Judy Holliday - Broadway To Hollywood

Size: 156,1 MB
Time: 66:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Full Of Life (2:38)
02. These Will Be The Good Old Days (Twenty Years From Now) (2:22)
03. Trouble Is A Man (2:38)
04. How About Me (3:31)
05. What I Was Warned About (2:32)
06. I Got Lost In His Arms (3:27)
07. What'll I Do (2:45)
08. Lonely Town (3:41)
09. Am I Blue (2:57)
10. Confession (1:59)
11. An Occasional Man (2:19)
12. A Ride On A Rainbow (3:37)
13. Where Have You Been (3:15)
14. I'm One Of God's Children (Who Hasn't Got Wings) (3:11)
15. Loving You (2:16)
16. The Party's Over (2:27)
17. It's A Perfect Relationship (3:10)
18. Better Than A Dream (2:42)
19. Just In Time (4:02)
20. Drop That Name (2:10)
21. The Party's Over (Alt. Version) (3:12)
22. I'm Going Back (3:28)
23. Finale (1:47)

Judy Holliday was a beloved Hollywood and Broadway actress who came to fame portraying the epitome of the 'dumb blonde' in the classic movie 'Born Yesterday'. This new collection from Jasmine contains her two famous recordings "Trouble Is A Man" and "Bells Are Ringing" which was the official soundtrack album from her hit movie based on the original Broadway musical. Such was the popularity of 'Bells Are Ringing', numbers such as "Just In Time" which also features Dean Martin and "The Party's Over" went on to become pop standards. This is a real collector's item for fans of the great Hollywood stars of the 50s and 60s.

Broadway To Hollywood

---

Denise King & Massimo Farao Trio - Songs With Love

Size: 159,7 MB
Time: 67:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. The Look Of Love (3:07)
02. Say You, Say Me (3:07)
03. Back To Black (3:38)
04. Dindi (4:09)
05. Sway (3:05)
06. The Girl Of Ipanema (3:34)
07. And I Love Her (3:51)
08. Night And Day (2:30)
09. Another Star (3:22)
10. I'm In The Mood For Love (2:57)
11. Our Love Is Here To Stay (2:15)
12. Dream A Little Dream Of Me (2:49)
13. Falling In Love With Love (2:20)
14. Fly Me To The Moon (3:01)
15. Georgia On My Mind (5:15)
16. Wave (4:38)
17. Give Me The Night (2:39)
18. Corcovado (4:18)
19. Guess Who I Saw Today (3:52)
20. Stuck On You (3:07)

Influenced by Nancy Wilson, Marlena Shaw and Sarah Vaughan, Denise King is an expressive, big-voiced singer who combines jazz with elements of R&B, blues and gospel. King was born and raised in Philadelphia, where she was exposed to R&B as a child and discovered jazz at 12 thanks to an uncle who was an avid record collector. After graduating from high school, the Philadelphian entered the medical field and earned her living as a technician and a family-planning counselor. King was in her early 30s when she started doing club gigs around Philly, and eventually, she became a full-time singer. Though she's no stranger to standards, one of King's strong points has been her ability to provide jazz interpretations of rock and soul hits -- in fact, she has turned everything from Santana's "Evil Ways" to Ruby & the Romantics' "Our Day Will Come" into swinging acoustic jazz. King started recording in the 1990s, offering Live In Japan: I Remember You in 1993, Now Ain't That Love in 1996 and Simply Mellow in 1997. ~ Alex Henderson

Songs With Love

---

Joe Pass Quartet & Septet - Walking Up: Early Recordings

Size: 176,0+177,2 MB
Time: 75:36+75:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz: Guitar Jazz
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. C.E.D (3:16)
02. Aaron's Song (4:27)
03. Stay Loose (4:24)
04. Projections (5:12)
05. Hang Tough (6:32)
06. Self-Image (9:04)
07. Last Call For Coffee (4:40)
08. Blues (4:36)
09. Catch Me (Forward Pass No. 1) (3:14)
10. Days Of Wine And Roses (2:52)
11. You Stepped Out Of A Dream (3:06)
12. But Beautiful (2:39)
13. Mood Indigo (5:08)
14. It's All Right With Me (3:00)
15. Deep Purple (5:06)
16. Tangerine (3:11)
17. There Will Never Be Another You (5:03)

