Daryl Sherman, Johnny Mercer: A Centennial Tribute

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:57
Size: 146,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:42)  1. I'm Shadowing You
(5:21)  2. Little Ingenue
(5:11)  3. Midnight Sun
(3:20)  4. Jeepers Creepers
(4:38)  5. Come Rain Or Shine
(4:24)  6. The Bathtub Ran Over Again
(6:25)  7. Lazy Bones
(3:00)  8. Peter Piper
(5:38)  9. I Thought About You
(3:21) 10. At The Jazz Band Ball
(4:56) 11. Charade
(4:27) 12. Dream
(4:44) 13. Twilight World
(3:43) 14. Here Come The British

Choosing "I'm Shadowing You" as the opener on Daryl Sherman's fine Centennial Tribute to composer and lyricist Johnny Mercer inevitably recalls Blossom Dearie. Heretofore that tune has pretty much been the exclusive property of the late vocalist. There are also other, more than passing, resemblances between the two singers, both first-class self-accompanists on piano possessing underage sounding voices used effectively to slyly charming ends. With a legacy of 1,500 heartfelt and humorous songs, Mercer's is a rich one from which to choose. Sherman's selections are a welcome mix of classics such as "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Midnight Sun" with more than a few choice rarities like "The Bathtub Ran Over Again." On the latter Wycliffe Gordon joins Sherman for a delightfully foxy vocal duet. His gravelly sound contrasts perfectly with Sherman's petite smoothness. "Little Ingenue" (co-written with Jimmy Rowles) is another gem. 

Here Sherman's silken glissando, backed by Jerry Dodgion's alto sax, is especially effective in capturing hope in the face of glamour that's a tad shopworn. On "Dream," one of the few songs for which Mercer wrote both music and lyrics, Gordon's trombone provides the most sensitive of accompaniment. As Sherman conjures "smoke rings rising in the air," he is playing heavenly notes behind her. It is a great, great song performed to perfection. The artistry and empathy between Sherman and her fellow musicians makes for a set that is a glowing tribute to one of the great masters of the jazz idiom and the American Songbook. ~ Andrew Velez  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/johnny-mercer-a-centennial-tribute-daryl-sherman-arbors-records-review-by-andrew-velez.php#.VFkx_8mHmtg

Personnel: Daryl Sherman: piano, vocals; Jerry Dodgion: alto sax; Wycliffe Gordon: Trombone, vocals; Howard Alden: guitar, banjo; Jay Leonhart: bass, vocals; Chuck Redd: drums, vibraphone; Marian McPartland: piano, Barbara Carroll: piano.

Daryl Sherman Johnny Mercer: A Centennial Tribute

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Marian McPartland - My Old Flame: Marian McPartland Performs: The Classic Hits Of Sam Coslow Disc 1, Disc 2

Album: My Old Flame: Marian McPartland Performs The Classic Hits Of Sam Coslow Disc 1
Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1968
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 18:27
Size: 43,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:44) 1. My Old Flame
(2:54) 2. The Day You Came Along
(3:14) 3. Just One More Chance
(2:03) 4. In The Middle Of A Kiss
(3:10) 5. Je Vous Adore (I Adore You)
(3:19) 6. Thanks

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Album: My Old Flame: Marian McPartland Performs The Classic Hits Of Sam Coslow Disc 2
Time: 18:14
Size: 42,5 MB

(2:33) 1. Sing You Sinners
(3:32) 2. Beware My Heart
(3:16) 3. I'm In Love With The Honorable Mr. So And So
(2:17) 4. A Little White Gardenia
(2:59) 5. Moon Song
(3:34) 6. Cocktails For Two

The name Sam Coslow may not be well known in the 21st century, but during the 1940s, he had a number of popular hits which were adapted by jazz musicians, 12 of which are featured on this Marian McPartland LP. Unfortunately, the A&R person who put together this date for the pianist saddled her with an annoying choir that proves to be little more than a distraction. As a result, her bittersweet trio treatment of "My Old Flame" and the lush arrangement of "Cocktails for Two" both end up sounding like dated Muzak, making one long for the hilarious spoofs of the two songs done by Spike Jones two decades earlier.

