Mark Dorricott & Vocalatti - Into The Night

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:03
Size: 119,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. Just Cruisin'
(3:56)  2. Desert Time
(3:03)  3. You Take Me There
(3:22)  4. End Of Time
(2:58)  5. Into The Night
(3:20)  6. Deep Desert
(6:24)  7. Dreamsville
(4:23)  8. Midnight Mood
(3:27)  9. Too Much Time
(5:28) 10. Sands Of Time
(4:50) 11. Back To Nature
(3:26) 12. Sea Of Tranquillity
(4:06) 13. Fragment

Here’s a first collaborative album ‘Into the night‘ with original songs by Vocalatti (songwriter/vocals) and Mark Dorricott (songwriter/instrumentals). The album takes you into the night and beyond, with smooth electric fender rhodes keys (Mark Dorricott)and late night sultry vocals (Vocalatti) ,washing over you, calming even the most tense mind, leaving you chilled and relaxed.

For all you night time lovers, this is the album for you. Put the lights down low… and sit back and relax.  http://www.loungemasters.org/frw/2014/07/02/into-the-night-by-mark-dorricott-vocalatti/

Into The Night

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Terry Gibbs Big Band - Live At The Summit In Hollywood

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 79:32
Size: 182.1 MB
Styles: Big band, Swing
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:04] 1. Day In, Day Out
[3:42] 2. Summit Blues
[2:43] 3. Limerick Waltz
[5:17] 4. You Don't Know What Love Is
[2:49] 5. Sweet Georgia Brown
[2:50] 6. Nose Cone
[4:00] 7. Too Close For Comfort
[4:32] 8. Main Stem
[4:33] 9. Ja-Da
[5:40] 10. T And D
[3:02] 11. Tico Tico
[3:41] 12. Big Bad Bob
[4:26] 13. The Big Cat
[5:12] 14. Soft Eyes
[3:52] 15. Billie's Bounce
[2:49] 16. Pretty Blue Eyes
[3:34] 17. I'll Take Romance
[2:53] 18. Do You Wanna Jump, Children
[4:16] 19. Nature Boy
[3:36] 20. Jump The Blues Away
[2:52] 21. Sleep

Big-band jazz gains a dimension when it is energized by a brilliant central virtuoso like Terry Gibbs, and he self-evidently sparked these live sessions, wailing in front of a fine band with the kind of men and arrangements that suited him perfectly. What registers so vividly is that, although this splendid band had only worked together sporadically, it had a pervasive group feeling and a cohesion and excitement that were communicated with vitality and fervor by the superb ensemble playing and consistently high quality blowing by Bill Perkins, Joe Maini, Conte Candoli, Richie Kamuca, Frank Rosolino, and Pat Moran.

What also made their sound so infectious was their swinging arrangements, deftly wrought by top writers like Bill Holman, Al Cohn, Manny Albam, and Shorty Rogers. This is a true picture of how this band really sounded, thanks to the work of the great sound engineer, Wally Heider, which so vibrantly brought it to life in its transfer from The Summit night club on Sunset Blvd., where it was recorded in excellent stereo sound. It is indisputably one of the best big band efforts in Terry Gibbs’ illustrious history as a top jazzman and band leader.

Al Porcino, Conte Candoli, Ray Triscari, Frank Huggins, Stu Williamson (tp), Frank Rosolino, Vern Friley, Bob Edmondson (tb), Joe Maini, Charlie Kennedy, Bill Perkins, Richie Kamuca (saxes), Terry Gibbs (vib), Pat Moran (p), Buddy Clark (b), Mel Lewis (d)

Live At The Summit In Hollywood

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Birgitte Lyregaard - Blue Anemone

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:14
Size: 110.4 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[5:22] 1. Forgetful
[0:50] 2. Do It Again
[4:19] 3. Den Blå Anemone
[7:33] 4. But Beautiful
[5:37] 5. Nantes
[6:31] 6. Monk's Mood
[2:37] 7. Being Green
[7:40] 8. I Thought About You
[4:12] 9. I've Grown Accustomed To His Face
[3:28] 10. Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Birgitte Lyregaard, (born in England 1973) Is a versatile vocalist as well as a composer, lyricist and storyteller and is equally at home in the world of jazz, impro, deep pop and concert tales.

She was made at sea, born in London, grew up in Denmark and studied at the Conservatories in The Hague and Rotterdam in Holland obtaining her Jazz Vocal Master in 2004. Birgitte has returned to Denmark in spring 2011 after having lived and worked for three years in Paris, France.

