Five Play - On The Brink

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:47
Size: 152,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:29)  1. I'll Get By
(6:07)  2. I've Got The World On A String
(5:24)  3. How Insensitive
(5:03)  4. On The Brink
(7:22)  5. Medley: I'm A Fool To Want You/ In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning/This Love
(4:30)  6. Scatterbrain
(4:24)  7. Shifting Down
(5:04)  8. Like Someone In Love
(2:50)  9. Some Nerve
(5:37) 10. Someone Nice Like You
(4:24) 11. Momma Flossie
(6:16) 12. How Deep Is The Ocean
(5:11) 13. I Believe In You

Drummer Sherrie Maricle from the Diva Big Band takes four of her bandmates to form this all female quintet of mainstream jazz players. Karolina Strassmayer and Laura Dreyer both play alto sax and flute, Canadian pianist Lorraine Desmarais and Australian acoustic bassist Nicki Parrott help Maricle in the rhythm section. Though the woodwind players are quite lyrical, playing in unison most of the time, it's the sparkling bottom end tones and witty asides of Parrott and the exquisite pianistics of Desmarias that keep the music flowing. The bandmembers wrote none of the 13 selections, but there are homages to the Al Cohn-Zoot Sims tenor tandem, Frank Sinatra, many American popular songwriters, and contemporary jazzmen Jerry Bergonzi and John Scofield, with arrangements by John McNeil. At their best in uptempo hard swinging modes, Strassmayer and Dreyer frequently sound like twin Phil Woods bop towers, for instance the furious "I'll Get By," the outstanding Bergonzi written-up-and-gone title track, the Latin-ish "Scatterbrain," a luscious take on Kenny Dorham's easy swinging "Shifting Down," and the waltzy 6/8 version of the standard "Like Someone in Love." Two flutes appear on the sleepwalk slow "Someone Nice Like You." Alto and flute contrast on the bossa "How Insensitive" and a Sinatra medley of "I'm a Fool to Want You/Wee Small Hours/This Love of Mine." Desmarais' glistening light shines on her delicate features for a bluesy "I've Got the World on a String," where Parrott tears up a solo and states the melody line with the others laying out. The pianist is also particularly strong at improvising on the changes of "On the Brink," her solo is positively captivating, setting up Maricle's drum breaks quite well. Though a steady timekeeper, the drummer does get to punch in with traded fours, solo bars and phrases, but gives the spotlight to her bandmates for the majority of this recording. On Scofield's "Some Nerve" given a too brief 2:28, Maricle plays the N.O. shuffle cum calypso rhythm to perfection and delight. "Momma Flossie" is the Cohn-Sims flagwaver, and a perfect example of what happens throughout, that Strassmayer and Dreyer are reluctant to step on each other's toes and really wail. It's also unfortunate that the producers have not seen fit to identify which solos are Strassmayer's or Dreyer's. This lack of variation and sameness in that regard renders their playing relatively uninteresting; they're very fine musicians, but not distinct. Hopefully they'll get another shot to mix it up a bit. ~ Michael G.Nastos https://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-brink-mw0000671740

Personnel:  Sherrie Maricle: Leader, Drums;  Karoline Strassmayer: Alto Saxophone, Flute;  Laura Dreyer: Alto Saxophone, Flute;  Lorraine Desmarais: Piano;  Nicki Parrott: Bass

On The Brink

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Laura Dreyer - Free Flying Bird

Styles: Saxophone And Flute Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:13
Size: 112,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:21)  1. Free Flying Bird
(5:11)  2. The Ouzo Bossa Nova
(4:56)  3. The Scarab
(5:03)  4. Paixao Louca
(3:54)  5. Palhaco
(5:33)  6. Rivers
(5:13)  7. Protaras
(5:09)  8. Convergence
(7:48)  9. Beijo do Sol

Laura Dreyer's new release "Free Flying Bird" features contemporary jazz, displayed in an enticing array of idioms, including samba, bossa nova, Latin jazz, rock, funk and more. The album showcases Laura on saxophones and flutes, as well as her original compositions and arrangements. She is supported by a talented and versatile group of musicians, including pianist Kerry Politzer, drummer George Colligan, and Itaiguara on bass and acoustic guitar. Together with guitarist Jane Getter, percussionist Carlos Darci, and a wonderful string quartet, they weave their way through the pieces with strength, energy, and passion, creating a synthesis of jazz solos as seen through many different lenses. "Free Flying Bird" contains an additional bonus track that also spotlight's Itaiguara's bass work, along with acclaimed Brazilian drummer Portinho, pianist Klaus Mueller, and trombonist Noah Bless. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/lauradreyer1

