Friday, September 26, 2014

Joe Wilder - Such A Beautiful Sound

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:24
Size: 171,0 MB
Art: Front

( 6:05)  1. How High the Moon
( 6:25)  2. I Think of You with Every Breath I Take
(10:42)  3. Cherokee
( 5:04)  4. Prelude To A Kiss
( 4:31)  5. My Heart Stood Still
( 8:26)  6. Six Bit Blues
( 4:31)  7. Mad About The Boy
( 5:02)  8. Darn That Dream
( 2:51)  9. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
( 2:41) 10. There Will Never Be Another You
( 2:47) 11. Moonlight in Vermont
( 3:16) 12. I Can't Believe That You're in Love
( 4:01) 13. Used Blues
( 3:01) 14. Tea For Two
( 4:54) 15. Delta Blues

In 1953, Joe Wilder (Colwyn, Pennsylvania 1922), an ex-Basieite trumpeter with extensive big band experience, settled in New York to play for pit bands, TV, and to do studio recording work. Wilder s reputation as a valuable sideman became increasingly impressive, more so with each new appearance on record, and for good reason. On the opening session of this set recorded in November 1955 Wilder is guested on two standards with the superb trio of Hank Jones, Wendell Marshall and Kenny Clarke, the Savoy label s house rhythm section. They proved an ideal support for Wilder s delightfully musical sensibility, something triumphantly confirmed a few weeks later when they backed Wilder on his own solo debut album, N Wilder... a wonderfully individual session on which he displays the rare combination of flowing, singing lines and drive, strength and swing. Mature and impressive at any tempo, Wilder s beautiful, big-toned sound, and fresh, creative conception shines especially on ballads. 

On the last date, we find the trumpeter back in the fall of 1954, when he played as a sideman of a sextet headed by Pete Brown, an unjustly neglected, tastefully jumping alto saxophonist, who made his leader debut on record for Bethlehem with the 10 album Peter the Great. On a well-chosen programme of standards and blues, both hornmen display a skilled range of ability at an easy, conversational level, well supported by a good rhythm section featuring brief but excellent contributions by guitarist Wally Richardson, and Wade Legge, Dizzy Gillespie s pianist. At a time when many styles were blurring into each other, Wilder was maturely his own man, with such a beautiful sound. Still active in 2013 he is a true living legend of the trumpet. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Sound-Wilder-Brown-Sextet/dp/B00HT4M21K

Featuring: Joe Wilder (tp), Pete Brown (as), Hank Jones, Wade Legge (p), Wally Richardson (g), Wendell Marshall, Gene Ramey (b), Kenny Clarke, Rudy Collins (d)

Harry James - Flying Home With Harry James

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:09
Size: 113,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:06)  1. Music Makers
(4:06)  2. Bangtail
(2:56)  3. Cherry
(2:19)  4. Trumpet Blues
(3:40)  5. Ultra
(3:04)  6. You Made Me Love You
(2:50)  7. Ciribiribin
(2:42)  8. Palladium Party
(1:52)  9. Sleepy Time Gal
(2:55) 10. Two O' Clock Jump
(3:02) 11. Flying Home
(1:54) 12. Sharp As A Tack
(3:20) 13. Laura
(2:00) 14. Six Jerks In A Jeep
(3:08) 15. Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree
(3:10) 16. Carnival
(2:58) 17. Here's One

Harry James was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader in a traveling circus, the Haag Circus. His mother was an acrobat and horseback rider. According to the Bill Sterns Sports Newsreel broadcast on 9/12/1942, on which James appeared, he was saved from being trampled, at the age of 6, by his mother's horse after performing with the horse. By the age of 10 he was taking trumpet lessons from his father, who placed him on a strict daily practice schedule. Each day, James was given one page to learn from the Arban's book and was not allowed to pursue any other pastime until he had learned that particular page.In 1931 his family settled in Beaumont, Texas. It was here, at 15 years of age, that James began playing in local dance bands. 

James played regularly with Herman Waldman's band, and at one performance was noticed by nationally popular Ben Pollack. In 1935 he joined Pollack's band, but at the start of 1937 left to join Benny Goodman's orchestra, where he stayed through 1938. He was nicknamed "The Hawk" early in his career for his ability to sight-read. A common joke was that if a fly landed on his written music, Harry James would play it. His low range had a warmth associated with the cornet and even the flugelhorn, but this sound was underrecorded in favor of James' brilliant high register.In January 1939 James debuted his own big band in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but it didn't click until 1941 when he added a string section. This big band became known as Harry James and His Music Makers. His hit "You Made Me Love You" was in the Top 10 during the week of December 7, 1941. He was in two featured roles in two films, Private Buckaroo and Springtime in the Rockies. He toured with the band into the 1980s. He started recording with the minor label Varsity in 1940. 

To this day, the Harry James Orchestra still exists with Fred Radke as their lead. His was the first "name band" to employ vocalist Frank Sinatra, in 1939. James signed Sinatra to a one year contract, of which Sinatra worked seven months before going to sing for Tommy Dorsey He wanted to change Sinatra's name to 'Frankie Satin' but Sinatra refused. His later band included drummer Buddy Rich. His featured vocalist was Helen Forrest. Johnny MacAfee was featured on the sax and vocals and Corky Corcoran was a youthful sax prodigy. His orchestra succeeded Glenn Miller's on a program sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes in 1942, when Miller disbanded his orchestra to enter the Army. A major reason James disbanded his big band group in 1946 was lack of income, so James decided to call it quits. After disbanding his band, he continued his career in a smaller jazz group, Harry James and His Music Makers. He played trumpet in the 1950 film Young Man with a Horn, dubbing Kirk Douglas. In the album from that movie, he backed Doris Day and the album charted at #1.James's recording of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" appears in the motion picture My Dog Skip (2000). His music is also featured in the Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters. James recorded many popular records and appeared in many Hollywood movies. James was married three times. He married singer Louise Tobin on May 4, 1935, and they had two children. They divorced in 1943. 