Blue Anemone, the title song of the cd ”and in Danish "Den blå anemone”, is a Danish song about maintaining hope through times of darkness. Planting a seed in unfamiliar ground and thinking that the roughness and incompatibility of the surrounding elements will be the end of this fragile existance. But come spring, surprise and joy, a spot of sky blue breaks through the soil. Even stronger from resistance this beautiful flower reminds us that there is always a way up and out, no matter how impossible things may seem and that flowers can survive to spread hope and joy in even the most unlikely places.

Though today she is also active with musical projects of different genres (impro, deep pop, poetry rock) her intial love - the jazz standard - has never seized to fascinate and occupy her. So with this trio Birgitte Lyregaard (w. Alain Jean-Marie, piano and Alexandra Grimal, saxophones) gets lost in the American Book of Standards, the bare, re-defined essentials of the soul of the jazz ballads.

Recording information: Herman Van Hove's Place, Kapellen, BE (05/01/2010).

Blue Anemone

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Sal Salvador - Frivolous Sal

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 35:38
Size: 81.6 MB
Styles: Bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 1956/2008
Art: Front

[3:11] 1. Frivolous Sal
[3:04] 2. Tangerine
[3:36] 3. I Cover The Waterfront
[3:23] 4. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
[2:34] 5. You Could Swing For That
[4:00] 6. All The Things You Are
[4:14] 7. Salaman
[3:35] 8. A Handful Of Stars
[3:08] 9. I Love You
[4:49] 10. I Remember April

A versatile guitarist and onetime head of the guitar department at the University of Bridgeport, Sal Salvador was a capable soloist and accompanist whose single-string style, shaped by his early interest in the music of Charlie Christian, was augmented by extensive studies of guitar technique. Salvador's years of research, playing, and analysis eventually led to his writing guitar methodology books, among them Sal Salvador's Chord Method for Guitar and Sal Salvador's Single String Studies for Guitar in the '50s and '60s. He became interested in jazz during his teens, and began playing professionally in Springfield, MA, in 1945. He worked with Terry Gibbs and Mundell Lowe in New York at the end of the '40s, then joined Stan Kenton's orchestra in 1952. Salvador worked with Kenton until the end of 1953, and appeared on the New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm album. He led bebop bands featuring Eddie Costa and Phil Woods. Salvador was featured in the film Jazz on a Summer's Day and headed a big band in the late '50s and early '60s. He worked in a guitar duo with Alan Hanlon in the early '70s, and began recording again as a leader later in the decade. He re-formed his big band in the '80s, and was named to his position at the University of Bridgeport. Salvador led recordings for Blue Note (1953), Capitol, Bethlehem, Decca, Jazz Unlimited, Dauntless (1963), Bee Hive, GP, and Stash; he died September 22, 1999, at the age of 73. ~bio by Ron Wynn

Frivolous Sal

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Lisa Bassenge - Won't Be Home Tonight....

Styles: Latin Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:12
Size: 147,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:38)  1. Won't Be Home Tonight..
(3:50)  2. It's Raining
(3:38)  3. Sleep
(6:24)  4. In Between Days
(6:17)  5. Overload
(5:06)  6. The Thrill Is Gone
(2:28)  7. Crazy
(4:48)  8. Little Lover
(4:53)  9. I'd Never Have to Go
(4:36) 10. There Must Be an Angel Playing With My Heart
(3:56) 11. Junimond
(5:21) 12. My Heart Belongs to Daddy
(2:59) 13. Ohne Dich
(5:12) 14. Adeus

Lisa Bassenge is a 30 years old versatile singer. The Lisa Bassenge Trio is the “band” used to release jazz songs where you can also hear Paul Kleber on upright bass. In 2004 they recorded their third critically acclaimed album “three”. Lisa is also singing with the german bands “Micatone” and “Nylon”. Paul Kleber plays bass, percussion; he studied classical and jazz doublebass but he likes playing jazz much more. Besides the Lisa Bassenge Trio he also recorded two CDs with Nylon and two with Jazz Indeed. During Micatone shows you can see him also playing triangle and drums on a second drum set together with Tim Kroker (another member of the Micatone project). The Lisa Bassenge Trio has build himself a solid reputation in Berlin’s clubs, thanks to a “playlist” that takes inspiration from the biggest names in jazz and pop, filtering them through the really unique and emotional voice of Lisa and the musical taste of her collaborators. Bio ~ http://www.last.fm/music/Lisa+Bassenge+Trio/+wiki

Won't Be Home Tonight

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Lee Gibson - The Nearness Of You