CD 2:
01. Bags' Groove (No. 1) (3:53)
02. There Is No Greater Love (3:58)
03. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes (3:33)
04. No Cover, No Minimum (5:41)
05. Just Friends (3:38)
06. Walking Up (3:18)
07. Peri's Scope (2:45)
08. Catch Me (Forward Pass No. 2) (3:10)
09. Summertime (6:23)
10. Falling In Love With Love (5:49)
11. These Foolish Things (5:20)
12. Joe's Tune (Samba) (2:25)
13. Stragler (4:04)
14. Simon Potter (5:20)
15. Catch Up (Forward Pass No. 3) (2:57)
16. Sermonette (2:30)
17. Bags' Groove (No. 2) (3:10)
18. Sister Sadie (4:17)
19. Li'l Darlin' (3:39)

This edition contains Joe Pass’ earliest recordings as a leader. It including his complete original long unavailable 1962 LP "Sounds of Synanon" (Pacific Jazz PJ48), It presents an unusual instrumental combination with baritone horn and bongos in a program of originals by Pass and other members of the band. All of the musicians there, including Pass himself, were patients recuperating at the Synanon Drug Center in California at that time, hence the title of the album.

In addition to the seven songs on the original LP, this release also boasts a rarely heard blues that completes the session, as well as a selection of Pass’ earliest quartet dates under his own name.

PERSONNEL:
JOE PASS, guitar on all tracks, plus:

CD 1 [1-8]:
DAVE ALLAN, trumpet; GREG DYKES, baritone horn; ARNOLD ROSS, piano;
RONALD CLARK, bass; BILL CRAWFORD, drums; CANDY LATSON, bongos.

CD 1 [9-15]:
CLARE FISCHER, piano & organ; RALPH PEÑA, bass; LARRY BUNKER, drums.

CD 1 [16-17] & CD 2 [1-3]:
Unknown, piano/organ; RALPH PEÑA or JIM HUGHART, bass;
LARRY BUNKER or COLIN BAILEY, drums.

CD 2 [4-10]:
CLARE FISCHER, piano & organ; ALBERT STINSON, bass; COLIN BAILEY, drums.

CD 2 [11-15]:
LES McCANN, piano; HERBIE LEWIS, bass; PAUL HUMPHREY, drums.

CD 2 [16-19]:
LES McCANN, piano; PAUL CHAMBERS, bass; PAUL HUMPHREY, drums.

Walking Up CD 1
Walking Up CD 2

---

Elsa Nilsson - Salt Wind

Size: 125,1 MB
Time: 53:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz/Folk Vocals
Art: Front

01. Tiny Bridges, Homemade Islands (5:04)
02. Shift (6:14)
03. Someone For Something (6:38)
04. Inside Brooklyn Thunder (8:09)
05. Hedning (4:50)
06. Staffans Visan (6:08)
07. Continuum (5:40)
08. Byssan Lull (4:41)
09. Lucia (6:18)

Many instrumental genres feature different schools of performance, such as the French school of flute playing, following Claude-Paul Taffanel. or the Russian flute school after Vladimir Tsybin. Even in jazz’ short history we find the Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins schools of tenor saxophone performance, for example. When it comes to the flute in jazz, however, while great players such as Hubert Laws, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, James Newton, etc. have left their mark on the techniques adopted by jazz players, there are still about as many schools of jazz flute as there are jazz flutists.

Having said that, what does it mean to say that Elsa Nilsson is a unique voice in the field of jazz flute? There have been a lot of influences on jazz flutists, many from world music, particularly as it refers to jazz’s “first fusion” — Latin jazz, as flutists have readily assimilated influences from Brazil, Cuba, Argentina etc. Alternatively, players such as John Wubbenhorst and Deepak Ram have brought the sound of the Indian bansuri into jazz. In Elsa’s case, however, she has brought together influences from more unusual sources.

As stated in her website bio, Elsa “. . . believes the true beauty of music is its ability to create common ground, and she weaves all kinds of folk music (including jazz) to find a deeper understanding between people and cultures.” In her case, growing up in Sweden and assimilating Swedish folk music created a foundation, to which she added a passion for jazz acquired after moving to the United States. But these days, as we have noted, jazz is a multi-faceted genre, and immersion in jazz opens the door to many other influences. Elsa has embraced all of this in her development as an artist while retaining a very personal perspective. Referring to her new recording, Salt Wind, she writes that: “. . . it draws from all the influences I treasure including jazz, rock, Swedish traditional music, Bulgarian, Brazilian, African, and Syrian melodies and grooves.” As she points out, however, “My intention was not to try to create an authentic example of any of these styles, but rather to be genuinely and openly influenced by them and express them in my own way.”

