Showing posts with label John Cocuzzi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Cocuzzi. Show all posts

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Ed Polcer & His Swingtet - Lionel, Red & Bunny

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:08
Size: 140.0 MB
Styles: Big band, Swing
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:02] 1. King Porter Stomp
[3:45] 2. Stompin' At The Savoy
[3:20] 3. Darn That Dream
[3:45] 4. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
[2:27] 5. It Might As Well Be Spring
[5:57] 6. Bernies Tune
[3:28] 7. I See Your Face Before Me
[4:23] 8. Down By The Old Mill Stream
[4:22] 9. Don't Take Your Love Away From Me
[2:49] 10. Just One Of Those Things
[4:01] 11. I Can't Get Started With You
[2:49] 12. Blue Skies
[4:17] 13. I'm Old Fashioned
[3:34] 14. I May Be Wrong
[4:12] 15. I Hadn't Anyone Til You
[4:50] 16. Almost Like Being In Love

In addition to Ed Polcer, this swinging CD features (among others) vibraphonist John Cocuzzi as well as Vince Giordano, John Allred, Ken Peplowski, Ken Ascher, Joe Ascione, Norman Simmons, Frank Tate, and Judy Kurtz on vocals.

Ed Polcer has become one of the most sought after performers on the jazz festival circuit. He has appeared in hundreds of concerts, festivals and jazz parties throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Ed joined Benny Goodman's Sextet for an American tour in 1973. An expert showman, Ed has led numerous concerts with varied themes, including his extensive U.S. tours for Columbia Artists. In 1992, '93 and '94, "A Night At Eddie Condon's", transported the audience back to the famous nightclub and gave a musical retrospective of American jazz over the last 100 years. Since 1996, Ed's "Magic of Swing Street" has offered classic jazz in its many forms as it was played on New York's fabled W. 52nd Street, including four appearances at New York's Lincoln Center. Ed's recent presentation, "When Broadway Meets Swing Street", merges show tunes with the world of swing. "Lionel, Red & Bunny" is a centennial celebration of legendary jazz musicians Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo and Bunny Berigan.

In 2004, he was honored to play for the official opening of the Louis Armstrong House museum, and became a member of the Statesmen of Jazz. President Clinton invited Ed to play for the 1994 Congressional Ball in the White House, and in 2001, Ed appeared in a command performance in Bangkok for the King of Thailand. If you dropped in at Eddie Condon's club in New York City between 1975 and 1985, chances are good you ran across Ed. Besides being the resident cornetist and bandleader at that historic jazz spot, he was also the manager and co-owner. At Princeton University, he joined Stan Rubin's Tigertown Five, perhaps the best-known collegiate Dixieland group of the day. With that band he made several Carnegie Hall appearances and performed at the wedding of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly in Monaco.

In the 1980's, Ed was honored to serve as President of the International Art of Jazz, as well as a member of the Advisory Panel of the Jazz Musicians Foundation of New York. Ed's biography has been included in the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, the Encyclopedia of Jazz in the '70s and the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz, both compiled by Leonard Feather and Ira Gitler, and Trumpet Kings by Scott Yanow. In Great Britain, Ed is listed in The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz, as well as Jazz, the Essential Companion and Jazz, the Rough Guide. Chip Deffaaa devoted a full chapter to Ed in Traditionalists and Revivalists in Jazz.

Lionel, Red & Bunny

Monday, March 6, 2017

Mose Allison - Hello There, Universe

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:09
Size: 82.8 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1970/2006
Art: Front

[2:14] 1. Somebody Gotta Move
[4:55] 2. Monsters Of The Id
[2:38] 3. I Don't Want Much
[3:48] 4. Hello There, Universe
[3:42] 5. No Exit
[2:23] 6. Wild Man On The Loose
[4:53] 7. Blues In The Night
[2:52] 8. I'm Smashed
[6:21] 9. Hymn To Everything
[2:17] 10. On The Run

Alto Saxophone, Flute – Jerome Richardson; Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams, Seldon Powell; Bass – Bob Cranshaw, John Williams; Drums – Joe Cocuzzo; Tenor Saxophone – Joe Farrell, Joe Henderson; Trumpet – Jimmy Nottingham, Richard Williams; Vocals, Piano, Organ – Mose Allison.

