Allison Miller & Jane Ira Bloom - Tues Days

Styles: Bop, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2021
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:48
Size: 133,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:43) 1. Tues Days
(5:36) 2. Technicolor
(5:26) 3. Rowing In The Dark
(3:16) 4. This Is It
(2:16) 5. Five Bells
(8:30) 6. The Wild Frontier
(5:59) 7. Light Years Away
(4:16) 8. A's & J's Test Kitchen
(6:13) 9. Crayola
(4:19) 10. On Seeing JP
(6:08) 11. Walk Alone

The story goes that, during spring 2021, on five consecutive Tuesdays in March and April, soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom and drummer Allison Miller recorded a handful of improvised sax and drum duets just to see what might happen and evolve. Well, a lot does because with Tues Days both Miller and Bloom cut their inner hippie loose to gambol out in the fields with flowers in their hair and their skirts all a-billow.

It is not all fun and games, as any ageing hippie learns, but still you have gotta get out in the sunshine, air it out and bond; close the chasm that technology, in equal terms ,either helps us cross or broadens, and jam merrily on. Even if it is remotely, you are never alone.

So we have the title track, a true reversal of fortune given the last two years of our human story, opening a dance fest of ideas. "Technicolor" vaunts and veers into the thoughtful and sparing "Rowing in the Dark." Pensive yet hopeful, the duo share epiphanies that last long after something proves otherwise.

"This Is It" sets the foot tapping once again while "The Wild Frontier" beckons in its own obstinate, oblique way. Bloom screams, Miller skitters and somehow everything is right with world. "Light Years Away" is that quieter moment everyone needs. "A's and J's Test Kitchen" is the duo's (and listeners') just reward for the unbridled, pure human engagement that Tues Days swears by. By Mike Jurkovic https://www.allaboutjazz.com/tues-days-jane-ira-bloom-outline-supaphine

Personnel: Allison Miller: drums; Jane Ira Bloom: saxophone, soprano.

Tues Days

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Jane Ira Bloom - Sometimes the Magic

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:16
Size: 121,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:08) 1. Denver Snap
(5:23) 2. Now You see It
(3:03) 3. Bewitched
(5:45) 4. Blue Poles
(4:53) 5. Pacific
(5:28) 6. Truth in Timbre
(4:36) 7. Without Words
(4:20) 8. In Everything
(5:26) 9. Varo
(4:19) 10. Many Landscapes
(3:50) 11. How Are Things in Glocca Morra

Sweeping right and left past the microphone, Jane Ira Bloom throws sound around the room, as a visual artist would apply paint on canvas. The directional movement provides a unique sound to her work and serves to highlight the feelings she wishes to express. Romantic and refreshing, Bloom's tenth recording as leader features her soprano saxophone with a creative supporting trio. Nine modern mainstream originals and two solo saxophone ballad chestnuts complete a program rich in harmony and somewhat introspective. The quartet leaves ample space for settling impressions, while blues roots and emotions pervade.

"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" oozes a romantic spirit: passionate and yet subdued. Bloom's "Varo" infuses a lively street samba rhythm with a crisp, festive, percussion framework. "Without Words" stands out as a lovely sax/bass duet that allows the pair to express as one. Most of the session allows for the passing of creative ideas back and forth between the four artists, keeping the mood quiet and making room for quiet contemplation. Bloom's gorgeous saxophone tone and unique method of presentation makes this and her live performances a special treat. ~ Jim Santella https://www.allaboutjazz.com/sometimes-the-magic-jane-ira-bloom-arabesque-jazz-review-by-jim-santella.php

Personnel: Jane Ira Bloom: saxophone, soprano.

Sometimes the Magic

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Jane Ira Bloom - Mighty Lights

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:27
Size: 90,7 MB
Art: Front

(7:03)  1. 2--5--1
(7:10)  2. Lost in the Stars
(5:48)  3. I Got Rhythm but No Melody
(6:15)  4. The Man with Glasses
(7:05)  5. Change Up
(6:06)  6. Mighty Lights

This was, in a way, soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom's debut, in that it was the first of her albums to be put out by a label she did not herself own her first two records were self-produced. Even at such an early stage in her development one can hear the attention to craft that would always characterize her work, though her skills at this point were not what they would later become. Bloom's control over the horn was occasionally dubious, but she evidenced an attractive tone and a coherent (if a bit immature and self-conscious) manner of phrasing. Her tunes were already quite sophisticated and distinctive, pointing to the even more ambitious composer into which she evolved. On the other hand, her band for this album will probably not be excelled for the rest of her career. Charlie Haden and Ed Blackwell are pretty heavy company for such a callow young musician to be keeping, and pianist Fred Hersch is certainly no slouch. Obviously, the rhythm section's work raises this music to a higher plane than it would have reached had not Bloom the wherewithal to engage the services of these gentlemen. ~ Chris Kelsey https://www.allmusic.com/album/mighty-lights-mw0000267377

