Silky Denims: Frank Vignola

Showing posts with label Frank Vignola. Show all posts

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Bucky Pizzarelli And Strings - So Hard To Forget

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:52
Size: 142,2 MB
Art: Front + Back

( 4:47) 1. Laura
( 4:02) 2. Slow Burning
(11:48) 3. Duke Ellington Medley : Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me In a Sentimenta
( 5:20) 4. It's Easy to Remember
( 3:34) 5. Sonatina in A : First Movement
( 2:25) 6. Sonatina in A : Second Movement
( 4:07) 7. My One and Only Love
( 3:11) 8. Prelude to a Kiss
( 5:17) 9. Wabash One More Time
( 5:08) 10. Tarantella Opus 87a
( 2:25) 11. Test Pilot
( 8:20) 12. Boots Blues
( 1:22) 13. Last Night When We Were Young

Several well-known jazz musicians have used string quartets to complement their performances over the decades, and many have come up with resultant syrupy mixes drowning individuality via over-production. Thankfully, this collaboration between legitimate jazz string players and legendary veteran guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli does not suffer from sucrose saturation, as these sessions were conceived and played with large amounts of taste, class, and substance. Cellist Jesse Levy, violist Valerie Levy, and violinists Aaron Weinstein and Sara Caswell all are very capable of swinging this program of standards along quite well, while Pizzarelli's seven-string amplified or acoustic guitar has more than enough fuel to keep the songs moving along in a interesting manner without forcing or dragging them into a saccharine morass. Bassist Jerry Bruno, a longtime collaborator of Pizzarelli, is added to five cuts, while the repertoire includes American popular songs, works of Duke Ellington, legitimate Spanish classical works, and the music of George M. Smith. This is Pizzarelli's seventh recording for the Arbors label as a leader, and his 30th project for them overall, proof of his endurance and continuing interest in making good music consistently through the decades of his golden years.

The technique of counterpoint between Pizzarelli and the strings crops up on the fun, '30s hot jazz-flavored Smith composition "Test Pilot," while the other Smith number, "Slow Burning," has the leader and Bruno conversing with the strings replying in slight refrains. Employing mainly the solo format, Pizzarelli's take of "It's Easy to Remember" is a ballad, deepened by the late-arriving strings sadly agreeing that separation is inevitable, while the short closer, "Last Night When We Were Young," has the guitarist pulling out harmonic chord flourishes of pensive introspection. Duke Ellington's music is lovingly interpreted in a 12-minute medley where Pizzarelli bends bluesy notes and chords, and does a polite version of "Prelude to a Kiss" alongside second guitarist Frank Vignola.

Federico Torroba's Sonatina in two movements is a classical bolero waltz, with a changed up George Gershwin Americana-styled second part, while Tarantella Opus 87a is a lithe Italian chamber piece in 2/4 instead of the typical 6/8 time. Bouncy, upbeat, and happy, "Wabash One More Time" is the best swinger, while Pizzarelli's "Boots Blues" is a straightforward, easygoing tune, with help from Vignola and solos by both the exceptional violinists. This CD is a pleasant listening experience that yields more upon additional playings, best heard with significant others or ideally at dinner. It is also another fine effort in the long and illustrious career of one of the truly great jazz guitarists of all time.By Michael G.Nastos http://www.allmusic.com/album/so-hard-to-forget-mw0000801885.

Personnel: Bucky Pizzarelli (acoustic guitar, 7-string guitar); Frank Vignola (guitar); Sara Caswell, Aaron Weinstein (violin); Valerie Levy (viola, cello); Jessy Levy, Jesse Levy (cello); Jerry Bruno, Martin Pizzarelli (bass instrument).

So Hard To Forget

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Ken Peplowski - Last Swing Of The Century

Styles: Clarinet Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:28
Size: 150,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:20) 1. Let's Dance
(3:27) 2. Hunkadola
(3:12) 3. Between The Devil And The Deep
(6:59) 4. King Porter Stomp
(5:17) 5. Moon Glow
(6:08) 6. Stealin' Apples
(2:32) 7. You Turned The Tables On Me
(3:07) 8. Bugle Call Rag
(3:19) 9. Don't Be That Way
(4:00) 10. Memories Of You
(4:11) 11. Restless
(3:16) 12. Get Happy
(5:14) 13. Sometimes I'm Happy
(4:56) 14. China Boy
(3:29) 15. Down South Camp Meetin'
(3:53) 16. Good-Bye

Last Swing Of The Century - Big Band Music of Benny Goodman released on Concord Jazz in 1999 by Benny Goodman Orchestra alumnus, Ken Peplowski, is a heartfelt tribute to The King of Swing and the wonderful arrangements he commissioned in the 1930s and 1940s. Recorded the last night of a 15-concert tour, the CD is the perfect collection of swing standards for those who dance or those that spectate. Ken Peplowski takes 16 essentials, long associated with one of the greatest names in jazz and reinteprets it with veterans of various Benny Goodman orchestras including Randy Sandke, Eddie Bert, Bobby Pring, Ben Aronov, Frank Capp and Jack Stuckey along with other brilliant musicians as Conte Candoli, Frank Vignola, Bob Milikan, Scott Robinson, Joe Romano, Rickey Woodard, and Richard Simon.

Although the cliche that big bands will never come back is somewhat true, Ken Peplowski is the closest that some listeners near the end of this century will remember as bringing the music back to the ‘90s with taste, drive and creativity. Peplowski doesn’t compromise the artistic integrity of his mentor even though each soloist is playing in their own style, with no re-creations of solos from old records! Popular standards such as “Let’s Dance,” “Moon Glow,” “Bugle Call Rag,” “Don’t Be That Way,” and the “King Porter Stomp,” receive some of the very best arrangements they’ve ever had. On “Memories Of You,” Ken spotlights Bobby Pring’s trombone and the young, Frank Vignola’s mellow guitar. He duets with Vignola on one of Goodman’s favorites, “China Boy,” originally recorded with Teddy Wilson and Gene Krupa in 1936.

