Bernd Lhotzky And Chris Hopkins - Tandem

Styles: Dixieland/New Orleans/Swing
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:15
Size: 126,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:28)  1. Shake It And Break It
(3:23)  2. I Adore You
(3:08)  3. Everything I've Got Belongs To You
(4:18)  4. Warm Valley
(3:45)  5. Finger Buster
(4:41)  6. Black And Tan Fantasy
(3:15)  7. You Do Something To Me
(3:00)  8. Flashes
(3:42)  9. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
(3:12) 10. Sweet And Slow
(2:40) 11. I Wish I Were Twins
(5:24) 12. Lullaby Of The Leaves
(3:23) 13. Armand The Groove
(4:21) 14. J. Fred Coots-Medley: Louisiana Fairytale* + The More I Know You**
(3:31) 15. Bess, You Is My Woman Now (from "Porgy And Bess")

Making a successful piano duet recording is a challenge. In addition to the performance, there is the issue of the recording process: getting the mix right and capturing both instruments with clarity. This is not an easy thing to do, as the evidence of many poorly recorded piano duets will attest. In addition, there's the task of pacing, which is a considerable challenge with the sound of two pianos. Such duet recordings often have a frenetic dueling pianos feel, which quickly gets old. The good news about Tandem is that it's beautifully recorded, well paced, and displays the inspired performances of two excellent pianists. Pianists Chris Hopkins and Bernd Lhotzky are not just notable soloists. They also accompany each other with an intuitive sense of nuance and a sophisticated sense of musical taste. They focus on standards from the '20s to the '40s by the likes of Duke Ellington, Willie "The Lion Smith, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Bix Beiderbecke, the Gershwins and other great songwriters of the age. 

This is traditional jazz, and these two pianists are extremely comfortable in this world. Arbors Jazz fans will recognize Chris Hopkins as a label regular. Anyone who has heard him on record will not be surprised by the mastery he demonstrates on Tandem. Lhotzky, an apt musical match for Hopkins, has recently released a solo recording on Arbors. Both players were raised in Germany and have a special affinity for stride and swing piano. Both are building considerable international reputations, which Tandem will undoubtedly enhance. Some of the best tracks on this consistently fine recording are breathtakingly graceful and complex stride piano duets. The musical rapport is a delight. If you're a traditional jazz fan, and especially a piano jazz fan, this is a recording not to miss. 

~ Mike Neely   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=23191#.UzDKAYUqPro
 

Personnel: Bernd Lhotzky, Chris Hopkins: piano.

Tandem

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Laura Taylor - Cry Me a River

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:28
Size: 124,5 MB
Scans:

(4:20)  1. Gone With the Wind
(3:26)  2. What Is This Thing Called Love
(4:37)  3. How Long Has This Been Going On
(3:05)  4. No Moon At All
(3:05)  5. I Love You
(5:06)  6. Blue Moon
(2:36)  7. Easy Street
(4:14)  8. Cry Me a River
(3:11)  9. I'm in the Mood for Love
(4:49) 10. Julie
(2:14) 11. The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else
(4:55) 12. I'm Glad There Is You
(2:55) 13. Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine
(3:48) 14. Swonderful

From tiny acorns, mighty oaks may grow. Such might describe this project, to feature Laura Taylor in renditions of some of the beautiful songs done in such a sensual style by Julie London. The acorn, or thought, was dropped as a suggestion, that Laura’s voice and style (not to mention looks!) might complement the styling which caused so many college boys to swoon in the 50’s and 60’s (My older brother had the albums: Julie Is Her Name, Vol 1, with Barney Kessel-guitar, Ray Leatherwood-bass, 1955; Julie Is Her Name, Vol 2, with Howard Roberts-guitar, Red Mitchell-bass, 1958, both by Liberty Records). And so the memories of Blue Moon, S ‘Wonderful, Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man of Mine, and the incomparable version of Cry Me a River flashed into warm recollections of October nights on campus and fireside listening sessions on coveted 33-rpm LPs (which had only appeared in 1951).

Laura’s notable collaborations with close friend and very talented guitarist Joe Lano (see: Mountain Greenery, Songs of the Winter Season, etc.) prompted an admirer, Doctor Howard Hoffman, to suggest that the Julie London/Barney Kessel recordings would be a natural for the two of them. Howard, like many others, was under the impression that Kessel was the only guitarist on these two famous recordings. Kessel was, in fact, guitarist on Julie is Her Name, Vol. 1, which included Cry Me a River, but the very talented (though perhaps lesser known) Howard Roberts did the Julie is Her Name, Vol. 2, recording that, according to Joe, had many guitarists rushing to emulate what Roberts had done. Laura and Joe began listening to those wonderful recordings to decide whether to further pursue the idea. But the conclusion was easy-the songs fabulous and still timely, and the fit was right. Typical of their collaborations, Joe and Laura next met with guitar, piano, voice, pencils and score sheets to discuss song selection, key choices and arrangement concepts. Julie made so many fabulous recordings that priorities had to be established. In addition to Julie’s most famous recording, Cry Me a River, Laura and Joe needed to narrow the choices to songs which they could put their own signature on without compromising the original intent of the London-guitar-bass-renditions.

Laura and Joe started to work their usual magic! Some songs were done closely adhering to the original, while others received an entirely different approach. Joe suggested a bossa nova style for Gone With the Wind, a rhythm unknown in the U .S. in the 50's and Laura brought her bossa concept of I’m Glad There is You to the mix, based on an arrangement she conceived while playing and singing at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. To my knowledge, I’m in the Mood for Love has never been recorded as a waltz, another concept Joe and Laura developed in the living room that eventful day. Each song, however, was approached with a respect for Julie’s original interpretation and the warmth and intimacy she created. And from the acorn, mighty oaks may grow!

