Ana Caram - Hollywood Rio

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:39
Size: 95.4 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Brazilian jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[4:05] 1. Estate
[3:15] 2. The Summer Knows
[3:45] 3. Here, There And Everywhere
[3:08] 4. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
[3:38] 5. The Shadow Of Your Smile
[3:41] 6. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
[3:34] 7. Linda
[3:04] 8. Tempero Brasileiro
[2:47] 9. Smile
[3:25] 10. As Time Goes By
[4:12] 11. I Will Wait For You
[2:59] 12. Pra Voce

A superior Brazilian jazz singer, Ana Caram takes a slight detour on this CD, stretching her repertoire while mostly still performing in a style influenced by bossa nova. One does not get to hear such songs as "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head," "Smile," and "As Time Goes By" in a bossa nova setting that often. Also unusual is that Michel Freidenson plays all of the instruments other than the reeds (which are performed by Lawrence Feldman), and most of his electronic instruments sound real enough not to be an issue. The focus throughout is on Caram's lovely voice and she excels on this material, showing that it really is not what you sing but how you sing it. Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

Hollywood Rio

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Sax Gordon - In The Wee Small Hours

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:26
Size: 113.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[6:09] 1. The Glory Of Love
[6:15] 2. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
[6:33] 3. When I Grow Too Old To Dream
[6:38] 4. My Old Fame
[4:26] 5. Whatever Lola Wants
[4:53] 6. Blue And Sentimental
[5:39] 7. Big Top Blues
[2:59] 8. Easy Living
[5:50] 9. Bubbles

Sobriquet and appearance aren’t likely to endear Sax Gordon to the jazz intelligentsia any time soon. Neither is his obvious acumen for creative facial grooming. Even so, In the Wee Small Hours is an aural book that belies the questionability of its cover with a program of proficient, if derivative, organ combo jazz. The instrumentation is identical and the vibe very similar to Stanley Turrentine’s 1961 classic Dearly Beloved for Blue Note with Gordon backed by Italian sidemen Alberto Marsico on Hammond B-3 and Alessandro Minetto on drums.

The Turrentine influence is audible from trio’s opening interpretation of “The Glory of Love” with the leader even going so far as to close the tune out with the sort of delicate, soulful trills that were one of Dr. T’s trademarks. Gene Ammons also weighs heavy in Gordon’s horn vernacular and that Chicago connection spells a big clue as to why Delmark impresario Bob Koester agreed to ink a deal for the album’s release. Gordon’s bonafides reside primarily in jazz-informed blues having served as a longtime sideman with Duke Robillard and helmed several projects for the Bullseye label, but the program here is steeped in a centrist jazz tenor lineage.

Each of the pieces except for Gordon’s own “Big Top Blues” has strong associations with past tenor greats. Gordon alludes to Ben Webster with the title tune, blowing the amorous melodic line against Marisco’s throbbing chords and Minetto’s drowsy brushes. “When I Grow Too Old to Dream” nods to Arnett Cobb in its leisurely bounce and relaxed phrasing while “Blue and Sentimental” brings the group back to a slow ballad smolder with Gordon stretching his pliable phrasing in a laconic manner that recalls Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis at his most even-tempered and effervescent.

“Whatever Lola Wants” brings some playful bump and grind to the proceedings with Marisco flipping his switches for a reverberating zamboni-ready sound and Minetto syncopating against Gordon’s sultry lead. The set winds down with a jukebox single-sized jaunt through “Easy Living” and a relatively obscure Wild Bill Moore number “Bubbles”, which threads in some jocular R&B honking. Sax Gordon may not exactly look the part, but on strictly auricular terms he’s earned convincing credibility as a journeyman worth noting. ~Derek Taylor

In The Wee Small Hours

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Chita Rivera - And Now I Swing

Styles: Jazz, Stage & Screen
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:38
Size: 86,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:37)  1. I Won't Dance/Let Me Sing
(4:24)  2. Nowadays
(2:55)  3. Where Am I Going
(2:57)  4. Sweet Happy Life/Mas Que Nada
(3:52)  5. Love and Love Alone
(4:31)  6. Carousel
(4:20)  7. Not Exactly Paris
(2:51)  8. I Don't Remember You
(2:53)  9. More Than You Know
(2:53) 10. Circle of Friends
(3:20) 11. A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square

As multi-talented Broadway stars go, Chita Rivera has always been a dancer first, then an actress and singer, which may help explain why her recorded output in a career dating back to the 1950s consists largely of appearances on original Broadway cast albums. She did make one solo album, And Now I Sing, for a tiny record label in the 1960s, so this second effort, called And Now I Swing, is something of a long-awaited sequel. The 76-year-old, who continues to tread the boards, often in a one-woman show performed in theaters and nightclubs, contends in a sleeve note that the album "reveals another side of my personality," and is her version of the sort of album Rosemary Clooney or Mel Tormé used to make. Along with the album title, one thus might expect a vocal jazz recording, but that isn't quite the case. Rivera has commissioned new arrangements of the songs, some of them done by Michael Croiter, the co-founder of the startup record company called Yellow Sound Label, and those charts, played by a small band, certainly are intended more for the cabaret than the stage. 