That same year, he married actress Betty Grable. They had two daughters, Victoria and Jessica, before divorcing in 1965. James married a third time in 1968 to Las Vegas showgirl Joan Boyd, whom he would divorce in March 1970. Contrary to some assertions, he did not marry a fourth time. He had five children (two by Tobin, two by Grable, one by Boyd) and (as of his death) 16 grandchildren.James owned several thoroughbred racehorses that won races such as the California Breeders' Champion Stakes (1951) and the San Vicente Stakes (1954). He was also a founding investor in the Atlantic City Race Course. His knowledge of horse racing was demonstrated during a 1958 appearance on The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour entitled "Lucy Wins A Racehorse. " In 1983, James was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, but he continued to work, playing his last professional job on June 26, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, just nine days before his death in Las Vegas, Nevada. The job had become his final performance with the Harry James Orchestra. He died exactly 40 years after his marriage to Betty Grable (July 5, 1943), who was buried exactly 30 years after that date (July 5, 1973). Frank Sinatra gave the eulogy at the funeral, held in Las Vegas. Bio ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_James

Hank Jones - Handwritten

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:16
Size: 180,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:58)  1. Without A Song
(6:40)  2. Soul In 3/4
(3:18)  3. Birds Of A Feather
(3:17)  4. Waycross Walk
(7:39)  5. You've Changed
(2:58)  6. On The Alamo
(4:53)  7. Get Set
(4:12)  8. My Romance
(3:06)  9. Avalon
(3:05) 10. Some Other Spring
(7:22) 11. My One And Only Love
(4:08) 12. Blue Lou
(4:05) 13. Lonely Moments
(3:23) 14. What Will I Tell My Heart
(6:43) 15. In a Sentimental Mood/ Mood Indigo/ Azure
(2:36) 16. Bye and Bye, When the Morning Comes
(3:51) 17. Too Marvelous for Words
(2:52) 18. Indiana

The oldest of the Jones brothers, Hank Jones has been a supreme accompanist and underrated soloist. He's among the most accomplished sight readers in jazz, and his flexibility and sensitive style have kept him extremely busy cutting sessions and working in various groups and styles ranging from swing to bebop. He's worked with vocalists, played in big bands and done many solo, trio, and combo dates.

Born in 1918 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Jones moved with his family to the Detroit area while still a child, and studied piano early, listening carefully to Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Earl Hines, and Fats Waller. He began playing in the midwest at age 13, and worked in territory bands. Jones met Lucky Thompson in one of these groups, and Thompson invited him to New York in 1944 to work with Hot Lips Page at the Onyx Club. Jones worked for a while with John Kirby, Howard McGhee, Coleman Hawkins, Andy Kirk, and Billy Eckstine, then began touring in 1947. He worked with Jazz at the Philharmonic, then accompanied Ella Fitzgerald from 1948 to 1953. Jones also cut many sessions for Norman Granz's labels in the late '40s and early '50s, many with Charlie Parker. 

He worked and recorded in the '50s with Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Lester Young, Milt Jackson, and Cannonball Adderley before joining CBS' staff in 1959. He worked on such programs as The Ed Sullivan Show and stayed with CBS until they disbanded the staff in 1976. He recorded several sessions with Savoy in the mid- and late '50s, playing with Donald Byrd, Herbie Mann, Wendell Marshall, and Kenny Clarke, among others. He also recorded solo and quartet dates for Epic. His quartet with Osie Johnson, Barry Galbraith, and Milt Hinton became one of New York's busiest during the early '60s, sometimes doing three dates a day. They cut albums for Capitol and ABC in 1958, though Galbraith missed the ABC sessions. Jones continued recording at Capitol, Argo, and Impulse in the early '60s, at times working with his brother Elvin. He made a host of recordings in the '70s. There were solo dates for Trio and Galaxy, and trio sessions for Interface and Concord, among others in the '70s. There were duo dates with Flanagan for Verve and Galaxy in the late '70s. Jones served as pianist and conductor for the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin in the late '70s. 

He also played in the Great Jazz Trio, originally with Ron Carter and Tony Williams. (Buster Williams replaced Carter on the trio's first recording date.) Jones continued with the trio into the '80s, though Eddie Gomez and Al Foster later became his mates, and Jimmy Cobb replaced Foster in 1982. The trio also backed Art Farmer, Benny Golson, and Nancy Wilson. Jones was the resident pianist at the Cafe Ziegfeld in the early '80s, and toured Japan with George Duvivier and Sonny Stitt. He kept his recording blitz going into the digital era. In 1989, he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master. In 2004, he was awarded as an ASCAP Jazz Living Legend; five years later, he received a National Medal of Arts; and in 2009, Jones earned a Lifetime Achievement award at the Grammys. One year later, he died in the Bronx while in hospice, just a few weeks after returning from performance dates in Japan. Bio ~  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/hank-jones/id121180#fullText

Handwritten

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Pete Allen - 21 Years On

Size: 171,4 MB
Time: 73:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Struttin' With Some Barbecue (7:28)
02. Tishomingo Blues (7:07)
03. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie (5:35)
04. Mood Indigo (7:59)
05. When You're Smilling (4:34)
06. Petite Fleur (3:50)
07. Swanee River (7:55)
08. Old Rockin' Chair (5:01)
09. Rosetta (6:09)
10. Under The Bamboo Tree (4:24)
11. All The Girls Go Crazy 'bout The Way I Walk (6:24)
12. Muskrat Rumble (7:07)

Pete Allen is regarded as one of Europe's most talented and exciting masters of the clarinet. In 1976 he joined Rod Mason and two years later formed his own professional band. He brought together a musical style and stage presence that has created an enthusiastic following from both the traditional jazz fans and those who simply enjoy happy music and songs for both listening and dancing.

