Leo Parker - Rollin' With Leo

Styles: Hard Bop, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1961
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:52
Size: 100,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:54)  1. The Lion's Roar
(6:17)  2. Bad Girl
(6:25)  3. Rollin'  With Leo
(4:56)  4. Music Hall Beat
(4:31)  5. Jumpin'  Leo
(6:30)  6. Talkin' The Blues
(5:41)  7. Stuffy
(4:35)  8. Mad Lad Returns

Drugs and addictions defined most of Leo Parker's adult life, finally claiming it entirely in February of 1962 when he was only 36 years old. Only months earlier in 1961, in two sessions held on October 12 and October 20, Parker had played his heart out in what would have been his second album for Blue Note Records that year, and it had appeared that the baritone saxophonist was well on his way to a much deserved career comeback. The sessions, however, weren't released until almost 20 years later. Rollin' with Leo, presented here in remastered form, is a wonderful portrait of this unsung but brilliant player, whose huge, sad, but almost impossibly strong tone always felt like it carried the world on its shoulders. 

The centerpiece of Rollin' with Leo is the fascinating "Talkin' the Blues," which unfolds, nearly themeless, like a late-night conversation, ebbing and flowing exactly the way a conversation does, with Parker's baritone swinging back to gather notes, but always moving and stretching forward, expanding the conversation until it seems like everything that could be said HAS been said. Parker's death was tragic because he had so much more to say, and that makes this fine set all that more of a treasure. ~ Steve Leggett  http://www.allmusic.com/album/rollin-with-leo-mw0000653973

Personnel: Baritone Saxophone – Leo Parker;  Bass – Al Lucas (tracks: A1, A2, B1 to B4), Stan Conover (tracks: A3, A4);  Drums – Purnell Rice (tracks: A3, A4), Wilbert Hogan (tracks: A1, A2, B1 to B4) Piano – Johnny Acea;  Tenor Saxophone – Bill Swindell;  Trumpet – Dave Burns

Rollin' With Leo

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Frode Kjekstad - New York Time

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:59
Size: 116.7 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[5:42] 1. The Way You Look Tonight
[5:58] 2. Sugar
[5:19] 3. Autumn In New York
[5:36] 4. Prospect Park S. W
[6:11] 5. Secret Love
[4:24] 6. Brooklyn Bound
[7:51] 7. Laura
[5:00] 8. Road Song
[4:53] 9. Over Easy

Guitarist Frode Kjekstad is a Norwegian who makes himself at home in the Big Apple on this splendid album with New York companions Dr. Lonnie Smith, Byron Landham, and special guest Eric Alexander. To me, there are few musical alliances more pleasing than a guitar/organ/drums trio that sounds terrific and swings like a metronome, as this one does. If there's anything that could enrich the partnership, that would certainly include inviting an eloquent and powerful tenor saxophonist such as Alexander to sit in, which Kjekstad does on four numbers—Stanley Turrentine's bluesy "Sugar and three of his svelte original compositions, "Prospect Park S.W., "Brooklyn Bound and "Over Easy.

Kjekstad has impressive chops and a warm, resonant sound, which Smith's Hammond B-3 complements superbly, while Landham keeps perceptive and tasteful time. Alexander fits in snugly on his cameos, broadening the trio's horizons while adding spice to the basic recipe. As for role models, Kjekstad drops a broad hint with the inclusion of Wes Montgomery's ambling "Road Song, on which he pays homage to Wes's groundbreaking style. Rounding out the admirable program are the standards "The Way You Look Tonight, "Secret Love, "Laura and of course, "Autumn in New York. I was especially charmed by the swaying, Jobim-like treatment of "Secret Love, which embodies typically persuasive solos by Kjekstad and Smith.

There's nothing Scandinavian about this refreshing studio date save for the leader's name. You may not be able to pronounce it, but if you appreciate special talent that's all you need consider. Leave the rest to Kjekstad and Company, whose music speaks emphatically for itself. ~Jack Bowers

Frode Kjekstad, guitar; Dr. Lonnie Smith, Hammond B-3 organ; Eric Alexander (2,4,6,9), tenor sax; Byron Landham, drums.

New York Time

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Hank Crawford - 2 albums: Roadhouse Symphony / After Hours

Album: Roadhouse Symphony

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 37:47

Size: 86.5 MB

Styles: Soul jazz, Saxophone jazz

Year: 1985/2001

Art: Front

[5:46] 1. Roadhouse Symphony

[4:37] 2. Tragick Magick

[4:59] 3. Jubilee

[4:47] 4. Say It Isn't So

[6:10] 5. Time Is On Our Side

[5:14] 6. Precious Lord, Take My Hand

[6:11] 7. Sugar Ditch

All of Hank Crawford's many recordings for Milestone in the 1980s and '90s are worth picking up by his fans although this reasonably enjoyable outing is not one of the more essential ones. The soulful altoist is joined by Dr. John on piano and organ, guitarist Melvin Sparks, bassist Wilbur Bascomb, Jr., drummer Bernard Purdie and a five-piece horn section (Houston Person and David "Fathead" Newman get a tenor solo apiece) for a set mostly comprised of group originals plus the old ballad "Say It Isn't So" and Thomas A. Dorsey's spiritual standard "Precious Lord"; Dr. John takes a vocal on his "Tragick Magick." ~Scott Yanow

Roadhouse Symphony

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Album: After Hours

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 32:43

Size: 74.9 MB

Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz

Year: 1966/2004

Art: Front

[5:27] 1. After Hours

[3:53] 2. Junction

[4:38] 3. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

[2:50] 4. Next Time You See Me

[2:46] 5. Soul Shoutin'

[4:26] 6. Makin' Whoopee

[4:19] 7. When Did You Leave Heaven

[4:20] 8. The Back Slider

The most unusual aspect to this straight CD reissue of a Hank Crawford Atlantic LP is that the altoist plays some very effective piano on two numbers including a lengthy feature on "After Hours."