Two more ingredients were needed to augment this project-the talents of recording engineer T-Bone Demman and his Sonsong’s Studio, where Joe and Laura had recorded two previous and wonderful CDs (see paragraph 2 above)-and one more musician. The instrumentation of Volumes 1 & 2 of Julie is Her Name was the same for both sessions- voice-guitar-bass. The Los Angeles-based Tom Warrington was the one to fill the bass chair. Tom’s articulate yet warm, full sound was the perfect complement to complete the project...   http://laurataylor.com/cry-me-a-river/

Personnel includes: Laura Taylor (vocals); Jay Lano (guitar); Tom Warrington (bass).

Cry Me a River

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One For All - Killer Joe

Styles: Jazz, Post-Bop
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:35
Size: 148,6 MB
Art: Front

( 6:18)  1. Killer Joe
( 6:48)  2. Island
(11:06)  3. Night Mist Blues
( 6:53)  4. Mating Call
(10:33)  5. Hot Sake
( 6:24)  6. Say When
( 7:07)  7. I Remember Clifford
( 6:26)  8. You Know I Care

One for All has developed into one of the solid hard bop units, consisting of six talented New York-based musicians, most of whom have recorded a fair amount as individual leaders. With tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trombonist Steve Davis, and trumpeter Jim Rotundi in the front line, along with pianist David Hazeltine, bassist David Williams, and drummer Joe Farnsworth providing a great rhythm section, the sextet delves into decades-old gems like "Killer Joe," "Matin Call," and "I Remember Clifford" with authority. But such a band needs to come up with original material to stay fresh, so Alexander contributed the mellow, sauntering ballad "Island," which features superb interplay among the horns. Davis penned the driving"Hot Sake," which sounds like it would have been perfect fodder for Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, or any hard bop band. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden   

http://www.allmusic.com/album/killer-joe-mw0000673962.

Personnel: Eric Alexander (tenor saxophone); Jim Rotondi (trumpet); Steve Davis (trombone); David Hazeltine (piano); David Williams (double bass); Joe Farnsworth (drums).

Killer Joe

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Echoes Of Swing - Blue Pepper

Styles: Swing
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:54
Size: 121,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:07)  1. Blue Pepper
(3:45)  2. Azzurro
(3:12)  3. Blue Prelude
(4:00)  4. La Paloma Azul
(3:08)  5. Blue & Naughty
(4:03)  6. Blue Moon
(3:35)  7. Black Stick Blues
(3:30)  8. Blue River
(3:12)  9. Out Of The Blue
(3:44) 10. Aoi Sanmyaku
(2:56) 11. The Smurf
(3:53) 12. Blue Gardenia
(3:17) 13. The Blue Medicine
(3:37) 14. Wild Cat Blues
(3:51) 15. Echoes Of Swing

It's hard to believe at first that there are only four instruments here. The arrangements are so ingenious, and the playing so nimble, that it could be at least twice that number. But listen closely and you will discover just a quartet of trumpet, alto saxophone, piano and drums – with absolutely no electronic tricks. The style is sophisticated small-band swing, the material a judicious mixture of originals and swing-era numbers and there is not a hint of whiskery nostalgia in any of it. It's about time this idiom received some fresh attention and here's the perfect curtain-raiser. ~ Dave Gelly   http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/13/echoes-of-swing-blue-pepper.

Personnel:  Colin T. Dawson / trumpet, vocals on 3, 8 & 12; Chris Hopkins / alto sax; Bernd Lhotzky / piano, celesta on 9; Oliver Mewes / drums

Blue Pepper

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Fraser MacPherson Quintet - Our Blues

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:48
Size: 119,4 MB
Scans:

(2:53)  1. Our Blues
(4:48)  2. Born to Be Blue
(3:51)  3. Whisper Not
(5:14)  4. Round Midnight
(4:57)  5. Louisiana
(4:11)  6. Theme
(3:56)  7. Crazy Rhythm
(5:27)  8. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
(4:43)  9. Woody 'n' You
(5:29) 10. Round Midnight
(6:13) 11. Speak Low

The late Fraser MacPherson (1928-93) was among the most admired musicians in Canadian jazz. A prominent member of the Vancouver jazz scene for over four decades, "Fras" remains a much beloved icon to virtually every Vancouver jazz player that's come along in the last fifty years. As a tenor player from the early 1970s, he earned an international reputation. These marvelous tracks, originally captured by CBC radio, date from 1962 and 1963. Fraser is in great company, including legendary pianist Chris Gage, who has never been previously heard on a commercially released recording, and who was said to be the only serious rival to Oscar Peterson at that time. Sadly, Gage was to take his own life in November 1964. 

After moving to Vancouver in 1948, he studied in NYC (1956-57), and worked for 20 years in local nightclubs, among them the Palomar (1950-54) with Chuck Barber, Bob Reid, and Lance Harrison) and the Cave (1961-63 with Chris Gage, then to 1970 with his own band), where he played with such visiting luminaries as Ella Fitzgerald, Earl Hines, Tony Bennett and Duke Ellington. Concurrently he was a first-call studio musician (saxophone, flute, and clarinet) and occasionally played saxophone with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. MacPherson, with Oliver Gannon, won a Juno Award for Best Jazz Album in 1983 for I Didn't Know About You, (Sackville 4009), was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1987, and won the Oscar Peterson Trophy shortly before his death in 1993.   http://vancouverjazz.com/newcd/2007/05/fraser-macpherson.html

Personnel:  Fraser MacPherson, tenor saxophone; Carse Sneddon, trumpet, valve trombone; Chris Gage, piano; Stan Johnson, bass; Jimmy Wightman, drums