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:13
Size: 126,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:36)  1. Time After Time
(4:07)  2. Never Let Me Go
(5:43)  3. They Can't Take That Away from Me
(4:46)  4. Good Morning Heartache
(4:21)  5. Here's That Rainy Day
(5:06)  6. Nice 'n' Easy
(3:09)  7. The Lady Is a Tramp
(5:40)  8. A Foggy Day
(4:01)  9. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
(5:36) 10. The Nearness of You
(4:23) 11. Teach Me Tonight
(4:42) 12. I Only Have Eyes for You

'Lee Gibson is a nationally and internationally acclaimed jazz singer who has delighted critics and fans alike with her wonderful voice; innate sense of swing and dynamic stage presence. She is justly renowned for her musicality and the originality of her interpretations. Lee has appeared at all the major jazz venues and festivals throughout the UK also headlining festivals in Australia and performing throughout Europe. As well as working with her own trio and quartet; Lee is a highly respected and accomplished big band vocalist and has worked with all the major bands in the UK and Europe. When performing with the Danish Radio Big Band, their conductor, the late Thad Jones described her as a "truly marvellous jazz singer".' ~ Bio http://www.jazzcds.co.uk/artist_id_72/biography_id_72

The Nearness Of You

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The Modern Jazz Quartet - Concorde

Styles: Cool Jazz
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:33
Size: 83,9 MB
Art: Front

(7:11)  1. Ralph's New Blues
(4:31)  2. All of You
(5:10)  3. I'll Remember April
(7:59)  4. Gershwin Medley
(7:58)  5. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise
(3:41)  6. Concorde

After issuing 10" EPs for several years, Concorde (1955) marked two significant touchstones in the five-plus-decade career of the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ). One of those was the replacement of co-founder Kenny Clarke (drums) with former Lester Young quintet member Connie Kay (drums), who joined in time for the other hallmark -- this, the MJQ's very first full-length long-player. Kay remained with the combo for the better part of four decades, until his passing in 1994. The transition between percussionists is both smooth as well as sensible. Kay's understated rhythms and solid timekeeping are perfectly suited to the clever arrangements and sophisticated sound of Milt Jackson (vibraphone), John Lewis (piano) and Percy Heath (bass). 

One MJQ constant is the blend of classic covers and stunning original compositions that comprise their releases. Concorde is certainly no exception as the effort kicks off with a mid-tempo Jackson's "Ralph's New Blues." Immediately, Kay's contributions are ample yet discrete, as he interacts with a consistent backbeat, supporting the tasty vibe runs and improvisations from the tune's author. The title track "Concorde" is the other tune to be derived from within the band. Lewis' effervescent syncopation drives through the heart of the melody, with the pianist laying down essential interplay. Once again Kay impresses with well-placed ringing interjections that never overpower the soloist.

Most notable among the reworked popular standards are the slightly brooding opulence of Cole Porter's "All of You" and the fugal, if not slightly Third Stream approach taken on "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise" from the short-lived collaborations of Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II. However, the centerpiece is undoubtedly the four selections within the "Gershwin Medley." The interpretations of "Soon," "For You, For Me Forevermore," "Love Walked In" and "Our Love Is Here to Stay" are nothing short of definitive. They collectively provide keen insight into the inner-workings of the MJQ and their collective abilities to improvise with purpose, rather than simply combining aimless solos. All manner of post-bop jazz listeners will find much to enjoy throughout Concorde. ~ Lindsay Planer  http://www.allmusic.com/album/concorde-mw0000192242

The Modern Jazz Quartet: John Lewis (piano); Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Percy Heath (bass); Connie Kay (drums).

Concorde

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Jacob Fischer Trio - My Romance ~ Tribute To Bill Evans

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:31
Size: 148,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:25)  1. You And The Night And The Music
(4:26)  2. Haunted Heart
(5:24)  3. Nardis
(3:43)  4. I Fall In Love Too Easily
(3:36)  5. Show Type Tune
(7:02)  6. My Foolish Heart
(3:54)  7. Interplay
(4:43)  8. My Romance
(6:37)  9. Time Remembered
(6:37) 10. Waltz For Debby
(4:29) 11. How My Heart Sings
(5:49) 12. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(2:40) 13. Polkadots And Moonbeams

Danish native Jacob Fischer is a rising star and one of the most in-demand jazz guitarists in Scandinavia and Europe. Born in 1967, the self-taught guitarist began working as a professional when he was 17 years old, and since then has participated in over 200 recordings. His fifth album as a leader, and his debut from the Japanese label Venus Records, is an ambitious project: A tribute to Bill Evans with a simple trio with Martin Wind on bass and Tim Horner on drums. Their efforts are a success on many levels. On some tracks, they succeed because they use completely different approaches from those used by Evans in his well-known recorded performances. Examples of these include the unsentimental, hard-boiled approach of the opening track and the imaginative collective improvisations on "Nardis." On a few other tracks including "My Foolish Heart," they succeed to recreate the mood and atmosphere of the legendary Bill Evans trio with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian despite the difference in the leading instrument. http://www.elusivedisc.com/Jacob-Fischer-Trio-My-Romance-Tribute-To-Bill-Evans-180g-LP/productinfo/VENLP0077/.