Fortunately his alto playing is not neglected and he really shows off his appealing tone on "Who Can I Turn To," "Makin' Whoopee" and "When Did You Leave Heaven." A fine soulful crossover set that is quite accessible and melodic. ~Scott Yanow

After Hours 

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Xavi Torres Trio - Skyline

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:41
Size: 132.0 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[5:14] 1. Tarragona Line
[5:35] 2. Athos
[6:31] 3. Lepant
[4:51] 4. Seguim
[2:00] 5. Interludi
[5:16] 6. Breakpoint
[4:42] 7. Vibilbo
[7:36] 8. Portal Del Roser
[6:42] 9. Dóna'm Temps
[9:09] 10. How Deep Is The Ocean

Pianist Xavi Torres together with his trio: Vic Moliner, bass; and Joan Terol, on drums.

Xavi Torres inicia los estudios de piano clásico en el Conservatorio de Tortosa y los continúa en el Conservatorio de Tarragona, donde obtiene el premio de honor en el grado profesional de piano clásico y también el título de percusión. Mientras tanto, recibe clases particulares de jazz con Francisco Suárez hasta que en el año 2009 obtiene la primera plaza de piano jazz en la Escuela Superior de Música de Cataluña. En esta escuela, ha obtenido matrículas de honor en el Proyecto Final, piano, combo e historia del jazz, estudiando con profesores como Lluís Vidal, Albert Bover, Joan Díaz, David Xirgu, Agustín Fernández o Jean François Dichamp. Actualmente combina el màster de piano jazz con 3ro de Bachelor (Superior) de Piano Clásico en el Conservatorium van Amsterdam, donde estudia con David Kuyken, Harmen Fraanje, Yaniv Nachum…

En junio del 2012 obtiene la beca Anna Riera a la excelencia, creada para facilitar la dedicación exclusiva en el último año de estudios en la ESMuC. En octubre de 2010 toca como solista en la sala 2 del Auditori de Barcelona con la Cobla Sant Jordi, estrenando una composición de Jordi Feliu. En junio de 2011 toca como solista en la sala 1 del Auditori con la orquesta de la ESMuC; tocando un arreglo de la Suite Iberia de Albéniz, arreglado y dirigido por Lluís Vidal. Ha grabado unos 10 CD con diferents proyectos como Verd i Blau, Lluc Casares “Red”, Vuma Ian Levin, BvR Flamenco Big Band, así como un CD de música clásica como co ganador de la primera muestra de pianistas de Tarragona (2008 ). Recientemente también ha enregistrado su primer disco como líder “Skyline, con su propio trio.

En estos años ha tocado en países como España, Holanda, Alemania, Itàlia, Marruecos, EUA o Andorra con diferentes proyectos como Els Tres Tenors, Xavi Torres Trio, Lluc Casares “Red”, Vuma Ian Levin, Mohamed Ahaddaf 4tet, Life on Mars, Verd i Blau… Ha tenido el placer de tocar con muchos grandes músicos como Jordi Rossy , David Xirgu , Horacio Fumero , Raynald Colom, Tineke Postma, Matthew Simon , Mario Rossy , y ha recibido masterclasses de músicos de la talla de Fred Hersch, Ambrose Akinmusire, Avishai Cohen, Jerry Bergonzi, Chris Cheek, Tim Garland, Michel Camilo, Maria Schneider…

Skyline

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Whitney James - The Nature Of Love

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:51
Size: 116,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:50)  1. Tenderly
(5:57)  2. Whisper Not
(6:42)  3. A Timeless Place (The Peacocks)
(3:41)  4. Long Ago and Far Away
(6:04)  5. My Love Is You
(5:18)  6. The Very Thought of You
(7:42)  7. How Deep Is the Ocean
(5:13)  8. Be Anything
(5:19)  9. In April

The Nature Of Love is singer Whitney James' debut, although the maturity and sophistication of her performance makes this hard to believe. Across an intriguing set of songs James demonstrates an impressive vocal range and a command of phrasing and intonation that usually come only with years of experience. James' voice is expressive and sensual, and apart from its range it also has real strength and power. At times, when James is singing in her upper register, this power translates to a slight harshness in the voice for example, during "In April." 

But such moments are relatively rare; James' version of Abbey Lincoln's "My Love is You" is masterful, and her upper register vocals are genuinely affecting. There are familiar standards here. Ray Noble's "The Very Thought of You" is particularly fine, with a seductive vocal from James and some lovely piano from Joshua Wolff. But to the singer's credit, she also interprets lesser known songs, the most striking being Jimmy Rowles and Norma Winstone's "A Timeless Place (The Peacocks)." James' version sticks close to the arrangement and tempo of Winstone's original, a challenge for any vocalist. 