Recorded in Vancouver BC, July 26, 1962 and January 31, 1963

Our Blues

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Tera Johnson - The Other Side

Size: 111,5 MB
Time: 47:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Jazz: Vocals
Art: Front

01. Funny Face (4:06)
02. Love For Sale (4:56)
03. Lovely (4:28)
04. Havin' The Blues (5:34)
05. I've Got You Under My Skin (3:03)
06. The Morning After (3:22)
07. The Other Side (4:47)
08. 'round Midnight (4:58)
09. On A Good Day (3:56)
10. Fly Me To The Moon (3:46)
11. That Man Is Mine (4:53)

Like a shot of espresso to liven your day, jazz and blues vocalist Tera Johnson is small but mighty. She can carry a crowd on the back of her voice without the need of any additive; her performance offers the perfect amount of cream and sugar. Tera's voice soothes and warms a chilly eve and brings a light breeze across a feverish brow, each lyric and note so distinct and heartfelt.

Having over 10 years of professional performance experience from the intimate coffee shops of Central Illinois to the brightly lit stages of Jazz Festivals in Europe and the United States, Tera Johnson has kept a magical memory of each audience for which she has played. Beginning in a big band at her high school, Tera has received awards throughout the state of Illinois for Best Soloist in such jazz competitions as: Western Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and many others. Tera has also traveled around the United States as a guest artist at jazz festivals such as: Festival of the Sea in the Bahamas, the Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, and McGill University Jazz Festival in Montreal, Canada. Forming a jazz quartet in high school, Tera was hired to play at countless wedding receptions, business parties, restaurants, and a variety of other special events.

Moving to Boston, Massachusetts to further her education as a performer, Tera Johnson was accepted and minored in Vocal Performance at the world-famous contemporary arts school: Berklee College of Music. Taking advantage of learning from talented jazz vocalists Mili Bermejo, Maggie Scott, and Donna McElroy, Tera was able to find her niche as a jazz and blues vocalist and develop her own sound and style. Offered the opportunity to perform as a guest artist in Vienne, France at the Vienne Jazz Festival 2001 as well as the Montreux Jazz Festival 2001, in Montreux, Switzerland, Tera spent 2 weeks over seas performing almost daily at different venues for both private parties and festival concerts.

Now residing in Los Angeles, California, Tera has performed as both guest vocalist and featured artist at a variety of venues throughout Los Angeles County. Since her arrival in August 2002, Tera has had the opportunity to perform and study with a variety of musicians already established the Southern California area (John Proulx, Sherry Luchette, Jonah Minton, Tamir Hendelman, Orna, Megan Foley, Nina Beck, and Gaea Schell just to name a few!).

The Other Side

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Gary Smith - Love Will Warm Your Heart

Size: 122,9 MB
Time: 53:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Guitar, Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Everything Happens To Me (5:09)
02. Azur (6:02)
03. I Wish You Love (3:59)
04. A Warm Fire And You (4:14)
05. I'm Confessin' (6:23)
06. Going In Circles (4:25)
07. Darn That Dream (4:07)
08. Purple Rhymes With Orange (6:54)
09. I Love You (5:24)
10. A Warm Wind (6:26)

Originally from a background in commercial music, Gary Smith worked in a wide range of musical situations in the UK and Europe. With the formation of The Acme Quartet in the mid ’70s he moved out of the commercial arena. For around 8 years, until 1990, Gary retreated from recording and live performance. During this period, he studied harmony and counterpoint with composer John South and started developing the technique and approach to playing the guitar he now utilizes.

Since the release of his first solo album ‘Rhythm Guitar’ in 1991 he has worked with, amongst others, John Stevens, Mass, Shoji Hano, Rhys Chatham, Bill Fay, Aufgehoben, and Masayoshi Urabe.

He is known for his dense, contrapuntal style of playing and has been a pioneer in the use of stereo guitar. In recent years he has reduced his use of technology to just guitar, amp and volume pedal, creating sounds similar to prepared instruments, static, mechanical effects, computer generated sounds, birdsong, etc. - these detailed and magnified sounds he combines with the traditional parameters of Western music.

Love Will Warm Your Heart

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Gwen D'Vyne - When I Fall In Love

Size: 80,7 MB
Time: 34:44
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Jazz: Vocals
Art: Front

01. The Very Thought Of You (3:56)
02. You Dont Know Me (4:18)
03. The Nearness Of You (4:16)
04. Dont Know Why (3:03)
05. Cry Me A River (3:40)
06. When I Fall In Love (4:40)
07. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (2:34)
08. Ain't Misbehaven (4:19)
09. What A Wonderful World (3:54)

Romantic, Sophisticated, Entertaining

Gwen D’Vyne sets flame to classic torch songs from eras passed but never out of date.

Soothing and sassy her renditions of songs of love won and lost, sets souls ablaze. Her voice of smoke and tears expresses love and the longing for it in a bluesy, jazzy, sultry way to bring out the sensual tones of the voice. This siren of song touches hearts young and old because love does not discriminate, it calls to us all for all times.

When I Fall In Love

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Mike Fageros - Melange De Jazz / Midnite Tippin'

Album: Melange De Jazz
Size: 143,0 MB
Time: 61:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2007
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ, Guitar
Art: Front

01. Son Of Ice Bag (7:42)
02. Recorda Me (3:57)
03. Rita (Texas Hurricane) (4:44)
04. Minority (5:23)
05. Mad Hatter (4:29)
06. Take Five (4:09)
07. Love Trip (6:11)
08. Prodigal Son (5:08)
09. Song For My Father (5:12)
10. Sunny (4:54)
11. Impressions (7:37)
12. Mars Project (2:05)

MELANGE = MIXTURE, BLEND (action) MIXING OR BLENDING OF JAZZ OR MIXOLOGY AS THE CASE MAY BE.