Personnel: Jacob Fischer, guitar; Martin Wind, bass; Tim Horner, drums

My Romance ~ Tribute To Bill Evans

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Julie Kelly - Stories To Tell

Size: 112,3 MB
Time: 48:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1994
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. The Surrey With The Fringe On Top (2:54)
02. Long Ago And Far Away (3:36)
03. Tomorrow (4:56)
04. My Man's Gone Now (5:37)
05. When In Rome (4:54)
06. Inside A Silent Tear (3:54)
07. Royal Garden Blues (4:17)
08. A Sleepin' Bee (4:17)
09. Billie's Bounce (3:35)
10. The Day It Rained (4:33)
11. Only Trust Your Heart (5:33)

This CD finds singer Julie Kelly in prime form. With the assistance of Bill Cunliffe on piano and synth, either Tom Warrington or John Clayton on bass, drummer Joe LaBarbera and several guests (guitarist Larry Koonse, tenorman Bob Sheppard, trumpeter Clay Jenkins and percussionist Brian Kilgore), Kelly creates fresh interpretations of such songs as "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top," "Long Ago and Far Away," "A Sleepin' Bee" and a boppish "Royal Garden Blues." Most unusual is her transformation of "Tomorrow" (from Annie) into jazz. An excellent showcase for the talented singer, who both scats well and interprets lyrics with sensitivity. ~Review by Scott Yanow

Stories To Tell

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Organ Trio East - Chemistry

Size: 156,3 MB
Time: 67:06
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Modern Creative Jazz
Art: Front

01. Lost In The Schade (8:01)
02. New Horizons (7:54)
03. Quietly (9:44)
04. Waiting For Spring (6:26)
05. Jaybird (8:13)
06. In The Moment (6:35)
07. A Place To Call Home (6:12)
08. Wandering (7:13)
09. What The Frack (6:45)

Organ Trio East (Vonada, Steve Adams on organ and Jim Schade on drums), recently released a CD, “Chemistry.”

The tunes on “Chemistry” are all original compositions by Vonada and Adams. The CD was recorded at Adams’ home in Danville on Jan. 8 and Feb. 24. Over past several years, the trio had been playing these tunes at gigs and then decided they needed to document what they had been doing.

“As a musician, you are only as good as the people you play with, and these gentlemen are top-notch musicians who I am honored to be making music with,” Vonada said. “They have played with cats such as Dave Liebman and Larry McKenna. Their artistry on this recording is amazing, and I thank them for their hard work and creativity.”

In addition to Organ Trio East, Vonada plays in Organ Trio West, and a quartet combination of trombone, guitar, bass and drums. He also is involved in duos of trombone and guitar or trombone and keyboard called Swing-Nova.

“Personally, I put pressure on myself when I record, which can be good and bad,” he said. “This is my fourth record, so I think I’ve gotten better and I think this is the best I’ve sounded at this point in my career.”

“This region needs to experience more jazz, and I want to help out and continue to grow our audience and bring this music to the State College region and beyond,” he said. “The audience member is the most important part of what we do; without them, we are just practicing in our house. The arts need to play a role in our lives and in public schools, and there needs to be an appreciation so that we have an audience in the future.”

Chemistry

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Ann Malcolm & Florian Favre Duo - Essence

Size: 81,7 MB
Time: 35:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. How Deep Is The Ocean (3:20)
02. I'm Blue (2:57)
03. Unintended (4:01)
04. A Child Is Born (3:30)
05. Jitterbug Waltz (2:54)
06. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (3:31)
07. Something Worth Waiting For (Con Alma) (3:13)
08. St. Louis Blues (4:59)
09. My Ship (2:59)
10. Cycle (3:41)

Ann Malcolm can look back on an impressive, colourful career as a singer and saxophonist. Her roots are in Iowa USA, but for many years she has been living and working in Europe, where she maintains close contact with the up-and-coming names in the jazz scene through her teaching activities.

The Swiss pianist and composer Florian Favre is one of those talents who has drawn the attention of the artist Ann Malcolm. Florian Favre seems to be almost obsessed by piano; always on the quest for new tones, he finds his adventures between the notes of the keyboard. And at the same time, he also pursued a career as a professional footballer (with very good results) right up until his graduation.

