Showing posts with label Glenn Zottola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glenn Zottola. Show all posts

Monday, August 26, 2024

Glenn Zottola/Angela DeNiro - Rare Elegance

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2024
Time: 29:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 67,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:31) 1. It Might As Well Be Spring
(4:49) 2. Autumn In New York
(3:45) 3. Don't Go To Strangers
(5:11) 4. It Never Entered My Mind
(3:05) 5. Baubles, Bangles and Beads
(5:00) 6. What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life
(3:48) 7. My One And Only Love

Born Glenn Paul Zottola, 28 April 1947, Port Chester, New York, USA. Zottola first played trumpet at the age of three, his early start explained by the fact that his father not only played trumpet but was also a manufacturer of trumpet mouthpieces (his brother, Bob Zottola, played with the bands of Charlie Barnet, Maynard Ferguson and Billy May). At the age of nine Glenn was playing in public, and within three years was performing regularly on television and had made an appearance at the Atlantic City Jazz Festival. In the early 60s he played a leading role in a documentary film, Come Back. In 1967 he joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra, then under the direction of Buddy De Franco. In 1970, Zottola was briefly with Lionel Hampton and then began a fruitful decade that saw him backing a wide range of artists, including Bob Hope, Al Martino, Patti Page, Tony Martin, Robert Merrill and Mel Tormé. Towards the end of the 70s Zottola played lead trumpet in the orchestra accompanying the touring version of Chicago. In 1979 he joined Tex Beneke and that same year became a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet for a national tour.

Zottola began the 80s in fine style, playing, singing and acting in Swing, a musical presented at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, before playing in the pit bands of several Broadway shows including Evita, Annie and Barnum, and also for the Stratford, Connecticut revival of Anything Goes, which starred Ginger Rogers. In the early 80s he joined Bob Wilber’s Bechet Legacy band, playing on record sessions and international tours. Zottola has also recorded with Butch Miles, George Masso, Keith Ingham and Maxine Sullivan. In the mid-80s, in addition to his regular appearances with Wilber, Zottola led his own big band at the Rainbow Room in New York City and then joined forces with Bobby Rosengarden to co-lead a big band at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Greenwich, Connecticut. He toured overseas, playing jazz festivals in Ireland, Holland and Finland, while his US festival appearances have included St. Louis, Sacramento and the Kool Jazz Festival in New York. In 1988 he was featured soloist in Wilber’s recreation of Benny Goodman’s 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. In 1990 Zottola was headlining at the Clearwater Jazz Festival in Florida and late in 1991 toured the UK and Europe with a band led by Peanuts Hucko.

Unusually among brass players, Zottola is also an accomplished saxophonist, playing alto with flair. Although rooted in the mainstream of jazz and with a marked kinship for the swing era, his playing shows flashes of a deep awareness of bop and post-bop developments in the music. The exceptional talent he displayed as a child has not been dissipated but has been nurtured into an impressive all-round ability.https://www.allmusic.com/artist/glenn-zottola-mn0002154652

Rare Elegance

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Glenn Zottola/Romero Lubambo/Pamela Driggs - Summer Samba

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2023
Time: 24:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 57,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:07) 1. Summer Samba
(6:11) 2. Para Machuchar Meu Coracao
(4:22) 3. Ligia
(4:13) 4. Fotografia
(4:51) 5. Samba e Amor

2023 news reports and events acknowledged and celebrated 50 Years Of Hip-Hop. While noteworthy, it is doubtful that hip hop classics such as "Get Ur Freak On," "Sucker M.C.'s and "Nuthin' But a G Thang" will ever find themselves in the Great American Songbook. The genre simply cannot compare with the vast extent of musical influence emanating from that 1960s period in which Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, et al, took the popular and jazz worlds by storm with the exciting bossa nova sounds of Brazil. "Summer Samba" from should-be-Hall of Fame multi-instrumentalist Glenn Zottola, virtuoso Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo, and outstanding vocalist Pamela Driggs epitomizes the substance, vibrancy, and perennial influence that that music has had.

The album offers a handful of beautiful and sublimely-performed selections , all firmly entrenched in the Brazilian canon. The title tune, whose Portuguese name is used here, was a big hit for Brazilian organist Walter Wanderley in 1966, and is covered straight up. Driggs certainly has Gilberto's stylings on loan and adds a fair amount of her own expressiveness to the Marcos and Sergio Paulo Valle composition. Romero Lubambo, who is outstanding throughout the session, here eases all and delivers a fine solo. Then there's Zottola. With a youthful vigor and endless elegance, his luxurious, silk-smooth tenor glides as did that girl on Ipanema Beach. The utterly lovely "Pra Machcar" has Driggs and Zottola as two cavorting musical butterflies with Lubambo adding their rhythmic breeze. Zottola's solo here is a case study in taste. And Lubambo's octaves launch him into a tasteful overdubbed solo.

Driggs, an American who is fluent in Portuguese, has all of the linguistic inflections and their give and take with lyric and melody in her command. Her dynamic approach goes hand-glove with Zottola's tenor and Lubambo's fine acoustics. With a trio set-up such as this, the players must meld perfectly. Toes must be respected and restrained involvement is key. Driggs, Zottola, and Lubambo demonstrate that they are skilled in that regard.

"Ligia," a lesser-known Jobim tune, is more balladic than typical bossa. Lubambo's tasty intro sets up Driggs seduction. It is a romantic grabber and a four-square gorgeous track. Dreamlike, "Fotographia" is also on the relaxed side. "Samba da Amor" offers Zottola's finest solo of the session and a lovely voice/sax unison leading to an apropos "suspended" ending.