In this case we are talking about a mix or blend of jazz in regards to instrumentation and the style of jazz.

The first cut, Son of Ice Bag, is a tribute to legendary Hammond Organist Dr. Lonnie Smith. Houston Organist Travis Doyle really does it justice, with Mike taking the first solo in the Melvin Sparks tradition and drummer Andrew Griffin paying tribute to drummer Marion Booker who played on the original cut with Dr. Lonnie. Organist Travis Doyle is also featured on Fageros' composition "Rita" the Texas Hurricane which is a dedication to the citizens of Texas and Lousiana Gulf Coast, who suffered severely as a result of Hurrricane Rita (2005).

Take five, a Brubeck composition is "Funked Up" a la Benson with the same personnel, Mike on guitar, Travis Doyle Hammond B-3 and Andrew Griffin on drums. Hammond Organist Robert Sanders, no stranger to Top Secret(Smokin' on the B-3) is featured on tracks 2,4,5,7 and 8. He also makes his debut as a composer at Top Secret with his soulful "Love Trip" which features some great work by drummer Andrew Griffin. Andrew's discography includes Hammond impressario Joey DeFrancesco and tenor titan Marschal Ivery on the "Marschal meets Joey" CD(Leaning House).

Minority features the same trio, Robert Sanders(Hammond), Andrew Griffin(drums), and Mike on guitar. It really swings as does the remake of the Henderson composition, "Recorda Me, that offers a Latin feel.

We have gone back to the "Cookbook" feel(Dr. Lonnie, George and Marion) to get the "Return of the Prodigal Son", with a great solo by Mike. The Mad Hatter is an original by Mike dedicated to Pat Martino, that has a groove type feel in 6/8 that reminds us of the days when Pat used to play with Organist Trudy Pitts.

Three bonus tracks, Song for My Father, Sunny and Impressions are included with a different core group, Mike on guitar, Spare Time Murray bass and John Fontenot drums. This trio has a great spontaneous feel and check out how they stretch on Impressions.

Last but not least is "Mars Project" a Fageros composition done on electric 12 string which is an experiment into the abstract using consonance and dissonance.

In all, 62 min. and 3 seconds of Melange, we are sure that you the listener will enjoy. All tracks were recorded live in the studio with Mars Project having the only overdubs.

Melange De Jazz

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Album: Midnite Tippin' Vol. 1
Size: 135,0 MB
Time: 58:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ, Guitar
Art: Front

01. Black Nile (5:28)
02. Opus De Don (6:00)
03. The Midnite Tipper (6:40)
04. Voyage (4:57)
05. Tune Up (5:24)
06. Nica's Dream (9:49)
07. Inner Urge (5:17)
08. Lean Years (8:24)
09. Softly As A Morning Sunrise (6:12)

Detroit was the city and Jazz was the game, so when Guitarist Mike Fageros, Organist Chris Codish and Drummer Ron Pangborn hooked up at the Cadieux Cafe on the East Side during Sunday night "Soul Sundays" jazz session, they decided to take it to the next level and record at the "White Room" to make it official.

During one of the coldest days of March 2009, which would have been the third, with the temperature down around 18 degrees, they recorded the first session for the project Midnite Tippin' known herein as Volume I.

Enclosed in the grooves, you will find the warm sounds of their version of the Guitar,Organ,Drums Trio with great arrangements of standards by legendaries including Horace Silver, Pat Martino,Don Patterson, Wayne Shorter,Miles Davis, Joe Henderson and Kenny Barron along with the title track written by Mike Fageros entitled The Midnite Tipper'.

Special thanks go out to Pat Martino, Oksana Neverkovich,John Smerek, Candice Byrd and Jeff Smith at Southwest Recording for help on the project. The title track The Midnite Tipper' is dedicated to Pat Martino.

Midnite Tippin' Vol. 1

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Eva George - An Afternoon With Ella

Size: 88,4 MB
Time: 37:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Vocals
Art: Front

01. An Afternoon With Ella (2:44)
02. Without A Sound (3:36)
03. Just The Way You Are (5:22)
04. On A Wing And A Prayer (2:56)
05. Party For Two (2:19)
06. My Melancholy Baby (3:03)
07. In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town (2:30)
08. Someone To Watch Over Me (3:36)
09. Reminiscing (4:26)
10. I Love You (3:34)
11. Party For Two (Prenez Deux) (3:31)

On Eva’s latest recording, An Afternoon with Ella, she is backed by legendary players including drummer Chester Thompson (Weather Report, Phil Collins), bassist David Hungate (Toto) and Catherine Marx (Reba) on piano. These stellar musicians bring eloquent life and beauty to Eva’s second full-length studio album.

This story of romance is parlayed into songs that look at a lifetime of love, while raising a family, through a nostalgic dialogue. Ella was inspired by the golden anniversary celebration of Eva’s parents. With a graceful view of days gone by, she weaves together a classic vocal jazz album.

Produced with longtime collaborator, Rob Galbraith (Ronnie Milsap), the team develops the story through classics from the American Songbook, adding in self-penned pieces with an instantly timeless feel to tell the personalized tale of her parent’s lives together. Rob states, “It seems Eva has found her niche with these standards plus the ones she wrote; and, her originals more than hold their own even in the presence of such company. Wonderful album to work on with her and the players. A real labor of love. I think you'll enjoy An Afternoon with Ella.” Eva adds, “It was such a beautiful challenge to stay true to the classic vocal jazz/Big Band era, while speaking of my parent’s journey. I have a deep love for this genre because of them, and I wanted to voice their story from an insider’s point of view. To do that I asked each of them about the music in their dating period, how they found the right person and how they raised a family on a shoestring budget. That’s when I knew I had to put pencil to paper. I truly enjoyed creating this vision of enduring love. I hope others can see their own romance in these writings.”