This obscure Mose Allison LP has the pianist/singer/lyricist using a larger band than usual, an octet with Richard Williams and Jimmy Nottingham on trumpets, altoist Jerome Richardson, either Joe Henderson or Joe Farrell on tenor, Pepper Adams or Seldon Powell on baritone, Bob Cranshaw and John Williams on bass, and drummer Joe Cucuzzo. The truth is, most of the other musicians are really not needed, for their solos take away from Allison's vocals and piano solos. Allison (who also plays a bit of organ) contributed nine of the ten songs on the album (all but "Blues in the Night"), best known of which are "Hello There, Universe" and "Wild Man on the Loose," although there are no hits or future standards included. This album, therefore, is a gap-filler rather than an essential recording. ~Scott Yanow

Hello There, Universe    

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

John Cocuzzi - For All We Know

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:56
Size: 158,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:41)  1. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
(4:51)  2. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(3:52)  3. I Go For That
(4:44)  4. Beautiful Love
(5:18)  5. The Glory Of Love
(6:39)  6. St. James' Infirmary
(5:48)  7. For All We Know
(3:22)  8. You're Getting To Be a Habit With Me
(3:58)  9. I Love You, Honey
(5:39) 10. Cry Me A River
(4:31) 11. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(4:51) 12. Last Night on the Back Porch
(7:34) 13. I've Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good)
(3:01) 14. Everybody Loves My Baby

Listening to this CD is like having John play piano right in your own living room. There's a sampling of jazz, blues, and swing, all done in John's unique style.

"This is the music that resulted from the nights at 219's Basin Street Lounge in Alexandria, VA. Thanks to all of the 'regulars in Old Town for the many great nights of music." ~ Mr. BIG at BIG CEE Music

John Cocuzzi was born at Andrews Air Force Base, just outside Washington DC. He grew up accompanying his jazz musician father (drummer) on jobs and sitting-in at jam sessions with the older players. As a young man exposed to great jazz, he was fortunate to get acquainted with these players and their music. There was live music everywhere John went; thus began his musical life path. John established himself in the DC area as a dynamic stylist on vibes, piano, drums, and vocals. He has been working with the best players in classic jazz for over 20 years and continues to attract new fans wherever his music takes him.

"For All We Know," John's first solo piano outing, is an exquisite gem of a recording. He wears his heart on his sleeve or in this case, on his fingers. You can feel the music breathe. The recording quality itself lets you feel that you are inside the piano. His vocal and piano styles are so personal that I found myself mesmerized by the performance.

Every song on this wonderful CD is a work of art. You could pick any one as your favorite, and I wouldn't argue with you. But put them all together, and the cumulative effect is like spending three days in the Louvre, followed by a week in Florence. ~ Ed Polcer, Brooklyn, New York  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cocuzzijohn

Monday, December 1, 2014

Daryl Sherman & John Cocuzzi - Celebrating Mildred Bailey And Red Norvo / New O'leans

Album: Celebrating Mildred Bailey And Red Norvo
Size: 145,8 MB
Time: 62:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1996
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. I Go For That (3:13)
02. Squeeze Me (5:30)
03. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (3:54)
04. The Man I Love (Instrumental) (4:01)
05. Medley: Georgia On My Mind/Rockin' Chair (5:15)
06. Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing In A Hurry (3:47)
07. Medley: Guess I'll Go Back Home (This Summer)/It's So Peaceful In The Country (4:22)
08. There'll Be Some Changes Made (4:21)
09. You're Laughing At Me (4:36)
10. Always And Always (3:22)
11. You Started Something (3:39)
12. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (Instrumental) (5:47)
13. Right As The Rain (3:20)
14. Lover, Come Back To Me (7:12)