Elsa goes on to succinctly describe the essence of the music on this recording and the wealth of diverse influences on her playing. As she describes them, each selection reflects aspects of Elsa’s personal experience, both musical and personal, from the Swedish Christmas song Staffans Visan to Continuum which came to her while biking around Brooklyn. Byssan Lull draws on a melody Elsa has encountered in several different settings, from Ukranian Punk Jazz to, again, Swedish folk music. Shift reflects the complex rhythms of Bulgarian wedding music – shades of 17/8 – while Lucia blends a Swedish melody with Syrian rhythms. As a change of pace, Nilsson displays her vocal prowess on Hedning which is a kind of Swedish heavy metal.

While these insights demonstrate the musicological background to Nilsson’s work they are by no means necessary for the pure enjoyment of the music which combines lightness and strength in a most appealing manner. Adding to the strength is guitarist Jeff McLaughlin who contributes some of the more muscular, jazz-centered playing to the date. The rhythm section, bassist Alex Minier and drummer Cody Rahn provide support of great sensitivity, following Nilsson and McLaughlin sure-footedly through every facet of the music.

Along with the breadth of conception and facility of execution, as an example of some of the areas jazz flute music can inhabit, this recording is essential listening. ~by Peter Westbrook

Salt Wind

---

Massimo Farao Trio - Groovin'

Size: 162,4 MB
Time: 69:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. It's All Right With Me (5:49)
02. If I Should Lose You (8:41)
03. It's A Blue World (5:35)
04. For Sentimental Reasons (8:46)
05. Awful Mean (6:22)
06. Bye Bye Blackbird (7:13)
07. Sugar Ray (7:09)
08. The Nearness Of You (6:04)
09. Teach Me Tonight (7:39)
10. Temperance (6:37)

Personnel:
Massimo Farao': piano
Aldo Zunino: bass
Steve Williams: drums

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.

Groovin'

---

Mary Bogue - One Night Of Sin

Size: 152 MB
Time: 24:08
File: FLAC
Released: 2017
Styles: Blues/Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Sneakin' Around (3:07)
02. Night Life (4:12)
03. Rock Me Baby (3:20)
04. One Night Of Sin (3:43)
05. Don't Explain (4:18)
06. I'm Going To Cry You Right Out (3:22)
07. Nice Girls Don't Stay For Breakfast (2:03)

The first time I heard Karen Hernandez on keys, I about fell out. She had Les McCann riffs, and Gene Harris style, while being all Karen. She’s a beautiful soul, and talented beyond belief. . Her resume is astounding, and Les McCann calls her his favorite pianist.

Bringing it on home on bass guitar is Brad Bobo, whose discography includes Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Eddie Harris, Linda Hopkins, Nancy Wilson, and now me. Pinch me, someone. You’ll find the ever cool Jack Le Compte keeping time. I adore Jack, well everyone in L.A. does. He’s a dream to work with, always putting the singers first, laying back and never making a big deal for himself. He’s grace and steel. I love his stick work. On tenor sax is my very favorite sax man, Rickey Woodard. Our call and response on “Don’t Explain” will knock you out. I am the luckiest singer ever. ALL the talents on this CD are Living Legends of Jazz. How about that!

And shout outs to cabaret icon Marilyn Maye who along with the great Billy Stritch changed the tempo and style on “Don’t Explain.” Finally, my dear friend, the great Linda Hopkins has a part on this CD too. When I first met her, she heard me sing at the Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill and then told me I should sing her song, “I’m Going to Cry You Right Out.” I was both nervous and excited to perform for her the next time we met. She cried some happy tears, giving me the greatest compliment ever, “Honey, you sing that song better than I ever did!” Let’s leave it there

Big love to my dear friend Steve Rawlins. This is our third recording collaboration. He is an astonishing arranger, musician, composer, producer, father and grandfather. And he always has my back.

Thank you to all whose energy uplifted and enhanced this work. I just want to say that I hope you enjoy One Night of Sin with me, and when you’re done, go ahead and have One Night of Sin with your significant other. Fall on your knees and confess it all. Love is all there is.