Her vocal performance sounds less relaxed than Winstone's, but it's still a fine interpretation of this beautiful, sad song. James receives strong and sympathetic backing from all of the musicians. Ingrid Jensen guests on trumpet and flugelhorn, adding color to the arrangements with her measured and sympathetic playing. James shows a real jazz sensibility in her vocal style, a prime example being the introduction to Benny Golson and Leonard Feather's "Whisper Not," where she weaves her voice around the freeform playing of bassist Matt Clohesy and drummer Jon Wikan.  The Nature Of Love is a great example of an ensemble vocal album, with all the performers singer and players responding to each other to create a real gem. A fine singer and interpreter of songs, James is unafraid of taking risks with challenging material risks which pay off on this impressive debut. ~ Bruce Lindsay  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-nature-of-love-whitney-james-damselfly-productions-stir-stick-music-review-by-bruce-lindsay.php
 

Personnel: Whitney James: vocals; Ingrid Jensen: trumpet and flugelhorn (1-3, 6, 7); Joshua Wolff: piano; Matt Clohesy: bass; Jon Wikan: drums.

The Nature Of Love

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Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis Quartet - Swingin' Till The Girls Come Home

Styles: Hard Bop, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1976
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:07
Size: 122,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:32)  1. Swingin' Till The Girls Come Home
(5:00)  2. Love For Sale
(5:59)  3. Out Of Nowhere
(4:44)  4. Ghost Of A Change
(6:43)  5. Locks
(6:23)  6. Wave
(3:09)  7. Indiana
(3:41)  8. Bye Bye Blackbird
(4:46)  9. Ghost Of A Change (take 1)
(4:37) 10. Swingin' Till The Girls Come Home (take 1)
(3:30) 11. Bye Bye Blackbird (take 1)

Tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis is in top form during this European quartet set (put out domestically at one time by Inner City) with pianist Thomas Clausen, bassist Bo Stief and drummer Alex Riel. 

Lockjaw romps through such numbers as "Swingin' Till the Girls Come Home," a rapid rendition of "Love for Sale," his original "Locks" and "Indiana." Fun, accessible and mostly hard-swinging straightahead music. ~ Scott Yanow 

http://www.allmusic.com/album/swingin-till-the-girls-come-home-mw0000141636

Personnel:  Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis;  Bass – Bo Stief ;  Drums – Alex Riel ;  Piano – Thomas Clausen.

Swingin' Till The Girls Come Home

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Lee Morgan - The Sidewinder

Styles: Hard Bop, Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1963
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:53
Size: 117,2 MB
Art: Front

(10:27)  1. The Sidewinder
(10:16)  2. Totem Pole
( 6:07)  3. Gary's Notebook
( 7:34)  4. Boy, What A Night
( 6:26)  5. Hocus-Pocus
(10:00)  6. Totem Pole

Carried by its almost impossibly infectious eponymous opening track, The Sidewinder helped foreshadow the sounds of boogaloo and soul-jazz with its healthy R&B influence and Latin tinge. While the rest of the album retreats to a more conventional hard bop sound, Morgan's compositions are forward-thinking and universally solid. Only 25 at the time of its release, Morgan was accomplished (and perhaps cocky) enough to speak of mentoring the great Joe Henderson, who at 26 was just beginning to play dates with Blue Note after getting out of the military. Henderson makes a major contribution to the album, especially on "Totem Pole," where his solos showed off his singular style, threatening to upstage Morgan, who is also fairly impressive here.

Barry Harris, Bob Cranshaw, and Billy Higgins are all in good form throughout the album as well, and the group works together seamlessly to create an album that crackles with energy while maintaining a stylish flow. ~ Stacia Proefrock  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sidewinder-mw0000241127

Personnel: Lee Morgan (trumpet); Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Barry Harris (piano); Bob Cranshaw (bass); Billy Higgins (drums).

The Sidewinder

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Houston Person - Goodness!

Styles: Hard Bop, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1969
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 37:55
Size: 69,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:28)  1. Hey Driver!
(9:28)  2. Goodness
(4:36)  3. Brother H.
(6:16)  4. Hard Times
(5:33)  5. Jamilah
(6:31)  6. Close Your Eyes

Tenor saxophonist Houston Person was still a relatively new name at the time he recorded this set, his sixth session for Prestige. The funky music (which includes the hit title song) emphasizes boogaloos, danceable rhythms and repetitious vamps set down by the rhythm section (organist Sonny Phillips, guitarist Billy Butler, electric bassist Bob Bushnell, drummer Frankie Jones and Buddy Caldwell on congas), but it is primarily Person's passionate tenor solos that will come the closest to holding on to the attention of jazz listeners. 

The music is generally quite commercial and is certainly not recommended to bebop purists, although it has some strong moments. But overall these performances succeed more as background music than as creative jazz. ~ Scott Yanow  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/goodness!-mw0000263747

Personnel: Houston Person (tenor saxophone); Billy Butler (guitar); Sonny Phillips (organ); Bob Bushnell (electric bass, drums); Frankie Jones (drums); Buddy Caldwell (congas).

