Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band - I'm BeBoppin' Too

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:16
Size: 157,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:37) 1. I'm BeBoppin' Too
(5:08) 2. Cool Breeze
(7:37) 3. Round Midnight
(5:38) 4. Manteca
(4:52) 5. Birks Works
(7:12) 6. If You Could See Me Now
(4:38) 7. Dizzy's Blues
(7:45) 8. Una Mas
(6:00) 9. I Can't Get Started
(4:55) 10. One Bass Hit
(6:19) 11. Tin Tin Deo
(5:30) 12. Lover Come Back To Me

Tribute bands are often bland affairs, because they become too predictable, while often omitting any artists who played with the deceased artist. Fortunately, this third CD by the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band mixes veterans who worked with the trumpeter and talented younger players who acquit themselves very well. Trombonist Slide Hampton contributed a fresh chart of Dizzy's "Manteca" that is a bit more introspective and less percussive and shouting, with potent solos by pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath scored the subtle, hip treatment of Kenny Dorham's "Una Mas," showcasing alto saxophonist Mark Gross, trombonist Douglas Purviance, and baritonist Gary Smulyan.

Vocalist Roberta Gambarini's solid performance of "'Round Midnight" (and Hampton's fresh arrangement) trump those who claim that this landmark Thelonious Monk composition is recorded all too often; there is always room for a top-notch recording such as this one. Gambarini also guests in Heath's setting of Tadd Dameron's bittersweet ballad "If You Could Seem Me Now" and Hampton's snappy setting of "Lover, Come Back to Me." Nor should the brass players be overlooked: Roy Hargrove's lush playing in "I Can't Get Started," plus his comic vocal in the jive piece "I'm BeBoppin' Too," are complemented by Greg Gisbert's searing trumpet and Michael Dease's brief, effective trombone solo. Recommended.~Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-beboppin-too-mw0000820620

Personnel: Slide Hampton - musical director, trombone; James Moody - tenor sax, flute, vocals; Jimmy Heath - tenor sax; Antonio Hart - lead alto sax, flute; Gary Smulyan - baritone sax; Frank Greene - lead trumpet; Greg Gisbert - trumpet; Roy Hargrove - trumpet, vocals; Claudio Roditi - trumpet; Jason Jackson - lead trombone; Steve Davis - trombone; Michael Dease - trombone; Douglas Purviance - bass trombone; Cyrus Chestnut - piano; John Lee - bass, executive director; Lewis Nash - drums; Roberta Gambarini – vocals

I'm BeBoppin'Too

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Roberta Gambarini - Connecting Spirits: Sings The Jimmy Heath Songbook

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:24
Size: 138,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:59)  1. Without Song
(4:04)  2. Growing - New Picture
(4:14)  3. The Rio Dawn
(5:23)  4. The Thumper
(5:30)  5. A Loved One Lost
(4:23)  6. Life In The City
(5:42)  7. The Voice Of The Saxophone
(5:03)  8. Mandela
(4:23)  9. A Harmonic Future
(4:20) 10. A Mother's Love
(4:03) 11. A Sassy Samba
(2:51) 12. Ellington's Stray Horn
(4:22) 13. Frank Foster

Born and raised in Turin, Italy, to music loving parents (who had actually first met at a jazz concert), two-times Grammy nominated singer Roberta Gambarini grew up constantly listening to her father’s record collection. Her first vocal inspiration was the music of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald , but she soon discovered Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday,and Carmen McRae, as well as gospel and blues artists such as Mahalia Jackson and Bessie Smith. At age 12 she began studying clarinet, but realizing the versatility and talents of her clear alto, she moved to voice, singing and performing in clubs by the time she was 17. In 1998, Gambarini received a scholarship to study for two years at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Barely 2 weeks after setting foot on american soil for the first time, Roberta surprised the jazz world by being one of the runner-ups in the 1998 Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition.