The clarinet of Ken Peplowski, taken up in honor of Goodman, is brilliant on this hard-swinging set of performances by his orchestra and serves as an excellent example of what can be done and has been done to the keep the music of the Big Band Era fresh and vital. Last Swing Of The Century - Big Band Music of Benny Goodman captures the brilliant essence of Benny Goodman and is ever so essential.
By Paula Edelstein http://www.allaboutjazz.com/last-swing-of-the-century-big-band-music-of-benny-goodman-ken-peplowski-concord-music-group-review-by-paula-edelstein.php

Musicians: Ken Peplowski, clarinet; trumpets; Conte Candoli, Bob Milikan, Randy Sandke; trombones, Eddie Bert, Bobby Pring; saxophones, Jack Stuckey - lead alto, Scott Robinson - tenor, Joe Romano - alto, Rickey Woodard - tenor; rhythm section, Ben Aronov-piano, Frank Vignola - guitar, Richard Simon - bass, Frank Capp - drums.

Last Swing Of The Century

Monday, November 25, 2019

Howard Alden - Concord Jazz Guitar Collective

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:21
Size: 149,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:57) 1. Bittersweet
(4:27) 2. Strictly Confidential
(4:38) 3. String Thing
(6:37) 4. Mating Call
(4:09) 5. Seven Come Eleven
(7:01) 6. Body And Soul
(5:28) 7. Donna Lee
(6:10) 8. Perdido
(4:57) 9. Swing 39
(5:04) 10. Four Brothers
(4:27) 11. Song D'Autumne
(5:22) 12. Ornithology

The Concord Jazz Guitar Collective was a 1995 project that united Howard Alden with fellow guitarists and Concord artists Jimmy Bruno and Frank Vignola. For Concord, a three-guitar date was hardly unprecedented; back in 1974, the label had brought Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis together as the Great Guitars. Despite the fact that they all play the same instrument, Alden, Bruno, and Vignola prove compatible on this outing, which also employs Jim Hughart on upright bass and Colin Bailey on drums. Although Bruno tends to be more aggressive and forceful than Alden, he can be quite lyrical when he wants to; and while Alden isn't as hard a player as Bruno, he definitely swings. The two have a strong rapport on uptempo numbers like Charlie Parker's "Ornithology," Sam Jones' "Bittersweet," and Benny Goodman's "Seven Come Eleven," as well as on more relaxed performances like Django Reinhardt's "Song D'Autumne" and the standard "Body and Soul." Vignola, meanwhile, also proves to be an asset. Though not all of his 1990s output for Concord was memorable, he's a talented guitarist; and on Concord Jazz Guitar Collective, the presence of Alden and Bruno encourages Vignola to work hard and put that talent to use instead of wasting it. This is a CD that lovers of hard-bop guitar playing will appreciate. ~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/concord-jazz-guitar-collective-mw0000646483

Personnel: Howard Alden, Jimmy Bruno (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 7, 8, 10, 12), Electric Guitar – Frank Vignola (tracks: 8, 10, 12), Acoustic Guitar – Frank Vignola (tracks: 1 to 7, 9, 11), Jimmy Bruno (tracks: 2, 6, 9, 11); Bass – Jim Hughart (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12); Drums – Colin Bailey (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12)

Concord Jazz Guitar Collective

Friday, July 19, 2019

Peter Ecklund - Gigs Reminiscing In Music

Styles: Cornet Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:06
Size: 144,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:55) 1. Say It With A Kiss
(4:40) 2. Winter Waltz
(4:41) 3. Django And Bix
(5:38) 4. Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
(3:34) 5. Blue Bix
(3:42) 6. When You're Smiling
(2:47) 7. Russian Lillaby
(5:23) 8. Tailfins
(4:16) 9. My Blue Heaven
(4:02) 10. Fuddy Duddy
(3:27) 11. When You And I Were Young, Maggie
(5:12) 12. At The Track
(4:12) 13. At The Fair
(3:51) 14. Midnight Hour Blues
(3:38) 15. Blackey's Song

A veteran sit-in cornetist with various Dixieland bands and the backup groups of Leon Redbone, David Bromberg, and more recently Madeleine Peyroux, Ecklund's folk-derived swing is expressed through a variety of different combos on these 15 cuts, eight written by the leader. Some feature dual acoustic guitarists Peyroux and Steve Cardenas, others mandolinist David Grisman and guitarist Frank Vignola, with Marty Grosz (guitar), Dan Block (woodwinds) and Keith Ingham (celeste), or Jay Ungar (violin) and Molly Mason (guitar). Cameos come from clarinetists Ken Peplowski and Bobby Gordon, Howard Johnson (tuba), and Warren Bernhardt (Fender Rhodes). The most focused, centralized group is the Grisman-Vignola band with bassist Murray Wall. They do the delicate, swaying "Winter Waltz," the more intense, off-the-cuff, cornet-driven "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives (Gave) to Me" (trading riffs at the coda), the Bix Beiderbecke-derived easy swing of "Blue Bix," and the hardest swinger "Russian Lullaby," where Grisman steps up and hits a triple. Cardenas and Peyroux softly strum while Peplowski leads in midtempo during "Django & Bix," and evoke strains of "My Old Kentucky Home" during "When You & I Were Young, Maggie." The celeste adds a quaint sound to Block's clarinet and Ecklund's old-timey horn on "Say It With a Kiss"; meanwhile, Block's big baritone sax bolsters "When You're Smiling," as does his alto during "Fuddy Duddy," with Grosz's ever-present swing nailing it down. Ungar and Gordon's strings tiptoe through tulips on Leroy Carr's "Midnight Hour Blues," go serene and plaintive for "At the Fair," and swing much harder on "Blackey's Song," replete with whistling and Guy Fischetti's pedal steel. Gordon's daunting and darting feature is "My Blue Heaven," the best individual solo on the date, while the best overall number is the quickly paced "At the Track," holding the Dixie pulse at fever pitch courtesy of Cynthia Sayer's hot banjo and Johnson's bawdy tuba oompahs. Ecklund has a thinnish sound, not bold and brash a la Louis Armstrong or Bix, but reserved and refined, and sublimates his role for an overall group sound. This CD represents a good concept and execution of bringing '20s & '30s jazz into the '90s with players who know how. ~ Michael G.Nastos https://www.allmusic.com/album/gigs-reminiscing-in-music-mw0000054279

Personnel: Peter Ecklund (cornet, bugle); Dan Block (alto & baritone saxophones, clarinet); Howard Johnson (tuba); Ken Peplowski (clarinet); Jay Ungar (violin); Warren Bernhardt (Fender Rhodes piano); Steve Cardenas (acoustic & electric guitars); Madeleine Peyroux (acoustic guitar); Peter Davis (electric guitar, banjo); Molly Mason, Frank Vignola (guitar); David Grisman (mandolin); Greg Cohen, Pete Toigo (bass); Gary Burke (drums).