Goodness!

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Taryn - Negro Blue

Size: 100,6 MB
Time: 40:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Blues/Jazz Vocals, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. I've Got News For You (3:57)
02. Piece Of My Heart (4:04)
03. I Feel Like Going Home (Unplugged) (3:12)
04. Dying To Live (4:05)
05. Summer Soft (4:08)
06. I Loves You Porgy (3:24)
07. Turtle Blues (3:57)
08. You've Changed (3:52)
09. Hoochie Coochie Man (4:56)
10. Black Dog (4:49)

Considered the greatest treasure of the world's culture, the Blues is celebrating one century of it's popularization, when it became a success on radios, streets and american juke boxes, influencing all musical culture of the world from the beginning of the twentieth century on.

With her growing admiration and artistic immersion in this style, Taryn launches her third CD " Negro Blue" in Rock in Rio 4, with the repertoire based on the show she has presented on the stages of the greatest Jazz & Blues festivals in Brazil.

With vigorous and personal interpretation, Taryn revisits the black roots standards of the 30's, passing by the jazz of the 40's and 50's, until she reaches the psychedelic 60's, with the revolution of the Soul Music and the explosion of the Blues- Rock culture in England, re- interpreting classic pieces of famous composers and stars such as Billie Holiday, George Gerswin, Muddy Waters, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder among others....

Taryn was born in a musical cradle and for over a decade, she has been dedicating herself to the tradition of Jazz & Blues.

As the vocalist of The Rio Jazz Orchestra she recorded two CDs, one DVD, wrote and starred the acclaimed show "Tribute to Billie Holliday" in 2003 and, later, another musical also written by her, called "The Jazz Divas Tribute".

In 2006 she starred a solo CD, interpreting new songs by Frejat , Zeca Baleiro and other Brazilian famous pop composers influenced by Blues.

In 2008 there came " Bluezz" , an authentic fusion of Jazz and Blues, even in the title.

In 2011 she launched "Negro Blue" ...

Abroad, she sang in the Montreux Jazz Festival and in Los Angeles, where she recorded a CD produced by Andy Summers, the guitarist of the legendary band "The Police".

Taryn also takes part in performances for the cinema and TV in Brazil , her voice and image are often present in Globo TV, Walt Disney and Globo Films productions. Among them there are the soap operas "Viver a Vida" , "O Astro" , "Maysa" , the musical tv show "Som Brasil- Tim Maia", besides the cartoons : Walt Disney's "Nem que a vaca tussa" , "Ben 10", and the films "Pirates of the Caribbean 4" and "Cazuza", to name just a few.

Taryn has been praised by renown music critics, musicians and opinion leaders due to the fact that she sings with her soul.

Negro Blue 

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Christoph Spendel - The Piano Side Of Frank Sinatra

Size: 173,5 MB
Time: 74:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Piano Jazz, Easy Listening
Art: Front

01. I Get A Kick Out Of You (4:57)
02. Autumn In New York (3:59)
03. Chicago (4:00)
04. As Time Goes By (1:54)
05. Pennies From Heaven (4:05)
06. I Wish You Love (4:21)
07. I Left My Heart In San Fransisco (4:19)
08. Cheek To Cheek (2:50)
09. I've Got The World On A String (4:30)
10. Moon River (2:17)
11. I'll Be Seeing You (4:27)
12. I've Got You Under My Skin (4:24)
13. Just One Of Those Things (4:00)
14. New York, New York (3:36)
15. You Make Me Feel So Young (5:13)
16. My Way (3:00)
17. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (2:56)
18. Blue Moon (3:14)
19. Fly Me To The Moon (2:28)
20. The Night We Called It A Day (4:20)

Christoph Spendel is the prototype crossover jazz musician - who is equally at home with the Bebop tradition, crossover Fusion and European Classical Music. His professional career began as a member of the group "Jazztrack", touring all over Europe and performing at all major festivals. At the same time he started his solo projects with his own group and as a solo pianist. He played with major German jazz musicians, among them Albert Mangelsdorf, and Michael Sagmeister, and American musicians like Eddy Harris, Charlie Mariano, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Miroslav Vitous, Jim Pepper and Alphonze Mouzon invited Christoph Spendel to join their Bands while touring Europe.

The Piano Side Of Frank Sinatra

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Steve Tyrell - That Lovin' Feeling

Size: 122,8 MB
Time: 52:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Jazzman (Feat. Dave Koz) (3:47)
02. Up On The Roof (3:18)
03. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (Feat. Bill Medley) (3:46)
04. There Goes My Baby (3:26)
05. Be My Baby (3:20)
06. Good Good Lovin' (Judith Hill) (3:08)
07. Laughter In The Rain (Feat. Neil Sedaka) (3:29)
08. Groovy Kind Of Love (3:16)
09. Rock And Roll Lullaby (Feat. B.J. Thomas) (4:21)
10. Chapel Of Love (Feat. Lauryn Tyrell) (3:38)
11. Just A Little Lovin' (Early In The Morning) (2:37)
12. On Broadway (Feat. Barry Mann) (3:43)
13. Any Day Now (3:48)
14. Stand By Me (3:37)
15. Hound Dog (Feat. Chuck Leavell) (3:24)

Renowned singer, Steve Tyrell, is back! This time with a new show, That Lovin’ Feelin’, featuring selections from his eleventh studio album, also titled That Lovin’ Feelin’, out in February 2015 via Concord Music Group. Tyrell’s celebration of what he calls “the next generation of the Great American Songbook” includes seminal rock era classics penned by legendary songwriters such as Carole King, Neil Sedaka, and Burt Bacharach.

