Terrell Stafford - This Side Of Strayhorn

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 69:13
Size: 158.5 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[7:53] 1. Raincheck
[8:54] 2. Smada
[7:17] 3. My Little Brown Book
[7:39] 4. Lush Life
[8:38] 5. Multicolored Blue
[7:07] 6. U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group)
[8:14] 7. Lana Turner
[7:03] 8. Day Dream
[6:25] 9. Johnny Come Lately

Trumpeter Terell Stafford's 2011 effort This Side of Strayhorn features the hornman performing a series of classic and lesser-known compositions from Duke Ellington's longtime collaborator Billy Strayhorn. Born out of his week-long participation the "Celebrating Billy Strayhorn" fest in Dayton, OH, the album is an urbane and well-crafted affair that finds Stafford wringing much joy improvisationally and otherwise out of these superb compositions. Joining Stafford here are such similarly adept players as saxophonist Tim Warfield, pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Dana Hall. To these ends, tracks like "Smada" showcase Stafford's longstanding love of trumpeter Lee Morgan's bluesy and propulsive style, while "Little Brown Book" is a warm, cup-muted number. Elsewhere, the burnished slow-burn blues "Multicolored Blue" and the laid-back and sultry midtempo ballad "Lana Turner" are easily some of the best small group interpretations of Strayhorn you could ever find. ~ Matt Collar

Recording information: Systems Two Recording Studio, Brooklyn, NY (05/17/2010-05/18/2010).

Terell Stafford (trumpet, flugelhorn); Tim Warfield (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Bruce Barth (piano); Dana Hall (drums).

This Side Of Strayhorn

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Arkadia Jazz All-Stars - Thank You, Joe! (Our Tribute to Joe Henderson)

Styles: Jazz Contemporary
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:56
Size: 129,2 MB
Art: Front

(6:20) 1. Mamacita
(4:16) 2. Isfahan
(6:26) 3. Gazelle
(7:12) 4. The Kicker
(6:28) 5. Ask Me Now
(6:01) 6. Recorda Me
(3:53) 7. Isotope
(8:38) 8. Inner Urge
(6:38) 9. Granted

This 2000 release titled Thank You, Joe! Our Tribute to Joe Henderson represents Arkadia's fourth in a series of "tributes" to jazz artists who have made a conspicuous difference to this constantly evolving musical art form. On this recording, seasoned veterans such as trumpeter Randy Brecker and pianist Joanne Brackeen coalesce with some of the more prominent stars to emerge out of the '80s and '90s jazz scene for a hearty tribute to the great saxophonist Joe Henderson.

While Joe Henderson rose through the ranks during the '60s he did not enjoy the fame and success that several of his peers were receiving, yet Henderson gradually emerged as a gifted stylist who melded a silken, atmospheric tone with distinctive and altogether enviable chops. Additionally, the saxophonist has garnered a reputation as a shrewd and rather prolific composer. Here, the music of Joe Henderson serves as the framework for this upbeat and smartly produced set featuring some of the artist's more recognizable compositions. With the bossa nova-tinged "Mamacita," pianist Eric Reed, trumpeters Randy Brecker and Terrell Stafford, and tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson pursue poetic lyricism and impassioned soloing while Brecker and Stafford alternate and trade vicious fours on the bop burner, "The Kicker." Overall, the musicians engage Henderson's aura with bold enthusiasm and conviction as they eternalize the saxophonist's significance via strong soloing and finely crafted arrangements that sustain interest throughout~Glenn Astaritahttps://www.allmusic.com/album/thank-you-joe%21-our-tribute-to-joe-henderson-mw0000067831

Personnel: Eric Reed-piano, Javon Jackson-tenor sax, Randy Brecker-trumpet, Carl Allen-drums, Steve Nelson-vibraphone, Terrell Stafford-trumpet, Renato Thoms-percussion, Rodney Whitaker-bass, Carl Allen-drums

Thank You, Joe!(Our Tribute to Joe Henderson)

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Frank Wess Nonet - Once Is Not Enough