The talented swing singer Daryl Sherman and vibraphonist John Cocuzzi pay tribute to Mildred Bailey and Red Norvo on this very enjoyable CD. Sherman does a superlative job of emulating "The Rockin' Chair Lady" without needing to change her own basic approach much on some of Bailey's greatest hits, plus a few obscurities. "Georgia on My Mind" and "Rockin' Chair" are effectively combined in a medley, the spirit of Bailey's saucy rendition of "Squeeze Me" is re-created, "It's So Peaceful in the Country" is wistful, and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" really swings. Cocuzzi (whose sound is somewhere between Norvo and Lionel Hampton) takes some fine solos, but the spectacular trumpeter Randy Sandke (reminding one of both Bunny Berigan and Charlie Shavers) steals the show every time he appears. Trombonist Randy Reinhart and clarinetist Bobby Gordon also fare well, and both "The Man I Love" (which has a memorable Sandke-Reinhart tradeoff) and "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" are taken as instrumentals. But it is Daryl Sherman's wonderful singing that makes this a particularly memorable outing. ~Review by Scott Yanow

Celebrating Mildred Bailey And Red Norvo

Album: New O'leans
Size: 135,9 MB
Time: 58:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Swing
Art: Front

01. S'mardi Gras (4:49)
02. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans Louisiana (4:31)
03. Red Cap (5:38)
04. Ill Wind (4:56)
05. Mr. Bojangles (4:02)
06. Petite Fleur (4:54)
07. Shaking The Blues Away (5:16)
08. Wendell's Cat (3:21)
09. I Don't Want To Miss Mississippi (4:32)
10. Doin The Chameleon (2:59)
11. Eloise (5:02)
12. New O'leans (4:05)
13. Moon River (4:12)

Singer/pianist Daryl Sherman has been a fixture on the Manhattan music scene for years, playing various clubs since her arrival in 1974 and ending a 14-year run at the Waldorf-Astoria earlier this year. New O’Leans is her tribute to the survival spirit of the Crescent City’s residents, still present after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, where a parade is possible any day for any occasion.

Joined by several of the city’s top jazz musicians, including guitarist James Chirillo, clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Tom Fischer, bassist Al Menard and guest trumpeter Connie Jones, Sherman’s light, swinging vocals and subtle, effective piano complement her interesting mix of songs. One can feel the pulse of the city with her opening track “S’Mardi Gras,” which was penned by her friend Rhodes Spedale (one of many residents displaced by the storm). “Mr. Bojangles” was a hit for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in the early ‘70s, though Sherman’s soft, engaging setting of Jerry Jeff Walker’s tune conveys a sense of nostalgia while also adding a personal touch in the arrangement. Dick Hyman’s “Doin’ the Chameleon” is an old-fashioned strut, punctuated by Jones’ muted trumpet, while Sherman’s moving duet of Dave Frishberg’s “Eloise” with clarinet is another gem of recent vintage.

The leader doesn’t neglect older material. Her playful take of Louis Armstrong’s nostalgic “Red Cap” and enticing medley of “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans” and “Louisiana” stand out. She sings the lyrics to Sidney Bechet’s “Petit Fleur” in both French and English, backed by Chirillo’s quiet guitar and Fischer’s bittersweet clarinet. The ‘30s era “(Belle of) New O’leans” starts with a hilarious quote from The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun” then segues into a sauntering tempo. ~By Ken Dryden

Personnel: Daryl Sherman: piano, vocals; James Chirillo: electric guitar; Al Bernard: bass; Tom Fischer: clarinet, tenor sax; Connie Jones: trumpet.