Gigs Reminiscing In Music

Monday, July 15, 2019

JaLaLa - That Old Mercer Magic!

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:16
Size: 120,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:00) 1. Spring, Spring, Spring
(5:30) 2. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
(3:35) 3. Jeepers Creepers
(4:22) 4. My Shining Hour
(4:24) 5. Accentuate The Positive
(3:34) 6. Dream
(3:29) 7. I'm Old Fashioned
(3:56) 8. Riding On The Moon
(7:29) 9. Moon River / Moon Country
(4:34) 10. Have You Got Any Castles Baby?
(2:18) 11. Too Marvelous For Words
(5:58) 12. The Dance Of Life

Janis Siegel has done a fair amount of recording away from the Manhattan Transfer during her decades-long tenure with the vocal group, but this a rare opportunity to hear her with other vocalists outside of it. JaLaLa, featured on four selections, includes Laurel Massé and Lauren Kinhan on vocals, with each singer leading individual selections.; the core group of musicians includes pianist Yaron Gershovsky, bassist David Finck, guitarist Frank Vignola, and drummer Matt Wilson, with guests added or substituted on some pieces. The songs selected from Johnny Mercer's vast output include both still-popular standards and obscurities, with the supporting cast varying from one track to the next. All three vocalists join forces for a fun-filled romp through "Ac-Cent-U-Ate the Positive" and the neglected "Spring Spring Spring," both of which add pedal steel guitarist Cindy Cashdollar. Siegel handles both "Jeepers Creepers" and "Too Marvelous for Words" effortlessly. Kinhan shines in the breezy bossa nova setting of "My Shining Hour," while Massé delivers a warm "Moon River" which is joined in a medley with the less familiar "Moon Country," a sauntering chart that features JaLaLa. Only the lame setting of "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," saddled with the inane antics of DJ Sugarkone and a bland groove, proves disappointing. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-old-mercer-magic%21-mw0000820178

Personnel: Janis Siegel, Laurel Massé (vocals); David Finck (guitar, acoustic bass); Frank Vignola (guitar); Aaron Weinstein (mandolin, violin); Sara Caswell (violin); Margot Leverett (clarinet); Lew Soloff (trumpet); Yaron Gershovsky (piano); Matt Wilson (drums); Rich "Dusty Chopmeat" Zukor (djembe); Eric Elterman (hand claps).

That Old Mercer Magic!

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Joey DeFrancesco - Goodfellas

Styles: Jazz, Hard Bop
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:45
Size: 126,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:29) 1. Speak Softly Love
(4:14) 2. Volare
(5:13) 3. Fly Me To The Moon
(5:10) 4. All The Way
(4:13) 5. Whack 'Em
(4:04) 6. Malafemmena
(3:49) 7. Young At Heart
(5:12) 8. O Solo Mio
(4:32) 9. Evidence
(6:09) 10. Goodfellas
(4:44) 11. Ya See What I'm Sayin'?
(1:51) 12. Whack 'Em (Reprise) / Tarentella

When you spend your youth growing up in South Philadelphia, the music of Frank Sinatra and the earlier music that influenced him has to have a major lasting impact on you. The timeless nature of standards such as "Young At Heart," "Fly Me to the Moon" and "All The Way" cannot be ignored. Other significant crooners such as Perry Como, Dean Martin, and Tony Bennett have extended the feelings we harbor that these songs will live forever. For his latest album, 28-year-old organist Joey DeFrancesco adds in a little ethnic Italian folk scenery and some Godfather movie theme spice to these standards. The result is an enjoyable trio session that pays its respects to the tradition while folding in a mainstream jazz background. The trio’s best example of mixing the cauldron thoroughly is "O Solo Mio" with its ride cymbal and walking bass. Guitar and organ sound off effectively; the arrangement even includes a Basie ending. DeFrancesco’s Hammond B-3 is particularly hot on "Fly Me to the Moon," as the unit improvises on a familiar theme. Similarly, Frank Vignola swings heartily on most tracks; he’s particularly effective on the blues-based "Whack ‘em." Joe Ascione takes his share of fours and extended solos; the drummer’s steady driving force is particularly notable on "Malafemmena" with its hefty modified New Orleans shuffle beat.

The title track is a tribute to another Philadelphia "godfather" organist Jimmy Smith. One of DeFrancesco’s mentors and a favorite driving force all over the world, Smith has a way with the blues that won’t quit. The trio captures this mood quite well, swings with passion throughout the session, and does a bang-up job of bringin’ home the good-natured fun. ~ Jim Santella https://www.allaboutjazz.com/goodfellas-joey-defrancesco-concord-music-group-review-by-jim-santella.php

Personnel: Joey DeFrancesco- Hammond B-3 organ; Frank Vignola- guitar; Joe Ascione- drums.

Goodfellas

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Gene Bertoncini, Frank Vignola - Meeting Of The Grooves

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:04
Size: 121.5 MB
Styles: Bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[5:01] 1. It Had To Be You
[5:21] 2. If I Had You
[7:00] 3. Jitterbug Waltz
[5:24] 4. Moonlight In Vermont
[4:02] 5. Darn That Dream
[6:47] 6. Jobim Medley
[4:40] 7. These Foolish Things
[4:59] 8. Out Of Nowhere
[5:56] 9. Flying Colors Alone Together
[3:49] 10. But Not For Me/Girl Crazy/Embraceable You

This duo meeting of guitarists Gene Bertoncini and Frank Vignola pairs musicians separated by a generation in age, but that's all. Both men have proven themselves as strong soloists in group settings and each of them has made rewarding solo CDs, but they are also very much up to the task of the necessary give and take of guitar duets. They make the most of timeless melodies from the Great American Songbook, including "If I Had You," "Moonlight in Vermont," and "Out of Nowhere." Their vigorous workout of Fats Waller's "The Jitterbug Waltz" and an enticing medley of bossa nova favorites by Antonio Carlos Jobim also prove to be stimulating. It's a shame there isn't also a video of this studio session, which would be of considerable interest to jazz guitarists and fans. Highly recommended. ~Ken Dryden