Personnel:  Laura Dreyer - alto, soprano saxophones, flute, alto flute;  Kerry Politzer – piano;  Itaiguara - bass, acoustic guitar;  George Colligan – drums;  Jane Getter - acoustic and electric guitar;  Carlos Darci – percussion;  Zoran Jakovcic - violin, viola;  Brian Snow – cello;  Klaus Mueller – keyboards;  Portinho – drums;  Noah Bless – trombone.

Free Flying Bird

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Laura Dreyer - Vida. Arte. Amor

Size: 181,4 MB
Time: 77:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Caminhos Novos (4:54)
02. Beauty & The Beast (6:19)
03. Ping Pong (5:52)
04. Vale La Pena El Placer (Portuguese Version) (4:46)
05. Beijo Do Sol (Rio Version) (5:45)
06. Spring St (5:25)
07. Vale La Pena El Placer (4:00)
08. O Outro Lado Do Seu Amor (4:30)
09. Perdendo Voce (5:25)
10. A Sombra Se Foi (5:21)
11. Until Daybreak (6:25)
12. Arcade (7:21)
13. A Dança Dos Cachorros (6:13)
14. Perdiendote (5:34)

Every once and awhile an artist comes around to surprise everyone with the proficiency in an idiom naturally foreign to him or her. The saxophonist and flutist Laura Dreyer is one such artist. The Portuguese idiom of Brasil comes so naturally to her that she could almost fool even the most astute listener into believing that she is Brasilian. Such is her amazing proficiency in Brasilian rhythms—for that is what foxes most players. It is relatively easy to pick up on a melody, but when it comes to rhythm—and there are numerous complex beats and pulses that are employed in Brasilian music—it is often possible for musicians to misstep in the rhythm of the melodic line. The Brasilian Leo Gandelman and of course the late and legendary American Stan Getz make/made it sound so easy that many musicians believe it to be possible to play Brasilian music at the push of a button.

But Laura Dreyer has a special gift. It comes through in her wonderful composition “Ping Pong,” a smartly conceived “marcha” incorporating the “maracatu” rhythm gives notice that Ms. Dreyer has the soul of a Brasilian. This is strong claim to make, but then the wonderful manner in which the composition unfolds from chorus through soli and then choruses again is evidence enough. Still there is much more to show on this recording that is well worth the listening and to testify of Ms. Dreyer’s authenticity as a musician of considerable talent for the Brasilian rhythmic metaphor and for music in general. As a saxophonist Ms. Dreyer’s sonorities are clear and penetrating but never strident, and lend themselves both to the music and to the Brasilian technique. Again, her accompaniment of the wonderful Débora Watts on her vocals, especially on A Dança Dos Cachorros is truly exquisite. Both vocalist and flutist are so completely in synch that they seem to impart a gentle lilt to the rhythm that gives a sense of air between the notes.

Again, it is not often that an alto saxophonist also switches to soprano saxophone; more tenor saxophonists find the switch easier on embouchure. The reason is that it requires a remarkably acute technique that it is rare to find such a combination as with Laura Dreyer. However, not only does she have great facility with both instruments but her miniscule fingering technique creates sustained, vocally-oriented lines. Thus she conveys the music’s improvisatory nature and plunges into the main tempos with a sweep and gusto that is refreshing and often awe-inspiring. While the recording revolves around the saxophonist and flutist, other musicians make wonderful contributions as well. For instance trombonist Aldivas Ayers’ superb technique and expression stands him in good stead every time he is called upon to share the limelight. Such is the beauty of this music that when the disc is done it leaves the listener wanting so much more from this talented musician and her ensemble. ~by Raul da Gama

Personnel: Laura Dreyer: alto and soprano saxophones, flute and alto flute; Itamar Assiere: piano; Davy Mooney: guitar (6, 10, 12); Bernardo Rosario: guitar (2, 4 {Spanish and Portuguese versions only}); Jefferson Lescowich: bass; Marcio Amaro: drums; Mila Schiavo: percussion; Aldivas Ayers: trombone; Débora Watts: vocals (4, 9, 12); Karen Rodriguez: vocals on (6, 13); Teri Koide: vocals (11)

Vida. Arte. Amor

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