Chuck Hedges & Johnny Varro - Skylark

Styles: Clarinet And Piano Jazz 
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:31
Size: 88,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:36)  1. When You're Smiling
(4:03)  2. Here's That Rainy Day
(4:19)  3. Autumn Leaves
(3:38)  4. 'Round Midnight
(4:13)  5. Have You Met Miss Jones?
(4:02)  6. Jitterbug Waltz
(4:31)  7. There Will Never Be Another You
(4:12)  8. Skylark
(4:53)  9. I Found a New Baby

During a visit to Los Angeles in June 1983, clarinetist Chuck Hedges crossed paths with pianist extraordinaire Johnny Varro on two occasions. First, they played a gig at Gatsby's, a Brentwood club where Varro was a regular and after that, they entered a Hollywood studio with bassist Ray Leatherwood and drummer Gene Estes and recorded this excellent album, which was released as the Magna Graphic album The Square Roots of Jazz in 1983 before being reissued as the Delmark CD Skylark in 1995. The improvisers enjoy a strong rapport throughout the session, which generally recalls the small group swing of the '30s and '40s. Hedges and Varro are equally melodic, and their warm lyricism is something to savor on familiar standards that include "Autumn Leaves," "Skylark," and Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz." 

Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight," which Orrin Keepnews described as "the national anthem of jazz," is an interesting choice for Hedges  though it has been recorded by countless beboppers, hard boppers, and post-boppers, it isn't the first song that swing or Dixieland artists think of. But the song certainly works for Hedges and Varro. Swing fans will definitely want this album. ~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/skylark-mw0000646939

Personnel:  Clarinet – Chuck Hedges; Piano – Johnny Varro;  Bass – Ray Leatherwood; Drums – Gene Estes

Skylark

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Anne Bisson - Four Seasons in Jazz - Live at Bernie's

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:33
Size: 117,6 MB
Art: Front

(0:44)  1. I Can See Clearly Now
(3:16)  2. Summer Breeze
(2:35)  3. Summer Me, Winter Me
(4:34)  4. The Summer We Crossed Europe in the Rain
(4:08)  5. September in Montreal
(3:11)  6. September Song
(3:39)  7. Maybe September
(3:50)  8. Midnight Sun
(3:10)  9. Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams
(4:45) 10. Sinking into the Future
(2:45) 11. Up Jumped Spring
(2:53) 12. It Might as Well Be Spring
(4:05) 13. Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most
(4:12) 14. The Summer We Crossed Europe in the Rain (Take One)
(2:40) 15. It Might as Well Be Spring_take Three

'Serendipity plants the seed, careful planning and hard work bring an amazing collaboration to life. Four Seasons in Jazz: Live at Bernie's is the landmark live recording featuring jazz pianist and vocalist Anne Bisson and the finest musicians and engineers in Hollywood. A selection of popular jazz standards and original compositions by the evocative Canadian songstress was recorded direct-to-disc over two days by Bernie Grundman in Hollywood, CA. Legendary engineer Michael C. Ross used a 100% analog recording chain straight to Grundman's all-analog record cutting system to realistically capture every amazing moment. Four Seasons in Jazz: Live at Bernie's is only the 3rd direct-to-disc recording ever created at Bernie Grundman Mastering. The Grand Master of Audio Mastering himself supervised the audio-to-disc transfer. This exquisite release is the inspiration of two music lovers and audiophile industry luminaries, Gary L. Koh of Genesis Advanced Technologies (USA) and Wuti Larnroongroj of Brilliance Music (Thailand). ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-Jazz-Live-Bernies/dp/B0745KR5XF

Four Seasons in Jazz - Live at Bernie's

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Marty Ehrlich, Peter Erskine, Michael Formanek - Relativity

Styles: Saxophone, Clarinet And Flute Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:15
Size: 148,2 MB
Art: Front

(6:47)  1. Incident At Harpham Flat
(5:46)  2. Eloi Lament
(9:22)  3. Lucky Life
(6:53)  4. The Pivot
(5:55)  5. Holy Waters
(6:46)  6. Round The Four Corners
(8:36)  7. Jiggle The Handle
(3:43)  8. Relativo
(6:07)  9. Taglioni
(4:16) 10. In A Child's Eyes