Meeting Of The Grooves mc
Meeting Of The Grooves zippy

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Tommy Emmanuel - Accomplice One

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:52
Size: 146.2 MB
Styles: Assorted guitar styles
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[3:27] 1. Deep River Blues (With Jason Isbell)
[3:21] 2. Song And Dance Man (With Ricky Skaggs)
[2:34] 3. Saturday Night Shuffle (With Jorma Kaukonen, Patbergeson)
[2:52] 4. Wheelin' & Dealin' (With J.D. Simo, Charlie Cushman)
[4:12] 5. C-Jam Blues (With David Grisman, Bryan Sutton)
[4:50] 6. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay (With J.D. Simo)
[5:19] 7. Borderline 9with Amanda Shines)
[2:51] 8. You Don't Want To Get You One Of Those (With Mark Knopfler)
[5:00] 9. Keepin' It Reel (With Clive Carroll)
[4:25] 10. Looking Forward To The Past (With Rodney Crowell)
[4:04] 11. Purple Haze (With Jerry Douglas)
[3:13] 12. Rachel's Lullaby (With Jake Shimabukuro)
[3:26] 13. Djangology (With Frank Vignola, Vinny Raaniolo)
[5:30] 14. Watson Blues (With David Grisman, Bryan Sutton)
[5:13] 15. Tittle Tattle (With Jack Pearson)
[3:26] 16. The Duke's Message (With Suzy Bogguss)

Accomplice One is a testament to Tommy’s musical diversity, the range of expression that stretches from authentic country-blues to face-melting rock shredding, by way of tender and devastating pure song playing. The songs are a mix of new takes on indelible classics and brand new originals from Tommy and his collaborators. The artists who stepped forward to join Tommy in the studio are an impressive list of some of today’s most respected performers, from across the musical spectrum.

"Confession time – I’m not usually a fan of multiple collaborator type albums. Too often they strike me as a marketing wheeze in which the guest artists add little to the equation. Fair play to acoustic guitar man Tommy Emmanuel though, on Accomplice One he’s taken advantage of guests toting a variety of instruments to explore a wide range of musical styles.

What this means though, is that your response to the material is liable to be very much a matter of personal taste. So for my part the jet-propelled bluegrassy picking on “Wheelin & Dealin’”, featuring banjo from Charlie Cushman and electric guitar from JD Simo, is a winner. Likewise the rattling Celtic folk of “Keepin’ It Reel”, with Clive Carroll. On a different note, the Americana ballad-styled reading of Madonna’s “Borderline”, colored by Amanda Shires’ fiddle and vocals, takes on an aching quality. And in another vein entirely, “Purple Haze” is a launchpad for a rousingly steely instrumental adventure with Jerry Douglas on Dobro.

On the other hand, the duet of “Song And Dance Man” with Ricky Scaggs, and “Looking Forward To The Past” with Rodney Crowell, are country songs with the kind of cloyingly maudlin lyrics that do the genre no favors, though at least the latter musters some chugging energy. Meanwhile if you like gypsy jazz then “Djangology” and a hornless version of Duke Ellington’s “C-Jam Blues”, may well float your boat. But they leave me cold, as does the sleepy duet with Mark Knopfler on “You Don’t Want To Get You One Of Those,” whose lyric about a beat-up automobile appears to be a shoddy metaphor for a woman past her best.

The balance of the 16 tracks are satisfying enough to differing degrees, including an affectionate cover of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” with Simo on vocals, and a rendition of “Watson’s Blues” that puts me pleasantly in mind of Samantha Fish’s take on “Jim Lee Blues Part 1”. And the musicianship is top notch throughout of course, so if you’re an acoustic roots aficionado, Accomplice One is probably right up your street. But to a wider audience it’s likely to be a pick’n’mix affair." ~Iain Cameron

Accomplice One mc
Accomplice One zippy

Monday, June 25, 2018

Jon-Erik Kellso - Chapter 1

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:12
Size: 160.7 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz, Swing
Year: 1993/2007
Art: Front

[4:38] 1. 9 20 Special
[6:28] 2. East Of The Sun
[5:03] 3. I'm Crazy 'bout My Baby
[3:57] 4. Sweet Lorraine
[5:42] 5. Pelican Drag
[4:15] 6. Samba Por Alicia
[5:16] 7. I Didn't Know About You
[5:12] 8. Linger Awhile
[6:41] 9. A Handful Of Stars
[7:12] 10. I'll See You In My Dreams
[4:38] 11. Subtle Slough
[5:13] 12. When A Woman Loves A Man
[5:50] 13. Chapter One

Jon-Erik Kellson is a fine young trumpeter who made a strong impression with this early effort for Arbors. Joined by Scott Robinson on tenor, C-melody sax, and clarinet; pianist Jeremy Kahn; guitarist Frank Vignola; bassist Milt Hinton; and drummer Chuck Riggs, Kellso mostly interprets swing-era standards with a couple of originals and a few obscurities (including Duke Ellington's "Pelican Drag") added for variety. Kellso has a warm tone and a swinging style, making this a fine outing and a good introduction to his playing. ~Scott Yanow

Chapter 1 mc
Chapter 1 zippy

Friday, June 15, 2018

Lars Erstrand Quartet With Friends - Beautiful Friendship: The Second Set

Size: 160,2 MB
Time: 69:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1992
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Lady, Be Good! Oh, Lady, Be Good! (Feat. Ken Peplowski) ( 8:02)
02. Oh, Kay! Someone To Watch Over Me (Feat. Frank Vignola) ( 5:02)
03. Funny Face - 'S Wonderful! ( 3:43)
04. The Goldwyn Follies Love Is Here To Stay (Feat. Frank Vignola) ( 5:14)
05. Lady, Be Good! The Man I Love (Feat. Ken Peplowski) (10:02)
06. Tiger Rag (Feat. Ken Peplowski) ( 8:15)
07. You'll Never Get Rich Dream Dancing ( 6:49)
08. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (12:35)
09. Things Ain't What They Used To Be ( 9:21)

Friends:
Ken Peplowski: clarinet/tenor saxophone
Frank Vignola: guitar

Recorded and directly mixed live at the restaurant "Leif at the Corner" in Uppsala, Sweden. 1992.

