Maria Anadon - A Jazzy Way

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:36
Size: 128,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:46)  1. Old Devil Moon
(4:40)  2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
(3:33)  3. Confirmation
(4:12)  4. Comes Love
(6:15)  5. My One And Only Love
(4:21)  6. Stolen Moments
(3:35)  7. Black Coffee
(2:50)  8. Devil May Care
(3:50)  9. Wouldn't It Be Loverly?
(4:53) 10. You Don't Know What Love Is
(2:56) 11. I'm Old Fashioned
(5:09) 12. Tenderly
(4:03) 13. The Best Is Yet to Come
(1:28) 14. One Note Samba

Portuguese singer Maria Anadon's refreshing take on the Great American Songbook gives each of these standards new life after decades of countless recorded versions in more traditional settings. Her percussive scatting and rich alto voice highlight "Old Devil Moon," while Anat Cohen's playful clarinet decorates Anadon's dramatic "Comes Love." The brisk setting of Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" recasts this timeless early-'60s blues into a new light, also featuring a potent Cohen tenor sax solo. If Anadon has one handicap, it is her occasional difficulty clearly enunciating English lyrics in up-tempo numbers like "Confirmation" and the awkward handling of "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?" where she seems to be trying to correct its title. 

The rhythm section is outstanding, anchored by veteran drummer and jazz educator Sherrie Maricle (longtime leader of Diva), bassist Noriko Ueda, and pianist Tomoko Ohno. Maria Anadon has made a major statement with her debut recording for the North American jazz audience. 

~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-jazzy-way-mw0000461975

Personnel: Maria Anadon (vocals); Anat Cohen (clarinet, saxophone, tenor saxophone); Noriko Ueda (bass instrument); Tomoko Ohno (piano); Sherrie Maricle (drums).

A Jazzy Way

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Maria Anadon - Why Jazz?

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:56
Size: 121,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:13)  1. Going to Chicag Blues
(5:21)  2. Angel Eyes
(3:26)  3. Up and Fly Right
(7:20)  4. Caravan
(3:48)  5. My Foolish Heart
(3:43)  6. Someone Else Steppin'in
(4:18)  7. 'Round Midnight
(6:37)  8. Ask Me Now
(4:39)  9. Dindi
(6:03) 10. But Beautiful
(3:23) 11. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

Maria Anadon's musical passion, intellect, and creativity are perfectly matched with her intuitive understanding and interpretation of lyric and melody, as well as her superior gift of "scat." She easily transitions between the world of traditional jazz, Fado, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, fusion and the like. As one critic stated:  Maria sings with the confidence and sophistication of one who feels and convincingly expresses the true meaning of every word she says and every note she sings. For years the press questioned Maria Anadon, "Why jazz?" In 1995 she finally responded with her first CD, supported by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, and named it Why Jazz? Backed by the all-woman American jazz quartet Unpredictable Nature and sung completely in English, Maria included her answer in the CD's liner notes… "That's why!" 

In 1998 Maria released her second CD Cem Anos (Movieplay/Groove Records), which is a compilation of beautiful themes taken from the soundtracks of notable Portuguese films. Contemporary Portuguese composers, such as Antonio Pinho Vargas, Carlos Paredes, Manuel Jorge Veloso and Tomas Pimentel contributed works to this CD, as did several of Portugal's most modern poets. With music spanning almost a century, Maria's extraordinary voice is used not only as an interpreter of stunning lyrics, but also as a literal instrument, sometimes enhancing the instrumental sections. This CD encompasses styles ranging from Lisbon Fado to Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and New Orleans Jazz.  Following Cem Anos Maria collaborated with Maestro Antonio Saiote and the Orquestra Invicta de Clarinets to record another soundtrack CD, featuring movie themes from North America. In 2000 Maria began working with the Italian pianist Arrigo Cappelletie on a project combining Fado, Jazz and original lyrics composed by contemporary Portuguese poets such as Fernando Pessoa, Alvaro de Campos, Sofia de Melo Breyner and others. Simultaneously she premiered her new group Terra d' Agua (Forest Hill Records) and their CD Viagem de um Som.

Shortly after Terra d'Agua, Maria formed the Maria Anadon Ensemble, fusing world music with traditional jazz. In addition to innovative arrangements, this group's unique instrumentation features Davide Zaccaria on cello, Arnaldo Fonseca on accordion and Jose Soares on guitar.In addition to Maria's busy and eclectic performance and recording schedule she also teaches at Musicland in Mafra, maintains a private voice studio and activity presents vocal workshops and master classes throughout Europe. Maria's newest project was recorded in the United States with the critically acclaimed ensemble FIVE PLAY. Supported by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, her new CD is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2006.  http://www.divajazz.com/personnel/personnel/maria.html

Personnel:  Maria Anadon (vocals);  Carol Chaikin (flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone);  Roberta Piket (piano);  Sherrie Maricle (drums).

Why Jazz?

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