Showing posts with label Adrian Cunningham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adrian Cunningham. Show all posts

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Bill Gati & The Roaring 20's Band - 8 By 8

Styles: Swing
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 29:48
Size: 68,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:08) 1. 'Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness If I Do
(4:31) 2. Ja Da
(3:22) 3. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
(5:37) 4. Indiana
(3:44) 5. You Made Me Love You
(2:22) 6. Margie
(3:56) 7. I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
(3:04) 8. There'll Be Some Changes Made

These are “mood setting” originals that intend to create emotional reactions in the listeners. The idea is to express emotions and feelings inspired by architecture and space. Since I am also an architect, I view music as an extension of space and form. I perform weekly at the Water’s Edge Restaurant in Long Island City, NY. I experiment with different styles, tempo and volume to see how people react to the music.

My conclusion is that music does more to set the mood and change people’s emotions than anything else. Music is the ultimate conveyor of emotion. The best music is able to express.http://www.apianoman.com/store/

Personnel: William Gati - sax; Adrian Cunningham - tenor sax, clarinet; Vinny Raniolo - guitar; Charlie Caranicas - trumpet; Harvey Tibbs - trombone; Chris Pistorino - bass; Rob Garcia - drums; Martina DaSilva - vocals (1, 3, 5, 7)

8 By 8

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Adrian Cunningham - Ain't That Right! The Music Of Neal Hefti

Styles: Flute, Clarinet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:28
Size: 143,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:36)  1. The Odd Couple
(3:06)  2. Scoot
(5:30)  3. Girl Talk
(5:25)  4. Barefoot In The Park
(5:24)  5. Shanghaied
(5:29)  6. Its Awfully Nice To Be With You
(5:16)  7. Ain't That Right
(3:51)  8. Li'l Darling
(4:30)  9. How To Murder Your Wife
(4:34) 10. Zankie
(4:22) 11. Suspicion
(3:51) 12. I've Got Love
(4:28) 13. Cute

Here’s a great idea done right. Woodwinder Adrian Cunningham brings his breathy tenor, fluid clarinet and cirrus sounding flute along with the mix of Wycliffe Gordon/tb, Dan Nimmer/p Corcoran Holt/b and Chuck Redd/dr for an anthology of tunes from the penmeister and arranger Neal Hefti. Hefti made his name writing scores for Count Basie and then made a few bucks doing films like “Barefoot in the Park” and TV themes like “The Odd Couple.” He even married the babe Francis Wayne-whatta guy. Alas, I digress. Anyway…Gordon shows up with his trombone on a handful of the tracks, adding some nice texture to the strutting “Odd Couple” theme and adding fun ‘boney effects here and there while Cunningham’s tenor oozes warmth. Some blues strutting on “Shanghaid” has Gordon soloing with ferver, and the two horns hold back gloriously on the gentle blues “Li’l Darlin’”. Cunningham’s licorice stick is playful on the bopping “Scoot” and sleek on “Barefoot In The Park” while a gospel-grooved “I’ve Got Love” has him cruising over a testifying rhythm section. The latinish “Suspicion” features a gracious flute, and Nimmer is nimble and quick on the dreamy “It’s Awfully Nice To Be With You.” This session’s a winner! ~ George W. Harris https://www.jazzweekly.com/2014/09/adrian-cunningham-aint-that-right-the-music-of-neal-hefti/

Personnel:  Adrian Cunningham - flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone; Wycliffe Gordon - trombone; Chuck Redd - drums; Dan Nimmer - piano

Ain't That Right! The Music Of Neal Hefti

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Adrian Cunningham - Walkbout

Styles: Saxophone, Clarinet And Flute Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:50
Size: 130,9 MB
Art: Front

(0:55)  1. Prologue: Wanderlust
(6:24)  2. Chasing the Horizon
(4:56)  3. Baby Please Don't Go
(2:20)  4. In Transit
(6:14)  5. Oasis
(7:29)  6. Barcelona
(1:03)  7. Winter
(5:55)  8. Winter's End
(1:19)  9. In Transit #2
(7:08) 10. What I Can't Take with Me
(6:50) 11. Dancing into the Sun
(6:12) 12. The Long Road Home