The album includes a smoky jazz homage to their home state of New York, a tale of daydreaming for a man to love, a story or two of living through the lean years and a fresh look at their favorite anniversary song by Billy Joel - with a new vision of the melody. Together, they blend seamlessly to create a timeless tale of love.

An Afternoon With Ella

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Leata Galloway - Sophisticated Lady

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1990
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:54
Size: 108,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:17)  1. Sophisticated Lady
(3:02)  2. I'm Beginning To See The Light
(5:19)  3. I Got It Bad
(3:58)  4. I'll Remember April - Smile
(4:16)  5. In A Sentimental Mood
(3:55)  6. The Man I Love - Lover Man
(4:24)  7. The Lady Is A Tramp
(4:14)  8. Star Dust
(5:37)  9. I Remember You
(6:48) 10. Mist In The Dawn

Leata Galloway a powerfully persuasive singer that musical tastemakers proudly proclaim “a natural.” The Brooklyn-born beauty has wrapped the full spectrum of her chops around every style of music under the sun and around the globe - in topflight musical theatre productions, scintillating headliner concert engagements and mood-drenched movie scores. However, she has always been, first and foremost, a Jazz Singer.  With well over three octaves at her command, Galloway has extraordinary switches of range, mood and idiom.

Across her illustrious career, Leata Galloway has appeared in the musical “Sophisticated Ladies,” followed by her own Japanese import jazz CD Sophisticated Lady (recorded with the trio of pianist Mark Gray, drummer Billy Hart and bassist Tom Barney). That earned her a nomination in Japan’s Swing Journal for Best Female Vocalist.  She also recorded a Big Band album in Germany titled Live from The Hamburg Jazz Gala with The Peter Herbolzheimer All Stars, an international 18-piece aggregation that featured saxophonist Don Menza, trumpeter Chuck Findley, bassist Niels-Henning Osted Pedersen and drummer Grady Tate.  She toured for a year singing behind the legendary pop traditionalist Peggy Lee and later embarked upon a 17 country EuropeanTour with Austrian contemporary keyboard wizard Joe Zawinul’s pan-cultural ensemble The Zawinul Syndicate.

Leata Galloway has come a long way from Harlem where she and an older sister grew up in a volitale environment. “"I could sing ‘Stormy Monday Blues’ and mean it by the time I was 8",” she quips!  Music became Leata’'s salvation, beginning with the Nancy Wilson albums she'’d sneak into her room from her father’s collection to get lost in.

Those gratis lessons paid off big time when Leata went from being a junior in a high school production of the musical theatre classic “Carousel” to the inaugural cast of therevolutionary rock opera “Hair” on Broadway. She stayed for two-and-a-half years and was immortalized on the now-classic RCA Records original cast album. Taken under the wing of one of the show’s composers, Galt McDermott, Leata was the only original cast member featured in the film adaptation over a decade later (singing “Electric Blues”) as well as sing two songs on-screen for the Black screen gem “Cotton Comes to Harlem.”  Many more stage productions followed, from “Don’'t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope” on Broadway to “Golden Boy” off Broadway. A chance role in a small German film led to Leata recording her debut LP, Leata, for Ariola Records – a pop production.

Back in New York, Leata developed her Jazz nightclub act, which brought her to the attention of Dr. George Butler at Columbia Records who signed her after seeing her at Green Street.  However, Leata usurped by the R&B department where a Quiet Storm LP, The Naked Truth, was produced by Nick Martinelli (Phyllis Hyman and Regina Belle) and Preston Glass (Whitney Houston), highlighted by a sensational rendering of “Cry Me a River” (arranged by James Lloyd of Pieces of a Dream). Leata also moonlighted on albums by vibraphonist Mike Mainieri (Love Play) and sax man Tom Scott (Desire).  http://www.leatagalloway.com/#!bio

Sophisticated Lady

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Gato Barbieri - The Shadow of the Cat

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:23
Size: 130,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:00)  1. El Chico
(5:18)  2. The Shadow of the Cat
(5:12)  3. Last Kiss
(4:36)  4. If I Was Your Woman
(5:03)  5. Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire)
(5:18)  6. Beautiful Walk
(4:49)  7. Ai Ai Ai Ai
(5:05)  8. Bliss
(4:37)  9. Para Todos (For Everyone)
(4:01) 10. Blue Habanera
(4:41) 11. Last Tango (Theme From Last Tango in Paris)
(4:36) 12. Si Tu Me Quisieras (If I Was Your Woman)

According to the press biography disseminated with advance copies of Gato Barbieri's Peak Records debut, The Shadow of the Cat, he was nearing 70 at the time of this release (previous published accounts would have put him at only 67) and this is the 50th album on which he is either featured or is the leader. One cannot, then, reasonably expect the old cat to have learned new tricks. Nor has his new label required him to; the company, run by contemporary jazz guitarist Russ Freeman, specializes in a melodic, commercial style of jazz. Producer Jason Miles (whose previous clients include Miles Davis and Luther Vandross) seems to have aimed at re-creating the sound of Barbieri's mid-'70s albums for A&M Records, even to the point of enlisting trumpeter Herb Alpert (the "A" in A&M) as a prominent guest ("Para Todos [For Everyone]" finds Barbieri and Alpert dueling pleasantly) and having Barbieri recut his signature tune, "Last Tango (Theme From Last Tango in Paris)." A bevy of other smooth jazz artists also sit in, including the company head, of course, along with some percussionists enlisted to give the album the appropriate Latin flavor. Buoyed by such support, Barbieri sounds good, soloing warmly throughout the disc, and maybe that's the real story here that, at some point in his late sixties, the veteran musician, bedeviled by health and emotional problems for much of the 1990s, is back to playing in his most appealing style in the 21st century. ~ William Ruhlmann   

http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-shadow-of-the-cat-mw0000225929