As a boy, Pete grew up with jazz. He studied the music of all the old time music greats, especially Ed Hall and Sidney Bechet two great legends of American jazz clarinet and soprano saxophone, although Pete has never tried to copy their style but has developed his own quite unique, exciting sound.

Over the years Pete has appeared on many television and radio shows, both with his own band and as a solo artiste. He has topped the bill in those magical homes of jazz, St. Louis, Sacramento and of course, New Orleans, where he was awarded an Honorary Citizenship for his services to jazz music. In the mid eighties he was chosen to lead the Worldwide All Stars at the jazz Jubilee in Sacramento. More recently, Pete has been selected to play for the European Top Eight Jazz Band in Germany, on a number of occasions, and the Philips International All Stars in Holland and also fronts the London Paris All Stars and his own chosen European Swing Band. In 2013 Pete continues to lead his own band and appears as a guest soloist or with his own solo music show and now plays a number of shows with Jazz Pianist Dave Browning and the World Class Banjoist Sean Moyses. Throughout his career Pete appeared as featured soloist alongside these American Jazz Greats:- 'Peanuts' Hucko, Bud Freeman, Bob Wilbur, Marty Grosz, Billy Butterfield, Barrett Deems and Jack Lesberg and played a number of times with the late British Jazz Trumpet star Kenny Ball.
For over five years he also found time to present his own jazz programme for BBC Radio. For all 'live' performances Pete thrills audiences around the World with his own style of jazz clarinet combined with a slick fast moving entertaining show of light hearted humour and happy foot-tapping jazz songs. He is a personality in British Music who is eager to please an audience whatever the situation either leading his band, as a guest soloist or with his unique solo music show.

21 Years On

VA - Trini Lopez, Jose Feliciano & Pepe Haro: Latin Guitar

Size: 175,4+175,1 MB
Time: 74:33+74:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Latin, Rock
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Jose Feliciano - Light My Fire (3:06)
02. Trini Lopez - Cuando Caliente El Sol (2:26)
03. Pepe Haro - Vistalegre (Buleria) (4:24)
04. Trini Lopez - America (3:29)
05. Jose Feliciano - California Dreaming (3:59)
06. Trini Lopez - Quando Calienta El Sol (2:30)
07. Jose Feliciano - La Bamba (2:55)
08. Trini Lopez - Perfidia (2:38)
09. Pepe Haro - La Caravana Rumbera (Rumba) (4:10)
10. Trini Lopez - Kansas City (3:15)
11. Trini Lopez - Adalita (1:55)
12. Jose Feliciano - Rain (2:38)
13. Trini Lopez - Lemon Tree (2:50)
14. Trini Lopez - If I Had A Hammer (3:01)
15. Jose Feliciano - This Could Be The Last Time (3:50)
16. Pepe Haro - A Mi Padre (Taranta) (6:20)
17. Trini Lopez - El Condor Pasa (2:55)
18. Jose Feliciano - Daniel (3:50)
19. Trini Lopez - Gonna Get Along Without You (1:55)
20. Pepe Haro - Reflejo Salino (Alegrías) (5:09)
21. Trini Lopez - Amor (1:59)
22. Pepe Haro - Tangos Del Foro (Tangos) (5:07)

CD 2:
01. Trini Lopez - Quizas, Quizas, Quizas (1:58)
02. Pepe Haro - Pani (Seguiriya) (4:15)
03. Jose Feliciano - Right Here Waiting (4:22)
04. Trini Lopez - Besame Mucho (2:43)
05. Jose Feliciano - Stay With Me Baby (4:46)
06. Trini Lopez - Guantanamera (3:12)
07. Jose Feliciano - Volvere (4:05)
08. Trini Lopez - La Bamba (4:19)
09. Pepe Haro - Donana (Fandangos) (3:28)
10. Trini Lopez - Bye Bye Blondie (2:19)
11. Jose Feliciano - You Send Me (4:05)
12. Trini Lopez - Shame And Scandal (2:22)
13. Trini Lopez - Angelito (2:54)
14. Jose Feliciano - Jealous Guy (4:49)
15. Trini Lopez - Blowin' In The Wind (2:42)
16. Trini Lopez - Corazon (4:22)
17. Pepe Haro - Sentires Y Quereres (Buleria) (4:55)
18. Trini Lopez - Granada (3:31)
19. Jose Feliciano - Time After Time (3:19)
20. Trini Lopez - Cielito Lindo (2:05)
21. Trini Lopez - This Land Is Your Land (3:50)

Trini Lopez (born Trinidad López III, 15 May 1937) is an American (chicano) singer, guitarist and actor. Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, UK on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. Lopez made his name on the club circuit of the Southwestern United States before being 'discovered' in 1962 playing at the club PJ's in Hollywood, California, by record producer Don Costa.

José Montserrate Feliciano García (born September 10, 1945), better known simply as José Feliciano, is a Puerto Rican virtuoso guitarist, singer and composer known for many international hits, including his rendition of The Doors' "Light My Fire" and the best-selling Christmas single "Feliz Navidad".
Feliciano was born in Lares, Puerto Rico, on September 10, 1945. Left permanently blind at birth as a result of congenital glaucoma, he was first exposed to music at age 3; he would play on a tin cracker can while accompanying his uncle, who played the cuatro.[2] When he was 5, his family moved to Spanish Harlem, New York City, and at 9 he played the Teatro Puerto Rico in The Bronx.

Pepe Haro, guitarist and songwriter from Madrid. It begins with the Maestro Alejandro Manzano , who passed the traditional techniques of the Flamenco guitar, and introduces the famous Academy Amor de Dios in Madrid, where he will learn the accompanying dancing with dancers such as Tati, Ciro , Maria Magdalena , etc.