One of Australia's finest jazz musicians, Saxophonist Adrian Cunningham has been busy leading The Adrian Cunningham Quartet in venues around his country of birth, establishing himself as a fixture in New York's vibrant jazz scene since his relocation in 2008. Recorded in Cunningham's home town of Sydney, Australia, Walkabout is a tasteful slice of modern jazz featuring original statements performed by a core quartet, with backup from a four-piece string section. Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Cunningham adds variety and mix to the music by performing on clarinet and flute, in addition to his saxophones. The album contains a selection of refreshing new material, which is a testament to Cunningham's talents as a songwriter. The music is bold, sophisticated and sometimes edgy but always engaging, drawing inspiration from his many travels and tenure in New York. With titles such as "Baby Please Don't Go (For New Orleans)," "Barcelona" and "Writer's End (For Williamsburg)," a picture emerges as to why this wanderlust's inspiration comes from traveling around the globe. Though swing may not be an appropriate adjective to describe the major contents of the disc, it certainly applies to "Dancing Into The Sun (For Bahia)," where Cunningham, pianist Bill Risby and drummer Gordon Rytmeister swing to a slight Latin rhythm on the burner of the set. Taking the music to the edge of the spectrum, "Oasis (For Central Park)" opens with a structureless free jazz introduction by the string section, then turns a bit avant-garde before developing its eventual fusion-like jazz texture. Cunningham returns to the saxophone on the last few pieces, closing the session with the swing jazz statement of "Dancing Into the Sun (For Bahia)" and the blues-tinged "The Long Road Home," climaxed by a solid, high-pitched solo providing convincing evidence of the reed man's tenor chops. With no covers, vocals or familiar jazz standards, Walkabout runs through a repertoire of original modern music showcasing quality charts by a multi-instrumentalist from down under whose talents as a writer and a performer, are poised to make Cunningham a first-call jazz musician on a world stage. ~ Edward Blanco https://www.allaboutjazz.com/walkabout-adrian-cunningham-new-market-music-review-by-edward-blanco.php

Personnel: Adrian Cunningham: saxophones, clarinet, flute; Bill Risby: piano; Dave Pudney: bass; Gordon Rytmeister: drums; Phillip Harti: violin; Ursula Nelius: violin; Angela Lindsay: viola; Paul Stender: cello.

Walkbout

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Adrian Cunningham - Professor Cunningham and His Old School: Swing It out!

Styles: Vocal, Clarinet, Flute and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:24
Size: 134,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:49)  1. All Of Me
(3:39)  2. A Pretty Girl, A Cadillac, and Some Money
(3:16)  3. That Da Da Strain
(3:22)  4. Mclancholy Serenade
(3:22)  5. Stompy Jones
(3:09)  6. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(3:43)  7. Oh Me Oh My
(4:14)  8. Bechet's Fantasy
(2:56)  9. Caldonia
(3:32) 10. Cheeky Monkey
(3:14) 11. Caravan
(3:42) 12. Be My Life's Companion
(3:33) 13. Chocko Mo Feendo Hey
(4:38) 14. Sleepwalker's Serenade
(3:11) 15. Dinah
(3:56) 16. Waltzing Matilda

This album is a fabulous example of highly dance-able and strikingly beautiful swing Jazz. Adrian ''Professor'' Cunningham on clarinet, tenor sax, flute, & vocals; Jon Challoner on trumpet; Dani Alonso on trombone; John Merrill on guitar; Alberto Pibiri on piano; Jim Robertson on bass; Paul Wells on drums. Adrian Cunningham is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and world traveller. Originally from Sydney Australia and now based in New York, he is proving to be one of his country's top exports. With fluent command of the saxophones, clarinet, and flute, he is one of the finest multi-instrumentalists in Jazz. When he is not busy performing in NYC with some of its finest players, he is touring the world playing jazz festivals and swing events. In 2013 Cunningham formed a tradtional/New Orleans style outfit called Professor Cunningham and His Old School, deeply rooted in the Jazz tradition and has fast become one of the top bands in the international Swing scene, having performed at Snowball (Stockholm), SLOX (California), BABBLE (NYC), CPH:LX (Copenhagen) and Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Musicians: Adrian Cunningham on clarinet, tenor sax, flute and vocals; Jon Challoner on trumpet; Dani Alonso on trombone; Alberto Pibiri on piano; John Merrill on guitar; Jim Robertson on bass; Paul Wells on drums