New O'leans

Friday, November 7, 2014

Bob Wilber - Bob Wilber & The Three Amigos

Styles: Clarinet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:41
Size: 162,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Limehouse Blues
(6:10)  2. Tampa Bay Trot
(2:58)  3. Jubilee Stomp
(4:00)  4. Passport to Paradise
(4:17)  5. Keepin' Out of Mischief Now
(5:56)  6. Black and Tan Fantasy
(6:32)  7. Bernfest '96
(4:31)  8. The Mooche
(5:59)  9. Avalon
(4:19) 10. In an Old Deserted Ballroom
(3:42) 11. Basie-issimo
(4:46) 12. Blue Horizon
(3:08) 13. The Best Things in Life Are Free
(3:56) 14. Willow Weep for Me
(5:20) 15. Isotope Rag

The Three Amigos is not a table-hopping Mariachi band, but an ever-cruising all-star jazz combo, so dubbed during a gig in Mexican waters when they first played together. Don’t let the Alaskan wolf jackets throw you off, they are mementos from another cruise destination, the 49th state. If luxurious cruise ships come to mind, you’ve got the picture. This particular journey took the Amigos to a Florida studio where the eight world-class Amigos led by Bob Wilber strut their stuff, whether as soloists or tight ensemble players, backed by a swinging rhythm section, fresh from the Third Arbors Invitational Jazz Party. As these notes are written, the Amigos are getting ready to gear up for a round trip Jazzdagen -sponsored cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico. The Alaskan wolf jackets will be held in reserve. http://www.arborsrecords.com/recordtemplate.html?ProductID=19424

Personnel: Bob Wilber-soprano sax, clarinet; Pieter Meijers-soprano sax, clarinet; Antti Sarpila-soprano sax, clarinet; Rossano Sportiello-piano; Bucky Pizzarelli-guitar; John Cocuzzi-vibes; Nicki Parrott-bass; Eddie Metz Jr-drums

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

John Cocuzzi - Groove Merchant

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:02
Size: 165,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:58)  1. Groove Merchant
(4:56)  2. Crazy Rhythm
(8:05)  3. Dream Dancing
(5:10)  4. The Glory Of Love
(4:45)  5. How Am I To Know
(7:14)  6. Tenderly
(5:14)  7. Minor Drag
(3:43)  8. Mellow Guitar
(4:08)  9. Did I Remember
(3:52) 10. Last Night On The Back Porch (I Loved Her Most Of All)
(3:56) 11. Je Ne Sais Pa
(7:16) 12. What'll I Do
(2:40) 13. Lover

John Cocuzzi has long been a favorite at jazz parties for his swinging vibes, in addition to occasionally taking a turn at the piano and singing as well; he's been a featured artist since the inception of the Atlanta Jazz Party. But in a career that dates back to the 1990s, he has been recorded only sporadically, and this 2012 CD is his first CD to be issued on a widely distributed jazz label. For these sessions, Cocuzzi sticks to vibes with a few vocals, surrounded by a number of musicians who've played with him at jazz parties and/or on record dates: pianist John Sheridan, guitarist James Chirillo, bassist Frank Tate, drummer Joe Ascione, and clarinetist Antti Sarpila (who doubles on soprano sax). 

What's apparent right away is that the vibraphonist planned ahead by selecting a mix of familiar and forgotten songs, while finding a way to give them a fresh sound. Though Cocuzzi is a strong soloist, he isn't one to hog the spotlight, satisfied with taking a couple of choruses before sharing space with his mates. Cole Porter's "Dream Dancing" is recast as an easygoing samba, showcasing Sarpilla's playful clarinet, while the subtle swing of the vintage "Mellow Guitar" puts the spotlight on Chirillo, Cocuzzi, Sarpilla (on soprano), and Sheridan in turn. Cocuzzi's warm vocal in "Last Night on the Back Porch (I Loved Her Most of All)" is sincere rather than salacious, even though the song was considered suggestive when it was written in 1920s; it was considered wholesome enough to be recorded by Mitch Miller for his Singalong with Mitch series. 

