Bill Watrous Quartet - Roaring Back into New York, New York

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:43
Size: 98,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:19)  1. I Should Care
(7:51)  2. My Ideal
(6:37)  3. Limehouse Blues
(9:42)  4. Serenade in Blue
(6:39)  5. I've Got a Crush on You
(4:32)  6. 7 Come 11

One of the finest bop-oriented trombonists from the 1960s onward, Bill Watrous had a low profile after moving to Los Angeles in the 1980s despite remaining quite active. Possessor of a beautiful tone and remarkable technique, Watrous was oftentimes overlooked in jazz popularity polls. His father was a trombonist and introduced Bill to music. He played in traditional jazz bands as a teenager and studied with Herbie Nichols while in the military. Watrous made his debut with Billy Butterfield, and was one of the trombonists in Kai Winding's groups during 1962-1967. He was a busy New York-based studio musician during the 1960s, working and recording with Quincy Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Johnny Richards, and Woody Herman; playing in the television band for Merv Griffin's show (1965-1968); and working on the staff of CBS (1967-1969). After playing with the jazz-rock group Ten Wheel Drive in 1971, Watrous led his own big band (the Manhattan Wildlife Refuge) during 1973-1977, recording two superb albums for Columbia. After moving to Los Angeles in the late '70s, Watrous continued working in the studios, appearing at jazz parties, playing in local clubs, and leading an occasional big band. He recorded as a leader for Columbia, Famous Door, Soundwing, GNP/Crescendo, and with his big band for Double-Time. Bill Watrous died in Los Angeles in July 2018 at the age of 79. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-watrous-mn0000765776/biography

Personnel:  Trombone – Bill Watrous; Piano – Derek Smith; Bass – Linc Milliman; Drums – Ronnie Bedford

Roaring Back into New York, New York

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Flip Phillips - At The Helm

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:51
Size: 175.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[11:03] 1. Introduction Nuages
[ 5:27] 2. A Sound Investment
[10:52] 3. Poor Butterfly
[ 5:22] 4. Jumping At The Woodside
[ 6:23] 5. Singing The Blues
[10:27] 6. It's The Talk Of The Town
[ 8:32] 7. Sweet And Lovely
[ 7:26] 8. Just Friends
[ 4:00] 9. How High The Moon
[ 0:56] 10. Prez And Lady Flip
[ 6:19] 11. At The Helm

Flip Phillips was 79 at the time of this live performance but proves to still be very much in his musical prime. Joined by a rhythm section comprised of fellow veterans (pianist Derek Smith, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Ray Mosca), Phillips gives standards and riff tunes warm and often hard-swinging treatment. Other than a few tasteless (if humorous) jokes, this is a flawless release that serves as a definitive portrait of Flip Phillips in his later years. ~Scott Yanow

At The Helm mc
At The Helm zippy

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Gerry Mulligan - Watching & Waiting

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:52
Size: 85,1 MB
Art: Front + Back

(1:37)  1. Dance of the truck
(5:45)  2. Introspect
(3:46)  3. Watching and waiting
(1:01)  4. Trucking again
(1:56)  5. New wine
(4:59)  6. The trap
(3:31)  7. Theme from 'La Menace'
(4:02)  8. Vines of Bordeaux
(3:18)  9. The house they'll never live in
(1:41) 10. Watching and waiting (reprise)
(1:43) 11. The pantomimist
(1:01) 12. Introspect (reprise)
(2:26) 13. Vines of Bordeaux (reprise)

This CD is a straight reissue of the Gerry Mulligan LP La Menace, the soundtrack to the film of the same name. He's joined by nine other musicians (though not all at the same time), including keyboardists Dave Grusin, Pete Levin, Derek Smith, Edward Walsh, and Tom Fay; drummers Bobby Rosengarden and Michael DiPasqua; and bassists Jack Six and Jay Leonhart. Mulligan also overdubs soprano sax, clarinet, and keyboards into the mix, which of course prominently features the leader on baritone sax. The music has a more contemporary feeling than his typical recordings because of the sometimes heavy use of synthesizers, and while the music is enjoyable, none of the compositions are particularly memorable. At times Mulligan's baritone sax sounds as if it has gone through some added processing. Overall this 1982 recording is of borderline interest to Mulligan fans. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/watching-waiting-mw0000244651

Personnel: Gerry Mulligan (saxophone, keyboards, synthesizer); Tom Fay (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Derek Smith (piano); Dave Grusin (keyboards); Peter Levin (Moog synthesizer); Edward Walsh (Oberheim synthesizer); Jack Six, Jay Leonhart (bass); Bobby Rosengarden, Michael Di Pasqua (drums).