Latin Guitar CD 1
Latin Guitar CD 2

Karen Lane Organ Project - Two Steps From The Blues

Size: 113,4 MB
Time: 48:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin (4:58)
02. Don't Explain (4:52)
03. A Handful Of Soul (4:18)
04. Two Steps From The Blues (4:56)
05. Easy Street (5:02)
06. I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (4:39)
07. All Night Long (5:15)
08. Gravy Waltz (3:24)
09. Make Sure You're Sure (3:02)
10. He Was To Good To Me (3:18)
11. Sugar In My Bowl (5:02)

A Hammond organ and Jazz guitar lovers delight, of moody blues tinged songs to soothe the brooding soul. Topped with Lane's sensually funky vocals and John Hoare's mellifluous trumpet licks.

This recording was inspired by one of my favorite albums of all time “Sarah Sings Soulfully” recorded in 1963. I had wanted for years to explore a line up featuring Organ, Guitar and Drums as the main backing section for a vocal album with horns featured as well in the line up. I had done many gigs ending with a blues tune, and people often asked my why I didn’t do a blues album or more blues tunes in my set. It was often “Sugar in My Bowl” (Nina Simone) featured on this album or “Baby, Baby All the Time” which was brought to my attention by the wonderful Shirley Horn – who I was lucky enough to perform see “live” in 2000 during a fleeting visit to Washington D.C at the Bohemian Caverns.

This recording features the amazing Canadian born guitarist, Dominic Ashworth who I have worked with for many years, and has more recently been getting the attention he so deserves from the mainstream British press. Nic France (Loose Tubes, Terry Callier, Tanita Tikaram) whose sensitive and intuitive drumming and percussion has featured on my other recordings. Hammond Organ player Pete Whittaker – well known in London as one of the best and busiest organ players. Just a day in the studio was all we had and so the vibe of the rhythm section is reflective of a “live” sound. John Hoare is a sensitive yet inventive player trumpet player, whose tasteful licks and solos provide the perfect foil. The repertoire is drawn from inspirations thanks to Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Horn and Miriam Aida.

Two Steps From The Blues

Illinois Jacquet Big Band - Live In Berlin 1987

Size: 146,8 MB
Time: 63:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Big Band
Art: Front

01. Robbin’s Nest (Live) ( 3:33)
02. Jacquet’s Got It (Live) ( 4:44)
03. Smooth Sailing (Live) ( 7:21)
04. Old Man River (Live) ( 4:31)
05. More Than You Know (Live) ( 5:47)
06. Stompin’ At The Savoy (Live) ( 4:37)
07. Blues From Louisiana (Live) ( 5:36)
08. Perdido (Live) (10:22)
09. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (Live) ( 6:19)
10. Three Buckets Of Jive (Live) ( 6:44)
11. Flying Home (Live) ( 3:48)

In 1981 tenor Sax legend Illinois Jacquet pursued his career-long dream of assembling a truly great big jazz band in the tradition of his mentors, Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, bands with whom he recorded and toured in his youth. He would apply all the wisdom and experience he gleaned as their sideman, as well as from his years of leadership over his many small groups, and would include songs he made famous with his 'little big band' of the 1940s. The Illinois Jacquet Big Band was filled with luminaries and young stars, but unfortunately would only record one studio album entitled Jacquet's Got It on Atlantic Records, in 1987. Here, for the first time in history, we have a snapshot of what that band was like on the road, playing live In Berlin at Philharmonic Hall. As listeners will easily hear, this band rocked the house, and swung hard! Illinois himself is in rare form, playing soulfully and strong, ripping through all his classics with fervor and fire. These wonderful arrangements are mostly by the pen of Eddie Barefield, Wild Bill Davis, and Phil Wilson. Featured here within the band are veterans such as Irvin Stokes, Johnny Grimes, Richard Wyands, Eddie Barefield, Rudy Rutherford, and Babe Clarke; as well as young lions such as Frank Lacy, Joey Cavaseno, Jesse Davis, and Henry Scott.

Live In Berlin 1987

Leslie Odom Jr. - Leslie Odom Jr.

Size: 81,3 MB
Time: 35:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Look For The Silver Lining (4:21)
02. Joey, Joey, Joey (4:12)
03. Cheer Up Charlie (3:30)
04. Love Look Away (2:56)
05. The Guilty Ones (2:42)
06. I Know That You Know (Feat. Elew) (4:25)
07. Sarah (4:16)
08. Song For The Asking (Feat. Nicolette Robinson) (2:29)
09. Wild Is The Wind (6:06)

"This album is an amazing second release for Borderlight Entertainment. Leslie Odom Jr. is a perfect mixture of the classic smooth vocal, and modern soulful sensibility. Such a cohesive, complete album. They don't make 'em like this anymore!!!! Until now that is!" ~Mr. Meowsington

Leslie Odom Jr. is an accomplished singer and dancer and Broadway veteran, who made his Broadway debut at 17 playing "Paul" in Rent.

Born in New York. Grew up in Philadelphia with his parents and little sister. Attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Graduated and moved to Los Angeles in the summer of 2003. Graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon University's prestigious School of Drama. Turned down the role of "Mereb" in the original cast of AIDA to continue his studies at CMU. Was a 2002 Princess Grace Award winner for Acting. His talented Freshman class at Carnegie included Josh Groban, Katy Mixon, Brennan Hesser, Griffin Matthews, Audra Blaser, Rory O'Malley, and Josh Gad.

Leslie Odom Jr.

