Ella Fitzgerald - The Diva Series

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:21
Size: 144,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:40) 1. A-Tisket, A-Tasket
(3:16) 2. Oh, Lady, Be Good!
(5:10) 3. (You'll Have To Swing It) Mr.Paganini: Part 1 & 2
(3:46) 4. Blue Skies
(4:37) 5. Out Of This World
(3:55) 6. Love Is Here To Stay
(2:22) 7. Just You, Just Me
(4:10) 8. A Night In Tunisia
(3:05) 9. You Leave Me Breathless
(2:34) 10. It's All Right With Me
(3:23) 11. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(4:04) 12. I Said No
(2:09) 13. Pick Yourself Up
(5:22) 14. Sophisticated Lady
(7:00) 15. How High The Moon
(4:42) 16. Mack The Knife

Ella Fitzgerald's entry in the Verve Diva Series is a 16-track compilation that selects tracks from the first three decades of her recording career. Beginning with 1938's smash hit "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," the disc covers her hot and swinging big-band days in the late '30s and early '40s through her triumphant songbook records of the 1950s.

The tracks compiled here include some of the songs that she made her own, like "Oh, Lady Be Good," "(You'll Have to Swing It) Mr. Paganini, Pts. 1-2," "How High the Moon," and the song she shares with Bobby Darin, "Mack the Knife," as well as lots of other great songs. There is a cornucopia of Ella collections to choose from; this one is not essential, but does serve as a nice introduction to Ella's early years and peak '50s years, too. By Tim Sendra
https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-diva-mw0000026522

The Diva Series

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Mark Colby - I Didn't Have Wings

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:42
Size: 98,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:52) 1. When You Say Jump
(3:55) 2. This Time With You
(3:54) 3. I Love You So Much
(3:36) 4. Waiting
(4:45) 5. Together Forever
(3:40) 6. I'm Still Alone Tonight
(4:42) 7. For the First Time
(3:49) 8. I Didn't Have Wings
(4:26) 9. I Was That Fool
(4:58) 10. You Would'nt Be Gone

Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1949, Mark comes from a musical background, as his father was a professional musician (drummer) who played with Benny Goodman for a time in the ‘40’s. At the age of eight, Mark was given a clarinet and lessons with a wonderful teacher by the name of Bill Schlagel, who emphasized the importance of proper technique and sound. At age eleven, Mark took the next step in his evolution, saxophone, and thus began his life-long love affair. Immersed in the sounds of the big bands enjoyed by his father, intrigued by the more modern sounds of bebop, cool and hard-bop records his sister played around the house, his dedication to pursuing a life in music was cemented.

In 1962, his family moved to Miami, Florida, where he began playing professionally at age 14. On Miami Beach, he had the opportunity to play shows with popular acts, including Tony Bennett, Sonny and Cher, Bill Cosby, Ann-Margret and Sammy Davis, Jr., with seasoned musicians. He was for many years the youngest guy on the bandstand, all the while pursuing his desire to play all styles of jazz. As a high school student, he studied with James Casale (co-author of Patterns for Jazz with Jerry Coker.) After high school, Mark attended the University of Miami, enrolling in Jerry Coker’s Jazz Studies program. Studying with Jerry and pianist Vince Maggio had a profound effect on him, as did sitting in with Ira Sullivan since the age of 16. These master musicians provided him inspiration and encouragement, as well as invaluable education in the jazz idiom.

Mark was fortunate to have had the incredible experience of working with legendary baritone sax player Gerry Mulligan while he was artist in residence. While in college, he recorded with the likes of Dr. John, Wilson Pickett, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, and the Bee Gees. After graduating with a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies, he received a call from Maynard Ferguson inviting him to join his band in New York. After three albums and three years touring as featured soloist and musical director with Maynard, Bob James beckoned, and he became of member of the “James gang.” Bob signed Mark to Columbia Records, beginning his solo recording career. “Serpentine Fire” and “One Good Turn” both sold very well, while he toured for the next six years as a featured member of Bob James’ band. Mark’s tours with Maynard and Bob found him playing jazz festivals and concert halls around the world.

In 1980, Mark moved to Chicago, with its very active music scene. Mark was immediately participating in a recording market that was exploding. Jingles, record dates, and jazz gigs were plentiful. In 1983, he was approached by DePaul University to assume a teaching position as jazz saxophone instructor. He’s still there, and in 1998 joined the faculty at Elmhurst College.

In the ensuing years, he has played and in some cases toured with such varied luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Jaco Pastorius, Mose Allison, Joe Williams and Charlie Haden. Currently he is performing as a guest soloist and clinician/adjudicator at middle schools, high schools and colleges throughout the United States and Europe, representing Selmer Paris Saxophones and Vandoren reeds. In 2001, he performed Duke Ellington’s version of “The Nutcracker Suite” with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and in 2008 performed Leonard Bernstein’s “Prelude, Fugue and Riffs.” In 1999, Hallway Records released “Reunion” (with Vince Maggio) followed by “Tenor Reference” in 2002, to glowing reviews and appreciative audiences. His last release on Hallway Records was a tribute to Stan Getz entitled Speaking of Stan, which was released in 2006 and went to #3 on the jazz radio charts. During 2007-2010, he appeared at the Chicago, Paradise Valley Arizona Jazz Festival, Evanston, Naperville and Glen Ellyn Jazz Festivals.

In 2010 Mark was the artist in residence at the Three Rivers Saxaphone Symposium in PA. Mark appeared in a cameo with Diana Krall in the Johnny Depp movie “Public Enemies,” released in July 2009. His CD on Origin Records, “Reflections” was released in November 2008. In 2010 Mark was one of the people interviewed with his own chapter in Cicily Janus’s new book entitled “The New Faces of Jazz” published by Billboard Press. Currently he has completed a new recording, All or Nothing at All, to be released on his own RCI label in 2016.