With this recognition as a springboard and the assistance of some of the greatest musicians in the world, who immediately appreciated her talent and invited her to perform with them, she quickly became a fixture on the international jazz circuit, appearing in major concert halls, Festivals and clubs around the globe ( Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl , Jazz at Lincoln Center , the North Sea Jazz Festival, and many more) . As a result, Roberta has had the good fortune to appear in concert and record with such Giants as Dave Brubeck, James Moody, Hank Jones, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock, Michel & Randy Brecker, Jimmy Heath, Roy Hargrove, Jimmy Cobb, Al Foster, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, Harold Mabern, Toots Thielemans, Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdez, Mark O’Connor, Cyrus Chestnut, Percy Heath, Ron Carter, Johnny Griffin, the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars Big Band, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton, Ray Drummond, George Cables, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Burrell, Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center orchestra, and many others.

Roberta’s first American release ‘Easy to love’, earned the accolades of fans and critics alike and prestigious Grammy nomination, as did her third, ‘So in love’ ,which was also awarded the Grand Prix du Jazz Vocal 2009 by the Jazz Academy of France. She was twice named the “Female Jazz Singer of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association (2007 & 2009 ). One of the most important music figures of the 20th century, the late Benny Carter, cited Roberta as his favorite singer. James Moody, the legendary saxophonist and singer, was Roberta’s mentor and teacher, and introduced her to many of the major venues in the world. In 2008 Roberta recorded a superb duet album titled ‘You are there’ with the Legendary pianist Hank Jones. Mr. Jones,who accompanied most of the celebrated vocalists of 20th Century such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, and Nat King Cole, declared Roberta Gambarini to be the best singer to emerge in the last 60 years . In 2015 , Roberta recorded ‘Connecting spirits’, a collection of compositions written by yet another of her mentors: Master saxophonist, composer and arranger Jimmy Heath . Along with Jimmy’s own lyrics, the album includes some of Roberta’s own lyrics to Mr Heath’s tunes performed with the legendary Heath Brothers ,with Master drummer Tootie Heath. Every once in a while, a truly great singer comes along who possesses the beauty, individuality, and talent to remind us once again of the magical majesty of the human voice ( without the aid of today’s technological tricks! ). That singer is ROBERTA GAMBARINI. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/robertagambarini

Personnel: Roberta Gambarini (vocal); Jimmy Heath (ts,ss); Jeb Patton (p); David Wong (b); Albert 'Tootie' Heath (ds); James Mtume (per); Freddie Hendrix (tp); Ed Cherry (g); Dave Stricker (g)Tommy Campbell (ds); Cyrus Chestnut (p); John Lee (b)

Connecting Spirits: Roberta Gambarini Sings The Jimmy Heath Songbook

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Emanuele Cisi Feat. Roberta Gambarini - No Eyes: Looking at Lester Young

Styles: Vocal And Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:22
Size: 134,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:36)  1. No Eyes (feat. Roberta Gambarini)
(6:52)  2. Lester Left Town (feat. Roberta Gambarini)
(4:13)  3. Jumpin' at the Woodside
(5:58)  4. Presidential Dream (feat. Roberta Gambarini)
(3:42)  5. Tickle Toe
(6:37) 6. Goodbye Porkpie Hat (feat. Roberta Gambarini)
(4:23)  7. Prezeology
(6:29)  8. Easy Living (feat. Roberta Gambarini)
(7:11)  9. These Foolish Things
(4:48) 10. That's All
(1:29) 11. Jumpin' with Symphony Sid/Lester Said

This sought-after tribute by Emanuele Cisi to Lester Young is so rich in historical references and literary references that a review risks neglecting the main and characterizing element: No Eyes is primarily a wonderful musical journey, which fascinates by emotional participation, melodic essentiality and lyricism. The project was able to get in tune with the artistic identity of the great saxophonist, without getting lost in didactic imitations and enhancing the specifics of the leader, singer Roberta Gambarini and the rhythm section formed by Dino Rubino , Rosario Bonaccorso and Gregory Hutchinson. Only a heartfelt participation with the spirit of Lester's music-in the sense of expressive modernity and artistic autonomy rather than stylistic traits-could produce a disc with such an intense feeling. The project, long cherished by Cisi, is inspired by a poem by David Meltzer-precisely "No Eyes" -dedicated to Lester Young. 