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:31
Size: 143.1 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[5:38] 1. Once Is Not Enough (Feat. Scott Robinson)
[8:21] 2. Sara's Song (Feat. Steve Turre, Peter Washington)
[7:35] 3. You Made A Good Move (Feat. Gerald Clayton, Frank Greene)
[6:57] 4. Dementia, My Darling (Feat. Frank Wess, Michel Weiss)
[5:43] 5. Sweet And Lovely (Feat. Ted Nash, Scott Robinson)
[9:09] 6. Backfire (Feat. Terell Stafford, Winard Harper)
[9:41] 7. Lush Life (Feat. Frank Wess, Rufus Reid)
[2:47] 8. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) (Feat. Scott Robinson)
[6:37] 9. Tryin' To Make My Blues Turn Green

Frank Wess: tenor saxophone, flute; Frank Greene: trumpet; Terell Stafford: trumpet; Steve Turre: trombone; Ted Nash: alto saxophone, flute; Scott Robinson: bass saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute; Gerald Clayton: piano; Michael Weiss: piano; Peter Washington: bass; Rufus Reid: bass); Winard Harper: drums.

Known affectionately as "Magic" to his professional colleagues, saxophonist/flautist Frank Wess is a living legend in the jazz world. His résumé includes stints with Billy Eckstine, the Clark Terry Big Band and a decade performing with the Count Basie Orchestra, and he is recognized as one of the first major flautists to have an impact on the music. Once Is Not Enough is an audacious recording that follows his most recent collaboration with Hank Jones on Hank and Frank II (Lineage Records, 2009), with six original compositions and three covers tastefully arranged to feature the many soloists on his hand-picked nine-piece ensemble. Among the members of the Frank Wess Nonet are trumpeters Terell Stafford and Frank Greene, trombonist Steve Turre, altoist Ted Nash and baritone/bass saxophonist Scott Robinson, with bassist Peter Washington, pianist Gerald Clayton and drummer Winard Harper rounding out the rhythm section. Guests Michael Weiss (piano) and Rufus Reid (bass) sub for Clayton and Washington, respectively, on two tracks.

Though well established as a premier flautist, Wess has also made his mark as a Lester Young-influenced tenor saxophonist; it is as a sax man that he predominates here, though he also plays flute on selected tracks. The "magic" begins right off the bat on the opening title piece—one of four arranged by drummer Dennis Mackrel—a swinging bebop burner showcasing Wess on the lead backed up by the five-piece horn section that relinquishes the stage to Robinson's lively baritone voice. The swinging sounds continue on "Sara's Song," where Turré's trombone emerges as the first soloist, setting up strong bass work from Washington, and Harper's rumbling pounding of the drums, all bolstered by superb background horns. There's more of the same on the perky "You Made A Good Move," another Wess original where the saxophonist leads the music with a regal solo performance. All is not swing, however, as the leader provides mellow music with the light original, "Dementia, My Darling," dedicated to his granddaughter, Nicole; Wess leaves the original ensemble format, preferring a quartet that features guests Weiss and Reid. Employing this same quartet setting, Wess delivers a second ballad with his creative arrangement of Billy Strayhorn's time-honored classic, "Lush Life." Wess takes to the flute on two of the three standards offered here ("Sweet and Lovely," and "Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)"), demonstrating his skills on the instrument that forged the prominence he so richly deserves.

It's easy to understand why Frank Wess would title this album Once Is Not Enough, as it clearly refers to the superlative charts and world-class cast of players that make listening to this session only once merely one fix in a lifelong addiction to such fine music. ~Edward Blanco

Once Is Not Enough

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Paul Carr - Standard Domain

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 60:17
Size: 138.0 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[5:14] 1. Standard Domain
[7:40] 2. Dream Dancing
[6:42] 3. Bye George
[7:45] 4. Cheek To Cheek
[6:43] 5. Warm Valley
[5:53] 6. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
[6:39] 7. Sixteen
[6:20] 8. Till There Was You
[7:16] 9. Tetragon

Standard Domain is Paul Carr's fifth recording as a leader. The session was done just before Christmas, 2011. Nine tracks in one day? The Houston native and mainstay on the Washington, D.C. Jazz scene was quick to acknowledge the challenge of recording this way: "You've got to be a little crazy, especially not rehearsing first. However, I have recorded all of my CD's that way and the trick is to have the right guys." Paul has done a lot of playing with bassist Michael Bowie and trumpeter Terrell Stafford. He's also played and recorded with Lewis Nash. The newest member of the ensemble is pianist Joey Calderazzo, best known for his work with Branford Marsalis and Michael Brecker. Standard Domain includes an engaging mix of the classic American songbook, Jazz standards, and one of Paul's own compositions, focusing on songs with memorable melodies because "they usually produce great development sections and great improvisions."