"Summer Samba," even with its shorter length, is an exquisite and involving engagement. Hip tip: Hop in and don't listen alone. By Nicholas F. Mondello
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/summer-samba-glenn-zottola-romero-lumbambo-pamela-driggs-self-produced

Personnel: Glenn Zottola - Alto Saxophone; Romero Lubambo - Guitar; Pamela Driggs - Vocal.

Summer Samba

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Glenn Zottola, Chick Corea - The Legend & I

Styles: Trumpet And Piano Jazz
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:21
Size: 125,0 MB
Art: Front

( 9:50) 1. But Not For Me
( 3:57) 2. Crystal Silence
( 5:14) 3. Autumn Leaves
( 3:46) 4. Z-Mother Test Project
( 5:33) 5. Skylark
( 5:38) 6. Moog 1 Arp Project
( 2:32) 7. You Go To My Head
(12:01) 8. Gliden Not Haydn
( 5:46) 9. Bonus Track - Crystal Silence

There have been several musical tributes to the late great Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea since his untimely passing in February, 2021, mostly from fellow musicians. However, The Legend and I is an intimate musical portrait from LA multi-instrumentalist Glenn Zottola who just happened to be one of Corea's best long-time personal friends. As Zottola affirms "He was my best friend and is dearly missed, but I know he will continue to create as that was his relentless purpose in life." The album features nine previously unreleased tracks of music in which both Corea and Zottola collaborate in laying down fresh new interpretations of familiar standards, four Corea originals and two versions of Corea's classic electronic "Crystal Silence."

Zottola plays the trumpet, his preferred instrument, on five of the nine tracks on the album, while performing on tenor and alto saxophones on the balance of the tunes. The pianist documents his talents on the piano, keyboards, marimba, bass, programming and even drums on "Autumn Leaves." Other musicians gracing this tribute include bassist Avishai Cohen and drummer Adam Cruz. There is one particular track in which the legend does not appear, and that is on the second version (bonus track) of "Crystal Silence," arranged by guitarist Romero Lubambo who plays the guitar and is accompanied by Pamela Driggs on vocals, singing the lyrics penned in 1972 by Neville Potter, another close friend of Corea.

Though he is gone but not forgotten, Corea's music now lives on forever and this homage, while including a somewhat personal touch, actually affirms that his incredible music now belongs to us all. Zottola's warm trumpet and saxophone voice is a perfect vehicle for expressing Corea's music. Zottola also stated that, in his opinion, Corea was the "greatest artist of the 20th century." Well, I believe that Corea would have argued with that conclusion; after all, he was around for 20 years in the 21st century.By Edward Blanco https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-legend-and-i-glenn-zottola-and-chick-corea-self-produced

Personnel: Glenn Zottola: trumpet; Chick Corea: piano; Avishai Cohen: bass; Adam Cruz: drums; Romero Lubambo: guitar; Pamela Driggs: voice / vocals.

Additional Instrumentation: Glenn Zottola: tenor saxophone, alto saxophone; Chick Corea: keyboards, programming, marimba, bass, drums; Romero Lubambo: programming.

The Legend & I

Monday, January 3, 2022

The George Masso Sextet - A Swinging Case Of Masso-Ism

Styles: Trombone Jazz, Swing
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:38
Size: 142,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:21) 1. So Danco Samba
(6:00) 2. I'm Glad There Is You
(6:41) 3. A Fine Romance
(6:03) 4. For You, For Me Forevermore
(5:45) 5. It All Depends On You
(4:29) 6. I See Your Face Before Me
(6:16) 7. A Swinging Case Of Masso-Ism
(5:19) 8. Them There Eyes
(4:15) 9. I've Gotta Be On My Way
(3:59) 10. Just Friends
(5:26) 11. Love Is Just Around The Corner

Trombonist George Masso's third recording as a leader and second for the now-defunct Famous Door label (none of the recordings have yet been reissued on CD) has him playing six swinging standards and his own title cut with what could have been called the Famous Door All-Stars: Glenn Zottola (who alternates between trumpet and alto), veteran tenor Al Klink, pianist John Bunch, bassist Linc Milliman, and drummer Butch Miles. Masso's warm sound is well featured on such numbers as "So Danco Samba," "For You, For Me, Forevermore" and "It All Depends On You."~Scott Yano https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-swinging-case-of-masso-ism-mw0000911126

Personnel: Trombone – George Masso; Bass – Linc Milliman; Drums – Butch Miles; Piano – John Bunch; Tenor Saxophone – Al Klink; Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Alto Saxophone – Glenn Zottola

A Swinging Case Of Masso-Ism

Friday, October 22, 2021

Peggy Lee - Love Held Lightly: Rare Songs by Harold Arlen

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:53
Size: 117,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:40) 1. Look Who's Been Dreaming
(4:18) 2. Love Held Lightly
(3:30) 3. Buds Won't Bud
(3:39) 4. Can You Explain?
(2:31) 5. Wait'll It Happens To You
(4:39) 6. Come On, Midnight
(4:25) 7. Happy With The Blues
(3:27) 8. Bad For Each Other
(2:50) 9. Love's No Stranger To Me
(2:39) 10. I Could Be Good For You
(4:14) 11. Got To Wear You Off My Weary Mind
(2:44) 12. I Had A Love Once
(3:38) 13. Love's A Necessary Thing
(2:35) 14. My Shining Hour