The title takes up an expression of the particular vocabulary of the saxophonist (meant "I do not care") and poetry opens the record, incorporated in the performance of "These Foolish Things." The piece begins with the evocative exposition of the theme by the saxophonist who leaves Roberta Gambarini to repropose on that text the famous improvisation by Young in December 1945. The singer from Turin, who has long been at the top of international jazz, gives an exemplary demonstration of eloquence. technique and color variety, expressed with relaxed appeal and rare grace. His presence is fundamental and illuminates other tracks on the record. In particular the masterly version of "Roland Kirk , the bewitching "Easy Living" or the unison in scat with the tenor saxophone of Cisi in "Lester Left Town." The virtuosity and inventiveness of the leader shine in the exciting reinterpretation in duo sax / drums, of "Jumpin 'at the Woodside," where his Coltranian ancestries shine and in other pieces in quartet: some are classics of Lester Young reformulated with respect ("Tickle Toe") or with fanciful grafts of Prez's voice ("Jumpin 'with Symphony Sid"); others are original songs of the leader. It could not miss a classic ballad ("That's All") exposed without unnecessary attempts to echo the historical versions of the saxophonist. ~ Angelo Leonardi https://www.allaboutjazz.com/no-eyes-looking-at-lester-young-emanuele-cisi-warner-jazz-review-by-angelo-leonardi.php

Personnel: Emanuele Cisi: tenor saxophone; Roberta Gambarini: voice; Dino Rubino: piano, flugelhorn (5, 11); Rosario Bonaccorso (bass); Greg Hutchinson: drums.

No Eyes: Looking at Lester Young

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Roberta Gambarini - The Shadow Of Your Smile - Homage To Japan

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:58
Size: 154,3 MB
Art: Front

(7:07)  1. The Shadow Of Your Smile
(5:01)  2. Fly Me To The Moon
(3:58)  3. Someone To Watch Over Me
(5:15)  4. Embraceable You
(2:20)  5. Nobody Else But Me
(4:40)  6. Rainy Days And Mondays
(5:43)  7. Moanin
(4:12)  8. Poor Butterfly
(3:58)  9. My Shining Hour
(4:05) 10. Whisper Not
(5:29) 11. I Remember Clifford
(5:29) 12. Satin Doll
(4:40) 13. Close To You
(5:01) 14. My One And Only Love

Between 2006 and 2009, Italian émigré Roberta Gambarini delivered a trio of albums that earned her widespread plaudits as the heir apparent to Ella or Sarah or both. Then … a deafening silence. A trickle of fresh Gambarini material did appear last year with her four-track appearance on the Pratt Brothers Big Band’s terrific 16 Men & a Chick Singer Swingin’. Now, at last, Gambarini has released a new (if slightly difficult to obtain) disc. The album was recorded in New Jersey earlier this year with an ace quartet of saxophonist/flutist Justin Robinson, pianist George Cables, bassist John Webber and drummer Victor Lewis. But you won’t find it at your local CD outlet. Like the majority of her vocalist peers, Gambarini has an enormous following in Japan. The affection is mutual, and The Shadow of Your Smile is her exclusive billet-doux to them. (It is even subtitled Hommage [sic] to Japan.) And fortunate the Japanese are, for this is Gambarini’s finest outing to date, her plush, round notes and pearlescent tone shown to superb advantage. The mood is generally mellow, with lithe readings of “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Embraceable You,” “Poor Butterfly,” “My One and Only Love” and the haunting title track plus a double-dip into the Carpenters’ songbook for “Close to You” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.” But she also gives her chops a healthy workout on a down-‘n’-dirty “Moanin’,” a scat-infused “Satin Doll” and a breezy “Fly Me to the Moon” that’s at once Sassy-warm and Sinatra-cool. https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/roberta-gambarini-the-shadow-of-your-smile/