Personnel: Jane Ira Bloom - soprano saxophone; Fred Hersch - piano;  Charlie Haden - bass; Ed Blackwell - drums

Mighty Lights

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Jane Ira Bloom - Early Americans

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:00
Size: 119.1 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[2:54] 1. Song Patrol
[4:19] 2. Dangerous Times
[1:46] 3. Nearly
[5:32] 4. Hips & Sticks
[5:20] 5. Singing The Triangle
[3:05] 6. Other Eyes
[3:22] 7. Rhyme Or Rhythm
[5:25] 8. Mind Gray River
[3:29] 9. Cornets Of Paradise
[4:02] 10. Say More
[5:46] 11. Gateway To Progress
[4:20] 12. Big Bill
[2:33] 13. Somewhere

Jane Ira Bloom: soprano saxophone; Mark Helias: bass; Bobby Previte: drums.

Saxophonist/composer Jane Ira Bloom is one of the few jazz players to concentrate solely on the soprano saxophone. In 35 years she has recorded sixteen albums as a leader, most often in a quartet with piano. This is her first trio album, in the company of longtime playing partners bassist Mark Helias and drummer Bobby Previte. Their high level of communication is evident on a tune like "Singing the Triangle," which features a recurring theme that is clearly stated by all three instruments in unison (with Previte using his toms melodically). Both the head and the band's approach recall the late Steve Lacy, another soprano saxophone specialist and experimentalist. The start-and-stop "Gateway to Progress" has a similar feel (it also demonstrates how hard this band can swing). Bloom definitely has her own sound, but Lacy is the closest comparison that comes to mind. ~Mark Sullivan

Early Americans 

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Jane Ira Bloom - Early Americans

Size: 120,9 MB
Time: 51:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz: Modern Jazz
Art: Front

01. Song Patrol (2:54)
02. Dangerous Times (4:19)
03. Nearly (1:45)
04. Hips & Sticks (5:32)
05. Singing The Triangle (5:20)
06. Other Eyes (3:05)
07. Rhyme Or Rhythm (3:21)
08. Mind Gray River (5:24)
09. Cornets Of Paradise (3:29)
10. Say More (4:02)
11. Gateway To Progress (5:45)
12. Big Bill (4:16)
13. Somewhere (2:30)

Saxophonist/composer Jane Ira Bloom is one of the few jazz players to concentrate solely on the soprano saxophone. In 35 years she has recorded sixteen albums as a leader, most often in a quartet with piano. This is her first trio album, in the company of longtime playing partners bassist Mark Helias and drummer Bobby Previte. Their high level of communication is evident on a tune like "Singing the Triangle," which features a recurring theme that is clearly stated by all three instruments in unison (with Previte using his toms melodically). Both the head and the band's approach recall the late Steve Lacy, another soprano saxophone specialist and experimentalist. The start-and-stop "Gateway to Progress" has a similar feel (it also demonstrates how hard this band can swing). Bloom definitely has her own sound, but Lacy is the closest comparison that comes to mind.

The aptly-named opener "Song Patrol" demonstrates just how tuneful Bloom's composing can be, a fact that may be obscured by the avant-garde tag she is sometimes saddled with. She has long had an interest in live electronics and sound design, which first appears here in the panning between the left and right stereo channels on "Dangerous Times." I believe this particular effect was achieved the old fashioned way, by simply moving the horn between the pair of stereo microphones—there is a photo in the CD liners showing her playing in the studio with tape on the floor to mark the mic placement. Bloom also employs some discreet electronic processing on her saxophone. It's especially noticeable on "Rhyme or Rhythm," which also features overdubbed hand drums and agogô bell from Previte, creating a denser group sound with a latin flavor.

"Other Eyes" goes the other way, paring things down to a gentle saxophone/bass duet. Bloom closes the album with a beautiful solo rendition of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's "Somewhere." The whole program is full of variety, beautiful and exploratory at the same time. The trio format works so well that it is surprising that Bloom hasn't used it before. I'd love to hear more from these three. ~Mark Sullivan

Personnel: Jane Ira Bloom: soprano saxophone; Mark Helias: bass; Bobby Previte: drums.