In 1988, Peggy Lee was persuaded to leave her casual retirement by the promise of recording some recently unearthed Harold Arlen songs. Her voice was far less attractive and vivacious than it had been even in the '70s, and health problems forced her to record everything from a wheelchair; what's more, when she heard the results, she refused to let the record be released for another three years. Nevertheless, Love Held Lightly is an important album, not just because it saves a few Arlen compositions from the brink of disaster, but also because Lee's unpretty voice serves this material well. When she sings "Come on, Midnight" or "I Had a Love Once," she sings the twilight years with as much poignancy as she sang middle age on her '60s hit, "Is That All There Is?" Her group featured sensitive accompaniment from Ken Peplowski on tenor and Keith Ingham on piano (the latter also arranged and directed). Another highlight, "Buds Won't Bud," blossoms from just another saloon song into a playful, what-the-hell romp. Eight of the songs received their first recording here, including a Lee/Arlen collaboration from decades previously. The only standard, "My Shining Hour" (lyric by Johnny Mercer), comes last, thus allowing Lee to end on a wise, confident note, accompanied only by acoustic guitar.~ John Bush https://www.allmusic.com/album/love-held-lightly-rare-songs-by-harold-arlen-mw0000093720

Personnel: Peggy Lee (vocals), John Chiodini (guitar), Phil Bodner (alto saxophone, bass flute), Ken Peplowski (tenor saxophone), Glenn Zottola (trumpet, flugelhorn), George Masso (trombone), Keith Ingham (piano), Mark Sherman (vibraphone, percussion), Jay Leonhart (bass), Grady Tate (drums),

Love Held Lightly

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Glenn Zottola - Classic Arrangements / I Got Rhythm

Album: Classic Arrangements
Size: 67,6 MB
Time: 28:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Big Band
Art: Front

01. Teach Me Tonight (3:47)
02. Angel Eyes (3:33)
03. Come Rain Or Come Shine (4:00)
04. You Make Me Feel So Young (2:04)
05. Don't Worry 'Bout Me (3:13)
06. Try A Little Tenderness (3:17)
07. If I Should Lose You (2:26)
08. Autumn In NY (4:36)
09. Street Of Dreams (1:56)

Any album that pays homage to the music associated with the “Chairman of the Board,” must be carefully designed for Frank Sinatra is a one-of-kind icon leaving his mark on American culture and history. Glenn Zottola’s Alto/Sinatra does exactly that, performing the music of Sinatra in an instrumental album where the saxophonist plays the featured role, a vocal role of sorts, fitting within his concept of “singing through the horn,” where on this album - through his alto saxophone voice - Zottola becomes Sinatra. Zottola grew up in a musical family listening to Sinatra and watching his TV
shows during the 60s. The voicing through the horn concept of this album was born in the early years where his father, a classical music conductor, played opera music at home leaving an impact on the young future musician.

Alto saxophonist Charlie “Yardbird” Parker served as one of Zottola’s main influences throughout his career, leading to his tribute album Reflections of Charlie Parker but, it was Parker’s playing in big band settings that inspired Zottola to integrate this approach to the Sinatra project. Thus is born Alto/Sinatra, an instrumental jazz album of music from the Sinatra songbook. The main feature: an alluring lead alto saxophone, the support: an amazing big band topped off by an occasional string section - all producing a sophisticated mature jazz sound that the Chairman himself would be proud of.

Zottola is one of the few jazz musicians to have had the pleasure of performing with Sinatra and did so on television playing alongside saxophonist Tommy Newsome, trumpeter Edward “Snooky” Young and the entire Tonight Show NBC Orchestra in a one-session dream come true. Deciding what to record from the lengthy Sinatra repertoire was not easy however, noting that Sinatra used some of the greatest arrangers for his music, Zottola chose a few of the legend’s greatest hits with arrangements from such song masters like Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones, Billy May, Don Costa and Torrie Zito.

Classic Arrangements

Album: I Got Rhythm
Size: 99,2 MB
Time: 37:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Mainstream Jazz
Art: Front

01. Jeepers Creepers (3:04)
02. I Only Have Eyes For You (3:43)
03. April In Paris (3:35)
04. Just One Of Those Things (3:27)
05. I May Be Wrong (2:25)
06. Don't Take Your Love From Me (3:44)
07. What Is This Thing Called Love (3:20)
08. The Man I Love (3:45)
09. Lover Come Back To Me (3:00)
10. My Heart Stood Still (3:47)
11. I Got Rhythm (3:06)

Rhythm Section 1: (I Only Have Eyes For You; April In Paris; What Is This Thing Called Love; The Man I Love; Lover Come Back To Me; I Got Rhythm) - Nat Pierce, Piano; Barry Galbraith, Guitar; Milt Hinton, Bass; Osie Johnson, Drums

Rhythm Section 2 (I May Be Wrong) - Don Abney, Piano; Jimmy Raney, Guitar; Oscar Pettiford, Bass; Kenny Clarke, Drums

Rhythm Section 3 (Jeepers Creepers; Just One Of Those Things; Don’t Take Your Love From Me; My Heart Stood Still) - Don Abney, Piano; Mundell Lowe, Guitar Wilbur Ware; Bass; Bobby Donaldson, Drums

My thanks to my friend Les Silver of RS Berkeley Instruments for providing me with the Virtuoso Vintage Tenor and Stan Getz Legend Mouthpiece which I used on this album, both truly a joy to work with. Thanks also to Robert Polan and Kristen McKeon of Rico Reeds for allowing me to test literally dozens of reeds before recording. As any saxophone player will tell you, without a good reed all is for naught. - Glenn Zottola