Lars Erstrand (27 September 1936 – 11 March 2009) was a Swedish vibraphonist. Being rooted in the golden Swing era, Erstrand's playing is much influenced by the style of Lionel Hampton. During the 1960s Erstrand met clarinetist Ove Lind, with whom he enjoyed a forty-year collaboration.

Erstrand played with Benny Goodman in Paris 1972, who also joined Erstrand when playing at Michael's Pub in New York on several occasions. He was one of the musicians responsible for Jazz at the Pawnshop in 1977. In 1991 the Swedish vibraphonist recorded an album Two Generations together with Lionel Hampton.

Other musicians Erstrand has played with include Alice Babs, Svend Asmussen, Arne Domnérus, Bob Wilber, Scott Hamilton, the Swedish Swing Society and Antti Sarpila. Many contemporary musicians have worked with Erstrand when visiting Sweden, such as clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski and guitarist Frank Vignola.

Beautiful Friendship: The Second Set

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Donald Fagen - Morph The Cat

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:54
Size: 122,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:48) 1. Morph the Cat
(5:15) 2. H Gang
(6:01) 3. What I Do
(7:17) 4. Brite Nitegown
(7:37) 5. The Great Pagoda of Funn
(6:11) 6. Security Joan
(4:15) 7. The Night Belongs to Mona
(6:30) 8. Mary Shut the Garden Door
(2:56) 9. Morph the Cat Reprise

There are no surprises in sound and style on Morph the Cat, Donald Fagen's long-awaited third solo album, nor should any be expected ever since Steely Dan's 1980 masterwork, Gaucho, his work, either on his own or with longtime collaborator Walter Becker, has been of a piece. Each record has been sleek, sophisticated, and immaculately produced, meticulously recorded and arranged, heavy on groove and mood, which tends to mask the sly wit of the songs. When it works well as it did on Fagen's peerless 1982 solo debut, The Nightfly, or on Steely Dan's 2001 comeback, Two Against Nature the results go down smoothly upon first listen and reveal their complexity with each spin; when it doesn't quite succeed both 1993's Kamakiriad and the Dan's 2003 effort Everything Must Go didn't quite gel the albums sound good but samey on the surface and don't quite resonate. Morph the Cat belongs in the first group: at first it sounds cozily familiar, almost too familiar, but it digs deep, both as music and song. Sonically, at least superficially, it is very much a continuation of the two Steely Dan records of the new millennium not only does it share Fagen's aesthetic, but it was recorded with many of the same musicians who have shown up on the Dan projects. There are slight differences without Becker around, there's a greater emphasis on keyboards and the songs stretch on a bit longer than anything on Everything Must Go but this, at least on pure sonics, could have functioned as a sequel to Two Against Nature. But Morph the Cat is very much a solo affair, fitting comfortably next to his first two solo albums as a conclusion to what he calls a trilogy. If The Nightfly concerned the past and Kamakiriad was set in a hazy future, Morph the Cat is rooted in the present, teeming with the fears and insecurities of post-9/11 America. Fagen doesn't camouflage his intent with the gleefully enigmatic rhymes that have been his trademark: his words, while still knowingly sardonic, are direct, and in case you don't want to bother reading the lyrics or listening closely, he helpfully offers brief explanations of the songs (for instance, on "Mary Shut the Garden Door," he writes "Paranoia blooms when a thuggish cult gains control of the government," a statement that's not exactly veiled).

On top of this unease, Fagen faces mortality throughout the album he talks with the ghost of Ray Charles, borrows W.C. Fields' phrase for death for "Brite Nitegown," writes about attempted suicides and every song seems to be about things drawing to a close. It's a little disarming to hear Fagen talk so bluntly although he came close to doing so on the deliberately nostalgic The Nightfly, the fact that he was writing about the past kept him at a bit of a distance but despite the abundance of morbid themes, Morph the Cat never sounds dour or depressing. In large part this is due to Fagen's viewpoint he never succumbs to mawkishness, always preferring to keep things witty and sardonic, which helps keep things from getting too heavy but it's also due to his smooth jazz-rock, which always sounds nimble and light. This, of course, is how Fagen's music always sounds, but here, it not only functions as a counterpoint to the darkness creeping on the edges of the album, but it's executed expertly: as spotless as this production is, it never sounds sterile, and when the songs start stretching past the five-minute mark two cuts are over seven minutes it never gets boring, because there's a genuine warmth to the clean, easy groove. More so than on Kamakiriad, or on the tight Everything Must Go, there is a sense of genuine band interplay on this record, which helps give it both consistency and heart something appropriate for an album that is Fagen's most personal song cycle since The Nightfly, and quite possibly his best album since then. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine https://www.allmusic.com/album/morph-the-cat-mw0000342064

Personnel: Donald Fagen (melodica, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ, background vocals); Donald Fagen (vocals); Ken Wessel, Frank Vignola, Hugh McCracken, Ken Emerson (guitar); Howard Levy (harmonica); Roger Rosenberg (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Walt Weiskopf (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Mark Patterson (trombone); Ted Baker (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Tedd Baker (Fender Rhodes piano); Harlan Post, Jr. (acoustic bass); Art Smith (drums); Jennifer Battista, Candice Predham, Eddie Jackson , Camille Meza (clappers); Gordon Gottlieb (percussion, background vocals); Bashiri Johnson , Joe Passaro (percussion); Cindy Mizelle, Jerry Barnes, Amy Helm, Carolyn Leonhart (background vocals); Jon Herington, Wayne Krantz (guitar); Lawrence Feldman (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Illinois Elohainu (flute); Marvin Stamm (trumpet); Phonus Quaver (vibraphone, marimba); "Ready" Freddie Washington (bass guitar); Keith Carlock (drums).