A true a renaissance man, in over four decades in the music business, he has achieved great success as an artist, producer, songwriter, music supervisor and performer. With his breakthrough performances in “Father of the Bride” and “Father of the Bride II,” Steve Tyrell reinvented and re-popularized classic pop standards for a modern-day audience. With the grit and soul of a lifetime of experiences, producing hits for Grammy-winning artists ranging from Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, to Rod Stewart and Diana Ross, Steve himself has sold hundreds of thousands of albums and gained a passionate following all over the world. His hits “The Way You Look Tonight,” “The Simple Life,” “Crush On You,” and “The Sunny Side of The Street,” have launched thousands of weddings and millions of romances. He’s held top positions at Standards, Swing, and Big Band outlets with a devoted following at key Adult Contemporary Radio.

With sold out shows across America and raves from around the world, his following increases daily. Although Steve tours mainly with his band, he also enjoys playing with some of the most renown orchestras in the land, and has had multiple performances with The Boston Pops, The New York Pops, The Nashville Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and The Houston Symphony. Most recently, he has appeared with the New West Symphony performing Joseph Sohm’sphoto symphony, “Visions of America,” narrated by Clint Eastwood, singing the songs of Roger Kellaway and Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

As an artist, all 9 of his American Standards albums have achieved top 10 status on Billboard’s Jazz charts, 7 of which have achieved top 5, and his first album “A New Standard” was amongst the best selling jazz albums for over 5 years.

That Lovin' Feeling

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Amsterdam Saints - Moving On

Size: 84,4 MB
Time: 36:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Jazz/Rock, Jazz/Funk
Art: Front

01. Lekki Lekki (4:15)
02. Blowjack (5:28)
03. Popocatepetl (4:43)
04. Benny's Shuffle (3:39)
05. The Green Caddy (4:49)
06. Ursus (3:31)
07. Smitty's Groove (5:53)
08. The Jerk (Part II) (3:47)

Explosive guitar solos. Swinging Hammond & Wurlitzer licks. Grooving basslines. And the Funkiest drums.
The Amsterdam Saints are guaranteed to turn every gig into a party to remember. Blending original instrumental tunes with playful improvisation. A perfomance based on joy and enthusiasm.
Fusing the most swinging styles of music into an unique cocktail of vintage grooves, bringing back memories of the sounds of The Meters, Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters, or John Scofield’s funky explorations.

Rob Verbakel:
Rob Verbakel is a bona fide Master of Music, earning the degree after his studies at the conservatories of Utrecht and Maastricht. He has mastered playing guitar in styles ranging from jazz to hardrock, whether it’s playing rhythm or lead parts. If you need a guitarist to go from tapping hardrock licks to playing slide-guitar blues, Rob’s your man! This makes him both a much sought after accompanyist and a popular independent artist.
Rob is a collector of vintage guitars and amplifiers, some of which can be heard on the Amsterdam Saints’ recordings. When he’s not performing he’s usually cooking an impressive variety of Indonesian dishes.

Born Sanders:
Born is known in circles as the fastest piano player in town, which may or may not be attributed to his impressive ability to drink copious amounts of Italian coffee. He’s an incredibly diverse musician, able to perform naturally on a wide array of keyboard instruments: Acoustic piano, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes electric piano’s, to name a few. His credentials include a cum laude graduation from the Utrecht conservatory.
Inbetween playing gigs with the Amsterdam Saints he is leading both his own jazz trio, and the tightest showband of the Netherlands. Always grooving with a big smile, it’s no mystery why the other Saints asked him to join the band after the first album had been recorded.

Maarten Bakker:
Maarten graduated cum laude from the conservatory of Utrecht, next to “doing time” at the conservatories of the Hague and Amsterdam. He’s an eclectic bass player: Supportive but creative. Flexible but solid. Known for his “big ears” and excellent timefeel.
His composing skills can be heard in many Amsterdam Saints tunes, as well as on recordings by many artists. When he’s not acting as the Saints’ spokesperson on stage, he’s often touring around the world being someone’s bass player.

Willem Smid:
Willem is an alumnus of the Amsterdam conservatory. Already during his studies he was becoming one of the most gigging drummers of the Netherlands: His grooving, no-nonsense, but still sensitive style of drumming made him stand out and in high-demand. Being named “runner up” in the 2014 jazz drummers poll of the national drum magazine shows his star is still steadily rising.
And that’s without even mentioning his international reputation. As a rock-solid rhythm section with Maarten, Willem has performed in: Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg, France, Poland, Italy, Finland, Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, Oman, India, Canada, the USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Bulgaria!