Essence

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Floriano Inacio Jr. - Attitude

Size: 143,1 MB
Time: 61:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Brazilian Jazz & Rhythms
Art: Front

01. Vila Fachini (4:35)
02. Cote D'azur (5:13)
03. Ja Sei Que E (3:58)
04. Attitude (5:50)
05. Sera Que E Sambista (6:23)
06. Pino De Gente (5:37)
07. Algarve (5:50)
08. Santa Cecilia (4:30)
09. Mythen (4:28)
10. Joaozinho (6:03)
11. Maestro Alba (4:13)
12. A Flor Da Pele (5:07)

At the age of six, in the decade of 80, in São Paulo, the boy Floriano Inácio Júnior gains of the father two unusual toys: a small accordion and a tambourine. The boy put aside them to, six years after, have a new contact with the cavaquinho and discover the music as vocation. Today, with 27 years old, the piano keeps company with the cavaquinho as his two work instruments in Switzerland, where he lives since 1999.

At the age of 12, the paulistano starts to play and accompany singers in the city. With a keyboardist colleague of a samba group, he realizes that he had a way with the keyboard. He starts to play every night in Santana, quarter of São Paulo´s capital. In this interval he meets the musicians Luís Cláudio e Denden, two lovers of choro. In São Paulo, he starts to play at RG Samba and travels all over Brazil with groups like Soweto (Belo), Gamação and Moleque Travesso. He begins to interest oneself in jazz, when he knows the maestro Louis Alba, on of his mentors.

In 1999, he receives an invitation to present in Switzerland. Back to Brazil he is invited to play again in the country and decides to study there. In his academic resumé appear the Geneva Conservatory of Music, in the professional class of jazz, and the Musikhochschule Luzern. In Switzerland, Floriano played with musicians of the caliber of Ademir Cândido, Rodrigo Botter-Maio, Diana Miranda, Rubens Jacob, Rafael Lima, Rogério Botter-Maio and Realce band. And he played in places like the pubs Bird"s Eye (Basel) and Moods (Zürich) and the Luzern Theater. He still participated of festivals like Montreux, Bellinzona, Le Locle, Flims, Verona, Barcelona, Coubur and Trier.

Attitude

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Jacqueline Tabor - The Jazz In You: Live At The Seattle Vespers

Size: 122,3 MB
Time: 52:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (Live) (3:33)
02. Close Your Eyes (Live) (3:31)
03. April In Paris (Live) (4:57)
04. Speak Low (Live) (4:56)
05. The Jazz In You (Live) (6:57)
06. One Note Samba (Live) (3:44)
07. Fly Me To The Moon (Live) (3:54)
08. Autumn Leaves (Live) (6:10)
09. Under The Spell Of The Blues (Live) (2:40)
10. Nature Boy (Live) (4:09)
11. No More Blues (Live) (4:14)
12. You've Changed (Live) (3:39)

On January 5th of 2014 at the Jazz Vespers concert series Jacqueline Tabor, Alexey Nikolaev, Randy Halberstadt, Mark Ivester and Clipper Anderson performed for a live audience in the beautiful First Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington. Without much preparation we created some pretty good music. With the help of Jim Wilke this concert was recorded live! The sound quality is so good that now it could be turned into a CD Project that was funded via Kickstarter and a lot of help from my friends and family. This will be my second album and right now I am calling it The Jazz in You” Project which is dedicated to all of the wonderful women in my life both past and present: Patricia J. Young, Dorothy Pounds, Edmonia Jarrett, Carol Tabor, and Shirley Cline.

The Jazz In You

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Jackie McLean - Makin' The Changes

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 35:38
Size: 81.6 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1957/2006
Art: Front

[8:30] 1. Bean And The Boys
[7:06] 2. What's New
[2:56] 3. I Never Knew
[5:05] 4. I Hear A Rhapsody
[5:25] 5. Jackie's Ghost
[6:34] 6. Chasin' The Bird

Makin' the Changes features altoist Jackie McLean in two different settings. On three selections -- a rollicking "Bean and the Boys," an up-tempo "I Never Knew" and "I Hear a Rhapsody" -- McLean teams up with pianist Mal Waldron in a quartet with bassist Arthur Phipps and drummer Art Taylor. The other three numbers ("What's New," " "Chasin' the Bird" and McLean's original "Jackie's Ghost") have more of a jam session feel, and feature McLean in a sextet with trumpeter Webster Young, trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Gil Coggins, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Louis Hayes. In general, the hard bop music is swinging and fairly advanced, a step above the usual jam sessions of the time. ~Scott Yanow