Morph The Cat

Friday, May 25, 2018

Lars Erstrand Quartet With Friends - Beautiful Friendship: The First Set

Size: 126,3 MB
Time: 54:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1992
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front & Back

01. A Beautiful Friendship (Feat. Frank Vignola) ( 4:49)
02. Jim Dawgs (Feat. Ken Peplowski) ( 9:22)
03. I Thought About You (Feat. Ken Peplowski) ( 7:38)
04. Dark Eyes (Feat. Frank Vignola) ( 7:37)
05. These Foolish Things (Feat. Ken Peplowski) ( 5:47)
06. Cherokee (Feat. Frank Vignola) ( 6:49)
07. Porter's Love Song To A Chambermaid (Feat. Ken Peplowski) (12:24)

Beautiful Friendship

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Various - Stringin' The Blues: A Tribute To Eddie Lang

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:29
Size: 179.7 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2003/2018
Art: Front

[ 9:07] 1. Bucky Pizzarelli - Sweet Georgia Brown
[ 6:16] 2. Howard Alden - These Foolish Things
[ 4:28] 3. Frank Vignola - The Sheik Of Araby
[ 5:13] 4. Frank Vignola - Fascinating Rhythm
[ 2:31] 5. Howard Alden - Medley: I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles/E Is For Emmet
[ 1:41] 6. Howard Alden - I'll Never Be The Same
[ 2:31] 7. Marty Grosz - Peg Leg Shuffle
[ 3:02] 8. Marty Grosz - From Monday On
[11:24] 9. Bucky Pizzarelli - Medley:Tangerine/It Must Be True/Please/A Blues Serenade/April Kisses
[ 6:55] 10. Bucky Pizzarelli - Broadway
[ 3:17] 11. Al Viola - Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[ 3:03] 12. Lino Patruno - Some Of These Days
[ 3:25] 13. Lino Patruno - Sweet Sue
[ 2:51] 14. Andy Stein - Wild Cat
[ 3:32] 15. Lino Patruno - Danzon
[ 9:05] 16. Howard Alden - Limehouse Blues

Bass – Frank Tate (2), Guido Giacomini; Drums – Joe Ascione; Guitar – Al Viola, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Howard Alden, Lino Patruno, Marty Grosz, Michele Ariodante; Piano – Mark Shane (2); Violin – Andy Stein; Vocals, Whistling – Clive Riche. Recorded Live At New Orleans Jazz Ascona (Switzerland), July 4th, 2002.

This 16 track CD is a "guitar summit" featuring some of the top guitarists on the contemporary scene including Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Howard Alden, Al Viola, Marty Grosz and others. It was recorded live in 2002 at the Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland on beautiful Lake Maggiore. The guitarists are backed by Andy Stein, Mark Shane, Frank Tate, Joe Ascione, Clive Riche and others.

Stringin' The Blues: A Tribute To Eddie Lang mc
Stringin' The Blues: A Tribute To Eddie Lang zippy

Friday, March 16, 2018

David Grisman, Frank Vignola - Frank 'n' Dawg

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:47
Size: 109.4 MB
Styles: Jazz guitar/mandolin
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:53] 1. Till There Was You
[4:11] 2. Hello Young Lovers
[3:02] 3. Wouldn't It Be Loverly
[3:59] 4. Stardust
[3:42] 5. April Showers
[3:50] 6. Margie
[3:22] 7. Where Or When
[4:09] 8. Flamingo
[3:04] 9. As Time Goes By
[2:52] 10. We Kiss In The Shadow
[3:11] 11. For All We Know
[3:55] 12. Georgia
[3:10] 13. These Foolish Things
[2:19] 14. Someday My Prince Will Come

This CD is odd but rather wonderful. It's ONLY Frank Vignola and David Grisman--no back up band. They are playing wonderful songs. What is both odd and wonderful is that they trade off solos on every song, but their solos are almost entirely playing the melody of the songs. No flights of fancy. Just beautiful melodies with wonderful clarity and tone. I was studying with Grisman a couple weeks ago at the Mandolin Symposium. He is certainly capable of playing solos that have only a little bit to do with the melody, and he is capable of wild flights of notes. Same with Vignola. But here the melody is their master. It's refreshing and a delight. If you love these songs, you'll probably love this CD. If you primarily want to study these guys at their most complicated, look elsewhere. I love this. It was nice of them to put the melody first. ~Bill Pen

Frank Vignola and David Grisman have been friends and musical cohorts for years, and the time had come for them to collaborate on a special collection of acoustic duet performances of some of their favorite melodies from the Great American Songbook. Remarkably, these 14 tunes were all chosen, arranged and recorded (live to 2-track analog) in one day. Frank'n'Dawg are both great admirers of melody and wanted that to be the focus of this project - without sacrificing either spontaneity or groove. These finely-crafted melodies are once again reborn as mandolin-guitar duets, both timeless and timely.

Frank 'n' Dawg mc
Frank 'n' Dawg zippy

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Bruce Hector - Three's A Crowd

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:45
Size: 157.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[4:29] 1. Do Nothin Til You Hear From Me
[3:45] 2. Snowfall
[6:12] 3. Fotografia
[5:53] 4. A Song For You
[4:18] 5. Robbins Nest
[3:49] 6. Theme From The Pink Panther
[4:54] 7. Nuages
[4:03] 8. A Child Is Born
[6:31] 9. Willow Weep For Me
[4:52] 10. Slow Hot Wind
[4:09] 11. In A Mellow Tone
[5:02] 12. The Folks Who Live On The Hill
[4:36] 13. If I Had You
[4:07] 14. Change Partners
[1:57] 15. Come Sunday

This album is Bucky Pizzarelli’s fault. I first met him at a guitar workshop at the Cape May Jazz Festival in 2000. 39 players showed up with Martin dreadnoughts (!), but I showed up with a Gibson hollowbody and a small amp. When Bucky found I knew some standards, he asked me to comp for him while he taught. When we were done, to my delight, after finding I lived near him, he said, “you’re not bad – give me a call.”

A month later, I did. Bucky had me over and, in the course of an hour, did a virtual data dump of guitar knowledge, the first of many. It wasn’t long before Bucky said, as he does to so many other guitar players, “you gotta get a 7-string”. My wife insisted that I was having a John Nash “Beautiful Mind” moment, and didn’t actually know Bucky, but just wanted another guitar - she graciously relented anyway.

I found that Bucky wasn’t just incredibly generous with his knowledge, but with the bandstand as well. When I asked him to play at my son’s school, he said “on one condition – that you play a number with us at the end.” (“Us” by the way, turned out to be Howard Alden and Frank Vignola). When I went to see him at local gigs after that, Bucky would sometimes spot me and say, “you bring your guitar?”, and invite me up. So, based on that encouragement, in 2014, I summoned up the nerve to ask Bucky if he would record some tunes with me, and, incredibly, he said yes. The result is the six tunes you will hear on the album.