Personnel: Gato Barbieri (vocals, tenor saxophone); Lisa Fischer, Cassandra Reed (vocals, background vocals); Jeff Mironov, Russ Freeman , Peter White (guitar); Dal Romeo Lowe, Romero Lubambo (acoustic guitar); Dean Brown (electric guitar); Jason Miles (strings, brass, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion, programming, drum programming, percussion programming); Herb Alpert, Barry Danielian (trumpet); Ozzie Melendez (trombone); Oscar Hernandez (piano, electric piano); Richie Morales (drums, percussion); Steve Wolf (drums, percussion programming); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Sheila E. (congas, percussion); Marc Quiñones, Cyro Baptista (percussion).

The Shadow of the Cat

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Lou Donaldson - Alligator Bogaloo

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:34
Size: 83,5 MB
Art: Front + Back

(6:55)  1. Alligator Bogaloo
(6:47)  2. One Cylinder
(3:34)  3. The Thang (Edit)
(7:22)  4. Aw Shucks
(6:25)  5. Rev. Moses
(4:29)  6. I Want A Little Girl

Alligator Bogaloo is one example of Lou Donaldson's successful combinations of hard bop and soul-jazz. Of the six tunes, three are Donaldson originals, including the title hit. The excellent band, consisting of Melvin Lastin, Sr. on cornet, George Benson on guitar, Lonnie Smith on organ, and Leo Morris on drums, mixes laid-back vamps beneath driving hard bop charts. As the '60s turned into the '70s, Donaldson began shaving off hard bop invention for a more radio-friendly and 45 rpm length, leaving soulful yet monotonous vamping. At that point, Donaldson's material suffered from a lack of originality. That's not the case on Alligator Bogaloo. ~ Al Campebell   http://www.allmusic.com/album/alligator-bogaloo-mw0000198585.

Personnel: Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone); George Benson (guitar); Melvin Lastie (cornet); Dr. Lonnie Smith (organ); Leo Morris (drums).

Alligator Bogaloo

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Lionel Hampton - For The Love Of Music

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:52
Size: 118,7 MB
Art: Front + Back

(4:03)  1. Flying Home
(3:14)  2. Gates Groove
(4:53)  3. Gossamer Wings
(4:50)  4. Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing
(4:07)  5. Time After Time
(5:15)  6. Jazz Me
(4:00)  7. Take The 'A' Train
(7:05)  8. Sweet Lorraine
(5:09)  9. Another Part Of Me
(4:37) 10. Mojazz
(3:35) 11. What A Wonderful World

For his debut on the MoJazz label, the ancient vibraphonist Lionel Hampton was featured with several groups, some more suitable than others. Keyboardist Patrice Rushen largely ruins a funky rendition of "Flying Home" and several of the other songs (the inspid "Jazz Me" and Chaka Khan's feature on "Gossamer Wings") are little more than throwaways. Better is Hampton's collaboration with Tito Puente's band on "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" and his original "Mojazz" even if Grover Washington, Jr., sounds as if he is on automatic pilot on "Another Part of Me." Overall this so-so disc can easily be passed by. ~ Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/for-the-love-of-music-mw0000123064.

Personnel: Lionel Hampton (vibraphone); Johnny Kemp, Chaka Khan (vocals); Chieli Minucci, Chris Taylor, Mike Campbell , Norman Brown (guitar); Mitch Frohman (flute, saxophone); Stevie Wonder (harmonica); Mike Rubino, Joshua Redman, Lance Bryant, Ravi Coltrane, Bobby Porcelli (saxophone); Grover Washington, Jr.

For The Love Of Music

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Nikki Yanofsky - Ella... Of Thee I Swing

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:02
Size: 138,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:24)  1. Lullaby Of Birdland
(4:41)  2. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
(3:24)  3. Swingin' On The Moon
(3:46)  4. You've Changed
(2:28)  5. Flyin' Home
(2:55)  6. Relax Max
(2:15)  7. Old Macdonald
(3:59)  8. Hear Me Talkin' To Ya
(4:41)  9. Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues
(2:56) 10. At Last
(3:35) 11. The Way You Look Tonight
(2:17) 12. A Tisket, A Tasket
(4:57) 13. Over The Rainbow
(3:02) 14. 'deed I Do
(2:22) 15. Vote For Mr. Rhythm
(2:45) 16. Evil Gal Blues
(6:29) 17. With A Little Help From My Friends

In a post-millennium music market, most teen pop personalities are compared to Miley Cyrus before they are compared to Celine Dion. However, Montreal's Nikki Yanofsky's mastered range and voice certainly liken her more to the latter: not to say that she is classic or irrelevant, simply that she has a wicked talent with a mature charisma well beyond her years. This is proven triumphantly on Ella...Of Thee I Swing, a debut that doesn't try to dominate pop radio waves with bubblegum mush, rather one that pays tribute to the classic jazz numbers which have ultimately inspired the cultured teen. Ella is more than just a standard tribute album: it's an 18-track piece of musical magic. The album stands out because of Yanofsky's covers of more mainstream numbers. Few can ever cover original tracks like "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "The Way You Look Tonight," or "At Last" with such awe-inspiring vocals. However, Yanofsky proves that at 15 years old, she can tackle these great numbers effortlessly. Ella...Of Thee I Swing wont have you bopping your head in your car like 95-percent of teen pop stars' music does, but it will make you feel like you are listening to a genuinely fantastic collection of brilliant pop and jazz music, sung through the body of an impressive young talent who, bar none, stands as the best pop voice under 20 in the post-millennium music scene to date. ~ Matthew Chisling   

http://www.allmusic.com/album/ellaof-thee-i-swing-mw0001689340.