Moving On

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Harry Allen & The Jan Lundgren Quartet - Quietly There

Size: 131,4 MB
Time: 56:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front & Back

01. Sure As You Are Born (6:54)
02. Emily (5:58)
03. The Shining Sea (6:17)
04. Quietly There (6:03)
05. A Time For Love (5:35)
06. Cinnamon And Clove (4:40)
07. The Shadow Of Your Smile (7:57)
08. Just A Child (5:36)
09. Suicide Is Painless (7:49)

Some musicians deserve more attention than they get. In this sentiment, the American jazz magazine Down Beat has a poll called “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition”. The American tenor saxophonist Harry Allen definitely belongs in this category. He is not widely known in Scandinavia despite his more than three dozen releases as bandleader. He is certainly not lazy when it comes to touring on both sides of the Atlantic. He is an old-fashioned traveling musician, happy to be hired with local musicians. Over the years many fine Scandinavian musicians – in this case Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren, likewise Swedish bassist Hans Backenroth, and Danish drummer Kristian Leth – have had the pleasure of Allen’s expertise, and a long-standing touring relationship with the aforementioned musicians has been documented on QUIETLY THERE, recorded during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival at STC Studios in the summer of 2014.

Harry Allen (born 1966) began playing accordion at the age of seven. Four years later he switched to clarinet, but soon substituted it with the tenor saxophone. “My father had been a drummer during the big band era, and he and Paul Gonsalves were close friends. Before joining Basie’s orchestra in the late 40’s he and my father had played together. And he is still one of my greatest inspirations along with Stan Getz. In my book, Stan Getz is one of the all-time greats. Technically as well as musically he is unique”, says Harry Allen. In the 80’s Allen studied at Rutgers University, where Kenny Baron, Sahib Shihab and Bob Minzer were among his teachers. He soon had enough gigs to make a living, and after a while drummer Oliver Jackson took him along to Europe. Since then Harry Allen has lived well as a touring jazz musician, but no matter how often he visits Europe, he never intends to leave New York, as so many other jazz musicians have done. “I just love New York. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. When it comes down to it, New York is where it happens. It’s great to come to Europe, where I’ve met many fine musicians, also the band I have recorded this album with. And I don’t mind traveling.” Harry Allen’s playing does not imitate his heroes, but contributes to keeping the same tradition alive. Firmly based in swing and bop, his style is not innovative, but his music has a rare authentic authority, and he has a wonderful talent for making a tune sound fresh and meaningful. Quite simply, Harry Allen is a masterful interpreter. He has been called the Frank Sinatra of the tenor sax, and Johnny Mandel’s tunes on QUIETLY THERE are a fine platform for this dedicated musician. The Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren (born 1966) had hardly come out of his teens when Swedish tenor saxophonist Arne Domnerus spotted him. Years later, his performing and recording credits read like a “who’s who” of Swedish jazz as well as boasting numerous recordings on Japanese, American and German jazz labels. Regardless of the setting, his touch is elegant and his phrasing is swinging and supple.

Swedish bassist Hans Backenroth (also born 1966) has been a popular and versatile bassist in Swedish jazz for years. His credits include Monica Zetterlund, Alice babs, Arne Domnerus, Putte Wickman, Bengt Hallberg, Bernt Rosengren and Kjell Öhman. Think Ray brown and Oscar Pettiford. That will give you an idea of the swing and support personified by this fine musician. Drummer Kristian Leth (born 1973) is the youngster in this band and the only Dane. However, it is he who got the ball rolling and brought Harry Allen to Scandinavia. His discreet and light-handed drumming suits this music perfectly. He has toured and recorded with many fine musicians including Scott Hamilton, Eric Alexander, Claire Martin and Ulf Wakenius. The repertoire is a pleasant mixture of ballads and medium-tempo tunes, all written by Johnny Mandel, who – along with Henry Mancini – is one of the most talented songwriters in the generation following Gershwin, Porter, Kern and Berlin. At 88 he is still an active composer. There are but a few albums dedicated solely to Johnny Mandel’s compositions, which is yet another reason to welcome Harry Allen/Jan Lundgren Quartet’s QUIETLY THERE. Great songs, great music, lots of heart.

Quietly There

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Michelle Lordi - Drive

Size: 123,3 MB
Time: 53:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. You're My Thrill (Feat. Larry Mckenna, Tom Lawton, Dan Monaghan & Madison Rast) (5:17)
02. Imagination (Feat. Tom Lawton, Larry Mckenna, Madison Rast & Dan Monaghan) (7:09)
03. True Love (Feat. Madison Rast, Dan Monaghan, Larry Mckenna & Tom Lawton) (5:18)
04. My Ship (Feat. Orrin Evans) (5:08)
05. If I Only Had A Heart (Feat. Larry Mckenna, Tom Lawton, Madison Rast & Dan Monaghan) (5:34)
06. I Fall In Love Too Easily (Feat. Orrin Evans) (5:04)
07. My Ideal (Feat. Larry Mckenna, Tom Lawton, Madison Rast & Dan Monaghan) (5:45)
08. Ghost Of A Chance (Feat. Larry Mckenna, Tom Lawton, Madison Rast & Dan Monaghan) (4:55)
09. Now At Last (Feat. Dan Monaghan, Larry Mckenna, Tom Lawton & Madison Rast) (4:08)
10. Drive (Feat. Dan Monaghan, Orrin Evans & Madison Rast) (5:29)

With a voice pleasing to the connoisseur of the elegant 30’s & 40’s era girl singers, yet surprisingly modern in its clarity and emotion, Michelle’s drive to create innovative music has her poised to become the jazz scene’s new sweetheart .