One Night Of Sin

---

Stan Getz - Reflections

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:54
Size: 75.3 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1964/2003
Art: Front

[2:23] 1. Moonlight In Vermont
[2:13] 2. If Ever I Would Leave You
[2:40] 3. Love
[2:41] 4. Reflections
[2:42] 5. Sleeping Bee
[2:37] 6. Charade
[4:00] 7. Early Autumn
[3:15] 8. Penthouse Serenade
[3:57] 9. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
[3:51] 10. Nitetime Street
[2:31] 11. Blowin' In The Wind

Though in 1963 some purists considered Reflections to be certain evidence that Stan Getz had sold out and abandoned "real jazz" completely, the album is actually, while perhaps not a masterpiece, an artful and intriguing sidebar to the tenor saxophonist's now celebrated bossa nova period. Getz was always a sublimely smooth and lyrical player who had already recorded in an orchestral setting on the groundbreaking Focus, and had a number one pop hit with Jazz Samba. It was only natural, then, that he would want to combine the two concepts. Although Reflections does at times bear the slight stench of easy listening (sweeping strings, a Lawrence Welk-like vocal chorus), it's definitely not elevator music. Getz is in as fine form as ever, and the restrictive pop-based song structures challenge him to use his creative faculties in interesting ways. It's a true master musician who can make Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" swing without descending into schmaltzy Trini Lopez territory or losing any of the tune's original melancholic urgency. There are a few tracks, of course, where Getz jumps back into a more straight-ahead and cool jazz bag. The Lalo Schifrin tune "Nitetime Street" features an appropriately bluesy and brooding guitar solo from Kenny Burrell, and Getz's take on "Love" is a wild Latin romp that matches the vitality of anything on his Gilberto/Jobim collaborations. A highly underrated and oft-ignored album, Reflections should be re-evaluated and viewed not as an acceptance of crass commercialism, but as a daring and brilliant artist's attempt to find pure music by blurring the boundaries between jazz and pop. ~Pemberton Roach

Reflections

---

Susie Arioli Swing Band - It's Wonderful

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:06
Size: 112.4 MB
Styles: Standards, Vocal jazz
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[2:25] 1. If Dreams Come True
[3:15] 2. He's Funny That Way
[3:25] 3. What Is This Thing Called Love
[2:49] 4. Lover Come Back To Me
[4:06] 5. It's Wonderful
[5:59] 6. I Cover The Waterfront
[3:48] 7. Reuben's Blues
[2:29] 8. The Big Hurt
[2:33] 9. Trying To Get To You
[3:34] 10. No Smoke Blues
[5:14] 11. I Got It Bad
[2:53] 12. Sailboat In The Moonlight
[3:15] 13. Instrumental #2
[3:14] 14. Blue Prelude

Double Bass [String Bass] – Shane McKenzie, Stephen Barry; Guitar – Jordan Officer, Michael Browne; Trumpet – Aron Doyle; Vocals, Snare – Susie Arioli. Recorded, Mixed & Edited at Le Studio, Morin Heights & Good Noise Studios, Arundel, OC.

Even though this is the first album of her own, Susie Arioli is no newcomer to the vocal game. She has been performing in and around Montreal for several years, and the Susie Arioli Swing Band has also performed at the JVC Jazz Festival in New York. This maiden effort is a happy marriage of classic 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s standards with some non-jazz material. On the standards, Arioli follows firmly in the footsteps of such singers as Billie Holiday, Maxine Sullivan, Peggy Lee, and June Christy. Like them, no matter what she sings, Arioli conveys the lyrics of a song with sensitivity, understanding, and emotion -- just what one might expect to hear from a top-flight vocal artist who knows what she's about.

Arioli's interpretation of "I Cover the Waterfront" is done with a combination of mournful loneliness and hopeful anticipation. In his only appearance, Aaron Doyle plays trumpet figures underneath Arioli to help her set the mood. The album's coda, "Blue Prelude," is reminiscent of Nancy Wilson's 1963 recording. Arioli's version matches Wilson's for the down-in-the-dumps feeling, which comes from the "pain in my soul" caused by terminal heartbreak. Arioli also puts her accomplished snare drum playing on display during the session. On the non-classic standard side, "The Big Hurt" and "It's Wonderful" sound like 1950s pop imports and something that Joni James would be comfortable singing. "Trying to Get to You" by rockabilly star Rose Marie McCoy shows a down-to-earth side of Arioli. Snippets of country swing sneak in on her renditions of "Lover Come Back to Me" and "If Dreams Come True," and it works.