Makin' The Changes

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Alexia Gardner And Offbeat Trio - Chasing Hope

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 57:23
Size: 131.4 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:43] 1. Forbidden Fruit
[2:55] 2. Dont Get Around Much Anymore
[4:36] 3. Island In The Sun
[4:51] 4. Love For Sale
[5:55] 5. Nearness Of You
[4:13] 6. Fool On The Hill
[3:08] 7. Blue Moon
[4:19] 8. Chasing Hope
[4:25] 9. Everyday I Have The Blues
[4:52] 10. Love's Devine
[5:37] 11. Alvaneu
[2:36] 12. Moon River
[2:29] 13. Railroad Track
[2:35] 14. Mo Betta Blues

Alexia Gardner's new album - Chasing Hope - was recorded over two, warm, sunny days in the offBeat Studios of Switzerland’s St Gallen region. This is a gentle departure from Alexia’s first two albums. These were recorded in front of a live audience whilst living and touring Asia . With the new album, Alexia has had the luxury of selecting her musicians and musical standards – old and new – and presenting them in a studio setting. Chasing Hope moves from straight ahead Jazz to smooth Pop Ballads; from Cole Porter’s, 'Love For Sale' to Seal’s, 'Love Divine', from Rodgers and Hart’s timeless 'Blue Moon', performed in a Latin style, to the smooth rendition of Hoagy Carmichael’s, 'The Nearness Of You'. There is also a touch of Gospel and a sprinkling of the Blues!

'Chasing Hope' is the title track and one of the four original tunes featured on the recording. Alexia wrote this tune. It's all about a spunky 8-year old girl called Hope. She wrote this tune with gifted New Yorker, Oliver Von Essen, whilst living and touring in Shanghai, China. Have a read about this fascinating little girl called Hope at www.alexiagardner.com

Alexia is joined by the offBeat Trio on this recording, musicians she has been performing with throughout Switzerland (and neighbouring countries) since her move to this country with her husband in late 2006. They are Marcel Schefer on Piano, Kalli Gerhards on Bass and Beat Fraefel-Haering on drums. Special guests featured on the album are Pius Baumgartner on Tenor Saxophone. He perfroms on Forbidden Fruit, the opening funky, origianal track written by London based, songwriter and pianist, Alex Webb. Pius Baumgartner is also featured on the tracks - 'The Nearness Of You' and Branford Marsalis' 'Mo Betta Blues'. Alexia wrote some lyrics to go hand in hand with this moody, bluesy instrumental classic. Paula Gardner and Alexia Hope are guest Backing Vocalists on the tune 'Island In The Sun'. This is a tribute to Alexia's Jamaican heritage. Fittingly, these guests are also of Jamaican origin. Paula is Alexia's gifted, younger sister and Alexia Hope is the very same 'Hope' that is the inspiration for the title track 'Chasing Hope'. Alexia's spunky 8 year old niece!

Enjoy every moment! This is truely a smoking cd! It's as warm, sunny and fun as the two warm, sunny days that it took to record this album over in Switzerland's western countryside!

Chasing Hope

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Sounds Of Swing - Swinging On A Clear Day (2-Disc set)

27 big band numbers on 2 CDs studio recorded by a 17-piece orchestra and vocalist that have been performing for 15 years.

Album: Swinging On A Clear Day (Disc 1)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:21
Size: 101.5 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2007

[3:19] 1. On A Clear Day
[3:28] 2. When Your Lover Is Gone
[2:32] 3. Blue Moon
[3:16] 4. Laura
[2:55] 5. South Of The Border
[2:54] 6. A String Of Pearls
[4:11] 7. The Very Thought Of You
[2:50] 8. Stompin' At The Savoy
[3:54] 9. Our Love Is Here To Stay
[3:26] 10. Stormy Weather
[2:12] 11. Candy
[3:50] 12. Look For The Silver Lining
[2:44] 13. Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries
[2:42] 14. Artistry For Trumpets

Swinging On A Clear Day (Disc 1)

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Album: Swinging On A Clear Day (Disc 2)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:10
Size: 98.8 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[2:45] 1. How High The Moon
[3:48] 2. The Man I Love
[4:08] 3. When You're Smilin'
[1:58] 4. A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square
[3:46] 5. Cherry
[3:56] 6. Night Train
[3:05] 7. A Foggy Day
[2:41] 8. In This Whole Wide World
[3:22] 9. Cheek To Cheek
[3:38] 10. I've Got You Under My Skin
[3:28] 11. Cherokee
[2:37] 12. Orange Colored Sky
[3:52] 13. In The Mood