The lineup of musicians on Drive (Grammy nominated Orrin Evans, Tom Lawton, Larry McKenna, Dan Monaghan and Madison Rast) belies that this is no ordinary “me- too” jazz vocalist. Over the past few years, Michelle has lead bands featuring these stellar talents heard here on Drive. An upswell of recognition and avid audience appreciation keeps Michelle head lining jazz venues.

Review:
“Michelle Lordi sings in a way that is uncommon today: simple, straightforward, direct, and conveying the emotions in the way we all do: in our voice inflections. No gimmicks. This is a style that emerged in the swing and cool jazz eras, a strict adherence to the tune that virtually vanished as singers began to add embellishments, scat, and too often a hysterical emotionality where personality crowded out the melody. In particular, Lordi owes something special to Chet Baker and Blossom Dearie…. Cool uncorrupted understatement that swings is a way to describe Lordi's vocal style in a nutshell. Her voice is clear and never shrill, her diction is flawless, and she uses almost no vibrato. So what you get is the pure unadulterated song.” ~Victor Schermer, Jazz Near You

Drive

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Dexter Gordon - Clubhouse

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 38:55

Size: 89.1 MB

Styles: Saxophone jazz

Year: 1965/2007

Art: Front

[6:27] 1. Hanky Panky

[6:40] 2. I'm A Fool To Want You

[7:02] 3. Devilette

[7:30] 4. Clubhouse

[5:37] 5. Lady Iris B

[5:37] 6. Jodi

Although tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon had moved to Europe in 1962, he made a return visit to the U.S. in 1965 that resulted in both this album and Gettin' Around. Gordon teams up with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Billy Higgins for three of his originals, two obscurities, and a standard that ended up being the date's most memorable performance: "I'm a Fool to Want You." The CD reissue is a reproduction of the original LP which was not issued until the mid-'70s. It is excellent music if not quite essential. ~Scott Yanow

Clubhouse         

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Stephanie Porter - How Deep Is The Ocean

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:09
Size: 96.5 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[5:29] 1. Love Me Or Leave Me
[3:03] 2. Love For Sale
[2:25] 3. Where Or When
[3:31] 4. A Foggy Day
[3:08] 5. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
[5:27] 6. I Can't Get Started
[3:52] 7. How Deep Is The Ocean
[2:56] 8. At Last
[3:38] 9. I Get A Kick Out Of You
[3:56] 10. I Remember You
[4:38] 11. Speak Low

Seattle native Stephanie Porter, an outstanding jazz vocalist with a clear, sultry tone and a bright and appealing stage presence, has had a passion for music her whole life. From 1996 to 2000, Porter opened for a multitude of national acts (including Chaka Khan, Living Colour and Kansas), as a member of the popular disco group, “Hit Explosion.” During this time, she also recorded “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” which ascended to the top 100 of the Gavin Jazz Chart. National Public Radio station, KPLU (88.5 FM), still features a number of songs from her critically-acclaimed album, Mood Swings, nationwide. The album has been sold in over 25 countries.

A longtime figure in the Northwest jazz scene, Porter has worked with over 50 groups as a freelance vocalist and is often spotlighted as a featured or special guest artist in some of the region’s top venues. She has also performed at numerous festivals and special events. In addition to the Northwest, she has performed in venues across the country, as well as Canada, France and England.
Her latest album, How Deep is the Ocean, is a brilliant showcase of her amazing talent as a vocalist.

How Deep Is The Ocean

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Matt Catingub - Your Friendly Neighborhood Big Band

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:39
Size: 127.4 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 1989
Art: Front

[ 4:18] 1. Don't Be That Way
[ 2:56] 2. Honeysuckle Rose
[10:23] 3. Bloozball
[ 4:36] 4. Work Song
[ 4:29] 5. Easy Living
[ 4:28] 6. Jeanine
[ 3:20] 7. You Leave Me Breathless
[ 6:06] 8. Donna Lee
[ 3:00] 9. Baubles, Bangles And Beads
[ 4:39] 10. Ballad
[ 7:20] 11. Your Friendly Neighborhood Big Band

Altoist/arranger Matt Catingub's second recording as a leader has some good, swinging music, but the recording balance is odd. Not only are the drums a bit too loud, but the soloists are sometimes off mike (even though this is a studio date. The music is mostly fairly conventional, except when Catingub's sense of humor (such as on the title cut) gets a bit out of control . Among the key soloists are altoist Catingub, valve trombonist Mike Fahn, and veteran singer Mavis Rivers (the leader's mother); the big band also includes the young Eric Marienthal, who is unfortunately not featured. Highlights include "Don't Be That Way," "Easy Living," "Jeanine," and "Donna Lee," but the strange sound quality does lower this CD reissue's appeal. ~Scott Yanow

Your Friendly Neighborhood Big Band

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Karen Egert - Let's Get Lost

