Ali Ryerson - I'll Be Back

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@128K/s
Time: 49:58
Size: 46,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:41) 1. Bobby's Minor
(4:33) 2. L'Ode A' Muse
(5:28) 3. I'll Be Back
(7:51) 4. Peace
(6:24) 5. Thinking of You
(7:29) 6. Nobody Knows
(4:59) 7. Song For Myself
(4:59) 8. Samba De Gago
(3:33) 9. That's All

It is a testament to flutist Ali Ryerson that on her second release she is not overshadowed by her all-star rhythm section (pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Danny Gottlieb) and that her sidemen sound happy to be playing with her. The music on this CD ranges from Bobby Jaspar's blues "Bobby's Minor" to a memorable version of Horace Silver's "Peace" and an emotional "That's All." Nothing that innovative occurs, but Ryerson's very pleasing flute sounds perfectly at home in this modern mainstream setting. Recommended for straight-ahead jazz fans.By Scott Yanow
https://www.allmusic.com/album/ill-be-back-mw0000104451

Personnel: Alto Flute, Flute – Ali Ryerson; Bass – Cecil McBee; Drums – Danny Gottlieb; Piano – Kenny Barron

I'll Be Back

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Ali Ryerson - Portraits in Silver

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:36
Size: 135,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:02) 1. Windows
(5:19) 2. Beatrice
(6:00) 3. Ausência
(4:16) 4. Shadowlight
(4:51) 5. Beautiful Love
(6:53) 6. Zingaro
(5:55) 7. Very Early
(6:53) 8. Jardin de la Paresse
(6:40) 9. Lament
(5:41) 10. The Summer Knows

A pleasant recording from this fine flutist, Portraits in Silver finds Ms. Ryerson playing several pieces which have had other flute interpretations. Her classically trained tone is clear and shimmering. With a sympathetic supporting cast, she mines new gold from the material, creating warm, beautiful, relaxing music. By Jim Newsom
https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/portraits-in-silver-mr0001444483

Personnel: Ali Ryerson, flute, alto flute; Kenny Werner, piano; Dennis Irwin, bass; Danny Gottlieb, drums, percussion

Portraits in Silver

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Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Alto

Styles: Guitar and Flute Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:21
Size: 121,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:41)  1. Ode To Billy Joe
(3:13)  2. 'Round Midnight
(3:09)  3. Joy Spring
(4:11)  4. Mother's Day
(2:51)  5. Willow Weep For Me
(4:32)  6. Waiting Is The Hardest Part
(3:44)  7. Summertime
(4:51)  8. Scarborough Fair / Norwegian Wood
(3:32)  9. Autumn Leaves
(3:52) 10. Cuidado
(4:13) 11. Song For My Father
(2:59) 12. What Would I Do Without You?
(3:30) 13. Billie's Bounce
(2:55) 14. We Will Meet Again

After an initial listen to this CD I knew full well that I would thoroughly enjoy it, mainly because I am somewhat partial to great jazz guitar work, and this CD certainly has plenty of it. Coincidentally, I have the same last name as one of the featured artists, Joe Beck (no family ties). My first reaction is that Joe's approach to guitar playing reminds me a lot of Tuck (from Tuck and Patty). The music has a similar feel for me, except that Ali Ryerson plays an alto flute for the majority of the leads, whereas Patty provides leads with her exceptional vocals. Joe and Ali have demonstrated a remarkable ability to seamlessly integrate the sounds of an electric guitar with those of an alto flute. Steve Davis rounds out most all of the selections with judicious applications of a variety of percussion that fit so well as to go un-noticed unless you're really listening for them. Joe is able to tune his guitar so that he supplies not only the rhythms and some leads, but the base lines at the same time! This is one CD that I seem to be able to listen to and enjoy, no matter what mood I am in. Definitely a keeper! http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/contemporary-jazz-cd-reviews/alto-by-joe-beck-ali-ryerson.html

Personnel:  Joe Beck (Guitar); Ali Ryerson (Alto flute); Steve Davis (Percussion).

Alto

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Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Django

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:27
Size: 128,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:02)  1. People Make The World Go 'Round
(4:35)  2. Laura
(4:45)  3. Django
(4:12)  4. Carioca Blue
(4:55)  5. When I Fall In Love
(4:34)  6. Spain
(4:20)  7. Come Together / Alone Together
(3:50)  8. Tenderly
(4:01)  9. Hobo
(3:03) 10. It Takes Two
(4:51) 11. O Barquinho
(3:47) 12. Nardis
(3:26) 13. Danny Boy