"Je Ne Sais Pa" is a delicious swinger penned by Lionel Hampton and Hank Jones that sounds like it was written at the heyday of the Swing Era; Sarpilla's alternately gritty and lightly swinging clarinet and Cocuzzi's rapid-fire vibes keep it lively. Fats Waller's "Minor Drag" is full of pep as well, focusing on Sheridan's stride chops, Sarpilla's fiery soprano, and the leader's economical but potent vibes. Groove Merchant reinforces what jazz party fans have known for years: John Cocuzzi swings effortlessly every time, inspiring those sharing the stage or studio with him. ~ Ken Dryden   http://www.allmusic.com/album/groove-merchant-mw0002265260.

Personnel: John Cocuzzi (vocals, vibraphone); James Chirillo (guitar); Antti Sarpila (clarinet, soprano saxophone); John Sheridan (piano); Joe Ascione (drums, djembe, shaker).

Saturday, October 19, 2013

John Cocuzzi Quintet - Swingin' And Burnin'

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 65:59
Size: 151.1 MB
Styles: Swing, Straight ahead jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[3:39] 1. Benny's Bugle
[6:48] 2. Broadway
[5:11] 3. What Did I Do To Be So Black And Blue?
[6:48] 4. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
[5:18] 5. Crazy 'bout My Baby
[4:27] 6. Slipped Disc
[6:39] 7. Cheek To Cheek
[3:23] 8. You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You
[6:07] 9. I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You
[4:23] 10. Oh, Lady Be Good
[3:44] 11. The Curse Of An Aching Heart
[4:52] 12. Comes Love
[4:34] 13. 'tis Autumn

John Cocuzzi is a versatile, talented multi-instrumentalist jazz musician who, with his quintet, stretches out for an entertaining 60 minutes-plus of solid, straight ahead jazz on this very good album. A Washington, D.C. native, Cocuzzi gained an appreciation of jazz at an early age listening to his record collection and to his father, who was a percussionist with the U.S. Marine Band. Initially studying piano and then drums after hearing Lionel Hampton, vibes were added to his arsenal of instruments. Swingin' and Burnin' revisits the small group swing of the '30s and '40s popularized by Benny Goodman, Hampton, Artie Shaw, and others. Cocuzzi adds his own flavor along with some artful arrangements to such warhorses from the past as "Slipped Disc," "Benny's Bugle," and "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You." On the latter, Cocuzzi shows off his vocal skills along with a boogie woogie piano. "Broadway" epitomizes the adroit swinging of the quintet, with each member of the group getting a chance to show their wares during the seven minutes they devote to this Teddy McRae/Bill Bird melody. The New Orleans idiom is represented on the CD as well with "What Did I Do to Be So Black and Blue?" This tune, a favorite of Louis Armstrong, is done slow drag featuring muted vibes' mallet by Cocuzzi working with a very soulful clarinet by Allan Vaché. This track is one of the highlights of the album. This session is in no way limited to up beat "swingin' and burnin'" pieces. There's some pretty slow stuff here as well. "Ghost of A Chance" features electrically enhanced Cocuzzi vibes, coupled with some imaginative bass by John Previti. "Cheek to Cheek" belongs to veteran Washington D.C. guitar player, Steve Abshire. Abshire, who has graced the albums of jazz diva Ronnie Wells, plays in a calm, flowing fashion bringing out the best this lovely melody has to offer. "Things Ain't What They Used to Be', another slow piece, spotlights a bluesy Cocuzzi piano with Big John Maher's drums laying a solid foundation. Vaché and Cocuzzi, on clarinet and vibes respectively, combine on a striking"Comes Love" with Vaché's impulsive and sometimes wailing clarinet recalling Artie Shaw's 1949 rendition. The album's coda brings Cocuzzi's cheerful voice to the mike again in a pretty rendition of "'Tis Autumn" accompanying himself on the piano and showing a romantic side with the ivories. This is an agreeable ending to a highly recommended album. ~ Dave Nathan

Recorded at Mapleshade Studio, Upper Marlboro, Maryland on July 12 & 13, 1999.

John Cocuzzi (vocals, vibraphone, piano); Allan Vache (clarinet); Steve Abshire (electric guitar); John Previti (bass); Big Joe Maher (drums).

Swingin' And Burnin'