Since then, I had been telling myself I needed to build on these cuts for a full record, continuing with duets, but somehow life got in the way until now. How hard could it be? All I had to do was pick great tunes, and play them with great partners. Finally, with the aid of the likes of Ellington, Kern, Django, Mancini, Jobim, Thad Jones, and Leon Russell writing the tunes, and Bucky, Joe and Earl doing the playing, I hope we have done that here. But it all started with you, Bucky! Thank you.

Three's A Crowd

Saturday, June 3, 2017

David Grisman, Frank Vignola, Robin Nolan, Michael Papillo - The Living Room Sessions

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:53
Size: 125.7 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[6:10] 1. Claire De Lune
[5:38] 2. Black Orpheus
[4:03] 3. September Song
[8:17] 4. Sway With Me
[6:54] 5. Dawg's Waltz
[5:34] 6. Swing Gitan
[6:51] 7. Tears
[7:21] 8. Premier Guitar
[4:02] 9. Autumn Leaves

Ever wonder what it's like to be sitting in a living room feet away from master acoustic instrumentalists jamming on a Saturday afternoon? Well now is your chance. David Grisman, Frank Vignola, Michael Papillo and gypsy guitarist, Robin Nolan enjoyed a spontaneous afternoon of jamming in Seattle so we all decided to bring in a recording crew and capture the unbelievable music that went on this special day!

The Living Room Sessions

Monday, April 4, 2016

Various - Swing & Jazz Collection Vol. 1

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:44
Size: 120.7 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Swing
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:29] 1. The George Barnes Quartet - Sweet Georgia Brown
[7:52] 2. Jerry Garcia - Milestones
[3:42] 3. Matt Eakle - Gran's Blues
[2:43] 4. Hal Blaine - Jazz Bop
[3:50] 5. Don Stiernberg - Moonlight In Vermont
[3:59] 6. Martin Taylor - I'm Beginning To See The Light
[2:43] 7. Svend Asmussen - My Blue Heaven
[4:36] 8. Tiny Moore - Back To Back
[2:46] 9. Frank Vignola - Limehouse Blues
[6:23] 10. David Grisman Quintet - Jazzin' With Jazzbeaux
[2:55] 11. Oscar Alemán - Russian Lullaby
[7:40] 12. Stephane Grappelli - Exploration

This first collection of swing & jazz performances from the archives of Acoustic Disc and Acoustic Oasis offers a broad sampling of improvisational styles and the musicians that created them, from Oscar Aleman's classic rendition of "Russian Lullaby" (which inspired Jerry Garcia) to Garcia's own take on Miles Davis' "Milestones."

Other highlights include historic cuts by string-jazz masters Svend Asmussen, Jethro Burns and Tiny Moore and some truly unique tracks - "Exploration I" by violin legend Stephane Grappelli, showcasing his rarely-heard piano mastery and a special guest appearance by the legendary Al "Jazzbo" Collins rapping along with the David Grisman Quintet. If you like swing and jazz, treat yourself to this amazing collection.

Swing & Jazz Collection Vol. 1

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Frank Vignola - Off Broadway

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 93:19
Size: 213.6 MB
Styles: Post bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[ 5:24] 1. Funny How
[ 4:20] 2. Stars Fell On Alabama
[ 5:24] 3. Off Broadway
[ 5:28] 4. Limone's Blues
[ 5:18] 5. The Return
[ 5:12] 6. Stardust
[ 4:51] 7. Sing That
[ 4:22] 8. Cookin' At The Continental
[ 4:50] 9. Never, Never
[ 5:15] 10. Annie
[ 4:03] 11. In The Hills
[ 6:09] 12. Frankly Speaking
[ 3:58] 13. Stars Fell On Alabama
[ 9:57] 14. It's All Right With Me
[ 4:22] 15. What's Up
[14:19] 16. Blues #5 (Blues For Kurtchen)

This album might be subtitled "Frank Vignola Plays the Music of Joe Ascione," as six of the tunes were penned by the talented drummer. Others in the group who collect royalties by having their compositions performed on this album are Randy Sandke and John Goldsby, as well as Vignola. There are also some standards on the 15-tune play list. This is the guitarist's first effort for the very active German company, Nagel-Heyer, coming over from Concord Jazz where he recorded several albums as a leader, including a flirtation with smooth jazz. Vignola is known for his close study of the styles of Django Reinhardt and Joe Pass. Judging from his playing, he has also absorbed the techniques of other guitar masters, especially Mundell Lowe. Over his relatively short career (he was just 35 when this CD was cut), he has taken a turn at a variety of musical styles, working with ragtime pianist Max Morath and performing in jazz clubs and on recordings and live gigs with everyone from rockers Leon Redbone and Ringo Starr to jazzers Les Paul and Milt Hinton. He is also a noted jazz instructor, having authored his own set of instructional materials. With his well-honed technique and feel for the music, the presence of distinguished jazz performers, and an arresting play list, this initial effort for Nagel-Heyer portends a solid association, which should go long into the future. Whoever decided to include veteran Frank Wess on some tracks deserves a good deal of credit for the success of this album. The Count Basie veteran tenor man has laid-back but commanding solos on such cuts as "It's All Right With Me" and Horace Silver's "Cookin' at the Continental," where he and another jazz veteran, Sir Roland Hanna, assume control of the track, making it an album highlight. The second version of "It's All Right With Me" is a regular ten-minute session as Vignola and Wess, together and individually, add their artistic imprimatur to this chestnut, with Ascione's revved-up drums not letting anyone off the hook. This album is a generous 79-plus minutes of solid jazz and is recommended. ~Dave Nathan

Off Broadway

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Ken Peplowski Quintet - The Natural Touch

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:03
Size: 149,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:00) 1. I'll Close My Eyes
(6:08) 2. The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else
(5:30) 3. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
(5:02) 4. Evidence
(4:39) 5. Evenin'
(3:40) 6. You Never Know
(4:24) 7. You Must Believe In Spring
(4:28) 8. Flunk Blues
(4:58) 9. Circle Of Threes
(5:32) 10. My Buddy
(5:06) 11. How Deep Is The Ocean
(5:21) 12. Say It Isn't So
(5:08) 13. I Thought About You

Ken Peplowski has been one of the most consistent performers in the "new mainstream" movement of the 1990s. Whether playing his fluent clarinet or warm tenor, Peplowski sounds quite comfortable as a creative swing player. As usual, this date with pianist Ben Aronov, guitarist Frank Vignola, bassist Murray Wall and drummer Tom Helito includes a couple more recent tunes (including Thelonious Monk's "Evidence" and originals by Aronov and Vignola), but it is the swing standards (such as "The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else," "Evenin'," and "I Thought About You") that are most memorable.