Standard Domain

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Chie Imaizumi - A Time Of New Beginnings

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:54
Size: 144,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:07)  1. My Heartfelt Gratitude
(7:20)  2. Information Overload
(7:23)  3. Fear Of The Unknown
(8:39)  4. A Time Of New Beginnings
(6:57)  5. Run For Your Life
(5:49)  6. Today
(7:39)  7. Sharing The Freedom
(8:38)  8. Many Happy Days Ahead
(6:18)  9. Fun & Stupid Song

Composer and arranger Chie Imaizumi's second album, A Time Of New Beginnings, is filled with star players from the jazz world. It's a beautifully crafted, beautifully played album, with a warm and familiar feel to its nine tunes that, at times, creates a real sense of nostalgia. Imaizumi began her musical career in her homeland of Japan, joined Berklee College of Music as a student in 2001 and released her first album, Unfailing Kindness (Capri Records), in 2007. A Time Of New Beginnings is a concept album; and while the narrative strand isn't obvious, this doesn't detract from the quality of the individual tunes.

The band is tremendous a hand-picked collection of great players who not only produce some terrific ensemble performances but who are also, without exception, capable of top quality solos. Randy Brecker guests on "Information Overload," producing a fine trumpet solo that fits the mood of the piece precisely. "My Hearfelt Gratitude" is the album's most overtly nostalgic tune. From pianist Tamir Hendelman's bright and delicate opening notes, the composition conjures images of characters in a cozy TV drama, driving along a sun-drenched coastal highway an episode of Columbo or Murder, She Wrote, perhaps. This sense of time and place is shared, to some extent, by the lovely "Today" and the joyous "Fun & Stupid Song." "Run for Your Life" sounds like the overture to a lighthearted Broadway musical. Guitarist Mike Abbott drives the tune along with some deft chordal play, and the horn section is a delight  trumpeters Greg Gisbert and Terell Stafford trade increasingly energetic solos and, after a powerful solo from drummer Jeff Hamilton, the horn section returns to end the tune with a rhythmic chorus that seems to demand the presence of a high-kicking dance troupe. "Sharing the Freedom" was commissioned by the US Air Force Academy's Falconaires, and performed at the 2008 Monterey Jazz Festival. 

Alto saxophonist Steve Wilson's solo is vibrant and emotive, whole bassist John Clayton's brief solo creates a funky groove, but much of the arrangement lacks bite and, at times, comes close to blandness. Clayton's arco solo on "Fear of the Unknown" is a sad but beautiful performance, matched perfectly by Hendelman. By contrast, "Fun & Stupid Song" is a lively, smile-inducing tune that mixes rhythms and tempos, featuring a great solo from Scott Robinson, who moves seamlessly from sopranino to tenor sax. A sense of familiarity and nostalgia pervades many of the tunes on A Time Of New Beginnings, but the album doesn't sound outdated or old-fashioned. Imaizumi's arrangements, and the musicians' enthusiasm and talent, ensure that the music is fresh, upbeat and, ultimately, optimistic. ~ Bruce Lindsay   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/a-time-of-new-beginnings-chie-imaizumi-capri-records-review-by-bruce-lindsay.php#.U6i7BrG4OSo
 

Personnel: Chie Imaizumi: conductor, arranger; Greg Gisbert: trumpet, flugelhorn; Terrell Stafford: trumpet, flugelhorn; Steve Wilson: alto sax, tenor sax, flute; Scott Robinson: tenor sax, soprano sax, sopranino sax, clarinet, flute; Steve Davis: trombone; Gary Smulyan: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Mike Abbott: guitar; Tamir Hendelman: piano; John Clayton: bass; Jeff Hamilton: drums; Randy Brecker: trumpet (2); Paul Romaine: drums (2, 7, 9).

A Time Of New Beginnings

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