Personnel:   Roberta Gambarini (vo);  George Cables (p);  John Webber (b);  Victor Lewis (ds);  Justin Robinson (as)

The Shadow Of Your Smile - Homage To Japan

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Roberta Gambarini - So In Love

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 68:20

Size: 156.4 MB

Styles: Jazz vocals

Year: 2009

Art: Front

[3:03] 1. So In Love

[2:48] 2. Day In Day Out

[5:05] 3. Get Out Of Town

[4:59] 4. Crazy

[3:27] 5. That Old Black Magic

[4:48] 6. Estate

[5:56] 7. Beatles Medley:Golden Slumbers/Here, There And Everywhere

[6:13] 8. I See Your Face Before Me

[4:52] 9. From This Moment On

[4:39] 10. This Is Always

[6:23] 11. You Must Believe In Spring

[5:31] 12. You Ain't Nothing But A J.A.M.F

[6:37] 13. Medley From Cinema Paradiso:Main Theme Song/For Elena

[3:53] 14. Over The Rainbow

Bass – Chuck Berghofer, George Mraz, Neil Swainson; Drums – Al Foster, Jake Hanna, Montez Coleman; Flugelhorn – Roy Hargrove; Piano – Eric Gunnison, Gerald Clayton, Tamir Hendelman; Tenor Saxophone – James Moody.

It seems incredible that Roberta Gambarini didn't win the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition but she was new to the U.S., having just arrived from her native Italy. But with each new release, she has demonstrated that she is easily the most accomplished vocalist of the competitors for the prize, while pianist Hank Jones, who knows a thing or two about great singers, refers to her as the "greatest vocalist to come along in the past 60 years." With a rhythm section rotating between three talented up-and-coming pianists Tamir Hendeman, Eric Gunnison, or Gerald Clayton) plus veteran bassists George Mraz, Neil Swainson, or Chuck Berghofer and seasoned drummers Jake Hanna, Al Foster, Jeff Hamilton, or Montez Coleman, Gambarini works her magic with familiar standards and a few unexpected choices. She has a love of Cole Porter's songs, opening with a touching, richly textured "So in Love," a virtual rhapsody in a duet with piano. She restores the oft-omitted verse to "Get Out of Town" then delivers a driving rendition that shows off her gift for interpreting a song that has likely been recorded by all vocal jazz greats who have preceded her, proving she belongs in their company; she is joined by the soft tenor sax of James Moody. Her rapid-fire scatting is a highlight of her brisk treatment of "From This Moment On." Gambarini is also very comfortable looking outside of jazz for material, adapting Willie Nelson's "Crazy" with a master's touch, with subtle trumpet added by Roy Hargrove, while she has equal success with a medley of Beatles songs, including a moving "Golden Slumbers" that segues into a breezy "Here, There and Everywhere." But Gambarini's hilarious lyrics for Johnny Griffin's blues "The JAMFs Are Coming" (retitled "You Ain't Nothin' But a J.A.M.F.") prove to be the big surprise, showing off her incredible scatting range and sense of humor, though like a true lady, she never specifies what Griffin meant by a JAMF (hint: an acronym starting with "Jive Ass"). Roberta Gambarini continues to shine brightly as one of top jazz vocalists of her generation with this outstanding release. ~Ken Dryden

So In Love 

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Roy Hargrove Big Band - Emergence

Styles: Trumpet Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:03
Size: 160,5 MB
Art: Front

( 4:15)  1. Velera
( 5:33)  2. Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey
( 6:00)  3. My Funny Valentine
( 6:37)  4. Mambo For Roy
(13:36)  5. Requiem
( 6:59)  6. September In The Rain
( 5:56)  7. Everytime We Say Goodbye
( 3:29)  8. La Puerta
( 5:51)  9. Roy Allan
( 7:17) 10. Tschpiso
( 4:26) 11. Trust