Swinging On A Clear Day (Disc 2)

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Valerie Gillespie - It Takes A Village

Styles: Vocal And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:18
Size: 179,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:36)  1. Nature Boy
(5:35)  2. A Night In Tunisia
(4:58)  3. I've Got The World On A String
(8:42)  4. Spain
(5:14)  5. Blame It On My Youth
(7:09)  6. Peel Me A Grape
(5:07)  7. Cherokee
(6:55)  8. Poinciana
(4:39)  9. Joy Spring
(5:17) 10. Someone To Watch Over Me
(3:51) 11. The Folks Who Live On The Hill
(4:57) 12. I Love Being Here With You
(3:56) 13. When October Goes
(6:16) 14. Joy!

Valerie Gillespie's first appearance in The Villages was on June 1st, 2004. The reception was enthusiastic. Six Months later she was invited by The Jazz Lover's Club to return and it was SRO! Her ensemble continues to draw spirited, delighted and responsive devotees every weekend at a local venue in what has become an 'open ended' engagement. Now we have this recording of a spectacular live performance at The Villages, which features a happy sampling of the tunes that have enchanted our audiences over the past year! Why is the Valerie Gillespie Ensemble so endeared by Villages Jazz Lovers? That's easy- Listen to the recording! First of all, they swing like crazy! Further, Ms. Gillespie and her charges approach their material in the sam no-nonsense, sans-gimmick manner reminiscent (but still VERY original) of the acclaimed 'straight-ahead' Jazz masters of the past. Woodrow Wilson (Woody) Herman used a term to describe one of his later herds that we believes very appropriate here; "Relentless!" 

A close listen to the contents of this CD reveals, (and of course is even more evident in person), the strident effort by Valerie and her bandmates to respect the composers' original material, while subsequently pursuing it, via improvisation, with a goal of creating a new masterpiece. This approach (essentially the definition of the jazz genre) persists, whether it be a warm, sensitive vocal ballad like 'The Folks Who Live on the Hill' or a real steamer like 'Cherokee!' The relatively mature Villages Jazz crowds have been weaned on this standard and for many it has been missing from their life experience for quite a spell, especially the 'in-the-flesh' versions. The ensemble fulfills that pent-up demand with a flourish! I think it is fair to say that Ms. Gillespie and her cohorts understand, and perhaps more importantly, genuinely respect the gratitude and affection the have been afforded here. Ergo: 'It Takes a Village...' Jazz endures! HAppiness Abounds!  This CD is dedicated to my mother, Jeanne, who was a constant source of inspiration for me, and to my dad, Chuck, who loved her more than life itself. Together they were 'The Folks Who Live on the Hill'. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/valeriegillespie14

It Takes A Village

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Doris Cales - ...And All That Jazz (Disc 1) And (Disc 2)

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:28 (Disc 1)
Size: 122,5 MB (Disc 1)
Time: 46:57 (Disc 2)
Size: 107,6 MB (Disc 2)
Art: Front

Disc 1

(5:41)  1. I'm Not Blue
(3:19)  2. For Onced In My Life
(3:47)  3. Moon Over Bourbon Street
(4:25)  4. Looking For Another Love
(5:29)  5. If I Asked You
(4:26)  6. Our Love Is Here To Stay
(4:52)  7. Past Time Paradise
(5:35)  8. Everything Happens To Me
(3:30)  9. Indelible
(3:51) 10. Night And Day
(4:34) 11. God Bless The Child
(3:54) 12. You know It's Right

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Disc 2

(5:55)  1. Lucky So And So
(3:37)  2. Ain't Nobody's Business
(5:44)  3. When I Fall In Love
(6:17)  4. As Time Goes By
(4:35)  5. Ain't Necessarily So
(6:13)  6. The Shadow Of Your Smile
(4:55)  7. The Fool On The Hill
(4:07)  8. That's All
(5:30)  9. Somewhere Over The Rainbow

A voice and an 8-string guitar. Doris Cales and Dan Rochlis. Two native New Yorkers with a common passion: Broadway and cinema musicals. The songs they heard a thousand times in films like “The Wizard Of Oz”, “Breakfast In Tiffany’s”, “Casablanca” have become their Leif motif in this occasion. Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Duke Ellington, they all wrote songs that were used in films where we could see Fred Astaire swishing Ginger Rogers around a dance floor, or Frank Sinatra doing what he did best. A handful of beautiful songs that ring of ball rooms, silk gowns and champagne. With Doris Cales’ elegant voice and persona and Dan Rochlis’ talent, we are assured glamour and show biz in “ALL THAT JAZZ”. http://www.doriscales.com/bioeng.html