I Got Rhythm

Thursday, September 16, 2021

Glenn Zottola - Glenn Zottola & Friends

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:46
Size: 152,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:02) 1. Song of the Sails (feat. Ray Burghardt)
(5:10) 2. By the Brook (feat. Romero Lubambo & Pamela Driggs)
(5:46) 3. Crystal Silence (feat. Romero Lubambo & Pamela Driggs)
(3:05) 4. Stars In the Sky (feat. Ricky Kej)
(3:02) 5. Pch (feat. Ray Burghardt)
(4:24) 6. Starlight In Your Smile (feat. Kirby Jones)
(4:19) 7. In the Pocket (feat. Ray Burghardt)
(5:03) 8. What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life (feat. Alan McPike)
(4:33) 9. Motown (feat. Ray Burghardt)
(5:49) 10. Natures Beauty (feat. Romero Lubambo & Pamela Driggs)
(3:58) 11. Blue In Green (feat. Glenn Alexander)
(3:38) 12. Then Sings My Soul (feat. Ray Burghardt)
(4:00) 13. The Look of the Hook (feat. Kirby Jones)
(5:00) 14. Ray’s Groove (feat. Ray Burghardt)
(3:51) 15. Sunshine (feat. Ray Burghardt)

B. Glenn Paul Zottola, 28 April 1947, Port Chester, New York, USA. Zottola first played trumpet at the age of three, his early start explained by the fact that his father not only played trumpet but was also a manufacturer of trumpet mouthpieces (his brother, Bob Zottola, played with the bands of Charlie Barnet, Maynard Ferguson and Billy May). At the age of nine Glenn was playing in public, and within three years was performing regularly on television and had made an appearance at the Atlantic City Jazz Festival. In the early 60s he played a leading role in a documentary film, Come Back. In 1967 he joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra, then under the direction of Buddy De Franco. In 1970, Zottola was briefly with Lionel Hampton and then began a fruitful decade that saw him backing a wide range of artists, including Bob Hope, Al Martino, Patti Page, Tony Martin, Robert Merrill and Mel Tormé. Towards the end of the 70s Zottola played lead trumpet in the orchestra accompanying the touring version of Chicago. In 1979 he joined Tex Beneke and that same year became a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet for a national tour.

Zottola began the 80s in fine style, playing, singing and acting in Swing, a musical presented at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, before playing in the pit bands of several Broadway shows including Evita, Annie and Barnum, and also for the Stratford, Connecticut revival of Anything Goes, which starred Ginger Rogers. In the early 80s he joined Bob Wilber’s Bechet Legacy band, playing on record sessions and international tours. Zottola has also recorded with Butch Miles, George Masso, Keith Ingham and Maxine Sullivan. In the mid-80s, in addition to his regular appearances with Wilber, Zottola led his own big band at the Rainbow Room in New York City and then joined forces with Bobby Rosengarden to co-lead a big band at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Greenwich, Connecticut. He toured overseas, playing jazz festivals in Ireland, Holland and Finland, while his US festival appearances have included St. Louis, Sacramento and the Kool Jazz Festival in New York. In 1988 he was featured soloist in Wilber’s recreation of Benny Goodman’s 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. In 1990 Zottola was headlining at the Clearwater Jazz Festival in Florida and late in 1991 toured the UK and Europe with a band led by Peanuts Hucko and then Glenn moved to Los Angeles to become the band leader on the Suzanne Somers TV show out of universal studios.

Unusually among brass players, Zottola is also an accomplished saxophonist, playing alto with flair. Although rooted in the mainstream of jazz and with a marked kinship for the swing era, his playing shows flashes of a deep awareness of bop and post-bop developments in the music. The exceptional talent he displayed as a child has not been dissipated but has been nurtured into an impressive all-round ability. https://glennzottola.com/about/

Glenn Zottola & Friends

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Glenn Zottola - Reflections Of Charlie Parker

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:26
Size: 79,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:41)  1. Moonlight In Vermont
(3:01)  2. Oh, Lady Be Good!
(3:18)  3. It Might As Well Be Spring
(4:08)  4. In The Wee Small Hours of The Mourning
(3:22)  5. What Is This Thing Called Love'
(4:05)  6. I'm In The Mood For Love
(3:11)  7. Embraceable You
(4:30)  8. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
(2:25)  9. I May Be Wrong (But I Think You're Wonderful!)
(2:41) 10. Three Little Words

Moonlight In Vermont"" is the opening song of this album and is one of my favorites and has that classic 50s string feel of the era. The small group track which is next is ""lady be good"" and what a ball playing with this Rhythm section that included really tasteful pianist Don Abney along with jazz legends Oscar Pettiford and Kenny Clarke real stars from the Golden Age of Jazz who played extensively with Charlie Parker. The last track ""I'm in the mood for Love"" is a beautiful arrangement slightly more contemporary that i am sure Charlie Parker would of loved to blow on as i did."" ~ Glenn Zotolla ..Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Tribute-Charlie-Parker-Glenn-Zottola/dp/B00IJ041UI

Tribute To Charlie Parker

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Glenn Zottola - Triple Play

Size: 109,7 MB
Time: 46:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Sunday (3:18)
02. How About You (2:56)
03. Moonlight In Vermont (3:31)
04. This Heart Of Mine (2:29)
05. Laura (3:26)
06. What Is This Thing Called Love (3:14)
07. Just You, Just Me (2:56)
08. Full Rush In (3:09)
09. Spring Is Here (3:11)
10. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (4:15)
11. Jupiter (2:43)
12. Darn That Dream (3:24)
13. Beta Minus (1:53)
14. Memories Of You (3:31)
15. Three Little Words (2:32)

Glenn Zottola is a multi-instrumentalist inspired by some of the great jazz icons of our time. He conquered the trumpet, alto saxophone and tenor saxophone with equal mastery. His new album, “Triple Play” explores this versatile artist’s unquestioned musicianship of the three instruments that have defined his career.