Joyce Breach - Moments Like This

Size: 137,2 MB
Time: 59:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. A Journey To A Star (3:48)
02. I Like You, You're Nice (2:23)
03. Moments Like This (4:16)
04. I'm In Love Again (4:52)
05. (There Ought To Be A) Moonlight Saving Time (3:28)
06. Waiting For The Train To Come In (3:53)
07. Dancing On A Dime (4:25)
08. They Say It's Wonderful (4:50)
09. Sunday Afternoon (3:49)
10. I'll Only Miss Him When I Think Of Him (4:59)
11. Inside A Silent Tear (3:52)
12. Where Can I Go Without You (5:01)
13. That's For Me (3:03)
14. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) (6:35)

Singer Joyce Breach lives in New York. Winner of the 2000 MAC Award for Best Jazz Performer and winner of the 1998 Bistro Award for Best CD, This Moment, she is an accomplished and sophisticated interpreter of classic American popular song. Before moving to New York in the 1990's, she was a well-known singer of long-standing reputation in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA when she began to develop a more national profile with her first CD for Audiophile Records, released in 1992. In the fall of 1992, she made her New York debut at the Mabel Mercer Foundation Cabaret Convention in Town Hall. On October 25, 2002, Joyce was presented with the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Cabaret Classic award celebrating her dedication to keeping alive the art of fine singing. Joyce is a favorite at the popular Noon Concert Series at St. Peter's Church. Joyce's New York engagements include the Algonquin's Oak Room, Russian Tea Room, Arci's Place, Danny's and the Firebird Cafe. Joyce made her Plush Room debut in San Francisco in 2001. In 2002, 2003, and 2004 she played to sell-out crowds at London's Pizza on the Park where she recorded her first live CD, Live in London, on Audiophile.

After an appearance at the West Coast Cabaret Convention in San Francisco on June 9, 2000, a reviewer in the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, "Joyce Breach, whom I had not heard before, sang with a real sense of rhythmic adventure in a number from the motion picture High Society. Breach also—like Doris Day and Ella Fitzgerald—had a disarming way of letting her breath support ease away at the end of a phrase that made You're Sensational downright seductive." The velvet-voiced singer, as Rex Reed recently referred to her, is know for her excellent musicianship and taste, and her sophisticated interpretations of American classic pop--the songs of Berlin, Gershwin, Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Arlen, and Sondheim among others. She is the last of a breed of singer from a less-frantic era, following in the footsteps of Rosemary Clooney, Jeri Southern, Doris Day and Peggy Lee, but definitely her own singer and definitely one with class.

Moments Like This

Cory Weeds - The Many Deeds Of Corey Weeds

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 74:07
Size: 169.7 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[10:41] 1. Juicy Lucy
[ 8:28] 2. Goin' Down
[ 5:27] 3. Fine And Dandy
[10:36] 4. Fin De L'affaire
[12:51] 5. Corner Kisses
[ 8:45] 6. Boss Bossa
[ 6:31] 7. Sunday In New York
[10:45] 8. Roofin' It

Vancouver’s do-it-all jazz strongman Cory Weeds is at it again, playing tenor on a live CD recorded for his jazz label at the jazz club that he runs.

As Weeds, 36, has said himself, he puts much more stock in affirming jazz tradition, swing and soulfulness than in being a stylistic maverick or jazz-language innovator. Nor is Weeds expending any energy composing material for the gig when themes by Horace Silver (Juicy Lucy, which opens the disc) and Hank Mobley (Fin de L’Affaire, Boss Bossa), among others, get the job done just fine. So, true to form, his live disc is a organ-based quartet date in the classic hard-bop mold, with no-nonsense blowing vehicles aplenty leavened by some gospel, funk, a ballad, and a bossa.

Questions of material and style aside, the execution of the music on Weeds’ disc is quite good to excellent. I like Weeds big sound and big beat that make the music feel really good on the opener, Juicy Lucy. I’m reminded of Dexter Gordon, in a good way. Weeds is a fluent, confident soloist throughout, and he has the idiomatic language at his fingertips to testify on Brad Turner’s funky Goin’ Down and the Mercy, Mercy, Mercy-ish closer, Roofin’ It. His frontline partner, trumpeter Chris Davis, is a tart, sassy foil.

To my ears, the scene-stealing excellence on Weeds’ disc is provided by the esteemed rhythm pair of organist Joey DeFrancesco and his right-hand drummer Byron Landham. The two Americans ensure that the music grooves without fail. I had the disc playing in my car this week, and people in the other lanes must have been gawking as my head swayed non-stop.

DeFrancesco, of course, is a world-class organist. His solos simply leap out of the mix with their brilliance and exuberance. He also ought to be paid double given the quality of his left-hand bassline work, whether he’s walking or syncopating like a funk freak.

Weeds surely must have felt that raised his game playing with an inspiring jazz monster like DeFrancesco, and I hope he won’t mind if I say that DeFrancesco and Landham lift his CD from solid and likeable to deeply enjoyable. ~Peter Hum

The Many Deeds Of Corey Weeds

Anna Nygren - My Songs

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:32
Size: 118.0 MB
Styles: Pop/jazz vocals
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:38] 1. The Moon Takes On A Shade Of Paler White
[3:04] 2. Just Once More
[6:02] 3. No One Compares
[3:43] 4. In New York Without You
[2:09] 5. Darling I'll Miss You
[5:33] 6. Easy Love
[3:37] 7. We Are Fools
[4:19] 8. Won't Let You Go To My Head
[3:36] 9. A Night For Celebration
[3:42] 10. Crush
[4:07] 11. Lonely Afternoon
[3:22] 12. Oh La La
[4:36] 13. Goodbye

After studies at the Royal Collage of Music in Stockholm 1989-­1993 where she majored in classical piano, Anna Nygren has been freelancing as a pianist, singer and composer throughout genres such as classical, pop and jazz. Since 1994 she regularly performs at the fashionable Grand Hôtel in Stockholm. She has toured with great Swedish artists such as Roger Pontare and Cajsa­Stina Åkerström. Between 1997­-2005 Anna was one of the editorial staff members for Swedish Televisions most popular music entertainment show ”Så ska det låta”. She has written music for artists and her songs has appeared in movies and has been played at Swedish radio.