~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-natural-touch-mw0000083774

Personnel: Ken Peplowski - clarinet, tenor sax; Frank Vignola - guitar; Ben Aronov - piano; Murray Wall - bass; Tom Melito - drums.

The Natural Touch

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Nicki Parrott - Sentimental Journey

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:10
Size: 139,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:49) 1. It's Magic
(4:53) 2. Again
(4:36) 3. Just One Of Those Things
(4:35) 4. Fools Rush In
(3:42) 5. If I Give My Heart To You
(4:11) 6. I'll See You In My Dreams
(2:58) 7. Que Sera, Sera
(4:54) 8. That Old Feeling
(4:24) 9. My One And Only Love
(3:42) 10. Blue Skies
(3:37) 11. Quizas, Quizas, Quizas
(4:26) 12. Secret Love
(4:40) 13. Sentimental Journey
(3:36) 14. Dream A Little Dream

Nicki Parrott, an internationally acclaimed bassist, arrived in New York in May of 1994, the recipient of a grant from the Australia Council for the Arts allowing her travel to the US and study with her mentor, one of the world’s premiere double bassists, Rufus Reid. In the same year she was also nominated for the “Australian Young Achievers Award”. Today, Nicki Parrott is a world-class double bassist and an emerging singer/songwriter. In her work with artists from around the globe she has brought a signature sound to every bass part she has played. She performs regularly at the world’s best Jazz Festivals and can be seen Monday’s at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City with the legendary guitarist and inventor, Les Paul. Since June of 2000, this union has been an ideal showcase for her musical abilities, flair for improv, and gift for entertaining a crowd. Born in Newcastle, Australia, Nicki Parrott began her musical training on the piano at the age of four. She also took up the flute and continued to play both instruments throughout her school years. At the age of 15, Nicki switched her focus to the double bass, formed a band with her older sister Lisa (alto sax) and began composing instrumental pieces that they would eventually record for their premier CD release, The Awabakal Suite (2001).

After completing high school, Nicki moved to Sydney and attended the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music, where she graduated with an Associates degree in Jazz Studies. When bassists such as the legendary Ray Brown (Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson) and John Clayton (Diana Krall, Whitney Houston) were playing in town, Nicki would find them, contact them and arrange lessons from them. She was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Pan Pacific Music Camp, and soon after, took first place in the 1992 Jazz Action Society's Annual Song Competition for her composition, Come and Get It. In 1990, Nicki began touring Australia with Russian musicians Daniel Kramer and Alexander Fischer playing sold out shows across the country. This was followed by successful tours with American trumpeters Bobby Shew and Chuck Findley. When she was off the road, Nicki was consistently playing bass with other world-renowned jazz musicians like New Zealand’s Mike Nock (piano), Australia's Dale Barlow (tenor sax), Paul Grabowsky (piano), Bernie McGann (alto sax) and the explosive Ten Part Invention.

In May of 2002, The Nicki and Lisa Parrott Quartet headlined the prestigious Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival held at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The show was broadcast on NPR and was well received by the press. She was also the resident bassist with the Kitchen House Blend, a house band that premiered and performed new music from local New York composers. They would blend jazz, hip-hop, classical and rock in one evening...“It was a very creative experience”. Nicki expanded her musical repertoire and appeared on the Broadway stage in such shows as: Imaginary Friends, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Summer of '42, and Jekyll and Hyde. She is still active on Broadway today and regularly performs in the comedic musical, Avenue Q. Since coming to the United States Nicki Parrott has performed and/or recorded with such notable musicians as Randy Brecker, Skitch Henderson, Jose Feliciano, Rebecca Paris, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Warren Vache Jr., Clark Terry, Michel Legrand, Billy Taylor, Dick Hyman, Patti Labelle & the New York Pops Orchestra, Annie Ross, the Florida Pops Orchestra, Terri Thornton, Holly Hoffman, DIVA, Marlena Shaw, Monica Mancini, Patrice Rushen, Harry Allen, Red Holloway, Kenny Davern, Mike Stern, Bernard Purdie, John Tropea, David Krakauer, Howard Alden, Randy Sandke, Greg Osby, Jack Wilkins, Ken Peplowski, Johnny Frigo, Joe Wilder, Houston Person, Wycliffe Gordon, Rachel Z and Johnny Varro.

Nicki has also performed at most of the world’s major jazz festivals. In the United States she’s appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival (2005), the Litchfield Jazz festival (2005), the Jazz in July concert series at the 92nd street Y (2003, 2004), the Detroit Jazz Festival (2005) and the Lionel Ha mpton Jazz Festival (2001). Outside the USA Nicki has appeared at the Cully Lavaux Festival (Switzerland - 1995), the Grimsby Jazz Festival (UK - 1996), Berlin Jazz Festival (Germany - 1998), the Ottawa Jazz Festival (2004), the Krakow Music Festival (Poland), JazzAscona (2005, 2006), Bern Jazz Festivals (Switzerland - 2005, 2006), Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (UK - 2006) and of course, she has played at numerous music festivals across Australia. Nicki Parrott is committed to the continuing musical education women receive in order to further their careers and ultimately remain active as musicians past their teen years. In keeping with her sense of community, Nicki’s desire is to teach underprivileged kids to play instruments and learn to enjoy music. It is her belief t hat teaching music to children helps keep them interested in school and out of trouble. http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/nickiparrott

Personnel: Nicki Parrott (vocals & bass); John Di Martino (piano); Adrian Cunningham (tenor sax, clarinet & flute); Frank Vignola (guitar); Alvin Atkinson (drums)

Sentimental Journey