Most of the remaining numbers suffer the same fate. Fortunately, the label didn't demand this nonsense all the way through the session, so McPartland cuts loose on the choir-free tracks and is able to do justice to the now obscure numbers like "Sing You Sinners" and the brisk waltz "Je Vous Adore (I Adore You)." But most jazz fans will have a tough time sitting through the annoying easy listening (if fairly soft) backing vocals, so this long out of print and extremely hard to find album will likely appeal only to those attempting to collect all of her recordings.By Ken Dryden
https://www.allmusic.com/album/my-old-flame-marian-mcpartland-performs-the-classic-hits-of-sam-coslow-mw0000969182

My Old Flame: Marian McPartland Performs The Classic Hits Of Sam Coslow Disc 1, Disc 2

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Marian McPartland - Paper Moon

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:29
Size: 74.4 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[2:24] 1. Limehouse Blues
[2:45] 2. It's Only A Paper Moon
[3:01] 3. Moonlight In Vermont (Previously Unreleased Version)
[2:28] 4. Love For Sale (Previously Unreleased Version)
[3:05] 5. All My Life
[5:46] 6. Love You Madly
[2:58] 7. Lullaby Of Birdland
[3:43] 8. Four Brothers (Previously Unreleased Version)
[3:07] 9. Aunt Hagar's Blues (Previously Unreleased Version)
[3:07] 10. Foggy Day

For more than 40 years, Marian McPartland hosted Piano Jazz, an NPR program pairing conversation and duet performances that reached an audience of millions, connecting with jazz fans and the curious alike. She interviewed practically every major jazz musician of the post-WWII era.

McPartland's soft English accent wasn't the only thing that made her a good radio personality. She was an accomplished jazz pianist herself, which was readily evident on her program.

Paper Moon mc
Paper Moon zippy

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Marian McPartland, Teddy Wilson - Piano Jazz

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:36
Size: 131.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[2:03] 1. Stompin' At The Savoy
[8:36] 2. Conversation 1
[3:39] 3. Medley 2
[3:47] 4. Conversation 2
[5:35] 5. I'll Remember April
[3:23] 6. Conversation 3
[4:57] 7. Medley
[1:32] 8. Conversation 4
[2:35] 9. Marian's Motif
[1:48] 10. Conversation 5
[0:42] 11. Traumerie
[6:22] 12. Conversation 6
[3:10] 13. Moon Glow
[4:33] 14. Conversation 7
[4:26] 15. Flying Home
[0:20] 16. Conversation 8

One of Marian McPartland's first guests in her long-running NPR radio series was Teddy Wilson, an old friend with whom she had occasionally played and also recorded a duo album for her own Halcyon label. She gets Wilson to talk about his trademark left handed runs that were so important to his style, along with his excitement at hearing classical jazz pianist Vladimir Horowitz in concert at the White House earlier in the year, prompting him to play Robert Schumann's "Träumerei" (from Kinderscenen). Of course, Wilson's style hadn't changed significantly since his tenure with Benny Goodman, though there is nothing wrong with that, though McPartland builds an impressive improvisation, "Marian's Motif," that is based upon a brief musical phrase that Wilson suggested during the taping. Their duets are just as much fun, including delightful romps through "I'll Remember April" and "Flying Home." [Note: this CD is a straight reissue of the earlier 1985 Jazz Alliance release, with a change in the cover art.] ~Ken Dryden

Piano Jazz

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Marian McPartland - In My Life

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:00
Size: 143,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:10)  1. Groove Yard
(4:28)  2. In My Life
(3:47)  3. In The Days Of Our Love
(5:57)  4. Red Planet
(5:02)  5. What's New
(5:20)  6. Gone With The Wind
(3:46)  7. Close Your Eyes
(2:25)  8. For Dizzy
(5:27)  9. Moon And Sand
(8:23) 10. Naima
(5:23) 11. Velas
(4:08) 12. Ramblin'
(3:39) 13. Singin' The Blues

Pianist Marian McPartland displays her versatility throughout this reflective and generally thoughtful CD on such selections as the Beatles' "In My Life," John Coltrane's "Red Planet," Ivan Lins' "Velas," and Ornette Coleman's "Ramblin'." Despite the diverse repertoire, McPartland's own flexible style shines through and her individual musical personality is felt in each song. Altoist Chris Potter makes the trio a quartet on half of the selections and he uplifts the session a bit. McPartland's closing wistful solo piano version of "Singin' the Blues" (dedicated to her late husband, cornetist Jimmy McPartland) should not be missed. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-my-life-mw0000101378

Personnel:  Marian McPartland – piano;  Chris Potter - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone;  Gary Mazzaroppi – bass;  Glenn Davis – drums