The inspiring play of Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims and others, have left a mark on this artist. His story told here more accurately reflects the blending of the different styles and approaches that have guided the development of Zottola’s own personal and individual style. In demonstrating his unique approach to jazz standards that comprise the fabulous repertoire of this album.

As he has professed his favorite instrument has always been the trumpet. It is with a crisp performance on the horn of the Jule Styne/Ned Miller composition “Sunday,” that Zottola opens up the album sharing the stage and the music with Raney, Getz on tenor, bassist George Duvivier and the drums of Ed Shaughnessey. Written for the film Babes on Broadway, Burton Lane’s familiar “How About You?” is presented here in more of a duet-styled format between Zottola’s sprite tenor voice and guitarist Raney as the dynamic duo lobby one salvo after another at each other keeping the music intimate and exciting.

“Moonlight in Vermont” has Zottola accompanied by a beautiful string section and featured on an expressive alto saxophone voice resulting in a delicate, spacious and yet very accessible version of this immortal classic.

The other two string-arranged standards just as atmospheric as the above track are, the 1945 David Raskin song “Laura” and Eubie Blake’s incomparable “Memories of You”. The 1946 Harry Warren song “This Heart of Mine” has the trumpeter returning to the muted horn displaying quick finger-play on the valves with nice backup play from flautist Hal McKusick, then emerges with his formidable alto saxophone voice on the unforgettable 1929 popular Cole Porter song “What Is This Thing Called Love?”. On this track, Zottola is at his best trading 4s with bassist Milt Hinton as drummer Osie Johnson delivers marvelous brush work.

The trumpeter then belts out three superb trumpet sounds on the oft-recorded “Just You Just Me,” while the Rodgers and Hart standard “Spring Is Here,” and the Jimmy Raney original “Jupiter,” are both reimagined on the muted horn where Zottola projects some of the finesse power play he is known for. Accompanied well by Getz on the tenor and Mckusick on clarinet, Zottola’s quick-paced interpretation of the 1940 Johnny Mercer classic “Fools Rush In” has a decidedly West Coast/Art Pepper feel to the approach. Offered in a small combo format with terrific instrumental support by both McKusick flute and Raney’s soft guitar strings, Zottola’s alto sings a lofty tender song in a warm rendition of Duke Ellington’s love ballad “I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good).”

If you listen closely to the arrangement of the Jimmy Van Heusen signature piece “Darn That Dream,” - you will hear a delicate duet of sorts with two great saxophonists (Getz and Zottola) delivering equally enchanting solo moments in one of the highlights of the album. The other Raney original “Beta Minus,” provides the last special showcase for Zottola’s muted horn exhibiting the Davis harmonized-style trumpet play with a decidedly Zottolian twist by design. Harry Ruby’s 1930 song “Three Little Words,” is the album closer and not only does it provide feature moments for the saxophonist on tenor, but also showcases the steady piano lines from Don Abney, Raney’s guitar solo and Kenny Clarke’s splashy brushes which introduces the tune and continues throughout resulting in a classy climax to a wonderful display of light jazz.

Most professional musicians stake their claim to fame by association with one or two instruments of choice. While Glenn Zottola continues to profess his preference for the trumpet over other wind instruments, Triple Play perhaps makes a musical statement that one cannot judge or assume that an artist’s entire career can only be assessed by the performance delivered on any single instrument. There have been few, if any in jazz history that have been able to double on various instruments to the degree and at the level Zottola continues to maintain. As documented quite well here, Zottola is a gifted trumpeter and saxophonist, a triple threat if you will, a world-class player who has spent a career performing with some of the best musicians on the planet. ~Edward Blanco

Triple Play

Friday, June 22, 2018

Glenn Zottola - Classic Standards With Strings

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:28
Size: 92.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[3:44] 1. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man Of Mine
[3:28] 2. Laura
[3:28] 3. What's New
[3:32] 4. Memories Of You
[3:25] 5. Willow Weep For Me
[3:01] 6. Embraceable You
[3:15] 7. Blue Moon
[3:23] 8. Where Or When
[3:00] 9. Yesterdays
[3:29] 10. Portrait Of Jenny
[3:12] 11. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
[3:23] 12. Stardust

Jazz Legends Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and Ben Webster are rightfully considered the Swing Era’s Pantheon of the tenor saxophone. It is from that glorious rock-solid foundation of the jazz tree that yet-to-come tenor greats such as Stan Getz, John Coltrane and others blossomed. The influence of the tenor triumvirate on those who followed them was enormous – Hawkins improvisational genius exemplified in the still-examined “Body and Soul,” Young’s suave and silky-smooth cool melodic and improvisational approach and Webster’s sensually breathy balladic and hard-swinging up-tempo interpretations.