As a trumpeter, composer, and an arranger, Roy Hargrove has been a mainstay of the contemporary music scene in a variety of formats for nearly two decades. Nevertheless, his big band experience has been limited mostly to his appearances with the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, with which he has most ably proved himself an heir to the late trumpet legend's mantle. Hargrove has been steadily accumulating big band experience in his own right since 1995, however, and Emergence is therefore most aptly titled, for it represents Hargrove's full-fledged emergence into the large ensemble idiom. While the tone poem "Requiem," by composer and trombonist Frank Lacy, was probably intended as the CD's tour de force, it's a major disappointment. After a most promising brass fanfare, with an arpeggiated woodwind countermelody reminiscent of Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloe," "Requiem" lapses into an eight-minute ostinato vamp under self-indulgent alto and trombone solos, accompanied only by the rhythm section. Eight minutes is an unusually long time for the full band to lay out, and Hargrove's own contribution is limited to a few brief exchanges with the trumpet section. The saving grace is the recapitulation of the opening tutti. 

On the other hand, the remainder of Emergence exhibits Hargrove in full flight as captain of his 19-piece ensemble. Arrangements have been furnished by baritone saxophonist Jason Marshall (the hard-bopping "Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey"), bass trombonist Max Siegel (a Stan Kenton esque interpretation of the Rodgers and Hart classic "My Funny Valentine"), the iconic Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes ("Mambo for Roy"), and Hargrove himself. "September In the Rain," which features Hargrove on both Harmon-muted trumpet and a mellow vocal, appears to have been arranged in a Count Basie -inspired vein by pianist Gerald Clayton. Clayton, in fact, is the son of composer, arranger, bassist, and co-leader John Clayton of Los Angeles' Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, a major inspiration for Hargrove's aggregation. Vocalist Roberta Gambarini, Hargrove's erstwhile colleague with both the Gillespie band and jam sessions at NYC's Jazz Gallery, adds her velvet voice to Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye" and the Spanish-language "La Puerta." On the latter track, she is reminiscent of Linda Ronstadt on her early-1990s Latino-jazz romp Frenesi (Elektra, 1992). Hargrove also seems to have absorbed influences ranging from McCoy Tyner ("Tschipiso") to Gerald Wilson ("Roy Allan") and Billy Strayhorn ("Trust") in the band's full-voiced sonorities. Emergence definitely proves that Hargrove, 39 years old at the time of this recording, is ready to add his name to the list of large ensemble leaders. ~ Robert J.Robbins  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/emergence-roy-hargrove-emarcy-review-by-robert-j-robbins.php

Personnel: Roy Hargrove: leader, composer, arranger, trumpet, fluegelhorn, vocal; Frank Greene: trumpet and flugelhorn; Greg Gisbert, : trumpet and flugelhorn; Darren Barrett: trumpet and flugelhorn; Ambrose Akinmisure: trumpet and flugelhorn; Jason Jackson: trombone; Vincent Chandler: trombone; Saunders Sermons: trombone; Max Siegel: bass trombone, arranger; Bruce Williams: alto saxophone, flute; Justin Robinson: alto saxophone, flute; Norbert Stachel: tenor saxophone, flute; Keith Loftis: tenor saxophone, flute; Jason Marshall: baritone saxophone, flute, reeds; Gerald Clayton: piano, arranger; Saul Rubin: guitar; Danton Boller: bass; Montez Coleman: drums; Roberta Gambarini: vocals.