Watching and waiting

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Teresa Brewer - What A Wonderful World

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:23
Size: 91,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:04)  1. What A Wonderful World
(4:04)  2. June Night
(4:15)  3. I Dream Of You
(5:03)  4. Just Imagine
(3:22)  5. Isn't It A Lovely Day?
(3:45)  6. I've Got A Feeling
(2:55)  7. Live Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries
(3:46)  8. On The Road Again
(3:50)  9. Come And Drive Me Crazy
(5:18) 10. My Heart Belongs To Daddy

A 1989 release of Brewer singing and being backed by Stephane Grappelli and Ruby Braff. I'd rather hear them.~Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/what-a-wonderful-world-mw0000201527

Personnel: Teresa Brewer (vocals); Bob Haggart (whistling); Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); John Bertoncini (guitar); Diz Disley (acoustic guitar); Martin Taylor (electric guitar); Stéphane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen (violin); Bob Wilber (clarinet, saxophone); Bud Freeman (tenor saxophone); Yank Lawson (trumpet); Ruby Braff , Bobby Hackett (cornet); Vic Dickenson, Benny Morton (trombone); Derek Smith , Hank Jones , Ralph Sutton , Earl Hines (piano); Ron Traxler, Grady Tate, Gus Johnson , Oliver Jackson (drums)

What A Wonderful World

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Derek Smith Trio - Love For Sale

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:32
Size: 113,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:08)  1. Love For Sale
(5:34)  2. Autumn Leaves
(6:18)  3. Summertime
(3:51)  4. One To Warm Up On
(5:19)  5. When Sunny Gets Blue
(5:30)  6. Tristessa
(7:35)  7. Sweet Lorraine
(3:21)  8. Too Close For Comfort
(5:52)  9. A Day In The Life Of A Fool (Carnival)

A powerful swing-based pianist, Derek Smith is heard in top form throughout this trio set with bassist George Duvivier and drummer Bobby Rosengarden. The nine-song program (which has been reissued on CD) is highlighted by "Love for Sale," "Autumn Leaves," "Too Close for Comfort" and Smith's "One to Warm Up On." Easily recommended to fans of mainstream piano. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/love-for-sale-mw0000308750

Personnel: Derek Smith (piano); Bobby Rosengarden (drums).

Love For Sale

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Derek Smith - To Love Again

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:47
Size: 126,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:45)  1. To Love Again
(3:26)  2. When Your Lover Has Gone
(3:54)  3. The Bad And The Beautiful
(4:42)  4. Last Night When We Were Young
(4:24)  5. Moon Light Sonata Yesterday
(3:47)  6. Too Late Now
(3:58)  7. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
(3:04)  8. Waltz
(3:02)  9. Darn That Dream
(3:35) 10. Elvira Madigan
(3:32) 11. Glad To Be Unhappy
(4:22) 12. We'll Be Together Again
(3:04) 13. September Song
(3:42) 14. I Get Along Without You Very Well
(3:28) 15. Sweet Lorraine

A jazz pianist noted for his versatility and elegance, Derek Smith was born August 17, 1931, in London, England. After taking up the piano in early childhood, he began his professional career at the age of just 14, and by the early '50s was a staple on the U.K. jazz scene, regularly performing with the likes of Kenny Graham, John Dankworth, and Kenny Baker. In the mid-'50s, Smith relocated to New York City, where he became a session musician in much demand by studio orchestras and other recording units; he also continued pursuing his jazz aspirations in the company of Benny Goodman and Connie Kay.