In My Life

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Anne Phillips - Ballet Time

Styles: Vocal Jazz 
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:39
Size: 153,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:12)  1. Ballet Time
(5:32)  2. I Have the Feeling I've Been Here Before
(4:02)  3. I've Got Just About Everything
(4:43)  4. Here's to Life
(4:51)  5. In Your Own Sweet Way
(3:39)  6. Doubletalk
(3:16)  7. You Are There
(4:01)  8. Late Late Show
(3:44)  9. In the Days of Our Love
(4:57) 10. I Never Went Away
(3:12) 11. I Was Doing All Right
(5:37) 12. Embracable You
(5:53) 13. Romancing Ketchikan
(4:50) 14. New York Night Time Blues
(5:02) 15. Fried Bananas

Vocalist Anne Phillips may not be a familiar name to many jazz fans, though since she began her professional career in the early 1960s as a member of the Ray Charles Singers on the Perry Como Show, she has worked in many musical formats as a singer, composer, arranger, conductor and producer. This project was a special labor of love, as she recruited a number of old friends that she met along the way and recruited them to appear on one track apiece with her. Her engaging vocal duet with Bob Dorough (who complements their vocals with some lively piano) of his "I've Got Just About Everything" is a playful affair. Phillips lays a bit behind the beat effectively in spots in Dave Brubeck's loping treatment of his timeless "In Your Own Sweet Way," while she captures the nostalgic magic of pianist Dave Frishberg's lyrics in his ballad (with music by Johnny Mandel) "You Are There." Marian McPartland is on hand for her haunting ballad "In the Days of Our Love," with Phillips bringing out the essence of Peggy Lee's lyrics. Phillips' duet with tenor saxophonist Bob Kindred (her husband) of "Embraceable You" is full of humor, as is "Double Talk" a duet with organist Larry Goldings that has a campy lyric in the style of Annie Ross. There's never a dull moment in this delightful musical scrapbook. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/ballet-time-mw0001225843

She sings with jazz greats Dave Brubeck, Marian McPartland, Roger Kellaway, Dave Frishberg, Bob Dorough and more...

Ballet Time

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Marian McPartland - Willow Creek And Other Ballads

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:39
Size: 93.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1985/2009
Art: Front

[3:38] 1. Without You
[5:24] 2. The Things We Did Last Summer
[4:32] 3. All In Love Is Fair
[3:23] 4. Willow Creek
[2:50] 5. Long Ago And Far Away
[4:36] 6. Someday I'll Find You
[4:02] 7. I Saw Stars
[4:58] 8. Blood Count
[3:50] 9. I've Got A Crush On You
[3:21] 10. Summer Song

Marian McPartland interprets ten diverse ballads on this album including her own "Willow Creek." The tunes are all quite sophisticated and they range from Stevie Wonder ("All in Love Is Fair"), Ahmad Jamal ("Without You") and Billy Strayhorn (the emotional "Blood Count") to Dave Brubeck and Noel Coward (his haunting "Someday I'll Find You" from "Private Lives"). This is nice music even if there is not much mood variation. ~Scott Yanow

Willow Creek And Other Ballads

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Cleo Brown - Living In The Afterglow

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:15
Size: 140.2 MB
Styles: Jazz-blues piano
Year: 1996/2015
Art: Front

[3:02] 1. I'm A Little Old Woman
[4:05] 2. Without A Song
[2:58] 3. Afterglow
[3:35] 4. Down By The Riverside
[2:26] 5. High Up On The Mountain
[3:20] 6. Silent Night
[2:21] 7. I'm Gonna Rise Up Singing
[4:20] 8. Amazing Grace
[4:06] 9. Medley The Old Rugged Cross Near The Cross
[3:21] 10. A Great Big Wonderful God
[4:40] 11. Marian's Mood
[2:37] 12. Walk All Over God's Heaven
[2:46] 13. Medley Fly Away Army Air Corps Song
[3:28] 14. Show Me A Rainbow
[4:10] 15. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
[2:35] 16. We're Running, Running, Running
[4:05] 17. I've Been 'buked And Scorned
[3:13] 18. I'm Gonna Tell God How You Treat Me