Professor Cunningham and His Old School: Swing It out!

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Adrian Cunningham - Jazz Speak

Styles: Saxophone, Clarinet And Flute Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:14
Size: 141,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:32)  1. The Source
(5:44)  2. Let«s Fall In Love
(6:24)  3. Mood Indigo
(5:57)  4. Getting Down Uptown
(5:48)  5. Rachel's Dance
(3:31)  6. Appalachia
(6:34)  7. Petite Fleur
(5:23)  8. Jazz Speak
(6:10)  9. Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake
(4:15) 10. Tempus Fugit
(5:52) 11. Janelle

Australian jazz musician Adrian Cunningham fronts a prestigious quartet that includes pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Cunningham is now based in New York City when not touring internationally. Patrons who attended the New Year’s Eve concert by Pensacola Symphony got to hear him when he played with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon’s group. This CD is a mix of familiar tunes plus some lesser known ones as well as some by Cunningham himself. The artist is equally facile with clarinet, tenor saxophone and flute. As stated, familiar tunes include Arlen and Koehler’s Let’s Fall in Love; Ellington and Bigard’s Mood Indigo, Sidney Bechet’s Petite Fleur along with Bud Powell’s Tempus Fugit. There are five Cunningham originals which are also exciting. One unusual tune, unfamiliar to me, was Lu Wencheng’s Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake. This is Chinese composer, Wencheng’s most famous tune. Purists would not put it in the jazz category, but most would agree it is a relaxed, typical Chinese melody and quite lovely. 

Thanks to Arbors records for their help in presenting Mr. Cunningham to the wider jazz audience. As readers of The Syncopated Times jazz monthly already know, Adrian has a monthly column about jazz and his peripatetic activity. ~ Norman Vickers  https://jazzpensacola.com/cd-review-jazz-speak-adrian-cunningham/

Personnel:  Adrian Cunningham - tenor sax, clarinet, flute; Ted Rosenthal - piano; John Clayton - bass; Jeff Hamilton - drums

Jazz Speak

Sunday, July 15, 2018

Adrian Cunningham, Ken Peplowski - Duologue

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:45
Size: 134.5 MB
Styles: Bop, Swing, Bossa Nova, Cool Jazz
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[4:23] 1. Show Type Tune
[4:10] 2. Jimmy Up Jimmy Down
[4:28] 3. Ballade
[5:03] 4. Background Music
[4:33] 5. Carinhoso
[5:33] 6. Mozart After A Few Beers
[5:05] 7. Dois Grandes Grinos
[5:09] 8. Looking Back
[6:40] 9. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
[3:44] 10. Luiza
[5:59] 11. Sonic Garden
[3:52] 12. Alligator Crawl

Bass – Martin Wind; Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Liner Notes – Adrian Cunningham; Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Producer, Liner Notes – Ken Peplowski; Drums – Matt Wilson; Piano – Renee Rosnes. Recorded on May 10 & 11, 2017 in New York City.