The Susie Arioli Swing Band is augmented by guest guitarist Jordan Officer, who makes immense contributions to the proceedings. He plays an old-style Harmony guitar that gives off a deep, resonant sound, much like a bass pitched slightly higher than usual; the guitar sets off Arioli's voice very nicely. Officer's soloing and Arioli's vocalizing are made more eloquent by the strong presence of Michael Browne's outstanding rhythm guitar. This is a very entertaining CD and hopefully a forerunner of many others to follow. Recommended. ~Dave Nathan

It's Wonderful

---

Joe Traina And His Dectet - Ten By Eleven

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:33
Size: 118.0 MB
Styles: Clarinet jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:39] 1. Easy To Love
[5:22] 2. Dancing In The Dark
[7:56] 3. King For A Day
[3:21] 4. I've Never Been In Love Before
[4:39] 5. Begin The Beguine
[5:49] 6. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
[5:48] 7. Gone With The Wind
[5:35] 8. Little Butterfly
[4:32] 9. Forever On My Mind
[3:48] 10. Something's Gotta Give

Joe Traina has been leader of the Joe Traina Quartet and Quintet since 1990 performing extensively throughout the New York Tri-State area in such notable establishments as The Rainbow Room, Tavern On The Green, The National Arts Club, Sardi's, Metronome, the Mamaroneck Country Club and The Savoy Grill.

The Joe Traina Quintet returned to a triumphant eight-week engagement last September to world-famous Sardi's Restaurant located in the heart of New York's theatre district. The group held forth for over two years in Sardi's Club Room during the 1990s.

Ten By Eleven

---

David Linx, The Brussels Jazz Orchestra - Changing Faces

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 80:42
Size: 184.7 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals, Big band
Year: 2007/2013
Art: Front

[6:11] 1. Deep Night
[6:53] 2. Down On Lovers Lane
[8:09] 3. Black Crow
[5:47] 4. Bilhete
[4:12] 5. Then We'll Be Home
[9:46] 6. A Day's Journey
[4:54] 7. Home, In The Spring
[5:33] 8. The Land Of Joy
[2:17] 9. Por Toda Minha Vida
[5:32] 10. Miziane
[5:34] 11. There Is You
[9:33] 12. Sweet Suite
[6:15] 13. For The Time Being

Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Dieter Limbourg; Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Art Direction – Frank Vaganée; Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Bo Van Der Werf; Bass Trombone – Laurent Hendrick; Double Bass – Jos Machtel; Drums, Cajón – Martijn Vink; Guitar – Hendrik Braeckman, Manu Codjia; Percussion – Minino Garay; Piano – Nathalie Loriers; Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Bart Defoort; Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Kurt van Herck; Trombone – Ben Fleerakkers, Frederik Heirman; Trombone [Lead] – Marc Godfroid; Trumpet [Lead], Flugelhorn – Serge Plume; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Gino Lattuca, Nico Schepers, Pierre Drevet. Recorded at Hogent Studios, Ghent (Belgium).

Never thought I’d be mentioning that pre-Crosby crooner, Rudy Vallee, in this space, but one of the tunes associated with the megaphone meister, “Deep Night,” receives a surprisingly hip, propulsive makeover. It typifies the extremes to be found here. Linx, the Belgian jazz singer, will resort to any idiom, any language, any time signature. Occasionally he seems to dispense with bar lines altogether, or he will go beyond lyrics, as he abandons his own words on “A Day’s Journey,” for some free-wheeling scat. “Home, In the Spring” features Linx and the wordless Natalie Dessay in a wistful duet. While he strains for falsetto, she leaps octaves effortlessly. The most impressive tour de force is “The Land of Joy,” in which Linx resorts to jet-speed unison scat with pianist Nathalie Loriers. Linx wrote some of the tunes, which compete quite well against entries by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Joni Mitchell. He can do it all, at the highest level of professionalism, like the superb Brussels Jazz Orchestra, a 17-piece band, used to the coloristic effects that accrue from their apparently endless doublings. ~Harvey Siders

Changing Faces

---

Harry James - It's Been A Long, Long Time

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:52
Size: 160.0 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[3:04] 1. It's Been A Long, Long Time
[2:46] 2. Jubilee
[2:58] 3. Melancholy Rhapsody
[2:46] 4. Some Of These Days
[3:31] 5. Moanin' Low
[3:04] 6. Life Goes To A Party
[3:16] 7. Music Makers
[3:14] 8. September Song
[2:39] 9. Trumpet Blues
[3:05] 10. Tango Blues
[3:56] 11. Moten Swing
[2:36] 12. Jump Sauce
[2:44] 13. The Mole
[2:54] 14. Strictly Instrumental
[2:14] 15. Oh, Lady Be Good
[3:08] 16. Loveless Love
[2:25] 17. On The Alamo
[2:46] 18. Moonlight Bay
[1:52] 19. Sleepy Time Gal
[3:08] 20. Melancholy Mood
[5:05] 21. James Session
[3:50] 22. St. Louis Blues
[2:45] 23. Tain't What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It)

