Friday, January 18, 2019

Dave Brubeck - The Riddle

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1959
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:20
Size: 90,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:25)  1. Hey, Ho, Anybody Home?
(4:17)  2. The Twig
(5:44)  3. Blue Ground
(2:39)  4. Offshoot
(7:37)  5. Swingin' 'Round
(6:00)  6. Quiet Mood
(3:58)  7. The Riddle
(3:36)  8. Yet We Shall Be Merry

Clarinetist Bill Smith, a member of Dave Brubeck's octet in the late '40s and a future soloist with Brubeck's Quartet starting in the '80s, recorded three albums with the pianist in the interim. The Riddle finds him temporarily taking altoist Paul Desmond's place with the Quartet and contributing all eight compositions which utilize folkish melodies that are related to the English song "Heigh, Ho, Nodbody Home." Although not too essential, this little-known set gives Dave Brubeck a chance to play some unusual material. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-riddle-mw0000868195

Personnel:  Dave Brubeck - (piano); Bill Smith (clarinet); Joe Morello (drums); Eugene Wright (bass)

The Riddle

Aimee Petra - Diva or Darling

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 14:46
Size: 34,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:50)  1. Just One of Those Things
(3:27)  2. Embraceable You
(2:21)  3. It's A Good Day
(2:48)  4. Poor Wandering One
(3:18)  5. The Laughing Song

Direct from the opera and musical theater world, Aimee Petra brings you the re-release of her 2006 EP, “Diva or Darling!” Her brilliant four octave range and engaging presence will put a smile on your face, spring in your step, and song in your heart! Join Aimee as she takes you on a tour of her favorite American Songbook Classics and Operetta. Often compared with Kristin Chenoweth, Aimee is a unique blend of musical styles. The richness and color of her voice lead her in many directions as evidenced by her extensive career in opera, classical, musical theater, sacred/gospel and now jazz genres. An exceptional talent, Aimee Petra boasts a 4-octave range of dynamic color and presence. Rooted in musical theatre and later classically trained, Aimee has performed and recorded music of varying styles. After many years singing opera, classical and musical theatre throughout the United States, she decided to switch gears in 2008 and explore the world of jazz. Her debut jazz album, “Too Much Fun”, was released late summer 2008 to national & international acclaim. In 2010, Aimee released 3 new jazz singles. Two of the songs, “Beatitude in Blue” and “Duet of Solos” were featured on the All About Jazz website daily download days after they were released. She currently is collaborating with several new songwriters and has started writing her own music. Aimee enjoys performing throughout the upper Midwest in a variety of venues, from intimate wine bars to music festivals to concert halls, private parties and corporate events. Her sparkling vocals and warm stage presence delight audiences of all ages! 

Classically, she has sung operatic roles with Bay View Music Festival (Michigan), Opera in the Ozarks (Arkansas), Dorian Opera (Iowa), Opera Kansas, Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company (Minnesota) and others. Aimée is the 2003 winner of the Marcella Kochanska Sembrich Vocal Competition and worked with Joan Dornemann at Portland Opera's IVAI program in 2000. Highlights of her musical theatre career include principal roles of Widow Douglas/Lead Soprano in “Big River” with Lake City Theatre Company, Mary Wilson in “Sgt. Pepper's: The Drunkard” and Ingenue in “On Broadway” for Lake Pepin Players. She has also performed leading roles with Phipps Center for the Arts and the Minnesota Fringe Festival. Her passion for concert work has led to an active recital career performing programs such as “An Evening of Italian Song” and “Classically Minnesota”, and soloing with orchestral/choral groups singing Bach's “Magnificat” and Orff's “Carmina Burana”. In addition, she has frequently sung the National Anthem at opening ceremonies for national conventions around the country. Aimée has enjoyed performing and recording the music of several living composers including Libby Larsen, Stephen Paulus, and David Evan Thomas. She has also sung sacred music throughout her career and is a soloist throughout the Twin Cities area for weddings, funerals, holidays and Sunday Worship. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/aimeepetra2