Emergence

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Roberta Gambarini - Under Italian Skies

Size: 114,8+106,5 MB
Time: 49:33+45:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Ape Regina (6:56)
02. Quietati, Erba Dolce (4:28)
03. 12 00 A.M (6:10)
04. Agrifoglio (4:28)
05. Diana (4:59)
06. Giovani Poeti (4:46)
07. Sorella Senza Nome (5:35)
08. Olive D'inverno (6:41)
09. Impronte (5:24)

CD 2:
01. Il Cielo Della Mia Memoria (5:20)
02. Danza Dei Veli (5:55)
03. Un Pernod... S'il Vous Plait (5:43)
04. Arimo, I Signori (5:22)
05. Lampare (7:22)
06. Teatro Eden (4:41)
07. Per Sempre (5:14)
08. La Plage (4:27)
09. In Punta Di Piedi (1:48)

This CD listed as being by Roberta Gambarini is not at all representative of her work as a jazz vocalist. Despite the top billing she receives on the cover, Gambarini is not the leader, but a vocalist who did a favor by appearing on sessions led by bassist/composer Andrea Donati before she had gained international recognition for her jazz vocals. The outside packaging and lack of liner notes are of little help to explain how this music came about, but it was previously issued under Donati's name (without a co-billing for Gambarini) as two separate CDs in 1995 and 1998: disc 1 as Ape Regina, disc 2 as Le Ciel de Ma Memoire, both on the Amiata label. The singer was brought in after several previous vocalists failed to satisfy Donati, while the songs were new to her. For the first session, the bassist wrote music to fit the words of contemporary Italian poet Alda Merini. Gambarini either sings the text in Italian or wordlessly to provide background color. A lack of knowledge of Italian handicaps the listener considerably, though Gambarini's rich voice seems to communicate the feeling of the text. The singer's sex appeal comes through in the romantic opener "Ape Regina," with organist Emmanuel Bex providing a refreshing change from the usual piano accompaniment. The funky "12:00 A.M." adds the overdubbed horns of Marco Brioschi, with a bit of a reggae rhythm at times, along with Gambarini's fun scat singing. "Giovani Poeti" is a delicious bossa nova with another warm performance by the vocalist. The second disc is a bit more of a mixed bag, with Gambarini absent from several tracks and often having a very minimal role when present. Donati wrote both the words and music to the haunting ballad "Il Cielo della Mia Memoria," a piece suggesting the recall of a past love, wonderfully accented by accordionist Gianni Coscia, Donati, the whispering brushes of Carlos Virzi, with the surprise addition of Federcio Sanesi on tabla. At this point, the tabla becomes more prominent as the music gets difficult to classify, blending ballads with music from India, Brazil and elsewhere. Starting with "Danzi del Veli," Gambarini takes on more of a supporting role, multi-tracking background vocals, with the focus on soprano saxophonist Silvio Binello. "Un Pernod..., s'il Vous Plait" begins as if it will launch into an Astor Piazzolla tango with the solo accordion, though Gambarini's lush wordless vocal and Donati's bass provide the only other instrumentation, a lovely performance. Donati overdubs two bass lines in his catchy folk song "Teatro Eden," with minimal tabla and percussion behind him. All in all, this release has some interesting world music, though jazz fans of Gambarini will likely be expecting something very different from what they will hear. ~Review by Ken Dryden

Under Italian Skies CD 1
Under Italian Skies CD 2

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Various Artists - Disney Jazz: Everybody Wants To Be A Cat, Vol. 1

Styles: Straight-Ahead Jazz,Jazz-Pop 
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:18
Size: 155,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Roy Hargrove - Ev'rybody Wants To Be A Cat
(3:51)  2. Esperanza Spalding - Chim Chim Cher-ee
(4:02)  3. Dave Brubeck - Some Day My Prince Will Come
(5:16)  4. Regina Carter - Find Yourself
(3:56)  5. Joshua Redman - You've Got A Friend In Me
(4:52)  6. Dianne Reeves - He's A Tramp
(5:39)  7. Kurt Rosenwinkel - Feed The Birds (Tuppence A Bag)
(4:28)  8. The Bad Plus - Gaston
(5:59)  9. Roberta Gambarini - Alice In Wonderland (With The Dave Brubeck Trio)
(7:13) 10. Alfredo Rodriguez - The Bare Necessities
(3:12) 11. Nikki Yanofsky - It's A Small World
(6:24) 12. Gilad Hekselman - Belle
(5:18) 13. Mark Rapp - Circle Of Life