Harry James was one of the most outstanding instrumentalists of the swing era, employing a bravura playing style that made his trumpet work instantly identifiable. He was also one of the most popular bandleaders of the first half of the 1940s, and he continued to lead his band until just before his death, 40 years later. James was the child of circus performers. His father, Everette Robert James, was the bandleader and trumpet player in the orchestra for the Mighty Haag Circus, and his mother, Maybelle Stewart Clark James, was an aerialist. Growing up in the circus, James became a performer himself as early as the age of four, when he began working as a contortionist. He soon turned to music, however, first playing the snare drum in the band from about the age of six and taking trumpet lessons from his father. At 12, he took over leadership of the second band in the Christy Brothers Circus, for which his family was then working. He attended grade school in Beaumont, Texas, where the circus spent the winter, and when he was 14 he won a state music contest as a trumpeter.

That inspired him to turn professional and begin playing in local bands. James' first job with a national band came in 1935 when he was hired by Ben Pollack. In May 1935, he married singer Louise Tobin, with whom he had two children and from whom he was divorced in June 1943. He made his first recordings as a member of the Pollack band in September 1936. Not long after, he was tapped by Benny Goodman, then leading one of the country's most popular bands, and he began working for Goodman by the end of 1936. He rapidly gained notice in the Goodman band, and by December 1937 he had begun to make recordings under his own name for Brunswick Records (later absorbed by Columbia Records). ~William Ruhlmann

It's Been A Long, Long Time

---

Don Friedman Trio - Flashback

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:00
Size: 93.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1963/1997
Art: Front

[4:38] 1. Alone Together
[6:26] 2. Ballade In C-Sharp Minor
[4:18] 3. Wait 'til You See Her
[5:02] 4. News Blues
[5:48] 5. How Deep Is The Ocean
[7:48] 6. Ochre
[6:58] 7. Flashback

Pianist Don Friedman's debt to Bill Evans was obvious in the early '60s, particularly on standards, but he also had his own creative spirit to offer. This 1997 CD reissue brings out Friedman's third of four Riverside dates, teaming him with the obscure bassist Dick Kniss and drummer Dick Berk. The pianist shows that he was developing an original voice and was familiar with the avant-garde of the period on such originals as "Ohcre" and "Flashback." In contrast, he swings conventionally but with subtle creativity on "Alone Together," "News Blues" and "How Deep Is the Ocean." A fine, well-rounded set from the underrated pianist. ~Scott Yanow

Flashback

---

David S. Ware Quartet - Go See The World

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:06
Size: 157,1 MB
Art: Front

( 6:06)  1. Mikuro's Blues
(10:26)  2. Lexicon
( 9:56)  3. Logistic
(14:37)  4. The Way We Were
( 4:47)  5. Quadrahex
(11:33)  6. Estheticmetric
(10:38)  7. Rapturelodic

“Go See The World” represents tenor saxophonist David S Ware’s initial and much anticipated release for Columbia Records. Branford Marsalis’ recent appointment as creative consultant for the label’s jazz division has paved the way for Ware’s induction to Columbia Records. Historically, tenure at Columbia for non-mainstream jazz musicians of similar backgrounds namely Henry Threadgill and David Murray was for the most part short-lived. If Columbia Records is serious and not overtly concerned with substantial profits and quick return than this may be a good thing. Otherwise, Columbia’s seemingly abundant marketing/publicity budget should serve as a good promotional vehicle for Mr. Ware. Thankfully, David S. Ware made little or no concessions to streamline his musical approach in the wake of Columbia’s endorsement. 