With “Classic Standards with Strings – Inspired by Ben Webster,” multi-instrumentalist Glenn Zottola, yet again musically validates his worldwide reputation as both an insightful and highly expressive musical artist. Here he grabs his tenor and brilliantly delivers a dozen of the Great American Songbook’s most melodic and romantic jewels. The result is an aural masterpiece of tone, melodic passion, and lyric sensitivity. Webster was a large man who was nicknamed “Brute.” However, his breathy entrances and tonal sensitivities belied the moniker. Zottola, who shrewdly doesn’t mime Webster’s sound or articulation here and who certainly isn’t brutish in any way – musically or otherwise – renders all of the smoothness and sensitivity that both the esteemed material and his mentor deserve. Working exclusively with the greatest of balladic material (“Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” “Laura,” “Embraceable You”) and backed by a lush string orchestra and superior arrangements, the recording is reminiscent of the great Jackie Gleason sides – you know, when music was about elegance, romance and class.
Zottola, first and foremost a melody man, takes this classic material and literally breathes interpretive life into it. His reserved dynamic feel and vocal-tinged vibrato are a case study in lyricism and stellar ballad playing (“Where or When?” “Yesterdays,” and “Stardust”). When he covers the melody, Zottola gives the marvelous illusion of singing via his horn. And, his well-thought out improvisations all gravitate from a melodic core. The entire effort is a rapturous dream.

Ben Webster is still revered worldwide and especially in Denmark where there is a street named after him (as well as a foundation that awards scholarships to young jazzers). However, I’m dead-certain that when the Danes get a hold of this effort from Glenn Zottola, they might consider getting a second street sign ready for another superb tenor man. ~Nick Mondello

Classic Standards With Strings mc
Classic Standards With Strings zippy

Monday, October 31, 2016

Glenn Zottola - Too Marvelous For Words

Size: 100,3 MB
Time: 32:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Too Marvelous For Words (4:35)
02. Body And Soul (3:32)
03. Oh, Lady Be Good (2:53)
04. Embraceable You (3:03)
05. Three Little Words (2:32)
06. Poor Butterfly (2:29)
07. Sometimes I'm Happy (3:32)
08. You Go To My Head (3:27)
09. When Your Lover Has Gone (4:06)
10. Fine And Dandy (1:58)

In his career,Glenn Zottola has been best known as a brilliant and swinging trumpeter who occasionally doubled quite effectively on alto. But on this special project, he is heard as a talented tenor-saxophonist who draws on the sounds and styles of Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins, finding his own voice somewhere in between. Glenn sounds quite at home playing with the vintage rhythm sections yet gives the music his own twist and never tries to just merely copy or recreate the past.
Relatively few jazz musicians have been equally comfortable on both brass and reed instruments. Benny Carter, Ira Sullivan and Scott Robinson come to mind along with just a handful of others. Glenn was never told that it was difficult to play both brass and reeds, so he developed his own musical conceptions, giving one the impression that it is effortless. But that is consistent with his career for he has often made the difficult seem natural.

Although he has loved playing tenor since he picked up his first saxophone when he was 13, Glenn Zottola
had never recorded a full set on that instrument. Making this CD even more unique is that Glenn is heard playing along with some of the earliest performances recorded for the acclaimed Classic Jazz series. Dating from 1952, the rhythm sections feature such notables as pianists Nat Pierce and Don Abney, and guitarists Mundell Lowe and Jimmy Raney taking short solos while bassist Milt Hinton, Oscar Pettiford and Wilbur Ware, and drummers Osie Johnson, Kenny Clarke and Bobby Donaldson give quiet and steady support. Because Glenn has a timeless and very flexible style, he adapts his playing on this unique set, sounding a bit like a cousin of Lester Young and Stan Getz. His style, hinting at swing, bop and cool jazz, fits the era perfectly.

Performing 10 standards including “Too Marvelous For Words,” “Body And Soul,” “Three Little Words” and “Fine And Dandy,” Glenn Zottola plays creatively within the style of 1952 cool swing without sacrificing his own individuality. If given a blindfold test, few listeners would guess that Glenn’s playing took place nearly 60 years after that of the rhythm sections and some might speculate that this was a long lost session recorded at the Lighthouse.

In any case, this is timeless music and quite fun to hear. ~Scott Yanow

Too Marvelous For Words

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Glenn Zottola - Miles Davis Remembered / Charlie Parker With Strings Revisited

Album: Miles Davis Remembered
Size: 72,1 MB
Time: 30:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. This Heart Of Mine (2:28)
02. I'll Be Seeing You (3:36)
03. Jupiter (2:44)
04. I Cover The Waterfront (3:48)
05. Spring Is Here (3:12)
06. Beta Minor (1:52)
07. Autumn In New York (3:35)
08. Just You Just Me (2:55)
09. My Funny Valentine (3:17)
10. Sunday (3:16)

A young musician's mind can be so very impressionable, so capable and available to lock onto a recording, a phrase or texture and hold it. The effect is almost nuclear—one note, perfectly placed by the performer and into a young listener's ear, can set into play a chain of music-driven events that can spawn professional careers, if not a lifelong interest in the art. Such was-and is—the case with trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist, Glenn Zottola. A phenomenon in his own right.

With Miles Remembered Zottola, as he did with his prior tribute recordings of Clifford Brown, Stan Getz and Charlie Parker (all superb, by the way), Zottola offers a salute to another of his early childhood influences—Miles Davis. And, this effort is terrific.

Incorporating and recording in two accompaniment formats—a sextet and a full orchestra (both of which were previously recorded and plucked like gems mined from the exhaustive Classic Jazz Records vault), Zottola's complete focus here shades and genuflects to Davis and his classic Prestige and early Gil Evans/Columbia period. It's the best of all jazz worlds—great GAS material ("This Heart of Mine," "I Cover the Waterfront," "My Funny Valentine), highly-expressive improv, and trumpet wizardry.