Personnel: Howard Forman, Richard White (guitar); Nathalie Bonin, Valérie Belzile (violin); Ligia Paquin (viola); Christine Giguère (cello); Sean Craig, François d'Amours, Richard Beaudet (saxophone); Jocelyn Lapointe, Andy King, Oscar Martinez (trumpet); Serge Arsenault, André Verreault , Bob Ellis (trombone); Paul Shrofel, Josh Rager (piano); Bob Goldfarb (Hammond b-3 organ); Geoff Lang (drums); Aldo Mazza (percussion).

Recording information: Les Studios Piccolo, Montreal, Quebec (02/2007); Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place Des Arts, Montreal, Quebec (02/2007); Les Studios Piccolo, Montreal, Quebec (10/11/2007); Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place Des Arts, Montreal, Quebec (10/11/2007).

Ella... Of Thee I Swing

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Charlie Byrd - Brazilian Byrd

Styles: Brazilian Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:05
Size: 84,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:23)  1. Jazz 'N' Samba (So Danco Samba)
(2:56)  2. Corcovado
(2:32)  3. That Look You Wear (Este Seu Olhar)
(2:48)  4. The Girl From Ipanema
(2:25)  5. Samba Do Aviao (Song Of The Jet)
(2:25)  6. Engano
(3:12)  7. O Amor Em Paz
(3:57)  8. Dindi
(2:23)  9. Cancao Do Amor Demais
(4:05) 10. As Praias Desertas
(2:18) 11. Samba Torto
(3:14) 12. Someone To Light Up My Life (Se Todos Fossem Iguais A Voce) [Album Version]
(2:21) 13. Engano

The arrangements by Tommy Newsom for strings, brass, and woodwinds may be a bit sweet and the 13 performances (which on the CD reissue include a previously unreleased take of "Engano") may be overly concise (often under three minutes), but the resulting music is strangely pleasing. Acoustic guitarist Charlie Byrd always had a strong affinity for Brazilian jazz, and he sticks exclusively to Antonio Carlos Jobim songs (including "Só Danço Samba," "Corcovado," "Dindi," and "The Girl from Ipanema") during this tasteful and melodic effort. Truly beautiful music. ~ Scott Yanow  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/brazilian-byrd-mw0000311294.

Brazilian Byrd

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Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza

Styles: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:56
Size: 156,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:39)  1. Ponta De Areia
(3:46)  2. I Know You Know
(3:57)  3. Fall In
(7:27)  4. I Adore You
(8:01)  5. Body & Soul
(4:29)  6. She Got To You
(4:24)  7. Precious
(6:57)  8. Mela
(5:47)  9. Love In Time
(4:40) 10. Espera
(7:33) 11. If That's True
(5:11) 12. Samba Em Preludio

For the purist who wants to know what all the excitement is about Esperanza Spalding, they can skip directly to track 11 "If That's True" of her sophomore album Esperanza, where she works out on the acoustic bass in an all-out jam with Donald Harrison on alto saxophone and Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet. It flat-out smokes, and showcases the Berklee-trained bassist as potentially one of the more promising young talents in jazz. First though, she's going to have to decide whether she's a bassist who sings, or a singer who plays bass. She may choose to be both, but while Spalding is a capable vocalist, she has a long way to go before she becomes an exceptional one. As a bassist, she's much closer. As the principal musician, songwriter, composer and producer, Esperanza Spalding might have been better served to have an executive producer supervising. There is a lot of ground covered here; and while she's brimming with ideas, this album is crying out for some judicious editing. You can hear the joy and passion of this 23-year-old talent, and you certainly can't criticize her for enthusiasm. The trouble is Spalding doesn't know when to quit when she's ahead. Clocking in at over an hour in length, she doesn't really have enough first-rate material to justify the running time. Some of the songs go on too long, meander tediously and become a bit repetitious. Spalding's intentions never seem less than a willingness to please and demonstrate her considerable chops, but she doesn't yet know that more isn't always better. 

Sometimes more is just more, and a little restraint could have boosted Esperanza from "pretty good" to "great." Spalding's vocals are best when she's scatting and freestyling on "I Adore You" and "Cuerpo Y Alma," with the latter built around Leo Genovese's piano, Otis Brown's drums and her bass. Singing in Portuguese without lyrics serves Spalding well, because while her singing is pretty and occasionally even soars, her range is limited and some of the lyrics are a bit humdrum. On the outstanding "Mela," Spalding allows Akinmusire's trumpet to take the lead as she dutifully holds the bottom down and drummer Horacio Hernandez madly pounds the hell out of his kit. This track and "If That's True" are the strongest indicators of how "bad as she wanna be" Spalding is when she plays within the dynamics of the group and is not the star attraction. Blessed with talent, youth, training and outrageously good looks, Spalding is a young woman ready to make some noise, and is here to stay in the jazz world. If she can just check some of her excesses and play to her strengths, she's going to be making more and better music for a long time to come. ~ Jeff Winbush   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=29444#.Uy25B4UqPro
 

Personnel: Esperanza Spalding: vocals, acoustic bass; Leo Genovese: piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer; Gretchen Parlato; background vocals; Jamey Haddad: percussion; Otis Brown: drums, background vocals; Horacio Hernandez: drums; Donald Harrison: alto saxophone(6,11); Ambrose Akinmusire: trumpet (8,11) ; Nino Josele: guitar (12).