Cleo Brown was a singing boogie-woogie pianist active from the 1930s into the 1950s who was one of Dave Brubeck's early influences. She retired from music and she stuck to playing exclusively for her church in Denver as the jazz world lost track of her -- until Marian McPartland sought Brown for an appearance on her Piano Jazz series in the 1980s. This studio session followed the taping of the program, with McPartland as a guest on several tracks. Many of the numbers are original gospel compositions by Brown, some sung in a very friendly manner, such as her "I'm a Little Old Woman," the charming "Afterglow," and the very bluesy "I've Been 'Buked and Scorned." Brown's chops show no signs of slipping as she plays wonderful two-fisted piano on standards such as "Without a Song," and her stimulating duets with McPartland include the spiritual "Down by the Riverside," the surprising choice of "Silent Night," "Marian's Mood" (possibly worked out on the spot in the studio by the pianists), and the old hymn "Just a Closer Walk With Thee." Sadly, this was Cleo Brown's final recording prior to her death in 1995. ~Ken Dryden

Living In The Afterglow

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Marian McPartland's The Hickory House Trio - Reprise

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:14
Size: 144.8 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[6:15] 1. I Hear Music
[4:12] 2. Street Of Dreams
[4:45] 3. I Thought About You
[3:34] 4. Stella By Starlight
[5:41] 5. Falling In Love With Love
[3:04] 6. Last Night When We Were Young
[4:19] 7. In Your Own Sweet Way
[4:06] 8. New Orleans
[5:11] 9. Tickle Toe
[4:33] 10. Two For The Road
[4:29] 11. Symphony
[5:36] 12. Cymbalism
[7:25] 13. Things Ain't What They Used To Be

They were fixtures on New York's fabled 52nd Street in the mid-'50s, a crack piano trio consisting of McPartland on piano, bassist-turned-author Bill Crow, and then-little-known ace drummer Joe Morello. But in 1957, Dave Brubeck made Morello famous by astutely hiring him away from McPartland, then Crow joined Gerry Mulligan's sextet, and the engagement at the Hickory House ended in 1960. Much later, after two brief one-off reunions in the '90s, McPartland put together a couple of nights with the trio at the new Birdland, and they turned out a lovely, relaxed set of standards and one quirky McPartland original, "Cymbalism." It is a special pleasure to hear Morello who has appeared on only a handful of recordings in the previous quarter-century. Morello plays in a more laconic yet still ineffably swinging way than he once did, and Crow gets in lively, dancing solos on "Falling in Love With Love" and "Tickle Toe." Appropriately enough, one of the tunes is Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" where McPartland incorporates a few shadings in Brubeck's manner and Morello's brushes sound right at home. It's a nice souvenir that recalls a treasured time, one that doesn't sound at all quaint today. ~Richard S. Ginnell

Reprise

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Marian McPartland - Interplay

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 44:46

Size: 102.5 MB

Styles: Piano jazz

Year: 1969/2015

Art: Front

[4:30] 1. Twilight World

[6:00] 2. Indian Summer

[5:44] 3. Close Your Eyes

[6:12] 4. Here's That Rainy Day

[4:52] 5. Milestones

[4:28] 6. New Orleans

[4:45] 7. By The Time I Get To Phoenix

[4:40] 8. Illusion

[3:30] 9. Things Ain't What They Used To

Marian McPartland rarely recorded with just a bassist, but this duet with little-known bassist Linc Milliman (a fine player according to McPartland who preferred not to venture far from his home) was a part of the pianist's own Halcyon catalog. Among the highlights are McPartland's superb solo renditions of her ballad "Twilight World" and the lesser known (but equally interesting) "Illusion," a lively duet of "Close Your Eyes," a dreamy "Here's That Rainy Day," and a rare venture into Miles Davis' memorable modal piece "Milestones." She tries valiantly to make something out of the then-current pop song "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (a huge hit for country singer Glen Campbell), but the tune is clearly not in league with the remainder of this set. This seems to be a live recording that has been tightly edited to remove applause at the end of each piece. Recorded in the late 1960s or early '70s, this hard to find release was also briefly available as a CD reissue for a few years. ~Ken Dryden

Interplay

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Marian McPartland - The Street

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:20
Size: 78.6 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[2:22] 1. Liza
[2:56] 2. Moonlight In Vermont
[3:14] 3. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
[4:17] 4. I've Got The World On A String
[3:00] 5. Gypsy In My Soul
[6:19] 6. Just Squeeze Me
[3:44] 7. Embraceable You
[2:54] 8. Yesterdays
[2:57] 9. Aunt Hagar's Blues
[2:31] 10. Love For Sale

Born on March 21, 1918, Margaret Marian Turner began to play the piano around the age of three. After an unsatisfying attempt at studying the violin formally, Marian eventually found her way to the famous Guildhall School of Music where she studied piano and composition. After leaving Guildhall to perform in a four-piano vaudeville act, she met her future husband, Jimmy McPartland, while touring in USO shows during World War II.