Mark Stephen Colby, 71, of Aurora IL, passed away on August 31st peacefully in his home. He is survived by his adoring wife, Mary; loving sister, Rosie (Jim) Watts; son, James (Cathy;) daughters, Jennifer (Mike) Savage; Hillary; and Katherine (Brian) Ruiz. He has six grandchildren, Deanna; Ryan; Kayla; Riley; Caroline and Isabella; and niece, Audrey Denson.
https://markcolby.com/about/

I Didn't Have Wings

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Shakatak - Invitations (Expanded)

Size: 150,6 MB
Time: 64:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1982/2017
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz, Jazz Funk
Art: Front

01. Invitations (Extended Mix) (6:05)
02. Lose Myself (5:18)
03. Lonely Afternoon (4:34)
04. Steppin' Out (4:44)
05. Stranger (5:23)
06. Usual Situation (5:03)
07. Sol Fuego (4:36)
08. In Shadows (2:02)
09. Invitations (Radio Mix) (3:36)
10. Stranger (Edited Version) (4:39)
11. Lose Myself (Remix) (5:04)
12. Invitations (Disco Mix) (4:16)
13. Lonely Afternoon (Remix) (4:29)
14. Invitations (Radio Remix) (4:49)

British jazz-funk combo Shakatak formed in London in 1980. Originally comprising keyboardists Bill Sharpe and Nigel Wright, guitarist Keith Winter, bassist Steve Underwood, and drummer Roger Odell, the group quickly scored an underground hit with its debut single "Steppin'," cracking the British Top 50 the following year with the singles "Livin' in the UK" and "Brazilian Dawn." Their debut LP, Drivin' Hard, was also well-received, and with the 1982 follow-up Nightbirds, Shakatak (which replaced Underwood with bassist George Anderson) scored their first Top 20 hit in "Easier Said Than Done"; the disc's title track also rocketed into the Top Ten.

Nightbirds also introduced singer Jill Saward, who emerged as Shakatak's lead vocalist with the band's fifth album, 1984's Down on the Street, which notched the hit "Watching You"; 1985's Live preceded the release of the group's next studio effort, Day by Day. A series of largely instrumental albums including Into the Blue, Golden Wings, Da Makani, and Niteflite were then issued exclusively in Japan, where Shakatak enjoyed immense popularity; in the meanwhile, 1988's Manic and Cool was released internationally, highlighted by the singles "Mr. Manic and Sister Cool" and "Something Special." After 1992's Open Your Eyes topped Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart, the band supported 1993's Street Level with a tour of South Africa, while the following year's Full Circle expanded into hip-hop beats. In 1997, Shakatak -- by then consisting of Sharpe, Odell, Saward, and Anderson -- resurfaced with Let the Piano Play, followed by both Let the Music Play and Magic in 1999, and Under Your Spell in 2002.

Invitations

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John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy - Evenings At The Village Gate

Styles: Modal, Post Bop
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 80:03
Size: 183,6 MB
Art: Front

(15:53) 1. My Favorite Things
(15:27) 2. When Lights Are Low
(10:12) 3. Impressions
(16:02) 4. Greensleeves
(22:26) 5. Africa

Recorded in 1961, Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy showcases the legendary saxophonist's quintet during their monthlong residency at the storied Greenwich Village nightclub. Along with Dolphy on alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute, Coltrane's group here features his classic lineup of pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Elvin Jones.

This is the same group that would go on to record such landmark albums as 1961's Olé Coltrane, 1961's Africa/Brass, and appear together on 1961's Live! at the Village Vanguard. Recorded on a single ribbon microphone by future Nina Simone and Bob Dylan engineer Richard Alderson, the album was never intended to be released as a professional recording.

Primarily, Alderson (who was in his early twenties at the time and working as a soundman for the club) wanted to check the room's sound and try out his new microphone. The recording would eventually make its way into the vast archive of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, where it would be largely forgotten before eventually being rediscovered. While the sound itself is not as robust as the later Vanguard recordings, it still delivers an exciting fly-on-the-wall atmosphere, capturing the group at the apex of their transition from hard-driving modal jazz to the more avant-garde, harmonically free approach Coltrane would embrace by the middle of the decade.

Much of this transition was brought on by Dolphy, whose wide, intervallic style and adventurous harmonies had a strong influence on Coltrane, which can be heard from both players throughout the recording. Most interesting is their take on "My Favorite Things," which Coltrane recorded a year prior for his album of the same name and which became somewhat of a radio hit. Where that original recording found Coltrane interpolating the melody to a degree, here, he pushes the song to ever more bold heights, utilizing spiraling multi-note runs and throaty, atonal smears.

Equally exploratory atmospheres mark the group's take on "Impressions," a regular song in Coltrane's live shows that he leaps into here with a wild abandon. It's also easy to imagine just how unusual and distinctive Dolphy must have sounded to audiences at the time. This is especially evident when he takes the bass clarinet lead on "When Lights Are Low," playing the melody with a stark soulfulness in a style reminiscent of Sonny Rollins before launching into a solo that quickly frays the harmonic edges of the lyrical standard. Tragically, within six years after this recording, both Dolphy and Coltrane would be gone. Despite the understated and lo-fi nature of the recording, Evenings at the Village Gate is a testament to their profound artistry and creative synergy. By Matt Collar
https://www.allmusic.com/album/evenings-at-the-village-gate-john-coltrane-with-eric-dolphy-mw0004003962

Personnel: Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – John Coltrane; Bass – Art Davis, Reggie Workman; Drums – Elvin Jones; Flute, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Eric Dolphy; Piano – McCoy Tyner

Evenings At The Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy

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