Anna has produced, composed and arranged two albums: “In a Sentimental Mood” 2007 and ”My Songs” 2009.

Outside Sweden, Anna has been playing at jazz clubs in Paris and Hong Kong. She has also appeared at Beijing Jazz Festival 2007, Dubai International Jazz Festival 2008, and Nanning Folksong and Arts Festival in China 2009.

My Songs

Mike Catalano - A Rio Affair

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:16
Size: 108.2 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Crossover jazz
Year: 1989
Art: Front

[4:53] 1. Groovin Along (Feat. Cornell Dupree)
[5:04] 2. The Reality
[6:29] 3. Cancao Para Fatima (Feat. Ricardo Silveira)
[6:32] 4. Let The Party Begin (Feat. Dean Bailin)
[4:16] 5. Bons Vizinhos (Good Neighbors) (Feat. Nico Assumpcao & Toninho Horta)
[6:19] 6. Wishing You Were Here (Feat. Mark Egan, Steve Gadd & Ricardo Silveira)
[4:54] 7. Pensando No Pasado (Thinking In The Past)
[5:04] 8. Attitudes (Feat. Randy Brecker)
[3:41] 9. Raf's Theme (Feat. Lou Marini)

Pianist/composer Mike Catalano is a jazz artist with a bent toward melodic smooth jazz and a particular interest in Brazilian music. Born in New York City, Catalano studied classical piano growing up and eventually attended the Five Towns College of Music. During this time he began writing and performing his own music and developed a deep love of bossa nova. A subsequent trip to Brazil led to Catalano's debut album, A Rio Affair. Featuring both Brazilian and New York artists including drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Mark Egan, guitarist Ricardo Silveira, and bassist Nico Assumpção, the album was released on Polygram in Brazil. In the '90s, Catalano branched out into television work, even composing all the music for the tabloid news program A Current Affair. Since that time, he has performed regularly with his own ensemble, and released A Manhattan Affair on his own Catman Records label in 2007. ~Matt Collar

A Rio Affair

Duke Ellington - 1969: All-Star White House Tribute To Duke Ellington

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:46
Size: 175,9 MB
Art: Front + Back

(2:39)  1. Take the 'A' Train
(2:15)  2. I Got It Bad
(2:06)  3. Chelsea Bridge
(2:42)  4. Satin Doll
(1:51)  5. Sophisticated Lady
(3:18)  6. Just Squeeze Me
(1:00)  7. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
(0:55)  8. Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me
(0:55)  9. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
(7:04) 10. In a Mellow Tone
(1:55) 11. In a Sentimental Mood
(3:56) 12. Prelude to a Kiss
(2:16) 13. Ring Dem Bells
(2:23) 14. Drop Me Off in Harlem
(1:56) 15. All Too Soon
(2:18) 16. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
(4:28) 17. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
(2:09) 18. Perdido
(3:33) 19. Warm Valley
(5:22) 20. Caravan
(3:45) 21. Mood Indigo
(2:11) 22. Prelude to a Kiss [2]
(2:38) 23. I Didn't Know about You
(2:26) 24. Praise God and Dance
(2:28) 25. Come Sunday
(2:13) 26. Heritage
(1:56) 27. Jump for Joy
(2:56) 28. Pat

A big band with Gerry Mulligan and Milt Hinton at the bottom, Paul Desmond and Clark Terry at the top, and an all-star cast in the middle makes this previously unissued session quite special. At the end, Duke Ellington sits down at the piano and performs a solo improvisation that he dedicated to Mrs. Pat Nixon. The President awarded Ellington the Medal of Freedom that day. It was the maestro's 70th birthday: April 29, 1969. Preserved on tape and broadcast overseas on the Voice of America, this program has remained in seclusion. Mulligan's unconventional arrangement of "Prelude to a Kiss" comes as quite a surprise. Emotional conversations between Mulligan and Desmond, Green and Johnson, and Terry with Mulligan, make the up-tempo affair rock heartily. Four of the songs are interpreted without the full ensemble, by piano trios. 

Special features include Jim Hall on "In a Sentimental Mood," Desmond on "Chelsea Bridge," Mulligan on "Warm Valley" and "Sophisticated Lady," Johnson on "Satin Doll," Terry on "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me," Berry on "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart," Joe Williams on two piercing, emotional pieces and one swinger, Mary Mayo on four lovely ballads and Louie Bellson on a romping "Caravan." The session has high points all through it. A little loose in places and yet highly recommended, this all-star program airs jazz the way it's supposed to be. ~ Jim Santella  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/duke-ellington-1969-all-star-white-house-tribute-duke-ellington-blue-note-records-review-by-jim-santella.php#.VB4WxRawTP8
 
Personnel: Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Earl Hines, Hank Jones, Billy Taylor- piano; Paul Desmond- alto saxophone; Gerry Mulligan- baritone saxophone; Jim Hall- guitar; Urbie Green, J.J. Johnson- trombone; Bill Berry, Clark Terry- trumpet; Milt Hinton- bass; Louie Bellson- drums; Joe Williams, Mary Mayo- vocal.

Red Garland Trio - All Kinds of Weather

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:00
Size: 91,8 MB
Art: Front

( 4:17)  1. Rain
( 4:46)  2. Summertime
(10:39)  3. Stormy Weather
( 5:45)  4. Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year
( 5:23)  5. Winter Wonderland
( 9:07)  6. 'Tis Autumn

Red Garland was always a consistent pianist and all of his mid-to-late-'50s Prestige dates are worth acquiring. This CD reissue has six titles having to do with seasons and the weather (such as "Rain," "Summertime" and "Winter Wonderland"). The gimmick served as a good excuse for Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor to explore six superior songs and their interpretations always swing and uplift the melodies. 
~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/all-kinds-of-weather-mw0000313866

Personnel: Red Garland (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Art Taylor (drums).