After marrying cornetist Jimmy McPartland and moving to the United States, Marian enjoyed much success on the American jazz scene over the next several years performing with her own trio, as a soloist, and as a recording artist. In 1978, Marian began to host her own radio program for National Public Radio and South Carolina Educational Radio: Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz. Piano Jazz is one of the longest running weekly programs on NPR, featuring a wide range of guests--from legendary jazz artists to fledgling talents. When Marian's not in the studio recording an episode of Piano Jazz or a new album, she might be found performing live gigs with her trio or offering master classes for eager young music students. After celebrating her 90th birthday in 2008, Marian released her latest album, Twilight World. Marian died on 20 August 2013.

The Street

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Marian McPartland - After Dark

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:19
Size: 80.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1955/2011
Art: Front

[2:26] 1. Poor Little Rich Girl
[3:08] 2. Chelsea Bridge
[3:03] 3. I Could Write A Book
[2:49] 4. For All We Know
[2:27] 5. Sand In My Shoes
[3:01] 6. Struttin' With Some Barbecue
[3:14] 7. Easy Come, Easy Go
[2:43] 8. Falling In Love With Love
[3:36] 9. If I Love Again
[2:48] 10. Royal Garden Blues
[3:00] 11. I'll Be Around
[2:58] 12. Everything But You

Bass – Bill Crow; Cello – Lucian Schmit; Drums – Joe Morello; Harp – Betty Glamann, Margaret Ross; Piano – Marian McPartland.

The cover of this Marian McPartland record may give some the impression that this is an easy listening affair; that is definitely not the case. This 1955 studio date features her with her regular trio (bassist Bill Crow and drummer Joe Morello), which performed as the house band at the Hickory House in New York City during this period. Augmenting the trio on several numbers is one of two harpists, Betty Glaman and Margaret Ross, and occasionally cellist Lucien Schmit, who primarily seems to be present to add harmonies by playing arco and doesn't improvise. Highlights include a lush take of "Chelsea Bridge," swinging trio versions of "I Could Write a Book" and "Struttin' With Some Barbecue," and the intriguing interplay with the harp on an early version of her good friend Alec Wilder's timeless "I'll Be Around." All of the songs have stood the test of time well, even if some of them are no longer as popular. Expect to pay a fairly good sum if you can locate a copy of this long unavailable LP. ~Ken Dryden

After Dark

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Marian McPartland - An Evening At The Club

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 30:06

Size: 68.9 MB

Styles: Piano jazz

Year: 2009

Art: Front

[3:02] 1. All My Life

[3:12] 2. A Foggy Day

[2:37] 3. Four Brothers

[2:56] 4. A Fine Romance

[2:56] 5. Moonlight In Vermont

[3:05] 6. There Will Never Be Another You

[2:44] 7. Strike Up The Band

[2:47] 8. Love Is Here To Stay

[3:26] 9. Laura

[3:18] 10. It Might As Well Be Spring

Marian McPartland became famous for hosting her Piano Jazz radio program beginning in 1978, but she was a well-respected pianist decades before. She played in a four-piano vaudeville act in England and performed on the European continent for the troops during World War II. In Belgium in 1944, she met cornetist Jimmy McPartland and they soon married. Marian moved with her husband to the United States in 1946, where she sometimes played with him even though her style was more modern than his Dixieland-oriented groups. McPartland eventually had her own trio at the Embers (1950) and the Hickory House (1952-1960), which until 1957 included drummer Joe Morello. She recorded regularly for Savoy and Capitol during the 1950s and also made sessions for Argo (1958), Time (1960 and 1963), Sesac, and Dot. Although eventually divorced from Jimmy, they remained close friends, sometimes played together, and even remarried just weeks before his death. She formed her own Halcyon label and recorded several fine albums between 1969-1977. McPartland also made three albums for Tony Bennett's Improv label during 1976-1977 before signing with Concord, where she remained after 1978. The Jazz Alliance label has made available over 30 CDs' worth of material from Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz show, some of which are quite fascinating and significant. McPartland died in August 2013 at her home in Port Washington, New York; she was 95 years old. ~bio by Scott Yanow

An Evening At The Club

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Marian McPartland - On 52nd Street

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:07
Size: 135.3 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:07] 1. A Foggy Day
[3:47] 2. The Lady Is A Tramp
[4:17] 3. I've Got The World On A String
[4:03] 4. Manhattan
[2:57] 5. Aunt Hagar's Blues
[2:37] 6. Four Brothers
[3:23] 7. Once In A While
[6:19] 8. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)
[2:21] 9. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
[3:01] 10. September Song
[3:43] 11. Embraceable You
[3:27] 12. Laura
[3:29] 13. What Is This Thing Called Love
[3:02] 14. There Will Never Be Another You
[3:33] 15. Willow Weep For Me
[2:54] 16. A Fine Romance
[2:59] 17. Lullaby In Rhythm

Marian McPartland, piano; Vinnie Burke, Bob Carter, bass; Joe Morello, drums.

