazzpar Prize. He kept a busy release schedule throughout the '90s and dabbled in the world of classical music with 2000's French Impressionist Music from the Turn of the Twentieth Century. The Mark Masters Ensemble joined him for 2004's One Day with Lee, and in 2007 he recorded Portology with the Ohad Talmor Big Band. He has recorded on soprano and tenor but has mostly stuck to his distinctive alto. In 2011, he released his own trio album Knowinglee and appeared on the live ECM date Live at Birdland (recorded in 2009) with pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Paul Motian. Three years later, he joined Dan Tepfer, Michael Janisch, and Jeff Williams for First Meeting: Live in London, Vol. 1. In 2017, Konitz delivered the quartet date Frescalalto, featuring pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington. ~ Scott Yanow https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lee-konitz/id1386802#fullText

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz;  Bass – Peter Ind;  Drums – Shadow Wilson;  Piano – Sal Mosca;  Trumpet – Don Ferrara

Very Cool

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Simon Nabatov & Tom Rainey - Steady Now

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:34
Size: 160,0 MB
Art: Front

( 4:52)  1. Open Air
( 9:23)  2. Cold Cuts
( 8:51)  3. Nao Olhe Para Tras
( 6:53)  4. Bird's Eye View
( 6:19)  5. Agrinte
( 5:48)  6. Crackle 'n Pop
( 5:29)  7. Four Fofo
( 7:37)  8. Vamp Vitale
(14:18)  9. Fare Well

Simon Nabatov, a remarkable jazz pianist and composer, was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1959. Since his father was a musician, Nabatov's first steps into the world of music came very early. At the tender age of three he began learning to play the piano; by his sixth birthday he was composing. He later attended the Central School of Music, and next the Moscow Conservatory. His preference, and talent, for jazz was soon evident to all. In 1979, Nabatov crossed the threshold into the professional world of jazz in a little club in Rome. He performed there in place of pianist Dick Wellstood. A year later, Nabatov entered New York's famous Juilliard School of Music, made possible because his family had left Moscow and settled in the United States. In 1984, only a year out of music school, Keyboard Magazine named Nabatov as Best Pianist. Over the following years, Nabatov worked with many well-known jazz artists like Kenny Wheeler, Chet Baker, Sonny Fortune, Ray Anderson, George Adams, Mark Feldman, and Attila Zoller. Nabatov also performed with the Perry Robinson Quartet, the Klaus König Orchestra, and the Ray Anderson Quartet, among others. In 1985, Nabatov won second place in the International Great Jazz Pianist Competition in the United States. The next year, he recorded the album Circle the Line with bassist Ed Schuller and drummer Paul Motian. Two years later, ENJA Records released his album Inside Looking Out. In 1989, Nabatov left New York to move to Cologne, Germany. That same year he won third place in the Martial Solal International Jazz Piano Competition in France. He has also been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant. The album For All the Marbles Suite, recorded under the ASP label, hit the stores in 1991. The Switzerland-based Hatology label released Sneak Preview. In 1993 Nabatov recorded Tough Customer with drummer Tom Rainey and bassist Mark Helias. The album featured unique tracks like "Sage," "Puzzled," and "Simple Simon." During his career, Nabatov has also been a teacher, working at schools such as the Folkwang Hochschule, the International Jazz and Rock Academy, and the Musikhochschule Luzern. ~ Charlotte Dillon http://www.allmusic.com/artist/simon-nabatov-mn0000037894/biography

Personnel:  Drums – Tom Rainey;  Piano, Performer [Small Objects], Synthesizer [Cracklebox] – Simon Nabatov

Steady Now

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