Esperanza

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The Chad Rager Modern Big Band - In The Club... Live

Styles: Big Band
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:14
Size: 147,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:05)  1. Straight No Chaser
(5:05)  2. The Heat's On
(5:47)  3. Zomba Bomba
(3:53)  4. Sing, Sing, Sing
(7:18)  5. Squid Cakes
(9:08)  6. St. Bernard
(5:51)  7. Smile
(4:15)  8. Smile Again
(5:22)  9. Pyramid Of Pachiderms
(6:16) 10. Chicklets
(7:09) 11. Whipping Post

The title of this album is only half right. Chad Rager's Ohio-based aggregation may be modern, but it isn't big. There are only seven players, with one more added for "Chicklets" which keeps it out of the big-band category, even though on occasions it sounds as if some ringers have been added. Rager's Louis Bellson-influenced drums are the engine that propels and drives the band down a road of progressive, contemporary arrangements that combine ingredients of jazz, swing, and rock. Where Rager is the catapult, Chris Karlic's baritone sax and Kurt Felgamacher's electric bass are the ammunition that feeds the musical cannon. A bari sax in the lead gives the band a unique sound. "Squib Cakes" exposes Ragers's rock roots with licks provided by Brooke Hopkins' keyboards, making this the wildest ride on the album. 

There are benefits to a smaller than usual "big band" as there is little conflict in handing out solo time with plenty for everybody. Karlic's ever present baritone is especially rough, ready, and guttural on Sammy Nestico's "The Heats On." Rager takes a my-hands-are-so-fast-you-can-hardly-see-them solo on "St. Bernard," dedicated to a major influence on the drummer, tap dancer Steve Condos. This track is also the vehicle for an imaginative solo by Steve Enos. "Smile" is an opportunity for everyone to relax with a traditional big-band swing arrangement with the plunger-muted trombone of Pat Haleran taking the lead. This live performance creates an infectious mood of excitement and enthusiasm with the audience. Nonetheless, more needs to be heard from this group before a definitive conclusion on their capabilities can be made. But if this album is any indication, the outlook is promising. ~ Dave Nathan   http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-the-clublive-mw0000033383

In The Club... Live

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Delbert Bump Jazz Organ Trio - Organ~ization

Size: 151,4 MB
Time: 65:06
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. In The Zone (3:38)
02. Sunny Sun (4:53)
03. Sea Of Trains (6:19)
04. Quiet Intrusion (9:18)
05. Bud Powell (5:02)
06. Funkajun (5:42)
07. Autumn Leaves (9:15)
08. Organ~ization (4:14)
09. 'Round Midnight (6:17)
10. Tally Ho (3:42)
11. Kinda Cool (6:40)

Personnel:
Babatunde - drums
Delbert Bump Jazz Organ Trio - organ
Steve Homan - guitar

Although somewhat obscure, Delbert Bump is a fine organist in the tradition of Jimmy Smith. Organ-Ization music is bluesy and swinging style is soulful and perfectly suited to this set of mostly basic originals. Organ-Ization songs Guitarist Steve Homan offers a contrasting solo voice and some solid rhythm playing while drummer Babtunde keeps the proceedings swinging with solid forward momentum. The music is a bit derivative and perhaps predictable, but it is enjoyable overall and easily recommended to fans of Jimmy Smith and the grooving jazz organists of the 1960s.

Organ~ization

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Michael J McEvoy - The Long Way Home

Size: 96,2 MB
Time: 41:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Contemporary Jazz
Art: Front

01. The Long Way Home (Feat. Gerard Presencer) (5:03)
02. Dreams Dispersed (Feat. Jason Rebello & Ben Castle) (4:53)
03. Silverlink Express (Feat. Nigel Hitchcock) (4:53)
04. The Lamp On The Hill (Feat. Nigel Hitchcock) (3:47)
05. A Lighter Shade Of Blue (5:00)
06. Shadows Of The Truth (Feat. Gerard Presencer) (5:45)
07. Stillness And Being (Feat. Gerard Presencer) (3:49)
08. When I Get My Wings (3:32)
09. Dreams Dispersed - Reunited (Feat. Rafiki Rhymes) (4:45)

Michael is an award-winning composer, orchestrator and multi-instrumentalist. His credits include performing, writing and producing music for film and TV, as well as working with some of the biggest names in pop music.

Drawing on a lifetime s experience of working as sideman to some of the great names of soul jazz and as a composer for film and TV, Michael J McEvoy has finally found his way home to his love of jazz. These two strands to his career have meant he has been able to call upon the services of a stellar cast of UK jazz musicians to play a series of original pieces that spread their wings beyond the normal forms and references found on many jazz releases. The sketches at the root of these compositions have grown in mood and tone, becoming immensely satisfying on the ear whilst retaining a solid groove. It may have been a long way home, but McEvoy has arrived.

Review:
This has got instant appeal. And it s over far too soon. With a melodic 1970s vibe to start with on the title track opener and Gerard Presencer s bluesy horn commentary over a strong rhythm section of pianist McEvoy joined by Empirical bassist Tom Farmer and the Golden trio s James Maddren this is the former musical director of Steve Winwood s time to shine. --Stephen Graham, Marlbank

It s certainly one to put you in the right mood before a big night on the town. --Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise

4 Stars This is an exciting and varied album, the best of British modern jazz, with thanks to the crowd-funding which helped to pay for it. --Ron Burnnett, The York Press

The Long Way Home

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