An institution at the Hickory House in the 1950's, McPartland's trio went through several personnel changes. Concord's "Hickory House Trio Reprise" captured live recordings of her 1954-1956 version with Bill Crow and Joe Morello. But that was after her group hit its stride. Savoy's "On 52nd Street" perhaps is even more significant because it includes two of McPartland's early bassists, Vinnie Burke and Bob Carter, who joined her group after the shakeout period involving her first accompanists, bassist Max Wayne and drummer Mel Zelnick. Just as interesting is the fact that "On 52nd Street" documents one of recording engineer wizard Rudy Van Gelder's earliest achievements in reproducing jazz as close as possible to its live performance sound, even with the crude equipment he must have worked with. Credit super-sleuth and legendary producer Orrin Keepnews with tracking down that fact. On "On 52nd Street," McPartland seems to be of two minds: entertaining and breezy in front of a live audience as they clink drinks and clatter and chatter (thanks Rudy for minimizing that sound), and meditative and explorative in the studio where the last five tracks were recorded. That split personality which establishes her genius seems to exist even today: Marian the entertainer who can charm the coldest listener and Marian the versatile intellectual who can play in the style of any pianist who appears on her radio program. Absorbing ideas and styles like a sponge, McPartland shows her influences from Shearing as she block-chords her way through, say, "Willow Weep For Me," and from Powell as she exhibits bop influences in her assured right-hand improvisations. Providing a hint of the Marian to come, "On 52nd Street" enlarges the Savoy Jazz re-release schedule with yet another worthy contribution that's worth every penny of its cost. And maybe more.

On 52nd Street

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Clark Terry - One On One

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:05
Size: 151.3 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[5:08] 1. L-O-V-E (Love) (Feat. Monty Alexander)
[4:30] 2. Just For A Thrill (Feat. Geri Allen)
[3:40] 3. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away) (Feat. Eric Lewis)
[4:06] 4. The Intimacy Of The Blues (Feat. Kenny Barron)
[3:21] 5. You Can Depend On Me (Feat. John Lewis)
[4:52] 6. Memories Of You (Feat. Roland Hanna)
[8:09] 7. Honeysuckle Rose (Feat. Benny Green)
[3:58] 8. Willow Grove (Feat. Barry Harris)
[5:33] 9. Solitude (Feat. Tommy Flanagan)
[4:06] 10. Blue Monk (Feat. Don Friedman)
[6:54] 11. Misty (With Billy Taylor)
[3:48] 12. Swingin' The Blues (Feat. Junior Mance)
[3:36] 13. Jungle Blues (Feat. Eric Reed)
[4:22] 14. Skylark (Feat. Marian Mcpartland)

Right in the middle of celebrating his 79th birthday, Clark Terry went into the studio for several days to record 14 duets with a different pianist on each track, with many of them being veterans of many record dates and/or concerts with him. Terry remains one of the most easily identifiable trumpeters and flügelhorn players in jazz, so much so that more than one critic has claimed the ability to identify him after just one note. Each track is dedicated to a great performer of the past, though no attempt is made to copy famous recordings, of course. Terry's brilliant flügelhorn swings mightily along with Monty Alexander on the surprising dedication to Nat King Cole of "L.O.V.E.," which was a hit for him after Cole had all but quit playing piano and enjoyed even greater success as a popular singer. The choice of Lil Hardin Armstrong's "Just for a Thrill" is also an interesting one, versus her better known "Struttin' With Some Barbecue"; Terry's fat tone on his big horn is well complemented by Geri Allen. Terry scats an imitation of brushes on cymbals to introduce "Swingin' the Blues" with Junior Mance before switching to muted trumpet. Old friend Marian McPartland works with Terry to produce a mesmerizing rendition of "Skylark." Also present are Sir Roland Hanna, Kenny Barron, John Lewis, Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan, Don Friedman, Billy Taylor, Benny Green, Eric Reed, and Eric Lewis. There is not one performance that rates less than excellent within this very highly recommended CD. ~Ken Dryden

