Monday, January 29, 2024

Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott - East West Trumpet Summit: Coast to Coast

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:44
Size: 112,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:18) 1. One Day At A Time
(4:31) 2. I Told You So
(5:54) 3. You've Changed
(5:14) 4. Broadway
(6:10) 5. Art Deco
(5:36) 6. Girl Talk
(4:14) 7. Quarter Nelson
(5:54) 8. Front Row Family
(5:49) 9. So Long Eric

Coast to Coast is the third East West Trumpet Summit recorded by Ray Vega and Thomas Marriott in a musical partnership that has spanned nearly three decades. The years have been kind, and when it comes to playing persuasive jazz, neither Vega nor Marriott appears to have lost a step. Marriott, a native of Seattle, and Vega, New York-born and bred, first met in 1995, and the mutual admiration and respect was immediate. Their first two albums as co-leaders were exceptional, and Coast to Coast is no less so, with the front-liners in superior form and backed by a blue-chip rhythm section anchored by celebrated drummer Roy McCurdy with the always-dependable Orrin Evans on piano and rock-solid Michael Glynn on bass.

In sum, the quintet plays engaging and listenable music that swings in the finest tradition of such renowned trumpet duos as Fats Navarro and Howard McGhee or Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw. For the listener, that is about as good as it gets. The material is first-class too, with a trio of bright original compositions by Marriott interspersed among as many standards and good-natured themes by George Cables, Don Cherry and Charles Mingus. The standards were penned by Carl Fischer ("You've Changed"), Wilbur Bird ("Broadway") and Neal Hefti ("Girl Talk").

Vega and Marriott give each of them a cheerful ride while Evans, Glynn and McCurdy make sure the rhythmic pulse never wavers. For listening purposes, the notes say that Marriott is heard stereo-left, Vega stereo-right, but that's largely irrelevant, as there is not much to choose between two masters whose approach to the music is by and large synchronous and complementary. No matter who is playing, the sound is luminous and clear, the ad-libs sharp and clever. The trumpets are open most of the way, muted on Marriott's charming, samba-like "Front Row Family."

Marriott's other compositions, "One Day at a Time" and "Quarter Nelson," are old-school swingers whose hustle and bustle brings out the best in everyone, as do the high-spirited "Broadway" and even Charles Mingus' "So Long Eric," which closes the album on a luminous and even-tempered note. The quintet has more fun on Cables' melodious "I Told You So" (nimble solo by Evans), Cherry's frisky "Art Deco" and Hefti's syrupy nod to idle chit-chat, "Girl Talk." "You've Changed," the only true ballad on the menu, is simply more grist for the quintet's efficiently run mill.

From start to finish, the third edition of East West Trumpet Summit is delightful to hear and appreciate, not only for Vega and Marriott's singular artistry but for the splendid choice of music and the indispensable support provided by an astute and responsive rhythm section. Notwithstanding the music's many detours, when placed in the best of hands straight-ahead jazz can be as inventive and pleasing as ever.By Jack Bowers
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/coast-to-coast-ray-vega-and-thomas-marriott-east-west-trumpet-summit-origin-records__19180

Personnel: Trumpet – Ray Vega, Thomas Marriott; Acoustic Bass – Michael Glynn; Drums – Roy McCurdy; Piano – Orrin Evans

East West Trumpet Summit: Coast to Coast

Denny Zeitlin - Crazy Rhythm: Exploring George Gershwin

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:41
Size: 159,2 MB
Art: Front

( 8:42) 1. Summertime
( 4:33) 2. How Long Has This Been Going On
( 2:46) 3. S’wonderful
( 7:29) 4. Bess You Is My Woman Now
( 7:44) 5. It Ain’t Necessarily So
( 4:09) 6. By Strauss
( 5:49) 7. The Man I Love
(12:46) 8. My Man’s Gone Now
( 6:32) 9. I’ve Got A Crush On You
( 4:14) 10. Fascinating Rhythm
( 3:50) 11. I Was Doing All Right

Denny Zeitlin's jazz career began when he sat in as the featured pianist on flutist Jeremy Steig's Flute Fever (Columbia Records, 1964). He followed this up with his debut as a leader on Columbia Records' 1964 album Cathexis. While maintaining another successful career as a psychiatrist and college professor, he released more than a dozen albums over the next quarter century, most of them acoustic piano sets, plus a few experimental electronic outings, along with a groundbreaking electro/orchestral soundtrack to the 1978 remake of the science fiction film Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

At the turn of the century, Zeitlin had established himself as a top-level, if somewhat underrecognized, jazz talent. Then, in 2001, he found a home at Sunnyside Records, a connection that turned into a late-career profile boost that resulted in some of the pianist's finest recordings. In addition to his Sunnyside home, Zeitlin also found a home at Oakland's Piedmont Piano Company, where he presents yearly solo recitals focusing on individual composers. In 2014 it was saxophonist Wayne Shorter, resulting in the album Early Wayne (Sunnyside, 2016); in 2016 it was Miles Davis, for Remembering Miles (Sunnyside, 2019). And now, for 2023, we have Crazy Rhythm: Exploring George Gershwin.

As he did with the music of Davis and Shorter, Zeitlin reimagines the music of Gershwin. Improvisation on the themes is front and center. One of Gershwin's most famous tunes, "Summertime," is not readily recognizable in the opening minutes, as Zeitlin rambles, circling around what will soon gel into the familiar melody. Then he drifts away again, with great elegance, rolling into finessed, off-the-cuff segments steeped in the mood of the piece. It is worth noting that "Summertime" is one of three tunes chosen from Gershwin's 1935 American-language opera, Porgy And Bess. Inspired by the Miles Davis/Gil Evans 1959 Columbia Records reimagination of the work, he includes, besides "Summertime," "Bess You Is My Woman Now," "The Man I Love," and "My Man's Gone Now" here.

