VA - Oscar, With Love: The Songs Of Oscar Peterson

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 178:47
Size: 412,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:18)  1. The Contessa (Makoto Ozone)
(3:39)  2. Blues For Smedley (Robi Botos)
(5:43)  3. Celine's Waltz (Oliver Jones, Dave Young)
(5:11)  4. Bossa Beguine (Gerald Clayton)
(3:31)  5. Cool Walk (Benny Green)
(8:16)  6. Dream Of Me (Michel Legrand)
(4:34)  7. Sushi (Renee Rosnes, Bill Charlap)
(3:00)  8. If I Love Again (Ramsey Lewis)
(3:49)  9. On Danish Shore (Justin Kauflin)
(8:51) 10. Ballad For Benny Carter (Kenny Barron)
(2:28) 11. A Little Jazz Exercise (Makoto Ozone)
(5:56) 12. Tranquille (Monty Alexander, Dave Young)
(4:58) 13. Take Me Home (Hiromi)
(3:35) 14. Announcement (Bill Charlap)
(5:20) 15. If You Only Knew (Benny Green)
(6:39) 16. Love Ballade (Renee Rosnes)
(5:22) 17. The Gentle Waltz (Monty Alexander, Dave Young)
(6:14) 18. Summertime (Justin Kauflin)
(6:22) 19. Laurentide Waltz (Ramsey Lewis)
(4:58) 20. Morning (Gerald Clayton)
(7:59) 21. Harcourt Nights (Michel Legrand)
(4:19) 22. Wheatland (Robi Botos)
(5:11) 23. Why Think About Tomorrow (Oliver Jones, Dave Young)
(6:28) 24. One For Oscar (Chick Corea)
(5:06) 25. The Smudge (Kenny Barron)
(4:58) 26. Sir Lancewell (Lance Anderson)
(4:13) 27. Dear Oscar (Makoto Ozone)
(6:03) 28. I Remember OP (Oliver Jones, Dave Young)
(4:03) 29. Oscar's New Camera (Hiromi)
(2:38) 30. OP's Boogie (Lance Anderson)
(4:28) 31. Trust (Monty Alexander, Dave Young)
(4:03) 32. Emmanuel (Robi Botos)
(3:13) 33. Look What You’ve Done To Me (Audrey Morris)
(3:16) 34. Goodbye Old Friend (Dave Young)
(5:18) 35. Hymn To Freedom (Gerald Clayton)
(2:29) 36. When Summer Comes (Robi Botos)

To mark the ninetieth anniversary of the legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson's birth (August 15, 2015), Peterson's widow, Kelly Peterson, produced a tribute album for the ages: Oscar, with Love, a marvelous three-disc set comprising ten never-before-recorded Peterson compositions, nineteen of his better-known works and seven compositions written especially for him, performed by sixteen contemporary piano masters on Peterson's personal Boesendorfer Imperial piano at his private studio in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Makoto Ozone has the honor of opening Disc 1 with a warm-hearted reading of Peterson's lovely ballad, "The Contessa." He is followed, in order, by a veritable who's who of noteworthy (no pun intended) keyboard artists: Robi Botos, Oliver Jones, Gerald Clayton, Benny Green, Michel Legrand, Renee Rosnes, Bill Charlap, Ramsey Lewis, Justin Kauflin, Kenny Barron, Monty Alexander, Hiromi, Chick Corea, co-producer Lance Anderson and Peterson's close friend, Chicagoan Audrey Morris. While most tracks showcase the solo piano, Peterson's longtime bassist, Dave Young, accompanies Jones ("Celine's Waltz," "Why Think About Tomorrow," "I Remember OP"), Alexander ("Tranquille," "The Gentle Waltz") and performs alone on "Goodbye Old Friend." Morris plays and sings on "Look What You've Done to Me," while Charlap and Rosnes appear separately on "Announcement" and "Love Ballade," respectively, and together on "Sushi."

