Conrad Herwig - New York Hardball

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:28
Size: 97,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:12) 1. Hardball
(4:52) 2. Vendetta
(6:17) 3. Zal
(4:39) 4. Code Blue
(3:52) 5. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(5:31) 6. Master's Image
(3:40) 7. Hey, New Day
(9:22) 8. Out Of Darkness, Into Light

This lesser-known set from the now-defunct Ken label features the fluent and creative trombonist Conrad Herwig, who is joined by the harmonically advanced pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Ron McClure and drummer Adam Nussbaum. The music ranges from introspective ballads to a swinging version of the lone standard "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You." Herwig is mostly in the spotlight and he rises to the occasion, excelling on the complex straight-ahead material.
By Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/new-york-hardball-mw0000896298

Personnel: Trombone, Producer – Conrad Herwig; Bass – Ron McClure; Drums – Adam Nussbaum; Piano, Liner Notes – Richie Beirach

New York Hardball

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Larry Schneider - Live at Jazz on the Coast (Larry Schneider Meets Gaspare Di Lieto)

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:15
Size: 127,3 MB
Art: Front

( 9:46) 1. Mohawk
(10:51) 2. Tropax
( 5:11) 3. Autumn Leaves
( 3:56) 4. Stardust
(11:59) 5. Days of Wine and Roses
(11:08) 6. My One and Only Love
( 2:22) 7. All the Things You Are

Backed by an outstanding Italian rhythm section (pianist Gaspare DiLieto, acoustic bassist Dario Deidda, and drummer Amedeo Ariano), tenor saxophonist Larry Schneider takes tunes such as Charlie Parker's "Mohawk," Henry Mancini's "Days of Wine and Roses," and Johnny Mercer's (with Joseph Kosma) "Autumn Leaves," and confuses and exceeds expectations.

Rather than simply knocking out the melodies, followed by solos, followed again by returning to the heads, the saxophonist re-orients the listener by subverting the mix, but without any disrespect toward the original. The approach freshens and infuses new life into the tunes. Schneider's a cappella rendering of "Stardust" is a minor tour de force. Recorded live at the Jazz on the Coast Festival in Italy, the sound quality is surprisingly good. By Steve Loewy https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-jazz-on-the-coast-mw0001089125

Live at Jazz on the Coast (Larry Schneider Meets Gaspare Di Lieto)

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Muriel Grossmann - Union

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2021
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:45
Size: 105,2 MB
Art: Front

(11:12) 1. Happiness
(11:29) 2. Traneing In
( 8:29) 3. Sundown
( 6:13) 4. African Dance
( 8:20) 5. Union

The music on saxophonist Muriel Grossmann's Union is very familiar. Is that because all the compositions had been previously released? Not at all. Actually, the versions heard here are more vibrant than their first incarnations. Chalk that up to Grossman and company working and reworking these compositions in performances. The band's familiarity with the material blossoms into a stellar recording. That said, the session may not have happened. The band's long-time bassist Gina Schwarz was not available for this recording date. Grossman's quartet adapted. Fortunately when you tour with Llorenc Barcelo, a Hammond B3 master, the bass-lines can be a serviceable add-on. Maybe this different perspective acted as the spark for the musicians to focus and deliver this special recording.

The recording opens with "Happiness," one of two tracks that appeared on Natural Time (Dreamland Records, 2016), the other being "African Dance." "Happiness" is a meditative slow boiler with Grossman's tenor saxophone floating about the groove laid down by Barceló and drummer Uros Stamenkovic. When guitarist Radomir Milojkovic solos, it is in a style reminiscent of vintage George Benson with Lonnie Smith and Jack McDuff. But vintage is a misnomer. Grossman's "Traneing In," a nod to John Coltrane, mixes the flavors of Coltrane's "India" with an up-tempo country feel with her soprano saxophone and Milojkovic's guitar dancing over a shuffling pulse. "Sundown" and "Union" were previously heard on Reverence (RR Gems/Dreamland, 2019). Both pieces are spiritually filling, the sounds that make you understand music's higher calling. Grossman knows her Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, and Joseph Jarman and she embodies their spirit, especially the meditative side. From introspective to exuberant, "African Dance" is an irresistible piece that invites you to get up and shake your rump. Union is available as a download, CD, or as a limited edition 200 gram vinyl release. By Mark Corroto https://www.allaboutjazz.com/union-muriel-grossmann-rr-gems

Personnel: Muriel Grossmann: saxophone; Llorenc Barcelo: organ, Hammond B3; Radomir Milojkovic: guitar, electric; Uros Stamenkovic: drums.

Union

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Marilyn Kleinberg - Let your Heart Lead The Way

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:07
Size: 122,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:39) 1. Invitation
(5:29) 2. Alfie
(4:24) 3. I didn't know about you
(5:01) 4. Then I'll be tired of you
(3:15) 5. I just found out about love
(4:58) 6. Never let me go
(5:03) 7. Visions
(5:03) 8. Say it
(4:31) 9. If I only had a brain
(4:43) 10. You won't forget me
(5:56) 11. I didn't know what time it was

In September of 2021, when live music was just sputtering back to life in NYC, I went to see my old friend Marilyn Kleinberg at the Soapbox gallery in Brookyln. She appeared that night with the incomparable John DiMartino on piano, and a bass player who knocked me off my feet; Noriko Ueda.

I was so moved by the performance that right after the last notes were played I approached John and asked what it would take to produce a record of this trio plus a drummer...and me. "Give me a call and we'll discuss it" replied John and to his surprise, I did!

Victor Lewis was the natural choice for drums, being a great friend of Marilyn, and a musical legend in his own right. A short while later, with some arrangement sketches by John, we knocked out eleven songs in one session at Tommy Tedesco's studio. The trio nailed every take of course, and after Marilyn and I did some "touchups" we mixed at Dave Darlingon's Bass Hit studio. we all knew we had captured something special.

I "let my heart lead the way" when I asked John about making the album, and each of the musicians certainly let their hearts lead the way when playing every note. Every step of them process was a delight and flowed like this album was simply meant to be. We hope your heart will resonate with the joy and camaraderie we felt while making this music.

Personnel: Marilyn Kleinberg on vocals; Will Galison, chromatic harmonica; John Di Martino, piano, arrangement; Noriko Ueda, bass; Victor Lewis, drums

Let your Heart Lead The Way

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