One On One

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Marian McPartland - Yesterdays: Marian McPartland The First Lady Of Jazz Piano

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:06
Size: 94.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Standards
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:44] 1. Strike Up The Band
[3:14] 2. It Might As Well Be Spring
[2:51] 3. Yesterdays
[2:47] 4. Love Is Here To Stay
[2:27] 5. Love For Sale
[2:57] 6. Gypsy In My Soul
[2:41] 7. All The Things You Are
[2:21] 8. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
[3:43] 9. Embraceable You
[3:47] 10. The Lady Is A Tramp
[3:06] 11. A Foggy Day
[4:02] 12. Manhattan
[4:19] 13. I've Got The World On A String

This recording is one of the best of Marian Mcpartland who is one of the great ones whose style always centers on a strong melody with smooth harmonies that never leave the melody behind. Over the years her radio show has displayed the breadth of her library of the great pieces in the spirit of what is known today as the "Great American Songbook". I never grow tired of her arrangements where I can always find something new even after listening to a piece times after the first play. ~Ernie Dossin

Yesterdays: Marian McPartland The First Lady Of Jazz Piano

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Marian McPartland - Twilight World

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:59
Size: 135.0 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[5:41] 1. Twilight World
[5:34] 2. In The Days Of Our Love
[6:12] 3. Turn Around
[5:37] 4. Close Enough For Love
[5:42] 5. How Deep Is The Ocean
[6:07] 6. Alfie
[4:29] 7. Lonely Woman
[5:12] 8. Blue In Green
[5:37] 9. Afternoon In Paris
[4:30] 10. Strangers In A Dream
[4:13] 11. Blackberry Winter

Marian McPartland can be described on one word: gracious. Listeners have been treated to weekly installments of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz, on US National Public Radio, for the past twenty-nine years, experiencing firsthand her graciousness in her light but stubborn Berkshire accent, her unmatched interview style, and, above all, her gin-crystalline pianism. That would be impressive enough if one were not to consider the fact that McPartland is the living corporate memory of jazz.

Marian McPartland celebrates her ninetieth birthday on March 20, 2008. She has been performing since age fifteen, professionally since age twenty-five. In 1944, she met and married cornetist Jimmy McPartland, allowing her to touch the New Orleans/Chicago jazz of the 1920s (in 1924, Jimmy McPartland replaced Bix Beiderbecke in the Wolverines) while still vibrant, still performing it today. Between 1952 and 1960, McPartland led a trio at New York City's famous Hickory House, then located at 144 W. 52nd St during the heyday of be bop, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, and the rest of jazz history. There McPartland was able to see and associate with the royalty of American jazz while becoming a member herself.

Twilight World, released just prior to McPartland's ninetieth birthday, is her twenty-ninth recording for Concord Music Group. The disc has McPartland in her most familiar territory, the piano trio, with longtime collaborators bassist Gary Masaroppi and drummer Glen Davis. The repertoire is rife with ballads, with the trifecta of "Close Enough For Love," "How Deep Is The Ocean," and "Alfie" more than enough to certify her ballad bona fides. To these well-known ballads, McPartland adds paths less taken with the title track and "Blackberry Winter." She transforms Bill Evans' "Blue in Green" into a completely accessible, impressionistic blues. Her playing has changed little and resembles that of Errol Garner in passing. But make no mistake, there is but one Marian McPartland and we should be grateful she remains a part of our life soundtrack. ~C. Michael Bailey

Marian McPartland: piano; Gary Masaroppi: bass; Glen Davis: drums.

Twilight World

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Marian McPartland - Lullaby In Rhythm

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:17
Size: 73.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Mainstream jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[2:55] 1. Lullaby Of Birdland
[2:41] 2. All The Things You Are
[3:23] 3. Once In A While
[3:01] 4. September Song
[3:03] 5. Hallelujuh!
[2:59] 6. Lullaby In Rhythm
[4:04] 7. Manhattan
[3:29] 8. What Is This Thing Called Love
[3:33] 9. Willow Weep For Me
[3:05] 10. The Lady Is A Tramp [previously Unreleased Version]

Marian McPartland, a spirited jazz pianist and self-effacing radio personality whose marriage to cornetist Jimmy McPartland in 1946 enabled her to move to the U.S. and work and record here steadily starting in 1948.