“Go See The World” is a continuation of Ware’s ever-evolving musical journey. Besides, no one can reasonably ascertain that David S. Ware suffers from a lack of energy or motivation. He is a true “force of nature”. Ware’s band mates are: William Parker: bass; Matthew Shipp: piano and New York City downtown drummer, Susie Ibarra who replaces long time associate Whit Dickey. The track titled “Lexicon” features Ware’s forceful and explosive signature style. Ware moans, groans, honks, screeches and injects flurries of melodic statements reminding us that somewhere underneath all the dynamics there is a song. Ware benefits from pianist Matthew Shipp’s swirling, heavy-handed chord phrasings and acute ear. Shipp provides much of the color in this band while Parker and Ibarra suggest odd rhythmic patterns, which skillfully compliment Ware’s stratospheric extrapolations into new frontiers. “Lexicon” also features some interesting arco-bass passages from the incredibly adept William Parker. Compelling dialogue ensues while Ware takes a much-needed breather. Marvin Hamlisch’s ballad “The Way We Were” is given the once over here. Ware expends quite a bit of energy during his rendition of this somewhat grandiose love song. Clocking in at 14 minutes it seems almost comical that Ware would pick such a tune as a foray into avant-garde digressions. Here, Ware seems driven and his personalized approach borders on the spiritual. Shipp performs a lovely piano interlude by toying with and suggesting the melody while eventually leading into a bombastic crescendo of flailing keys. Ware concludes with gut-wrenching conviction. “Quadrahex” is a rhythmically free and improvisational piece, which entails a good dose of dialogue among the band members. “Estheticmetric” is perhaps an ode to Ware’s NYC Loft Days featuring more exchanges of free style dialogue accented by some absorbing bass lines from Parker. Ware darts, jabs and appears comfortable during these musical exchanges, which firmly identifies his intentions.  Hopefully Mr. Ware and Columbia will enjoy a healthy, long-term relationship and open up some ears for curious listeners who yearn for something different. However, at times “Go See The World” suffers from sameness in content and doesn’t adhere to compositional form to any observable degree. Ware does not aim to finesse with subtlety and nuance. His style while expressive and at times free, may tend to overwhelm. Otherwise we can accept Mr. Ware for his positive and keen awareness of jazz vernacular. David S. Ware has honed a unique voice on the tenor saxophone and consistently receives astonishing support from a very accomplished band. We wish him the best of luck with Columbia Records.~ Glenn Astarita https://www.allaboutjazz.com/go-see-the-world-david-s-ware-columbia-records-review-by-glenn-astarita.php

Personnel: David S. Ware (tenor saxophone); Matthew Shipp (piano); William Parker (bass); Susie Ibarra (drums).

Go See The World

---

Reuben Brown - Blue And Brown

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 67:47
Size: 128,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:43)  1. All My Tomorrows
(4:52)  2. I Believe In You
(3:17)  3. I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
(3:22)  4. I Cover The Waterfront
(3:54)  5. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
(4:19)  6. Beautiful Love
(4:41)  7. Look Away
(3:25)  8. You Took Advantage Of Me
(4:12)  9. Round About Midnight
(6:52) 10. Take The A Train
(4:37) 11. I Thought About You
(6:47) 12. The End Of A Love Affair
(4:30) 13. Central Park West
(2:57) 14. Don't Blame Me
(5:09) 15. Blue And Brown

A native of Washington D.C., pianist Reuben Brown seems to have made a few records back in the early ‘90s and then disappeared, taken off the scene by some illness alluded to in the liners to this set. In addition to those sides cut in 1994 that appeared on his debut trio date for SteepleChase, Ice Scape, come the fifteen solo tracks included here. Recorded with exceptional clarity, all of the subtle nuances that make up Brown’s mercurial technique come shining through. Be it a ballad, where his sincere interpretations are affecting, or faster paced material, Brown convincingly tells his story in a fashion that is never showy but which communicates directly with the listener. He evidently likes the piano’s lower register, as his tasty rumblings on “Beautiful Love” make clear. His bebop chops are also in top shape, as he turns “I Believe In You” into the silk purse that one might never think possible. All but two performances push the four-minute mark and maybe that’s why this set, along with the previously mentioned attributes, makes such a strong initial impression. None of the meanderings that often accompany solo discs are to be found here and if Brown makes his way back soon, one can only wonder what future treasures may be in the works. ~ C.Andrew Hovan https://www.allaboutjazz.com/blue-and-brown-reuben-brown-steeplechase-records-review-by-c-andrew-hovan.php

Personnel: Reuben Brown- solo piano

Blue And Brown

---

Hanna Paulsberg Concept - Waltz for Lili

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:26
Size: 92,7 MB
Art: Front

(8:02)  1. Waltz for Lili
(6:27)  2. Potters Lullaby
(6:21)  3. Sang til Pastor Wang
(6:31)  4. Noah's Tune
(7:21)  5. A Trip to the Brown Castle
(5:42)  6. Mufasa