Throughout the recording, Zottola demonstrates a beautiful sound, great technique and deep, musically sincere affection for Davis and this celebrated period. He wisely avoids any Miles Davis classics, direct playing imitation, or "Miles licks." Zottola doesn't have to; he's an Ace player with a great sound and jazz touch ("Just You, Just Me," "Beta Minus"). But, as any jazz trumpeter worth his valve oil would, the Davis influences on Zottola percolate effortlessly from the recesses of his mind and out the end of both his Harmon-muted or open horn.

A word about the accompaniment; as one would expect of Davis, Zottola or any performing great, the accompaniment here is A-1, swings and frames the front man fine. Zottola's overdubbing onto the support of Jimmy Raney, Stan Getz, Ed Shaugnessy and also the All-Star orchestra is dead-on. This is not karaoke or recorda-me, by any means.

While Miles Davis was a constantly evolving jazz entity over many decades, with Miles Remembered Glenn Zottola 'scopes a robust Davis period and in doing so does one of his idols -and himself -most proud. ~by Edward Blanco

Personnel: Glenn Zottola: trumpet; Jimmy Raney: guitar; Stan Getz: tenor saxophone; Hal McCusick: flute, clarinet; George Duvivier: bass; Ed Shaughnessy; unidentified string orchestra.

Album: Miles Davis Remembered
Size: 68,4 MB
Time: 29:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Just Friends (3:29)
02. April In Paris (3:06)
03. Summertime (2:46)
04. East Of The Sun (3:40)
05. I Didn't Know What Time It Was (3:13)
06. Laura (3:05)
07. I'm In The Mood For Love (3:37)
08. Everything Happens To Me (3:12)
09. Dancing In The Dark (3:08)

Saxophonist and trumpeter Glenn Zottola came out of retirement from a long distinguished career, for the specific purpose of paying tribute to jazz artists who influenced his life and his music. The tribute series of albums which, include homages to Miles Davis, Clifford Brown and Stan Getz among them, concludes with a tip of the hat to the legendary Charlie Parker with a reprise of his classic Charlie Parker with Strings sessions of 1949 and 1950 capturing the romantic and melodic side of this giant. Zottola's Charlie Parker with Strings Revisited employs new transcriptions of the original arrangements from both Mercury recordings covering nine pieces (five from the first album and four from the second), in re-visiting and re-imagining Parker's swinging rhythms section with the help of lush string arrangements that made these recordings a personal favorite of the jazz icon.

One major difference of note here is, that Zottola chose not to simply duplicate Parker's original solos but rather, to infuse the music with his own solo statements with, as he states, "Charlie Parker's "spirit" in mind..." the result of course, is another captivating documentation of the "Yardbird's" music with a decidedly Zottolian twist. Opening up with the 1931 John Klenner favorite and all-time standard "Just Friends," introduced by the sounds of the harp and strings, provides the saxophonist his first alto solo setting the stage for what is in store. Recording the standards for Parker was a bid for greater exposure and adding the strings just made it a first among jazz artists and as such, Vernon Duke's "April In Paris" was forever changed and here, Zottola's treatment of the classic brings the music to life.

The Gershwin's defining "Summertime" is recalled here quite well, though brief but beautiful, Zottola's magical solos make it memorable. Two oft-recorded standards, "East of the Sun," and "I Don't Know What Time It Was," are remembered here with much of the saxophonist's personal style imprinted on the arrangement clearly wielding a lyrical alto. The somber and humble David Raskin/Johnny Mercer classic "Laura," still conveys the emotional message the authors intended and this version does not change that but rather enhances the high-pitched alto in a delicate way.

The standard "I'm In the Mood for love" features Zottola in a more pronounced manner while the familiar "Everything Happens to Me," takes on a unique charm complimented well by the strings. The saxophonist does some off his best soloing on the Schwartz/Dietz finale tune "Dancing in the Dark" leaving little doubt that this Parker tribute has an unquestioned Zottola imprint. Traditional jazz at its best, Charlie Parker with Strings Revisited takes one on a musical journey of past glory remembering one of the legends of the genre fulfilling his long-held desire to record with a string section. Alto saxophonist Glenn Zottola pays homage to a legend and one of his most memorable works with a striking musical message that may be just as memorable. ~by Edward Blanco

Personnel: Glenn Zottola: alto saxophone; Mark Stalling: piano, arranger; String Section and other band members not listed.

Miles Davis Remembered / Charlie Parker With Strings Revisited

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Glenn Zottola - Clifford Brown Remembered

Size: 106,6 MB
Time: 45:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Trumpet Jazz
Art: Front

01. Yesterdays (3:02)
02. Laura (3:32)
03. What's New? (3:25)
04. Blue Moon (3:16)
05. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man of Mine (3:46)
06. Embraceable You (3:05)
07. Willow Weep For Me (3:28)
08. Memories of You (3:35)
09. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (3:15)
10. Portrait of Jenny (3:27)
11. Where or When (3:26)
12. Stardust (3:28)
13. I Remember Clifford (4:36)

The trumpet is a cruel—yet loving—mistress. It can announce the slightest executional blemish, instantly betraying its player's most sincere efforts, while also allowing its lover to express every possible nuance and emotion. The greatest Masters of the instrument in jazz—Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Chet Baker and others—all could brilliantly deliver expressive emotion. Of those in the trumpet's pantheon, Clifford Brown, by virtue of his genius and enhanced by his mythology, stands out. Any attempt by a trumpeter to emulate Clifford would have all the risk of a tightrope walk across Niagara Falls.