When I interviewed Marian in 2009, I asked her how she first became interested in jazz while growing up in England. "I heard it every day on the radio in the 1930s," she said. "My younger sister was friends with this guy who tried to interest her in jazz. But she wasn’t very interested so he switched from her to me [laughs] because I was fascinated with the music. There was no romance, just someone to play records with. When I started to play jazz on the piano, my parents would simply say, 'Very nice, dear.' So I decided to follow my heart and become a professional musician. Now when audiences applaud, I suppose they're also saying, 'Very nice, dear.' ” ~Marc Myers

Lullaby In Rhythm

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Marian McPartland - Just Friends

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:29
Size: 165.9 MB
Styles: Bop, Standards, Piano jazz
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[ 4:58] 1. Jeepers Creepers
[ 6:03] 2. I've Got A Crush On You
[ 5:26] 3. Some Time Ago
[ 5:15] 4. It's You Or No One
[ 4:20] 5. Just Friends
[ 7:02] 6. Twilight World
[ 5:50] 7. Lullaby Of The Leaves
[ 4:27] 8. Chrysalis (An Improvisation)
[10:16] 9. Gone With The Wind
[ 5:31] 10. Marian McPartland
[ 4:27] 11. There Will Never Be Another You
[ 5:30] 12. Lady Be Good
[ 3:17] 13. When The Saints Go Marching In

Some jazz fans casually dismiss duo piano performances as mere novelties that all too often result in train wrecks. With hundreds of Piano Jazz sessions and a few additional multiple piano releases to her credit, plus an amazing ability to complement the style of any musical partner, Marian McPartland should have long since destroyed this musical myth. She's joined by six different pianists on this delightful date, who she has considered among her favorite Piano Jazz guests; however, these recordings were made specifically for Concord. Tommy Flanagan joins her for a joyous run through "Jeepers Creeper" and a lyrical take of "I've Got a Crush on You." Renee Rosnes sits in for a swinging version of "Some Time Ago" and a bossa nova treatment of "It's You or No One," while Geri Allen and McPartland revive the forgotten chestnut "Lullaby of the Leaves" and also create an eerie duo improvisation, "Chrysalis." George Shearing and McPartland amuse themselves with a jaunty arrangement of the title track, then play Shearing's chart of McPartland's "Twilight World." But the cream of the duets is shared with old friend Dave Brubeck. Brubeck actually composed "Marian McPartland" on the way to his second Piano Jazz appearance; their wonderful improvisations around this catchy upbeat theme find both of them at the top of their game. McPartland wraps the CD alone with the Dixieland standard "When the Saints Go Marching In," though her relaxed approach serves as an emotional elegy to her late husband Jimmy. Jazz piano just doesn't get any better than this. ~Ken Dryden

Just Friends

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Marian McPartland - 2 albums: Bossa Nova + Soul / From This Moment On

Album: Bossa Nova + Soul
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:17
Size: 71.6 MB
Styles: Bop, Bossa Nova, Piano jazz
Year: 1962/1990
Art: Front

[6:17] 1. Love For Sale
[4:08] 2. With You In Mind
[2:46] 3. Stranger In A Dream
[3:22] 4. Sweet And Lovely
[2:48] 5. Coming Home Baby
[2:32] 6. Tell Me
[3:32] 7. Green Dolphin Street
[2:49] 8. Straight No Chaser
[3:00] 9. Baby You Should Know

Marian McPartland, who is joined by bassist Ben Tucker and drummer Dave Bailey along with Ralph Dorsey and Bob Crowder on percussion, plays an above-average set of sophisticated bop-oriented jazz. She contributed three forgotten originals, jams on a few standards (including Tucker's hit "Comin' Home Baby") and plays an early Wurlitzer electric piano on three numbers. The music is pleasing if not all that memorable. ~Scott Yanow

Bossa Nova + Soul

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Album: From This Moment On
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:04
Size: 87.2 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1979/1992
Art: Front

[4:12] 1. From This Moment On
[5:25] 2. Emily
[4:28] 3. Sweet And Lovely
[5:43] 4. Ambiance
[3:27] 5. You And The Night And The Music
[3:30] 6. If You Could See Me Now
[3:50] 7. Lullaby Of The Leaves
[3:23] 8. No Greater Love
[4:01] 9. Polka Dots And Moonbeams

This is a relaxed and tasteful trio outing by pianist Marian McPartland, bassist Brian Torff and drummer Jake Hanna that has been reissued on CD. No surprises occur on the pianist's "Ambiance" or the eight standards and the music never really commands one's attention but the performances are pleasing, harmonically sophisticated and lightly swinging. ~Scott Yanow

From This Moment On

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