What a discovery; what a great idea. Producer Jason Olaine has taken songs from a number of Disney movies some rarely recorded by jazz musicians and made fresh new versions, utilizing some of today's most well-known jazz artists. The performers range from 90 year-old piano legend Dave Brubeck to 17 year-old Canadian vocalist Nikki Yanofsky; established horn players such as trumpeter Roy Hargrove and saxophonist Joshua Redman; and international performers including Israeli-born/US-based guitarist Gilad Hekselman and avant-garde Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez. Olaine has given these diverse artists full control, and they have mined 13 gems from the Disney catalog.  Hargrove delivers a sprightly, hard bop rendition of the sparkling "Everybody Wants to Be A Cat," from 1970's The AristoCats, while accordionist Gil Goldstein provides the haunting opening to Esperanza Spalding's creative arrangement of "Chim Chim Cher-ee," from Mary Poppins (1964), the bassist later vocalizing along with her bowed lines to underscore the song's evocative mood Brubeck gets two selections: first, a swinging version of "Someday My Prince Will Come," from 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, where the pianist breezes through the lilting melody, before coming on strong with his trademark chordal fury; later, he gives fine accompaniment to singer Roberta Gambarini on the theme song to Alice in Wonderland (1951).

Regina Carter's exotic violin merges with accordionist Gary Versace and kora master Yacouba Sissoko in the captivating and ear-opening "Find Yourself," from Cars (2006), while Redman adds depth to the innocuous "You've Got A Friend in Me, " from Toy Story (1995), the tenor saxophonist's creative energy unleashed in a trio with bassist Matt Penman and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. The irrepressible The Bad Plus is mind-blowing on a rousing version of "Gaston," from Beauty and the Beast (1991), taking this French-flavored tune through creative hijinks to a stirring climax, delivered with the brio of an Edith Piaf ballad. On the many strengths of Olaine's Everybody Wants To Be A Cat: Disney Jazz Volume 1, hopefully Volume 2 won't be far behind. ~ Larry Taylor  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/everybody-wants-to-be-a-cat-disney-jazz-volume-1-various-artists-disney-records-review-by-larry-taylor.php
 

Personnel: Roy Hargrove: trumpet (1); Justin Robinson: alto saxophone (1); Ameen Saleem: bass (1); Thaddeus Dixon: drums (1) Esperanza Spalding: bass, vocal (2); Gil Goldstein: piano, accordion (2); Dave Brubeck: piano (3, 9); Michael Moore: bass (3, 9); Randy Jones: drums (3, 9); Regina Carter: violin (4); Gary Versace: accordion (4); Yacoba Sissoko: kora (4); Chris Lightcap: bass(4); Alvester Garnett: drums, percussion (4); Joshua Redman: tenor saxophone (5); Matt Penman: bass (5); Gregory Hutchinson: drums (5); Dianne Reeves: vocal (6); Peter Martin: piano (6); James Genus: bass (6); Alvester Garnett: drums (6); Kurt Rosenwinkel: guitar and piano (7); Joshua Thurston-Milgrom: bass (7); Tobias Backhaus: drums (7); Ethan Iverson: piano (8); Reid Anderson: bass (8); Dave King: drums (8); Roberta Gambarini: vocal (9); Alfredo Rodriguez: piano and percussion (10); Nikki Yanofsky: vocal (11); Paul Shrofel: piano (11); Rob Fahle: bass (11); Geoffrey Lang: drums (11); Rod DiLauro: trumpet (11); Pat Vetter: alto saxophone (11); Christopher Smith: trombone (11); Jean Frechette: baritone saxophone (11); Gilad Hekselman: guitar (12); Joe Martin: bass (12); Obed Calvaire: drums, percussion (12); Mark Rapp: trumpet (13); Jamie Reynolds: piano, keyboards (13); Rene Hart: bass (13); Greg Gonzales: drums (13).