Early Americans

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Cleo Laine - Jazz

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:26
Size: 141,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:40)  1. Just A Sittin' And A Rockin'
(5:55)  2. My One And Only Love
(4:00)  3. Walking Shoes
(6:41)  4. I Told You So
(4:05)  5. It Don't Mean A Thing
(4:28)  6. Won't You Tell Me Why
(4:33)  7. Bluesette
(6:42)  8. Midnight Sun
(3:46)  9. Lady Be Good
(4:18) 10. St. Louis Blues
(5:09) 11. A Child Is Born
(5:03) 12. You Can Always Count On Me

Cleo Laine has always had a beautiful voice with a very wide range and she sounds her best in jazz settings. Laine isn't that much of a jazz singer herself since she does not improvise (her scatting passages tend to be played in unison with her husband, John Dankworth) but she swings. Jazz is one of her best sets of the '90s, teaming her with five reeds (including Dankworth), guitarist Larry Koonse and one of two rhythm sections. Gerry Mulligan guests on "Walking Shoes" and "Midnight Sun," Clark Terry is exuberant on "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'" and a medium-tempo version of "A Child Is Born," Toots Thielemans is a strong asset on three songs, Jane Ira Bloom co-stars on "I Told You So" and Mark Whitfield is on the two Terry numbers. Throughout, Cleo Laine is heard in prime form, not offering surprises as much as confirmation of her love for jazz. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-mw0000264515

Personnel: Cleo Laine (vocals); Larry Koonse, Mark Whitfield (guitar); Toots Thielemans (harmonica); Ray Loeckle, Jerry Niewood, Gerry Niewood, Roger Rosenberg, John Dankworth (reeds); Jane Ira Bloom (soprano saxophone); Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); Clark Terry (trumpet, flugelhorn); John Campbell, John Campbell , Mike Renzi (piano); Jim Zimmerman, Terry Clarke (drums).

Jazz

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Jane Ira Bloom - Sixteen Sunsets

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:35
Size: 178,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. For All We Know
(7:46)  2. What She Wanted
(7:13)  3. Gershwin's Skyline/ I Loves You Porgy
(6:27)  4. Darn That Dream
(5:17)  5. Good Morning Heartache
(6:22)  6. Out of This World
(4:34)  7. Ice Dancing (For Torvill & Dean)
(7:34)  8. Left Alone
(4:26)  9. The Way You Look Tonight
(5:41) 10. But Not for Me
(4:29) 11. Primary Colors
(2:42) 12. My Ship
(4:29) 13. Too Many Reasons
(5:27) 14. Bird Experiencing Light

Sidney Bechet pioneered the use of the soprano saxophone in jazz in the early 20s. John Coltrane brought that "straight horn" out of a relative dormancy of use in 1959 with his anthem-like take on Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things" on his Atlantic Records album of the same name. Steve Lacy took the soprano "out there," and Dave Liebman continues to stretch its boundaries. The name Jane Ira Bloom can be added to that list of icons. For thirty years Bloom has used the soprano saxophone to give voice to fertile and uncompromising artistic spirit. She's broken ground on the introduction of live electronics into her music and has created a singular sound on a variety of multi-faceted projects including a commissioned work by the NASA Art Program. And (talk about "out there") the International Astronomical Union named an asteroid for her: 6083janeirabloom. Bloom's work in a quartet setting shines the brightest, on 2003's Chasing Paint (Arabesque Records), a nod to painter Jackson Pollock, 2008's Mental Weather (Outline), or the CD at hand, Sixteen Sunsets, an examination of the ballad form.

For such a forward-looking artist, this is something of a surprise. Bloom explores the standards here, along with four of her own standard form songs, with an extraordinary aplomb and patience. Her tone on the soprano is the purest, richest of sounds as if her horn were made of gold; and her quartet, featuring Matt Wilson on drums, bassist Cameron Brown and pianist Dominic Fallacaro, play with a delicacy and restraint that gives the sound a feeling of depth and a subdued grandeur. Bloom says she knows the words to all these songs: "I Loves You Porgy," "The Way You Look Tonight," "For All We Know," "Good Morning Heartache." These are tunes that dip down deep into longing, heartache, loneliness, tender love. Bloom's soprano saxophone is her voice. It's a voice that tells these song's stories with an exquisite grace and understanding of the vicissitudes of the human condition. 

Bloom's backing trio rolls mostly in the mode of subtle accompaniment, but when she lays back the trio steps out with a jewel- like elegance, as pianist Fallacaro, with the supplest of touches, wrings every teardrop out of the melody of "Good Morning Heartache," or injects a hopeful counterpoint to the angst of the temptations on "I Loves You Porgy." Sixteen Sunsets is, arguably, Jane Ira Bloom's most compelling recording. It's certainly her loveliest no argument there. And the sound quality is out of this world. An asteroid is nice, but it seems a rather small celestial body for an artist that can create something as perfect as this disc. Perhaps a star, a bright one, can be found. ~ Dan McClenaghan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/sixteen-sunsets-jane-ira-bloom-outline-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php

Personnel: Jane Ira Bloom: soprano saxophone; Dominic Fallacaro: piano; Cameron Brown: bass; Matt Wilson: drums.

Sixteen Sunsets

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