Annie Gallup - Pearl Street

Styles: Folk
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:39
Size: 125,8 MB
Art: Front

( 3:22)  1. Down The Other Side
( 5:30)  2. Tulsa
( 3:22)  3. Down the Other Side (Reprise)
(10:56)  4. Annie Interviews Annie
( 2:04)  5. The Synopsis
( 4:08)  6. Thicker Than Water
( 3:06)  7. Pearl Street
( 3:59)  8. Skinny Arms
( 4:09)  9. Grace
( 4:42) 10. Jack
( 3:21) 11. Betsi Went to Jersey
( 1:11) 12. Lori's Long Legs
( 4:43) 13. I Think About Richard

Annie Gallup's writing is unabashedly imaginative and richly sensual. She is a teller of short, elaborate tales song-length works of fiction that sparkle with the complexity and polish of poetry; tightly packed lyrical strands that crackle with intelligence and spry wordplay, and pulse with insistent rhythm. Her musical instincts are a match for her pen Annie is a gifted, inventive instrumentalist. Her guitar work is a fresh, welcome interplay of short lead runs and complex picking patterns. (As a teenager in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Annie learned to play listening to records by Doc Watson and blues great Mississippi John Hurt.)

Fusing elements of spoken word and poetry with sharp melodies and a trademark delivery, Annie Gallup has created her own musical sub-genre. Annie Gallup’s sixth album, Pearl Street, is scheduled for release in April, 2005. Originally written as a one-person performance piece, Pearl Street is a song cycle of linked songs that follow the same characters through ten years of their lives. This is an ambitious and rewarding recording, as compelling musically as it is lyrically. With Pearl Street Annie Gallup has once again succeeded in creating something entirely her own, breaking the barrier between music and literature, fusing elements of spoken word with sharp melodies and a trademark delivery.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gallup5

Personnel: Annie Gallup (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, resonator guitar); Duke McVinnie (vocals, electric guitar); Billy Masters, Duke McVinney (guitar); David Seitz (keyboards); Mark Dann (acoustic bass); Michael Visceglia (bass guitar); Dennis McDermott (drums).

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

DR Big Band - Jazz Divas Of Scandinavia

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:41
Size: 106.9 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[5:21] 1. Be Still My Heart (Silje Nergaard)
[4:27] 2. Voodoo Skills (Rigmor Gustafsson)
[4:57] 3. Send In The Clowns (Cæcilie Norby)
[6:01] 4. Nothing's Better Than Love (Rigmor Gustafsson)
[5:16] 5. Naked In The Dark (Cæcilie Norby)
[5:15] 6. Tell Me Where You're Going (Silje Nergaard)
[5:25] 7. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Rigmor Gustafsson)
[4:42] 8. Japanese Blue (Silje Nergaard)
[5:14] 9. Circus, Circus (Cæcilie Norby)

For the first time ever the three most significant female jazz vocalist of Scandinavia are gathered on a single album. Jazz Divas of Scandinavia beautifully documents the meeting of the legendary DR Big Band and the three distinct jazz vocal traditions of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Norby, Nergaard and Gustafsson have each defined female jazz vocal in Scandinavia over the last 10 years and have spearheaded the current surge of talented new female jazz singers. The three women each have an impressive career in their native countries as well as around the world. The collaboration with the DR Big Band is undoubtedly the ultimate experience of Scandinavian jazz vocal.

Jazz Divas Of Scandinavia

Sonny Stitt & Bennie Green - My Main Man

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 35:01
Size: 80.2 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz, Trombone jazz
Year: 1964/1972/2005
Art: Front

[4:31] 1. Flame And Frost
[4:49] 2. Let's Play Chess
[4:41] 3. Double Dip
[5:18] 4. Our Day Will Come
[5:57] 5. My Main Man
[5:15] 6. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
[4:27] 7. Broilin'

My Main Man was a quintet date, teaming Stitt with trombonist Bennie Green. Joining the front line was Bobby Buster on organ, Joe Diorio on guitar and Dorrell Anderson on drums. This album features three hip bossa novas—Our Day Will Come, The Night Has a Thousand Eyes and Flame and Frost. The remaining tracks are blues.

Alto Saxophone – Sonny Stitt; Drums – Dorel Anderson; Guitar – Joe Diorio; Organ – Bobby Buster; Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Stitt; Trombone – Bennie Green.

My Main Man

Allan Vache - Breezy

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 69:21
Size: 158.8 MB
Styles: Clarinet jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[8:34] 1. Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland
[4:57] 2. Spain
[7:09] 3. My Inspiration
[6:39] 4. My Honey's Lovin' Arms
[4:56] 5. Krazy Kapers
[4:44] 6. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
[6:29] 7. Breezin' Along With The Breeze
[6:05] 8. South Rampart Street Parade
[3:47] 9. What's New
[5:16] 10. Jubilee
[5:32] 11. Poor Butterfly
[5:07] 12. Sleep

Featuring Allan Vache, David Jones, John Allred, Johnny Varro, Bob Haggart and Ed Metz Jr.

When Allan Vaché plays swing on his clarinet, the smooth sounds invite comparisons to a young Benny Goodman, which isn't surprising since the King of Swing was one of Vaché's chief influences. Vaché can be downright blistering as well as warm and inviting and his graceful playing makes even complicated pieces seem easy. Critics also compare him to jazz clarinetist Peanuts Hucko.

Vaché evinced an early aptitude for music, which he pursued while at college during the 1970s. He became a student of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra's David Dworkin. He also studied with traditional jazz clarinetist Kenny Davern. Early on he performed professionally with a number of noted musicians, among them Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hackett, Gene Krupa, Pee Wee Erwin, Clark Terry, Dick Hyman, Dick Wellstood, Max Kaminsky, Bob Wilber, Cliff Leeman, and Wild Bill Davison. He also often played with his brother, flügelhorn and cornet player Warren Vaché Jr. In 1974, he hit Broadway in a production of Doctor Jazz.