Norway's place on the international jazz map has been assured for decades: first with saxophonist Jan Garbarek, guitarist Terje Rypdal and bassist Arild Andersen; then, a second wave including trumpeters Arve Henriksen and Nils Petter Molvaer, and pianists Bugge Wesseltoft and Christian Wallumrod; and, more recently, in another wave featuring In The Country and Splashgirl. Still, its scene has often seemed distanced from the American tradition that nevertheless resides at the core of many of these players. Enter saxophonist Hanna Paulsberg and Waltz for Lilli, which suggests that it's possible to revere that tradition and, at the same time, forge your own culture-rich identity. The twenty-something Paulsberg is already an alum of the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, most recently in collaboration with keyboardist Ståle Storløkken and psychedelic space-rock outfit Motorpsycho at the 2010 Molde Jazz Festival and the resulting The Death Defying Unicorn (Rune Grammofon, 2012). Despite Paulsen finding herself in a multiplicity of contexts, her allegiance to the jazz tradition is abundantly clear with Hanna Paulsberg Concept (HPC), also featuring three other recognition-worthy young Scandinavians. Waltz for Lilli is many things, but one of them is that it swings and when it swings, it swings hard. Over the course of six Paulsberg originals, HPC also demonstrates a strong allegiance to melody. The opening modal title track burns with feverish energy, thanks to the firm but open-ended anchor provided by bassist Trygve Waldemar Fiske and freewheeling drummer Hans Hulbækmo, but when it comes to soloing, Paulsberg favors careful choices over unfettered virtuosity. Combined with pianist Oscar Grönberg who blends McCoy Tyner-informed, block-chord accompaniment with sparer Nordic lyricism it suggests how John Coltrane might have sounded, had he opted for space and decay rather than sheets of sound. Paulsberg's attention to tone was inspired, no doubt, from antecedents like Garbarek and Tore Brunborg without sounding like either and gives her a unique ability to sear without speed.

Paulsberg's writing is deceptive; enticing, often with seemingly simple concepts, its layers unfold across repeated listens. "Potters Lullaby" starts with a simple percussion motif that becomes more complex when first Grönberg and then Fiske join in for a rhythmically contrary unison line; when Paulsberg enters, it's yet another simple idea that, interlocking with the rest of her band mates, turns into something far deeper. "Sang til Pastor Wang" begins as a spare piano/sax duet, a rubato tone poem setting the stage for the first of two bass solos that assert Fiske as far more than mere rhythm section partner, playing off Grönberg with the kind of profound empathy that normally comes from far more experience and longevity. It's no wonder HPC won the Young Nordic Jazz Competition at the 2011 Trondheim Jazz Festival. The other track to feature Fiske is the closing "Mufasa," an even darker tune that, in its choice to end in a whisper Paulsberg's tenor becoming increasingly breathy until that's all that's left closes what would have easily been included as a Best of 2012 "New Discovery." It may only be January, but Hanna Paulsberg Concept's auspicious debut already looks like a shoe-in for 2013's year-end list. ~ John Kelman https://www.allaboutjazz.com/waltz-for-lilli-hanna-paulsberg-ora-fonogram-review-by-john-kelman.php

Personnel: Hanna Paulsberg: saxophone; Trygve Waldemar Fiske: acoustic bass; Oscar Grönberg: piano; Hans Hulbækmo: drums.

Waltz for Lili

---

Sunna Gunnlaugs - Cielito Lindo

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:04
Size: 147,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Cielito Lindo
(5:05)  2. Compassion
(0:50)  3. Spin 8
(5:32)  4. Dry Cycle
(7:04)  5. Endastopp
(4:16)  6. Summertime
(1:43)  7. Spin 9
(5:01)  8. Workaround
(4:52)  9. Vetrarstef
(7:08) 10. Icelandic Blues
(3:24) 11. Tiltekt
(1:51) 12. Spin 11
(7:06) 13. All Agaze
(4:25) 14. Johnsburg, Illinois

This is the third consecutive album in the space of five years from Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs featuring her trio with bassist Þorgrímur Jónsson and drummer Scott McLemore. It inhabits a similar aesthetic as their previous albums, which embraces the open of the Icelandic horizon but doesn’t ignore the blues. She continues her improvised “spins”; the interludes that have been woven through her albums since her last quartet release “The Dream” featuring Loren Stillman and Eivind Opsvik. All three members of contribute compositions and there are even pieces by Tom Waits and George Gershwin. https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sunnagunnlaugs3

Personnel:  Sunna Gunnlaugs – piano;  Þorgrímur Jónsson – bass;  Scott McLemore - drums

Cielito Lindo

---