The songs written for Peterson include Corea's earnest "One for Oscar" (composed especially for this album), and his bravura performance, which leads off Disc 3, is one of the set's myriad highlights. As for others, any song on which Barron, Jones, Legrand, Lewis, Charlap or Rosnes are in the driver's seat is almost by definition a highlight, and none of them is less than inspired, nor are Ozone, Alexander, Anderson, Botos, Clayton, Green, Hiromi, Kauflin or Morris. Jones, who like Peterson was born in Montreal, is closest to his fellow Canadian in spirit, and even though he was roughly eighty years old when the album was recorded, plays with the agility and vigor of someone many years his junior. Lewis, another newly minted octogenarian, shows no deference to Father Time on his opulent features, "If I Love Again" and "Laurentide Waltz," while the (now) eighty four year old Legrand is sublime on "Dream of Me" and "Harcourt Nights." That's not to demean the (relatively) younger lions Botos, Clayton, Hiromi and Kauflin each of whom makes an auspicious impression. And for brio emblematic of Peterson himself, dig Ozone's busy fingers on "Dear Oscar" and "A Little Jazz Exercise." This is an album on which every participant seems entirely aware that he or she is not merely playing another song but is offering his or her homage to one of the most renowned jazz pianists who ever lived. That fondness and appreciation are palpable from start to finish, which is one (of many) reasons why Oscar, with Love is an album to be applauded and treasured. Others include immaculate sound, splendid packaging, erudite and inclusive liner notes by Basie trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, and warm personal remembrances by Peterson's daughter, Celine. An exemplary tribute worthy of the name and the monarch to whom it is inscribed. ~ Jack Bowers https://www.allaboutjazz.com/oscar-with-love-oscar-peterson-two-lions-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: Monty Alexander: piano; Lance Anderson: piano; Kenny Barron: piano; Robi Botos: piano; Bill Charlap: piano; Gerald Clayton: piano; Chick Corea: piano; Benny Green: piano; Hiromi: piano; Oliver Jones: piano; Justin Kauflin: piano; Michel Legrand: piano; Ramsey Lewis: piano; Audrey Morris: piano, vocal; Makoto Ozone: piano; Renee Rosnes: piano; Dave Young: bass.

Oscar, With Love: The Songs Of Oscar Peterson

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Chuck Loeb - My Shining Hour

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1988
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:20
Size: 141,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:30)  1. The Chant
(6:29)  2. Asi Sera
(6:56)  3. My Shining Hour
(9:06)  4. If I Were a Bell
(5:26)  5. Maxine
(6:05)  6. Let All Notes Ring
(5:57)  7. Tarde
(6:00)  8. I Just Can't Stop Loving You
(4:40)  9. Brunet
(5:05) 10. My Funny Valentine

A skillful guitarist capable of playing any style of music, Chuck Loeb's own solo projects have generally been commercially successful crossover jazz, which has been classified through the years as "contemporary" or "smooth" jazz. He started playing guitar when he was 11; discovered jazz when he was 16; took lessons from Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, and Joe Puma; and attended the Berklee College of Music. Loeb freelanced in New York (with Hubert Laws, Chico Hamilton, and Joe Farrell, among others), and then in 1979 joined Stan Getz's group for two years. While in New York, Loeb worked on jingles and soundtracks both as a player and a composer. He spent 1985-1987 with Steps Ahead and later produced recordings by Donald Harrison, Nelson Rangell, Larry Coryell, George Garzone, and Warren Bernhardt, among others. As a performer, Loeb was part of Petite Blonde (a group featuring saxophonist Bill Evans), Metro, and the Fantasy Band, and played with Gary Burton, Dave Samuels, and many others; in addition, his compositions have been recorded by quite a few pop/jazz artists. Loeb made his first solo record in 1988, recorded extensively for DMP, and switched to Shanachie in 1996. Over the next seven years he released six albums for the label, beginning in 1998 with The Moon, the Stars and the Setting Sun, followed by Listen in 1999. Loeb remained active in the 21st century, releasing In a Heartbeat in early 2001, All There Is in 2002, and eBop one year later. The guitarist wrapped up his tenure with Shanachie in 2005 with When I'm with You, and signed with Heads Up International, a division of Telarc. His first outing for the label was Presence, released in 2007.  In 2010, Loeb replaced Larry Carlton as the guitarist for Fourplay, but continued as a producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist on his own, starting his own label, Heads Up, and with the release of Plain 'n' Simple in 2011 he revisited the world of 1960s jazz bebop organ trios. It's Love, an album with saxophonist Eric Marienthal, appeared in 2012. Loeb returned to Shanachie in 2013 with Silhouette, an eclectic album featuring the guitarist backed by four distinct ensembles including a group with drummer Peter Erskine and an organ trio with Pat Bianchi. Two years later, he again paired with Marienthal for Bridges, which also featured bassist John Patitucci. In 2016, Loeb delivered his 22nd studio album, Unspoken, featuring a bevy of collaborators including Jeff Lorber, Nathan East, Andy Snitzer, Till Brönner, and many more. Loeb died of cancer on July 31, 2017 at the age of 61. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/artist/chuck-loeb-mn0000125479/biography

Personnel:  Chuck Loeb (Guitar); Makoto Ozone (Piano, synthesizer); John Patitucci (Bass); Dave Weckl (Drums); Pat Rebillot (Piano); Carmen Cuesta (Vocals 02, 07).