With Clifford Brown Remembered, trumpeter Glenn Zottola takes up the Herculean task of playing tribute to Brownie in the most extraordinary manner. He's taken the classic Clifford Brown with Strings recording (EmArcy, 1955) and, deploying his own formidable talents, recreated the recording in a musical salute. And, he's done it marvelously.

The dozen selections (with an added cover of Dinah Washington's recording of Benny Golson's, threnody, "I Remember Clifford")—were originally drawn primarily from the GAS ("Yesterdays," "Embraceable You,""Stardust") and are performed here in the same sequence as the 1955 recording. Zottola, well-respected as a mainstream and swing performer, interprets the Brown ballad performances with reverence and interpretive artistry. His lush sound is warm and inviting, and nearly as resonant as his idol's. He possesses a fine vocalist's sense of phrasing and lyric savvy. While there may be understandable comparisons to the original, Zottola's ease of playing, technical and articulation skills, and superlative dynamic control make this recording shine.

Incredibly, in this recording, Zottola re-creates the legendary session performing it completely from memory, interpreting Clifford's playing by ear. The original string charts (by Neal Hefti) were transcribed by Mark Stallings and are superbly performed. Given that the original recording was done in 1955, the music's beauty withstands time's test and glows yet again.

Rarely does a performer rise to a level of excellence as that of the artist that he or she salutes. Zottola certainly comes close. Be that so, while Clifford Brown remains to this day, nearly 60 years after his tragic death, an influential voice in jazz trumpet, the adulation that is performed here is indeed apropos. Glenn Zottola portrays himself not only an adoring acolyte, but a superlative and sensitive trumpet artist in his own right. And, just as Brownie did, Zottola certainly speaks. ~by Nicholas F. Mondello

Clifford Brown Remembered

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Glenn Zottola - The Bossa Nova Story: Glenn Zottola Salutes Stan Getz

Size: 87,6 MB
Time: 37:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Bossa Nova
Art: Front

01. Black Orpheus (4:36)
02. The Girl From Ipanema (3:00)
03. Gentle Rain (4:21)
04. One Note Samba (2:30)
05. Once I Loved (3:43)
06. Dindi (3:36)
07. Baubles, Bangles And Beads (2:33)
08. Meditation (2:55)
09. Triste (2:12)
10. I Concentrate On You (2:39)
11. Samba De Orfeu (5:19)

Trumpeter and saxophonist Glenn Zottola has been a serious part of the music business for more than four decades, recording thirty albums as a sideman and leader as well as adding Broadway and TV show musician to his resume. In 2014, Zottola decided to embark on the tribute circle recording a series of homage albums for the Classic Jazz Records label such as (Clifford Brown Remembered (Classic Jazz Records, 2014), Reflections of Charlie Parker (Classic Jazz Records, 2014) and now, The Bossa Nova Story, Glenn Zottola, Salutes Stan Getz. The album is a combine tribute to Getz's involvement in the bossa nova, the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Brazilian jazz in general. The result of course, is a warm and beautiful portrait of the bossa style from the perspective of the tenor saxophone and the everlasting influence Stan Getz left on the music.

The world first learned of the samba and bossa nova from the 1959 film Black Orpheus by French director Marcel Camus where the original sound track had a Luiz Bonfa composition "Manha de Carnival" represented on this album as simply "Black Orpheus." The album starts off with the Orpheus song led by a gorgeous introduction from Argentinian guitarist Marcelo Berestovoy leading to Zottola's masterful solos on the piece. There have been many interpretations of Jobim's signature piece, "The Girl from Ipanema" but somehow, Zottola's Getz's impersonation, along with Tom Hartman's string arrangements, elevates this one to elite status. On the fiftieth anniversary of this classic and the twentieth anniversary of Jobim's passing, this seemed a perfect inclusion to The Bossa Nova Story.

The Getz/bossa homage rolls right along with delightful treatments of such classics as "Gentle Rain," "Once I Loved" and Zottola's superb interpretation of Jobim's "One Note Samba" equally as enchanting as the famous Getz instrumental rendition. Other immortal Jobim classic such as "Dindi," Meditation," and "Triste," are all presented with the saxophonist leading the way with tasteful accompaniment from a stellar cast of players and a delightful string section. Also Included in this tribute album are non-bossa standards like Cole Porter's "I Concentrate on You," and the Robert Wright/George Forrest classic "Baubles, Bangles and Beads"—both transformed into bossa songs on the Grammy—nominated Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (Reprise, 1967) recording.

The program ends as it began with a delicious interpretation of another Bonfa standard "Samba de Orfeu" where the saxophonist's high flying solos are splendidly supported by guitarist Berestovoy with a little help from percussionist Emiliano Almeida capping off a memorable taste of Brazil. As tribute albums go, Glenn Zottola's The Bossa Nova Story tells a tale of a jazz icon whose saxophone changed the music and of a musical style that changed the world. The great Stan Getz and Antonio Carlos Jobim are no doubt, smiling from heaven after hearing Zottola's graceful treatment of their enduring music, well done! ~Edward Blanco

Personnel: Glenn Zottola: tenor saxophone; Marcelo Berestovoy: guitar; Jamieson Trotter: piano; Tom Lerner: bass; Joe Dougherty: drums; Emiliano Almeida: percussion; Tom Hartman: string arrangements.

The Bossa Nova Story