Smith continued moving back and forth from studio work to live jazz dates for years to come, and at the end of the 1960s added to his workload piano duties in Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show Orchestra. In the 1970s, he reunited frequently with Goodman, and in 1978 finally led his own recording date, Love for Sale. The Man I Love followed later that same year, and in the decades to come, Smith's presence on the jazz landscape increased considerably; in addition to solo performances, he also regularly played in a trio with Milt Hinton and Bobby Rosengarden. ~ Jason Ankeny  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/derek-smith/id81820237#fullText

To Love Again

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Kenny Davern & Flip Phillips - Spanish Eyes

Styles: Clarinet and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:35
Size: 173,4 MB
Art: Front

( 0:25)  1. Opening Remarks
( 9:27)  2. Elsa's Dream
(10:57)  3. Flip's Dido
(10:31)  4. Spanish Eyes
( 6:35)  5. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm
( 7:57)  6. Royal Garden Blues
(10:42)  7. Miki's Dream
( 6:18)  8. All Of Me
(12:39)  9. Lover Come Back To Me

As Gene Lees makes clear in his notes, there is escape from bebop. There's none of it here, or just a soupcon on one track from Phil Woods, who can't really help it, even if Benny Carter and Johnny Hodges were his earlier influences. But Phillips and Davern are a fine, tough pair and swing happily together despite a twenty-year age difference, a fact that goes to prove something. Certainly, their combination of tenor and clarinet falls agreeably on the ear, just as that of tenor and trombone does. They're caught in action here on a 1995 Floating Jazz Festival, with generally sympathetic backing by Derek Smith, Howard Alden, Milt Hinton and Joe Ascione, although some of Smith's piano solos at up tempo sound spectacularly overcrowded. The well-chosen program includes two attractive Phillips originals, "Flip's Dido" and to match Davern's "Elsa's Dream," an intriguing "Miki's Dream." Mrs. Davern is Elsa, but the identity of Dido and Miki is not revealed. The last and longest track, "Lover, Come Back to Me," on which Woods appears, runs for twelve and a half minutes that many will presumably find climactically exciting. ~ Stanley Dance  http://jazztimes.com/articles/7798-spanish-eyes-kenny-davern-flip-phillips

Personnel: Flip Phillips (tenor saxophone); Howard Alden (guitar); Kenny Davern (clarinet); Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Derek Smith (piano); Joe Ascione (drums).

Spanish Eyes

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Derek Smith - High Energy

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:50
Size: 155.3 MB
Styles: Swing, Piano jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[3:36] 1. Like Someone In Love
[4:04] 2. How Deep Is The Ocean
[4:55] 3. Fools Rush In
[4:43] 4. Girl Talk
[4:09] 5. Doxy
[2:40] 6. Lazy Afternoon
[4:31] 7. On Green Dolphin Street
[6:15] 8. Alone Together
[2:51] 9. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
[4:31] 10. Here's That Rainy Day
[4:11] 11. Let's Fall In Love
[3:48] 12. I Love You
[4:29] 13. Teach Me Tonight
[3:11] 14. Theme From 2nd Movement Concerto De Aranjuez
[3:37] 15. St. Thomas
[6:11] 16. What The World Needs Now Is Love

Although Derek Smith arrived in New York City in 1957 and has recorded and performed in a variety of settings in and out of jazz, the veteran pianist made relatively few record dates as a leader during his long career. That's one reason that this trio session for Arbors Jazz is so special. Joined by bassist Nicki Parrott and drummer Joe Ascione, Smith brings a freshness to such familiar standards as "Like Someone in Love," "On Green Dolphin Street," and "Alone Together." His jaunty take of Sonny Rollins' "Doxy" and a lively version of the tenor saxophonist's Caribbean-flavored "St. Thomas" (the latter of which is kicked off without the leader) contrast with Neal Hefti's soft-spoken ballad "Girl Talk." It's hard to debate with liner-note writer Dr. Chuck Berg that Smith's poignant solo interpretation of "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most." It is a safe bet that everyone in the studio was all smiles by the time the recording was completed, so this Derek Smith CD should be considered an essential purchase by jazz piano fans. ~Ken Dryden

High Energy

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Derek Smith - Latin Expression