A co-leader project often is an opportunity to hear an old favorite in a new context—and perhaps to discover a new favorite musician. Such is the case with Duologue, icon Ken Peplowski’s album with fellow clarinetist Adrian Cunningham, an Australian native now based in New York who has collaborated with other acclaimed bandleaders, including trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and bassist Vince Giordano. But the title of this excellent straightahead disc is somewhat misleading because the project involves a flexible, collaborative quintet, and the other three band members made essential contributions, adding one composition apiece to the recording. Acrobatic pianist Renee Rosnes gave this program “Jimmy Up Jimmy Down,” a gem she composed for saxophone legend Jimmy Heath. Bassist Martin Wind offered “Looking Back,” which adds a supremely memorable melody to a program filled with them. Gregarious drummer Matt Wilson supplied “Sonic Garden,” an avant-leaning piece that demonstrates how musical elements from Earth can meld well with those from Saturn. The co-leaders’ shared affinity for Brazilian tunes is evident: The band transforms Pixinguinha’s “Carinhoso” into a brilliant flute showcase for Cunningham, while Rosnes and Peplowski’s duo reading of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Luiza” illustrates why the clarinet master is invited to perform at festivals around the globe.

Elsewhere on this 12-track album, Cunningham and Peplowski offer authoritative dual-clarinet segments, particularly on the buoyant “Dois Grandes Gringos.” (Other woodwinds factored into the recording sessions as well, with the co-leaders contributing tenor saxophone and bass clarinet.) This album’s smile-inducing renditions of Duke Ellington’s “I’m Just A Lucky So And So” and Fats Waller’s “Alligator Crawl” will be catnip for fans of classic jazz. Additionally, this project showcases Cunningham’s sense of humor, not only in the song title of his “Mozart After A Few Beers,” but also in his liner notes essay: “Ken’s idea to record the album entirely [with the musicians] drumming on reclaimed Tupperware was suggested, and put aside … as was his idea of having us play underwater, with only the bubbles of air recorded as they hit the surface. (Preliminary bathtub tests proved unsuccessful.) All jokes aside, this album is terrifically successful. ~Bobby Reed

Duologue mc
Duologue zippy

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Adrian Cunningham - Unspoken

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:32
Size: 129,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:59)  1. The Preacher
(8:34)  2. Zambezi
(7:04)  3. Unspoken
(6:57)  4. Triste
(7:53)  5. Blue Skies
(7:28)  6. Soul Food
(3:15)  7. White Diamond
(8:22)  8. There Is No Greater Love

Adrian Cunningham has already established himself as one of this Australia's finest jazz musicians and multi-instrumentalists, with countless club and festival appearances plus a number of highly acclaimed albums. Having been been based in NYC since 2008, Adrian has been playing regularly in the Big Apple, throughout USA and Europe. In 3 short years he has appeared some of NYC's finest clubs- Smalls, Birdland, 55 Bar, Fat Cat, the Apollo Theater, Dizzy's (Lincoln Centre) and even a private event at the hallowed Village Vanguard; with such luminaries as Lew Soloff, Wycliffe Gordon, George Coleman Jr and Bucky Pizzarelli.
 
Unspoken is the first album by this unique and talented artist and is already receiving critical acclaim from industry reviewers and musicians alike. Since the age of sixteen Adrian has been performing professionally on clarinet, saxophones, flute and piano, and has been a featured soloist for such notable artists as James Morrison, Don Burrows, Monica Trapaga, Emma Pask, Galapagos Duck and John Morrison's Swing City. Adrian has performed in New York, Japan, Indonesia, Africa and has studied extensively with internationally renowned clarinetist & recording artist Eddie Daniels. "Unspoken was inspired by those powerful moments in life that are beyond words, moments of intense happiness or tragedy. Communications beyond words; unspoken. Enjoy!" ~  Adrian Cunningham

"Through his beautifully played clarinet and tenor, Adrian tells us exactly what he has to say; and it's certainly worth hearing, believe me!" ~ Don Burrows AO MBE

"This new and emerging young jazz artist has a refreshing sound and style all his own beautiful" ~ James Morrison AM

Walkabout from internationally acclaimed jazz composer and musician Adrian Cunningham is a wonderfully executed collection of twelve original, self composed tracks. Adrian brings to the table a smooth, playful and notably cohesive sound, with each track drawing inspiration from his travels and time spent in New York.