Disney Jazz: Everybody Wants To Be A Cat, Vol. 1

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Roberta Gambarini & Hank Jones - You Are There

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 64:33
Size: 147.8 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz/Piano jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[2:48] 1. You Are There
[5:06] 2. Then I'll Be Tired Of You
[2:30] 3. People Time
[4:57] 4. When Lights Are Low
[5:15] 5. Deep Purple
[6:05] 6. Reminiscing
[3:09] 7. Suppertime
[6:18] 8. Just Squeeze Me
[5:14] 9. Something To Live For
[6:09] 10. Stardust
[4:35] 11. Lush Life
[3:17] 12. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
[5:02] 13. Come Sunday
[4:00] 14. How Are Things In Glocca Morra

Roberta Gambarini is a breath of fresh air among female jazz vocalists. Gifted with superb clear diction, a warm engaging voice, and an uncanny ability to bring out the best in each song, Gambarini shines throughout this one-afternoon session, recorded without isolation booths, splicing, or overdubs. Her sole accompanist is the masterful pianist Hank Jones, a veteran who knows something about inspiring great vocalists with his inventive piano playing, having recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day, and Helen Merrill during a career that began over six decades prior to this session. The duo chose a wide-ranging mix of standards, show tunes, and jazz compositions (both familiar and lesser-known), along with some forgotten chestnuts of yesteryear. It is not surprising to learn that Gambarini and Jones entered the studio without a rehearsal or any arrangements, yet completed most of the 14 songs in a single take. "Stardust" is one of the most recorded works of all time, yet Gambarini recognizes the nuances within it and takes her time exploring each chorus, while Jones' elegant backing and delicious solo are flawless. Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" is one of the most demanding jazz compositions, a melancholy ballad with an unusual structure that trips up many vocalists, but Gambarini takes her time with a deliberate interpretation that ranks with any previous vocal recording of it. Their magical rendition of the sentimental ballad "You Are There" (music by Johnny Mandel, lyrics by Dave Frishberg) seems like it would be a natural choice for a film soundtrack. "Deep Purple" may have fallen out of favor in modern jazz, but Gambarini and Jones reveal its timeless quality with a sparkling performance. She's in a playful mood in "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me." This exceptional vocal/piano duo recording is clearly one for the ages. ~Ken Dryden

You Are There

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Various - As Time Goes By: In And Out Of The Ordinary Vol 1

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 77:47
Size: 178.1 MB
Styles: Various jazz styles
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Jermaine Landsberger - Hammond Eggs
[5:37] 2. Roberta Ganbarini - On The Sunny Side Of The Street
[4:32] 3. Buster Williams - Something More
[2:47] 4. Flora Purim & Airto Moreira - Escape
[6:08] 5. Lester Brown's Brass Fantasy - For Louis
[7:04] 6. James Blood Ulmer's Blues - Crying
[3:51] 7. Toots Thielemans - Hard To Say Goodbye
[5:15] 8. Woody Shaw - Estaté
[2:31] 9. Viviane De Farias - Na Hora De Paixao
[3:31] 10. Paul Kuhn - Heading South
[5:57] 11. Lynn Arriale - Home
[4:45] 12. Lenny Andrade - Chega De Saudade
[5:20] 13. Billy Cobham - You Know, You Know
[5:24] 14. Max Hacker - Upper Manhattan Medical Group
[5:39] 15. Joachim Kuhn Trio - Angel Dust
[3:01] 16. Larry Coryell - She's Leaving Home
[2:08] 17. Paul Kuhn - As Time Goes By

As Time Goes By: In And Out Of The Ordinary Vol 1

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