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:32
Size: 111,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:33)  1. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
(3:25)  2. Let's Get Lost
(3:05)  3. No More Blues (Chega De Saudade)
(4:32)  4. Skylark
(2:47)  5. Wait Until I'm Through With You
(3:10)  6. Everytime We Say Goodbye
(2:14)  7. I'm Checking Out Goom-Bye
(4:17)  8. Please Go Away
(1:38)  9. Too Close For Comfort
(5:58) 10. How Long Has This Been Going On?
(2:55) 11. Just One Of Those Things
(4:03) 12. If You Could See Me Now
(3:05) 13. Joy Spring
(4:44) 14. Daydream

"Let's Get Lost" is a CD with a smooth and sophisticated sound that sets it apart from other CDs. Karen Egert's swinging sound and lyrical ballads is well complimented by the top-notch band backing her up on this new release. You can hear on this CD what has won crowds over wherever Karen has entertained. She has charmed audiences with her jazz vocals wherever she goes. This songbird is truly talented. Karen first built her following at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. She played the piano and serenaded devotees for many years in the famous Peacock Alley Lounge. 

Karen was inspired by being able to play on Cole Porter's piano, the instrument on which he wrote so many of the most beloved songs. Among the many celebrities for whom she performed, her biggest thrill was the night Stevie Wonder heard her voice while strolling through the lobby, stopped dead in his tracks and was so taken by her singing that he joined her at the piano for a night of magic.Karen has had a diverse career. She appeared on Broadway in a principal role in Dick Clark's "Rock & Roll - the First Five Thousand Years." And she recorded with The Flirts, who had a top-ten record entitled "Don't Put Another Dime in the Jukebox." 

On top of all this, Karen is also an accomplished songwriter. Judge for yourself by listening to her two original compositions on the CD  "Wait Until I'm Through You" and "Please Go Away." Karen's new release is already getting industry attention on the radio and in record stores. After hearing it, you will know why!  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/karenegert

Let's Get Lost

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Saskia Laroo - Really Jazzy

Styles: Jazz Funk, Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:48
Size: 132,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:46)  1. Jazzn'Jamz
(4:16)  2. Courtesy To Coltrane
(4:07)  3. Really Jazzy
(4:05)  4. Up The Mountain
(5:15)  5. Same Song
(5:37)  6. Munchin'
(4:21)  7. Kumpa
(5:13)  8. Big Blues
(5:29)  9. Night Garden
(6:19) 10. Funky Roads
(4:26) 11. Jealousy
(4:46) 12. Go For It

Saskia Laroo, hailed by American public and press at large as “Lady Miles of Europe”, is one of the few women trumpet stylists, blowing for more than three decades. Born July 31, 1959 in Amsterdam, she began on trumpet at age 8, never dreaming of becoming a professional musician. That all changed when Saskia, turned 18, after briefly majoring in Mathematics at University of Amsterdam switched her focus to a career in music. 

She worked extensively in various groups from this point, primarily on upright bass, though eventually, on both bass and trumpet. Saskia Laroo combines today's music by uncontrived romps into new styles, eagerly limned as “nu jazz” or “swingin' body-music” a vivacious blend of hip-hop, jazz, salsa, funk reggae, and world, that many other artists dare not venture. Her artistry and her groove ring vibrantly and free on her four albums journeying us through the music she has absorbed and plays from heart and soul. http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/saskialaroo

Personnel: Saskia Laroo (vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn, upright bass, programming); Warren Byrd (vocals, whistling, piano, grand piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Franklin Lacey (vocals, trombone); Ronald Wright (vocals, drums); MC Phantom, MC Firestorm (rap vocals); Zoran Jager (guitar); Stewlocks (harmonica, didjeridu); Robin Koerts (electric bass); Rob Gaasterland (programming)

Really Jazzy

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Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis - Gentle Jaws

Styles: Hard Bop, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:00
Size: 174,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:58)  1. When Your Lover Has Gone
(5:41)  2. We'll Be Together Again
(4:52)  3. I Heard You Cried Last Night
(3:08)  4. The Red Blues
(5:12)  5. Untitled Blues
(5:59)  6. Softly Baby
(5:48)  7. Blue Room
(4:28)  8. Stella By Starlight
(5:43)  9. It Could Happen To You
(3:56) 10. What's New
(6:25) 11. The Very Thought Of You
(4:16) 12. Serenade In Blue
(4:20) 13. The Man I Love
(4:31) 14. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
(5:35) 15. I Cover The Waterfront

The Moodsville label was a subsidiary of Prestige in the late '50s/early '60s that sought to document jazz artists exclusively playing ballads so as to win over the mood music audience of the time. This 75-minute reissue CD combines together two sessions featuring the warm tenor of Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. On the first half he "sits in" with the Red Garland Trio (that date was originally issued under Garland's name) while on the latter half he is backed by the Shirley Scott Trio with organist Scott switching to piano. The standard-dominated program is tasteful but uneventful and the similarity of the tempoes succeed in making the results more successful as background music than as creative jazz. ~ Scott Yanow  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/gentle-jaws-mw0000179254

Personnel: Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor saxophone); Red Garland, Shirley Scott (piano); Arthur Edgehill (drums).

Gentle Jaws

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