My Shining Hour

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Makoto Ozone - My Witch's Blue

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:21
Size: 126,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:55)  1. Bouncing in My New Shoes
(4:53)  2. My Witch's Blue
(4:31)  3. Gotta Get It!!
(5:59)  4. Longing for the Past
(6:28)  5. So Good!!
(6:18)  6. Take the Tain Train
(5:21)  7. Time We Spent Together
(5:12)  8. Nova Alvorada
(4:48)  9. Solo Improvisation 'Continuum'
(6:51) 10. Satin Doll

Japans most famous Jazz pianist, Makoto Ozone, releases My Witch's Blue with the Makoto Ozone Trio. Makoto Ozone Trio features Christian McBride & Jeff Tain Watts. The trio recorded My Witch's Blue in New York in May. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/My-Witchs-Blue-Ozone/dp/B008UTV5KC

A premier jazz musician in Japan, Makoto Ozone has made a successful transition to America, where he became equally prominent in this nation's improvisational community. He began on organ at four, then took up piano as a teenager. He went to Berklee in 1980 and studied composing and arranging. He was noticed by Gary Burton and later recorded with him and was part of his band. Ozone's striking ability (especially on mid-tempo pieces) and impressive technique made him a big hit at the Kool Jazz Festival. His 1984 debut recording featured Burton and bassist Eddie Gomez. It was a stunning example of complete knowledge and mastery of the full jazz piano spectrum. Ozone later worked with European pianist Michel Petrucciani and spent extensive time studying classical music. ~ Ron Wynn https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-witchs-blue/id561504267

Personnel:  Makoto Ozone – Piano;  Bass – Christian McBride;  Drums – Jeff "Tain" Watts

My Witch's Blue

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Makoto Ozone - Spring Is Here

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1986
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:47
Size: 119,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:25)  1. Beautiful Love
(5:29)  2. Spring Is Here
(6:12)  3. Someday My Prince Will Come
(7:39)  4. On the Street Where You Live
(7:20)  5. The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
(7:56)  6. My One & Only Love
(5:25)  7. O' Grande Amore
(5:17)  8. Tangerine

A premier jazz musician in Japan, Makoto Ozone has made a successful transition to America, where he became equally prominent in this nation's improvisational community. He began on organ at four, then took up piano as a teenager. He went to Berklee in 1980 and studied composing and arranging. He was noticed by Gary Burton and later recorded with him and was part of his band. Ozone's striking ability (especially on mid-tempo pieces) and impressive technique made him a big hit at the Kool Jazz Festival. His 1984 debut recording featured Burton and bassist Eddie Gomez. It was a stunning example of complete knowledge and mastery of the full jazz piano spectrum. Ozone later worked with European pianist Michel Petrucciani and spent extensive time studying classical music. ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/artist/makoto-ozone-mn0000670021/biography

Personnel:  Bass – George Mraz;  Drums – Roy Haynes;  Piano – Makoto Ozone

Spring Is Here

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Makoto Ozone - Pandora

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:46
Size: 154,0 MB
Art: Front

( 5:15)  1. You Never Tell Me Anything!
( 5:24)  2. Lullaby for Rabbit
( 5:47)  3. Reunion
( 5:10)  4. Sofi
( 6:13)  5. If I Had Known...
( 6:50)  6. Brazilian Sketch
( 6:34)  7. Pennillium
( 6:41)  8. Blessing the World
(10:17)  9. Pandora
( 4:06) 10. Tiffany's Waltz
( 4:24) 11. Around the Corner

Makoto Ozone and the Trio is joined by the award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis on Pandora. His trio Clarence Penn on drums and James Genus on bass who has replaced Kiyoshi Kitagawa plays 11 original compositions written by either Ozone or Penn. Of particular interest is Ozone's performance on "Pennillium," which displays his strong musical personality with excellent piano artistry: arpeggios, authentic cadences, and chord stylings. While Penn's expertise and sensitive brushwork highlights the harmony of "Sofi," Genus still has some work to do as far as applying his bass colors to Ozone's piano stylings with the right contrast. However, this can certainly be attributed to his newness with the group. Overall, Pandora is very good due to Marsalis' excellence on "Reunion" and the title track, as well as the songwriting skills of both Penn and Ozone. ~ Paula Edelstein http://www.allmusic.com/album/pandora-mw0000587251

Personnel:  Makoto Ozone (piano);  Branford Marsalis (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone);  Clarence Penn (drums).

Pandora

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