"How Long Has This Been Going On?" is here, too. So is "S'Wonderful, "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Fascinating Rhythm," "By Strauss, "I've Got A Crush On You" and "I Was Doing All Right." A spin through the set bolsters the opinion that nobody could write a popular tune containing a combination of deft grace and uncommon intelligence better than George Gershwin an American treasure if ever there was one. And nobody plays them with more style and celebration of their charm and their simplicity/complexity dynamic adding his own distinctive layers of complexity better than Denny Zeitlin.By Dan McClenaghan
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/crazy-rhythm-exploring-george-gershwin-denny-zeitlin-sunnyside-records

Personnel: Denny Zeitlin - Piano

Crazy Rhythm: Exploring George Gershwin

Charlie Apicella & Iron City Meet The Griots Speak - Destiny Calling

Styles: Jazz Contemporary
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:01
Size: 99,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:16) 1. As The Sun Rises
(3:44) 2. Titan Vs. Sphinx
(3:56) 3. Juma Speaks/maliki Malesha
(4:30) 4. We're All Here In Spirit
(4:26) 5. It's Alright To Run
(3:40) 6. I Heard In Passing
(8:15) 7. If You Know Where To Look
(5:04) 8. Where Do You Find These People
(7:05) 9. Sparks

Guitarist Charlie Apicella and his organ trio Iron City are solidly based in the hard-bop mainstream. However, some of their releases are flavored with other motifs, partially by virtue of the guest artists. For instance, the tribute to legendary guitarist B.B. King, Payin' the Cost To Be the Boss (CArlo, Music, 2016), with an augmented sextet, was aptly bluesy. Meanwhile Classic Guitar (Zoho, 2020), with tenor saxophonist Stephen Riley, was an intimate interpretation of the Great American Songbook.

On his eighth, and so far most ambitious, project The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling, he is joined by three masters of free improvisation for a single, nine-part, stimulating and boundary-pushing suite. The mostly improvised music incorporates occasional pre-written passages by Apicella, and, in addition to western instruments, utilises Himalayan and West African ones.

Opening with "As the Sun Rises," multi-reed player Daniel Carter, bassist William Parker and Apicella set a meditative mood before the entire band launches into "Titan vs Sphinx." Carter's lines float coolly over organist Brad Whiteley and drummer Austin Walker's percolating groove. The collective extemporization, with Apicella contributing resonant blistering chords, progresses with unfettered energy.

The exciting piece seamlessly dovetails into the mystical "Juma's Song / Maliki Melasha." Percussionist Juma Sultan drives the cadence while Parker contributes his trademark, eloquent and virtuosic basslines. The ambience is one of primal spirituality. Apicella and Carter engage in a sparse conversation over the controlled yet riotous ensemble performance. The result is contemplative and thrilling.

An understated soulfulness permeates the entire album. On the segment called "Where Do You Find These People?," an angular rhythmic structure is at the core of the pensive performance. Carter's saxophone wails while Whiteley contributes simmering refrains. Walker and Sultan drive this meandering track with their poignant beats. Here, as at many instants on this recording, the band flirts with but never quite embraces dissonance.

The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling is not only a delightful melding of styles, it is also vibrant and alive with brilliant spontaneity. Using international folk instruments, similar to his mentor multi-reed player Yusef Lateef, Apicella demonstrates music's pan cultural appeal which is both very individual yet universal. Apicella has succeeded in creating a work which is simultaneously provocative and has wide appeal. By Hrayr Attarian
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-griots-speak-destiny-calling-charlie-apicella-oa2-records

Personnel: Drums, Producer – Charlie Apicella; Bass, Percussion – William Parker; Congas, Percussion – Juma Sultan; Drums – Austin Walker; Organ – Brad Whitely (2); Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Piano, Executive Producer – Daniel Carter

Destiny Calling

Gabriel Espinosa - Bossas And Boleros

Styles: Latin
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:59
Size: 121,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:17) 1. New Year (Feat. Kim Nazarian)
(7:06) 2. Amelia (Feat. Kim Nazarian)
(4:06) 3. Mi Jarana (Feat. Kim Nazarian & Anat Cohen)
(6:06) 4. Aqui Estoy Yo (Feat. Fred Hersch)
(4:31) 5. Sing (Feat. New York Voices)
(5:36) 6. First Responders (Feat. Kim Nazarian)
(6:08) 7. Pa Eugenio (Feat. Kim Nazarian)
(5:51) 8. Nosotros (Feat. Gerardo Flores)
(4:26) 9. 22 (Feat. Kim Nazarian)
(4:47) 10. No Me Platiques Mas

Six of these tunes on Bossas and Boleros are his original compositions. As you might expect from the title, some of these tunes fit in a kind of retro/romantic category whereas others are in a kind of soft Latin jazz vein. Interestingly, Gabriel also found inspiration in current events and translated them into musical interludes.

Gabriel assembled an excellent collection of musicians to bring this album to life and his bass playing is solid and precise but not flashy. His playing compliments the music in a noticeable way but is very balanced in the overall mix. The compositions are intricate and quite lovely with a generous helping of Latin tempos. I especially enjoyed his vocal rendition of “Aqui Estoy Yo” where he sings with just a piano. It is a rare treat to actually hear a bass player’s voice in a tune.

The great thing about this album is it’s universal appeal as it is not all about the bass. Everyone can relate to a collection of beautiful music and it’s excellent execution. This album is perfect to listen to while you enjoy a glass of wine with a loved one as you watch the sunset. Listening made me feel both relaxed and happy and that are feelings we all want to share.
https://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2023/10/album-review-gabriel-espinosa-bossas-and-boleros/

Bossas & Boleros