By 1975, Vaché was a member of the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, which was based in San Antonio, TX. He appeared on nine of the group's albums, among them the CBS Masterworks recording of Porgy and Bess. Playing portions of that score, Vaché and the group took to the stages of Mexico City's Cervantino Arts Festival, Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center, and other stops. Vaché performed a number of times at San Antonio's World Series of Jazz with Cullum's band, a venue that also hosted jazz luminaries such as Goodman. In 1987, he and the group played Carnegie Hall.

Vaché's other appearances included A Prairie Home Companion and Riverwalk, Live From the Landing on radio and television's Austin City Limits. The clarinetist branched out into films in 1998 when two numbers that he played were featured in The Newton Boys. Both songs came from the Shootin' the Agate album released by the Jim Cullum Jazz Band.

Vaché left the band to perform solo during the early '90s. In 1993, he relocated to Orlando, FL, where he appeared at Rosie O'Grady's and Walt Disney World, among other venues. He has recorded for Arbors Records, Audiophile, and Jazzology, both as a solo artist and in conjunction with others. He put out a dozen albums for the German label Nagel-Heyer, half of which saw him in the role of leader with bands that include the Florida All-Stars, Swingtet, and the Big Four. ~bio by Linda Seida

Breezy

Teddi King - Pocketful Of Rainbows

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 74:30
Size: 170.6 MB
Styles: jazz-pop vocals
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:29] 1. When Did You Leave Heaven
[2:57] 2. Unforgettable
[2:54] 3. You Go To My Head
[2:49] 4. A Cottage For Sale
[3:39] 5. Love Is Here To Stay
[3:14] 6. After All It's Spring
[2:36] 7. Porgy
[2:40] 8. I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
[3:49] 9. This Love Of Mine
[3:10] 10. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight
[2:48] 11. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
[3:56] 12. To You
[3:24] 13. You Don't Know What Love Is
[2:23] 14. When I Grow Too Old To Dream
[2:33] 15. June In January
[2:30] 16. Love Is A Now And Then Thing
[2:23] 17. Love Walked In
[3:44] 18. Autumn In New York
[2:34] 19. Chicken Today And Feathers Tomorrow
[2:48] 20. The Very Thought Of You
[2:54] 21. The Way You Look Tonight
[3:05] 22. I Can't Get Started
[3:12] 23. Once Too Often
[3:04] 24. That Old Feeling
[2:43] 25. Nothin' For Nothin'

Teddi King (September 18, 1929 - November 18, 1977) was an American jazz and pop vocalist. Born Theodora King in Boston, Massachusetts on September 18, 1929, she won a singing competition hosted by Dinah Shore at Boston's Tributary Theatre, later beginning work in a touring revue involved with "cheering up the military in the lull between the Second World War and the Korean conflict." Improving her vocal and piano technique during this time, she first recorded with Nat Pierce in 1949, later recording with the Beryl Booker trio and with several other small groups from 1954-1955 (recordings which were available on three albums for Storyville). She then toured with George Shearing for two years beginning in the summer of 1952, and for a time was managed by the famed George Wein. King later began performing for a time in Las Vegas. Ultimately signing with RCA, she recorded three albums for the label, beginning with 1956's Bidin' My Time.

Pocketful Of Rainbows

Melissa Sweeney - Golden Thread

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:23
Size: 124,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:08)  1. You're My Thrill
(3:24)  2. My Baby Just Cares For Me
(4:55)  3. Golden Thread
(6:07)  4. Sex Kills
(5:38)  5. I Have Dreamed
(4:31)  6. Skylark
(6:57)  7. Pavane
(3:19)  8. Sweet Lorraine
(5:12)  9. Vivo Sonhando
(3:02) 10. Why Don't You Do Right
(5:05) 11. Where I Belong

The lady, Melissa Sweeney, has a voice, warm, rich-toned, mature; and she had a childhood that sounds like heaven a "record fiend" mother who provided her with the sounds of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, MJQ, Ella, Anita O'Day; and then a tender-age job at KBIG-FM jazz station in Los Angeles and the access to thousands of promo copies of jazz LPs. A voice, a feeling for the history of jazz, and the savy/good fortune of hooking up with pianist Bill Cunliffe as arranger/producer of her debut disc, Golden Thread. The set opens with "You're My Thrill," lushly-arranged, with a Lady in Satin atmosphere. The arrangements on Golden Thread alternate between classy string treatments including "You're My Thrill," to a jazzier piano/bass/drums trio with great horn solos on several tunes, including the marvelous rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Sex Kills", with the Rob Lockart's saxophone smoldering around Sweeney's telling of Mitchell's dark tale. 

"My Baby Just Cares" has the sparer arrangement, an insouciant bounce, the trombone dancing with Sweeney's vocal in front of the sparkle of Cunliffe's piano work. Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark" rolls along in a relaxed mode, with drummer Joe La Barbera providing some beautifully subtle brushwork. The set has standards, a Brazilian sound (the Jobim/Gilberto tune "Vivo Sonhando"), French lyrics ("Pavane"), and first-rate pop songs ("Sex Kills and Paul Simon's "Where I Belong"), wrapped in classy arrangements with a gorgeous voice out front.~ Dan Mcclenaghan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/golden-thread-melissa-sweeney-azica-records-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php#.VBdabBawTP8

Personnel: Melissa Sweeney - vocals; Bill Cunliffe - piano and arrangements; George Bohanon - trombone solo; Joe La Barbera - drums; Derek Oles and Tom Warrington - bass; John Chiodini - guitar; Paulino DaCosta - percussion; Ricky Woodard, Rob Lockart, Bob shepard - sax solos; John Yoakum, Brian Scanlon - woodwinds; John Mascon - French horn; Peter Kent - concertmaster;
Amy Schulman -harp