You might justifiably expect sparks to fly on this collaborative effort, given the careers of Ehrlich and his compatriots, trio members Michael Formanek and Peter Erskine. Unfortunately, it rarely happens, and while all three are exquisite players individually, this disappointing, often tepid recording stands as an opportunity not fully realized. In part it might be the result of different styles: Ehrlich, of course, is the more adventurous of the group, but Erskine, whose heart is usually in more commercial ventures, seems comfortable with the music. The pieces are all originals by the trio members, but there are times when a certain boredom pervades the music. To be fair, there are some aggressive, exciting moments, too, but they are the exception. Ehrlich continues to show remarkable versatility on alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet, and flute (where he is particularly lyrical). ~ Steve Loewy https://www.allmusic.com/album/relativity-mw0000252729

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Marty Ehrlich; Double Bass – Michael Formanek; Drums – Peter Erskine

Relativity

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Oliver Jones - The Many Moods Of Oliver Jones

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1984
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:42
Size: 127,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:18)  1. Something For Chuck
(4:23)  2. Solar
(4:44)  3. You Must Believe In Spring
(2:02)  4. Straight No Chaser
(4:08)  5. I've Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
(2:14)  6. Summer Me, Winter Me
(4:41)  7. Caravan
(4:28)  8. Emily
(4:33)  9. Alone Together
(4:57) 10. Lovely Lauren
(3:02) 11. It's Only A Paper Moon
(5:19) 12. It Never Entered My Mind
(2:52) 13. Sweet Lorraine
(2:54) 14. If I Should Lose You

Oliver Jones was already in his fifties when he was discovered by the jazz world. He had started playing piano when he was seven and at nine, he studied with Oscar Peterson's sister Daisy; the Peterson influence is still felt in his style. Jones played with show bands and worked with pop singer Ken Hamilton (1963-1980), much of the time in Puerto Rico. It was not until he returned to Montreal in 1980 that he committed himself to playing jazz full-time. Since the mid-'80s, Oliver Jones has recorded extensively for Justin Time and established himself as a major modern mainstream player with impressive technique and a hard-swinging style. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/oliver-jones-mn0000133036/biography

The Many Moods Of Oliver Jones

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Ralph Peterson - Triangular 2

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:27
Size: 116,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:53)  1. Jean's Dream
(8:24)  2. Peri
(6:47)  3. Night & Day
(6:20)  4. Games
(4:51)  5. Blues for Jones
(6:50)  6. I Remember Bu
(5:15)  7. Red's Brazilian Fantasy
(6:04)  8. If I Were a Bell

Ralph Peterson's second Sirocco Jazz release is also his second trio recording. On Triangular 2, Peterson is joined by pianist David Kikoski and bassist Gerald Cannon to play six originals  three by Peterson and two standards. Peterson, who is known for his high energy drumming, is more restrained than usual, as expected due to the lack of horns, but Kikoski, who has performed with drum greats Roy Haynes and Billy Hart, and Cannon, a member of Roy Hargrove's group at the time of this recording, are veteran musicians who complement Peterson's energy with their own, forming a very cohesive unit in the process. The trio's arrangement of Cole Porter's "Night & Day" finds Peterson relaxed and swinging on brushes throughout, and features an excellent Kikoski solo. Frank Loesser's "If I Were a Bell," the session's up-tempo burner, is basically a fast and fiery Kikoski solo over Cannon and Peterson's driving rhythm until Kikoski hints at the melody at the end. Other favorites include the finger-poppin' "Blues for Jones," which appeared on two OTB recordings as "Nathan Jones," the melancholy tribute to Art Blakey, "I Remember Bu," and the samba-ish "Red's Brazilian Fantasy." This is a fine recording from a trio of musicians who deserve wider recognition. ~ Greg Turner https://www.allmusic.com/album/triangular-2-mw0000103032

Personnel:  Drums, Producer – Ralph Peterson;  Bass – Gerald Cannon; Piano – Dave Kikoski

Triangular 2

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