Joe Beck and Ali Ryerson have been working as a team for more than four years, playing concerts and other gigs under the name Duo. This is their second album, and, with the name Django, one would assume it is in honor of guitarist Django Reinhardt. Instead, the set is dedicated to the members of the Modern Jazz Quartet, who pioneered chamber jazz, the style that dominates this session with flautist Ryerson. John Lewis' "Django" is one of the tunes on the agenda that they play within the chamber style. Ryerson's passion for Brazilian music is documented on her six albums for Concord Jazz. She gets to show her mastery of this tempo on "Carioca Blue" and "O Barquinho." Jazz veteran Joe Beck, one of the first to mix jazz and rock guitar, uses an alto guitar which he invented. It provides a strong harmonically mellow and rhythmic cushion upon which Ryerson carries the melody line with her expressive, buoyant flute. Their mutual comfort is evident on such tunes as the medley "Come Together"/"Alone Together" and expresses itself on a haunting rendition of "Tenderly." If anything, this album is epitomized by some striking improvising. The two generally take one chorus, stating the melody, and then let their collective imagination take over. That they play together rather than separately when they extemporize makes this album distinctive. And they do it successfully whether the tune be one by Miles Davis or Johnny Mercer. With just the two instruments, their inventive way of collaborating makes sure that the listener's attention will not drift away. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan http://www.allmusic.com/album/django-mw0000321312

Personnel: Joe Beck (alto guitar); Ali Ryerson (alto flute).

Django

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The Ali Ryerson Jazz Flute Big Band - Game Changer

Size: 157,5 MB
Time: 68:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz: Big Band
Art: Front

01. Daahoud (5:27)
02. Ana Maria (5:49)
03. Stolen Moments (6:39)
04. Speak Like A Child (7:02)
05. Con Alma (8:42)
06. Girl Talk (6:53)
07. Pavane (7:41)
08. Impressions (6:26)
09. Sail Away (5:49)
10. Lil' Darlin' (7:38)

Yes, the idea seems rather implausible: a big band comprised of sixteen flutes and rhythm. Flutist Ali Ryerson is the catalyst and guiding hand behind the Jazz Flute Big Band (JFBB), which was formed in 2005 and has been performing at various events across the country ever since. Before dismissing it out of hand, give the JFBB's debut album, Game Changer, a listen; you may be in for a pleasant surprise. It's remarkable what well-written charts can do for an ensemble, even one that consists primarily of a single instrument (or five, if you subdivide the C, alto, bass and contrabass flutes nnd piccolo).

Needless to say, arranging for a nineteen-piece band sixteen of whose members are playing flute posed an enormous challenge for the half-dozen craftsmen chosen to carry out the enterprise, and each of them has come through with flying colors. Mike Wofford wrote three charts, Bill Cunliffe and Mike Abene two apiece. Mark Levine scored Clifford Brown's bop classic "Daahoud," Steve Rudolph the Herbie Hancock ballad "Speak Like a Child," Billy Kerr the classical composer Gabriel Faure's brooding "Pavane." Completing the program are Wayne Shorter's "Ana Maria," Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments," Tom Harrell's "Sail Away" (Wofford), Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma," John Coltrane's "Impressions" (Cunliffe), Neal Hefti's "Girl Talk" and "Li'l Darlin'" (Abene).

The FJBB's rhythm section (Levine, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Akira Tana, drums) is exemplary, as are its trio of guest soloists: Hubert Laws ("Stolen Moments"), Nestor Torres ("Con Alma") and Holly Hofmann ("Girl Talk"). Ryerson (alto flute) trades with Hofmann on "Girl Talk" and solos on "Sail Away." Others who solo are Paul Lieberman on "Daahoud," Marc Adler on "Ana Maria," Jamie Baum on "Speak Like a Child," Kerr and Fernando Brandao on "Pavane," Bob Chadwick on "Li'l Darlin.'" And if you think flutists can't swing as hard as anyone, try "Impressions" (fiery solo courtesy of Andrea Brachfield).

Notwithstanding the absence of brass and reeds, Game Changer sounds much like any other well-written and superbly performed big-band album. The flutes are clearly more subdued but no less pleasing, the charts as admirable as could be envisioned for an ensemble of this kind. In other words, they are far from bland, nor is the tasteful Jazz Flute Big Band, which is off to an impressive start. ~By Jack Bowers

Personnel: Ali Ryerson: leader, C and alto flute; Marc Adler: C and alto flute; Jamie Baum: C and alto flute; Andrea Brachfeld: C and alto flute; Fernando Brandao: C, alto and bass flute; Bob Chadwick: bass flute; Richard Ford: C and alto flute; Kris Keith: C and alto flute; Zachary Kellogg: piccolo, C flute; Billy Kerr: C and alto flute; Paul Lieberman: C, alto and bass flute; Rachel Rodgers: C flute; Jonathan Royce: C and alto flute; Donna Sevcovic: bass flute; Stan Slotter: C and alto flute; Keith Underwood: bass and contrabass flute; Mark Levine: piano; Rufus Reid: bass; Akira Tana: drums, percussion. Guest Soloists — Holly Hofmann: C flute; Hubert Laws: alto flute; Nestor Torres: C flute.

Game Changer

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