...And All That Jazz  (Disc 1)

...And All That Jazz  (Disc 2)

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The Warren Vaché & John Allred Quintet - Top Shelf

Styles: Bop, Big Band
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:33
Size: 166,4 MB
Art: Front + Back

(5:04)  1. Top Shelf
(6:04)  2. Sweet Pumpkin
(4:43)  3. Aussieology
(7:51)  4. Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues
(5:39)  5. Moonlight in Vermont
(4:30)  6. Tiny Capers
(5:26)  7. The Best Thing for You
(6:12)  8. Spontaneous Combustion
(5:12)  9. By Myself
(5:35) 10. My Romance
(5:47) 11. Whisper Not
(5:09) 12. East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)
(5:15) 13. A Parisian Thoroughfare

Warren Vaché and John Allred have played numerous times together, working at jazz parties and club dates, as well as making an earlier CD for Arbors. Accompanied by pianist Tardo Hammer, bassist Nicki Parrott, and drummer Leroy Williams, they explore more than a few forgotten gems that have plenty of potential, starting with the snappy rendition of trumpeter Blue Mitchell's "Top Shelf," a breezy bop vehicle with on-the-money ensembles and tight solos all around. Thelonious Monk's "Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues" is one of his less frequently performed works, but the quintet plays it with the wry sense of humor that is a part of many of the jazz legend's pieces.

Cannonball Adderley's sassy, loping blues "Spontaneous Combustion" is full of fire, while Parrott's bop vehicle "Aussieology" crackles with energy as well. There are a number of familiar songs as well. The interplay between the leaders is the highlight of the standard "By Myself." The quintet begins with a free-form introduction to "Parisian Thoroughfare" that is somewhat reminiscent of the hilarious duo recording by Jaki Byard and Roland Kirk, though their interpretation is at a far more relaxed tempo, much like a brisk stroll that still allows time to see the sights. Top Shelf is a welcome alternative to the many jazz CDs of all originals by young unknowns or all familiar repertoire by artists of all ages. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/top-shelf-mw0002014682.

Personnel: Warren Vaché (vocals, cornet); John Allred (trombone); Tardo Hammer (piano); Leroy Williams (drums).

Top Shelf

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Theo Croker - Afro Physicist

Styles: Jazz, Soul, Funk
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:21
Size: 142,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:00)  1. Alapa (For Doc)
(5:37)  2. Realize
(6:14)  3. It's Not You, It's Me (But You Didn't Help)
(3:23)  4. Light Skinned Beauty
(4:43)  5. Wanting Your Love
(5:31)  6. Save Your Love for Me (feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater)
(6:38)  7. Visions (feat. Stefon Harris)
(4:35)  8. The Fundamentals
(4:53)  9. Roy Allan (feat. Roy Hargrove)
(3:23) 10. Moody's Mood for Love (feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater)
(5:30) 11. I Can't Help It (feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater)
(2:50) 12. Bo Masekela

New Album from Trumpet Phenom that blends Soul, Jazz and Funk. Produced by and Featuring the Legendary Dee Dee Bridgewater. Plus Special Guests Stefon Harris and Roy Hargrove. Enter the AfroPhysicist trumpeter/composer Theo Croker. Coming straight out of Leesburg, Florida by way of Shanghai, China, this bold young soul-jazz newcomer, grandson of New Orleans trumpet legend Doc Cheatham, is fortified by tradition with no lack of contemporary electricity to propel him into the future. His trumpet pops over rock guitars and roaring organs, floats on the ballads and bops along on straight ahead swing. Croker deftly bridges generation gaps on Afro Physicist, his first album for OKeh Records, produced by Dee Dee Bridgewater for her DDB Records imprint. On Afro Physicist, Theo's music literally shape-shifts without pause through twelve captivating selections; from the solo opening "Alapa (For Doc)"(dedicated to Cheatham) to the funk-rock furnace blast "Realize" to the dreamy "Wanting Your Love." 

The album includes three vocals sung by Bridgewater including the classic "Moody's Mood For Love," and Michael Jackson's "I Can't Help It," flipped here into a sizzling Afro-Cuban whirlwind. Afro Physicist also features vibraphonist Stefon Harris on a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Visions" and trumpet veteran Roy Hargrove performing on one of Croker's compositions, "Roy Allan." Theo will be touring the U.S. both on his own and with Dee Dee Bridgewater throughout 2014 including an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival on August 1. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/AfroPhysicist-Theo-Croker/dp/B00HQUQQEG

Afro Physicist

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