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:14
Size: 119.6 MB
Styles: Latin rhythms
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:21] 1. Mambo Inn
[6:19] 2. Poinciana
[5:18] 3. Mi Cancion
[4:45] 4. Alpinos
[4:41] 5. El Cumbanchero
[4:52] 6. Partido Alto
[3:00] 7. Son De La Loma
[3:37] 8. Besame Mama
[3:17] 9. So Danco Samba
[3:51] 10. Cubano Chant
[2:58] 11. Sempre Sim
[5:09] 12. Here We Go

The title of Derek Smith's Latin Expression falls somewhat short of the actual experience. It does not even begin to describe the utter joy that arises from the resonant, fluttering, dancing music that swathes the record. Perhaps "Latin Explosion" might have been more appropriate? Steel panist/vibraphonist Smith plunges, body and soul, into a veritable carnival of Afro-Caribbean sounds, acquitting himself with distinction.

To many it might have been a challenge to switch back and forth between pans and vibes and expect the same effect, but Smith has mastered the nuanced differences between the resonances of the two instruments. Accordingly, he employs a subtly different attack to gain an appropriate after-burn from phrase-ending notes on the pans, in order to make them hang. His sliding dynamics on the vibes create diaphanous echoes that follow notes sounded by furrier mallets, and the effect he achieves is wholly absorbing.

Nowhere is this more delightfully evident than on "El Cumbanchero." But the spirited kick in "Mambo Inn" comes a close second in the showcasing Smith's wizardry with the mallets. That is the first track on an album where the level of exuberance seems to rise song-after-song, peaking again on "Son de la Luna," Miguel Matamoros' classic son. Mongo Santamaria "Besame Mama" features a stellar turn by Smith on pans, with a wonderful, angular attack and rapid-fire runs that includes the higher register of the instrument. The song also grabs attention because of the empathetic relationship that Smith enjoys with pianist Jason Moen, who dazzles by mimicking a guitar on the keyboards, complete with strumming effects.

"So Danco Samba" retains its samba rhythm, thanks to fine work by bassist Aaron German and percussionists Colin Douglas and Mike Shannon. But surprisingly, the band turns it into a Caribbean feature as Smith rocks the pans. In the capable hands of this ensemble, Ray Bryant "Cubano Chant" is fashioned in a graceful vocal manner, also featuring Colin Douglas' exquisite percussion coloring. Jovino Santos Neto, who is fast gaining recognition for his extraordinary music, is represented by "Sempre Sim," which features a wonderful melody full of almost ghostly quarter tones in its harmony.

Derek Smith's own compositions—"Mi Cancion" and "Here We Go"—possess fine, strong melodies and auger well for the development of this hard-working musician, who will surely become a headline act in the realm of Afro-Caribbean music. ~RAUL D'GAMA ROSE

Derek Smith: steel pans, vibes; Aaron Germain: electric bass; Jason Moen; piano, keyboard; Colin Douglas: drums, congas, guiro; Mike Shannon: drums (8, 9, 11); Mark Rosenthal: cello, steel pans (4, 12).

Latin Expression

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Dick Hyman And Derek Smith - Dick & Derek At The Movies

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 60:56
Size: 139.5 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Easy listening
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:17] 1. What Is This Thing Called Love
[3:42] 2. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
[6:58] 3. Forty Second Street
[4:32] 4. The Way You Look Tonight
[4:06] 5. I Love You, Samantha
[6:41] 6. Invitation
[2:43] 7. As Time Goes By
[4:56] 8. Singin' In The Rain
[2:05] 9. Laura
[4:10] 10. Lulu's Back In Town
[3:32] 11. Cecilia's Theme
[2:28] 12. You Are Too Beautiful
[3:49] 13. All My Life
[2:37] 14. The Boy Next Door
[4:14] 15. The Entertainer

For this project, Dick Hyman and Derek Smith play twin piano versions of 15 songs that became standards due partly to their use in movies. Hyman and Smith are both major players and they avoid getting in each other's way with some of the ensembles being worked out a bit in advance. The interplay between the pianists is delightful but somehow their encounter is not quite as exciting or as lively as one might hope. Maybe the inclusion of a few more burners, plus less cooperation and more competition might have helped. The performances are enjoyable, with the highlights including "What Is This Thing Called Love," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Singin' in the Rain" and a boogie-woogie version of "The Entertainer." But it falls short overall of being the expected classic. ~Scott Yanow

Dick & Derek At The Movies

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