Diva or Darling

Beaver Harris 360° Music Experience - Live at Nyon

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1981
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:14
Size: 113,1 MB
Art: Front

(18:10)  1. Don't I
( 7:11)  2. Charlette
( 6:03)  3. Ismay My Brother
(17:49)  4. High Noon

The 360 Degree Music Experience was an American band that performed both traditional and experimental jazz. Active during the 1970s and '80s, the group was initially co-led by drummer Beaver Harris and the pianist Dave Burrell. After Burrell left the group, pianist Don Pullen replaced him. Several other notable musicians were members of the band at one time or another, including Hamiet Bluiett, Cameron Brown, Ron Carter, Ricky Ford, Jimmy Garrison, Grachan Moncur III, Titos Sompa, and Buster Williams among others. The group released two albums for BMG: From Ragtime to No Time and A Well Kept Secret. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_360_Degree_Music_Experience

Personnel:  Beaver Harris - Drums;  Ken McIntyre - Reeds;  Granchan Moncur - Trombone;  Ron Burton - Piano;  Cameron Brown - Bass

Live at Nyon

David Murray Octet - Ming

Styles: Saxophone, Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1980
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:30
Size: 90,6 MB
Art: Front

( 8:55)  1. The Fast Life
(10:39)  2. The Hill
( 4:28)  3. Ming
( 8:51)  4. Jasvan
( 6:36)  5. Dewey's Circle

His octet was always the perfect setting for tenor saxophonist David Murray, large enough to generate power but not as out of control as many of his big-band performances. Murray contributed all five originals (including "Ming" and "Dewey's Circle") and arrangements, and is in superior form on both tenor and bass clarinet. The "backup crew" is also quite notable: altoist Henry Threadgill, trumpeter Olu Dara, cornetist Butch Morris, trombonist George Lewis, pianist Anthony Davis, bassist Wilbur Morris, and drummer Steve McCall. 

These avant-garde performances (reissued on CD) are often rhythmic enough to reach a slightly larger audience than usual, and the individuality shown by each of these major players is quite impressive. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/ming-mw0000188486

Personnel:   David Murray - tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, producer, mixing; Henry Threadgill - alto saxophone;  Wilber Morris - bass; Lawrence "Butch" Morris - cornet; Steve McCall - percussion; Anthony Davis - piano;  George Lewis - trombone;  Olu Dara - trumpet

Ming

Art Farmer - Early Art

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1961
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:48
Size: 96,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:02)  1. Soft Shoe
(3:57)  2. Confab In Tempo
(5:01)  3. I'll Take Romance
(4:06)  4. Wisteria
(4:09)  5. Autumn Nocturne
(3:50)  6. I've Never Been In Love Before
(3:56)  7. I'll Walk Alone
(4:08)  8. Gone With The Wind
(3:59)  9. Alone Together
(3:36) 10. Pre Amp

Two of trumpeter Art Farmer's earlier sessions as a leader are reissued on this CD in the OJC series. Farmer teams up with an all-star quintet (which includes tenor-saxophonist Sonny Rollins, pianist Horace Silver, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke) for four songs and dominates a quartet (with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Herbie Lovelle) on six other tunes. Farmer's sound is lyrical even on the uptempo pieces and he is heard throughout in his early prime. Highlights include "Soft Shoe," "I'll Take Romance," "Autumn Nocturne" and an uptempo "Gone with the Wind." One should note that the programming differs from what is listed, with "Soft Shoe" (which should have been the opener) actually appearing fifth and the songs listed as appearing second through fifth moving up to first through fourth. Despite that flaw, the music is quite enjoyable and a must for 1950s bop collectors. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/early-art-mw0000183670

Personnel:  Art Farmer – trumpet; Sonny Rollins - tenor saxophone (tracks 1-2, 5); Horace Silver (tracks 1-3, 5), Wynton Kelly (tracks 4, 6-10) - piano; Percy Heath (tracks 1-3, 5), Addison Farmer (tracks 4, 6-10) – bass; Kenny Clarke (tracks 1-3, 5), Herbie Lovelle (tracks 4, 6-10) – drums

Early Art