Personnel:  Adrian Cunningham - alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet, Bill Risby - piano, Craig Scott - bass, Gordon Rytmeitster - drums

Unspoken

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Wycliffe Gordon - Dreams of New Orleans

Styles: Trombone And Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:32
Size: 170,0 MB
Art:

(4:33)  1. When the Saints Go Marching In
(4:17)  2. Darktown Strutters' Ball
(5:34)  3. St. Louis Blues
(4:08)  4. Chinatown
(6:24)  5. Panama
(3:10)  6. Lil' Liza Jane
(7:07)  7. Some of These Days
(4:02)  8. Tiger Rag
(4:52)  9. Avalon
(5:12) 10. Royal Garden Blues
(5:53) 11. St. Louis Blues
(5:36) 12. Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey
(4:54) 13. Back Home Again in Indiana
(2:44) 14. Down by the Riverside
(4:05) 15. Sweet Papa, Mama's Getting Mad

Trombone player Wycliffe Gordon is best known for his work with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of jazz maestro, Wynton Marsalis. The versatile trombonist can scat, multi-note, slide, and plunge, just like he stepped out of the 1930s. Gordon has played with many jazz luminaries, including Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Henderson, Branford Marsalis,Lionel Hampton, Tommy Flanagan, and Shirley Horn. His musical colleagues call him "Pine Cone," since he grew up in the piney woods of Georgia. It must have been this Ellington era quality that caught the ears of jazz educator Wynton Marsalis, who heard Gordon play while the trumpeter was giving a workshop at Gordon's alma mater, Florida A&M University. Their fortuitous meeting resulted in Gordon joining the Wynton Marsalis Septet, as well as the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, in 1989. As a member of the illustrious band, Gordon contributed as both musician and composer. Gordon, who like Charles Mingus says he hears music in his head all the time, has managed to write some of it down, and then hear it performed all over the world by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Whether they know it or not, National Public Radio fans are familiar with the musician's work: In 1993, Gordon composed the NPR theme song. Gordon, an admirer of Louis Armstrong, J.J. Johnson, and Jack Teagarden, prefers the melodic approach to playing and composition. The listener can hear that on any of his outstanding recordings. His first outing was with fellow trombonist Ron Westray on their 1996 release, Bone Structure. More good things came with Slidin' Home, recorded in 1999. Joined by Victor Goines, Eric Reed, Rodney Whitaker, Herlin Riley, Milt Grayson, Joe Temperley, and Randy Sandke, Gordon really struts his stuff on this one, showing a wide range of influences from big band to gospel.

The Search, recorded in 2000, ranges as far and wide as the title suggests, and includes Gordon holding forth on the didgeridoo. Gordon, whose father was the pianist at the church the trumpeter grew up in, devotes himself to his gospel roots on The Gospel Truth, (2000). What You Dealin' With, (2001), continues in a jazz vein with original compositions and jazz standards. Gordon's 2002 release We may be his best yet, as the trombonist collaborates with pianist Eric Reed on jazz and gospel tunes. Besides performing and educating at his own music school in his hometown of Augusta, GA, Gordon has another important project: writing the score for the Oscar Micheaux 1925 silent film, Body and Soul. Paul Robeson starred in the movie about race, religion, and small town life in the South. Gordon drew upon his own Southern upbringing to produce music from the church, the bars, and the home, to be performed by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Gordon has begun to evidence an interest in vocalizing, something which he says he plans to do increasingly. The results are sure to be top drawer, as the exuberant Wycliffe Gordon throws himself into things, body and soul. ~ Rose of Sharon Witmer  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dreams-of-new-orleans/557724173

Personnel: Wycliffe Gordon (trombones, trumpet, vocals), Jon Erik-Kellso (trumpet, backing vocals), Adrian Cunningham (clarinet, soprano saxophone), Michael Dease (trombone, tenor and baritone saxophone, trumpet, backing vocals), Matt Munisteri (guitar, banjo, vocals), Ibanda Ruhumbika (tuba), Marion Felder (drums)

Dreams of New Orleans