But there's still a lot of show music here, much of it written by the songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, in whose shows Chicago, The Rink, and Kiss of the Spider Woman Rivera has appeared on Broadway, not to mention "Where Am I Going," a song from Sweet Charity, in which she toured. Rivera is an expressive singer with a limited range who shows her age here and there, but she puts across the songs well, especially those that have more rhythm. She is really at home when the rhythm turns Latin, as it does in the second part of the medley "Sweet Happy Life/Mas Que Nada" and the gentle samba "More Than You Know." Kander and Ebb's "Love and Love Alone" is a largely unheard and highly characteristic ballad for them from The Visit, one of the shows they were working on when Ebb died and which Rivera has worked on since. It allows her to look forward as well as backward on an album that requires her to stand still and sing for once. ~ William Ruhlmann  http://www.allmusic.com/album/and-now-i-swing-mw0000826624

And Now I Swing

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Dan Reynolds - River Maiden

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:55
Size: 107,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:05)  1. Last Chance
(3:57)  2. River Maiden
(3:46)  3. Summer Rain
(4:21)  4. Buttercup
(4:18)  5. Takeiton Faith
(3:06)  6. Angels Butterflies
(4:32)  7. Pinkys Groove
(4:22)  8. Clives Jive
(4:29)  9. Lady Cloud
(5:14) 10. Big Sky
(3:40) 11. Calico Autumn

Dan Reynolds started his career performing regularly with DC-based jazz greats such as Marshall Keys, Ron Holloway, Keter Betts, Scott Ambush, Vinny Valentino, & Keith Killgo of the Blackbyrds. He also worked with Eddie Harris, Larry Coryell, Najee, Maysa, Ken Navarro and many more. His first solo project Never Alone (1993) was followed by Lifeline (1994), To Be Sure (2000) and now River Maiden. Greg and Gary Grainger, Marshall Keys, Al Williams, & Scott Ambush are among the artists of this album. To classify his album just as smooth doesn't do justice to his musical art. His work deserves a closer observation.Last Chance is the starting point of all good. Dan's piano and Rob Holmes' sax introduce into the melody expanding to awesome soli of Dan and guitarist Dan Leonhard which bridge the fragments of the melody line. The song is closed by Rob's final subtle sax solo.

Dan's distinctive appreciation of everything beautiful finds its expression in River Maiden. Dan not only masters the piano performance, he is also a musical expert of synthesizer and keyboards. His pitches, attacks, sustain and release are just on the point delivering the maximum of emotional outbreak. Gary Grainger on bass delivers brilliant rhythmical syncopated accents. Peaceful moments are the theme of Summer Rain. Dan's piano performance outlines the melody filled with color by Marshall Keys on sax. Buttercup features Chris Battistone on muted trumpet. His performing credits include the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Ron Holloway, James Moody, Harry Connick Jr., Nancy Wilson, and many more. Nevertheless takes Dan the lead on piano with nonchalance and sovereignty. Take It On Faith presents Dawn Robinson from the famous R&B group En Vogue in a modest duet with Jeff Watson. Tone color and richness of tone of Dawn's is incredible and so unfamiliar to her appearance in En Vogue. Angels & Butterflies pours out a cornucopia of brilliant piano tones over body and soul. A masterpiece.

Pinky's Groove is a musical symbolization of pure joy. Matvey Sigalov showcases his tremendous talent on violin. He is recognized not only as a violin player , but also as an original composer and a guitarist. Retro sound on Hammond B3 offers the dynamic Clive's Jive. On Lady Cloud Dan Reynolds reveals his romantic vein melting his piano performance with the mellow tones of Rob Holmes' sax. The theme of great America mirrors in Big Sky associating images of vast prairies, mountains and forests. Calico Autumn closes the album with Dan's sensitive piano play answered by Dan Leonard on guitar. Dan Reynolds and his fellow musicians illustrate on River Maiden their capabilities and personalities in every imaginable way. The beauty of melodies develops like a blossoming  flower or like walking through a mythic garden. http://www.smooth-jazz.de/starportrait/Reynolds/Rivermaiden.htm

Personnel:  Dan Reynolds - piano & keys;  Mark Russell - bass;  Greg Grainger - drums;  Rob Holmes - sax;  Dan Leonard - guitar

River Maiden

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Jan Shapiro - Piano Bar After Hours

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:32
Size: 117,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:47)  1. On a Slow Boat to China
(2:49)  2. You're Getting to Be a Habit
(6:28)  3. I Keep On Loving You
(4:00)  4. They Say Its Wonderful
(4:26)  5. Doodlin'
(3:56)  6. Lost Up in Loving You
(5:16)  7. Time Lies
(3:38)  8. If I Were a Bell
(5:04)  9. Who Cares
(4:42) 10. Tell Me
(6:22) 11. Company

Professor and former Berklee College Voice Department Chair Jan Shapiro does make it into the studio occasionally. Her previous recordings include Read Between The Lines (Self Produced, 1997), Not Commercial (Self Produced, 1998) and Back to Basics (Self Produced, 2006). Shapiro's fourth recording, Piano Bar After Hours continues where she left off with Basics, presenting a stripped down version of jazz vocals performed in an intimate duo format with her favorite pianists (save for Al Jarreau's "Tell Me" which is something else altogether).

Piano Bar... is a collection of eleven far-flung songs that Shapiro sings with her experience-informed soprano voice. Where Shapiro vamps a show tune style with Frank Loesser's "A Slow Boat to China," slowly, perfectly supported by pianist Daniela Schachter, she makes Mark Winkler's lyrics sparkle on "I Keep On Loving You." She is as effective singing Rickie Lee Jones' "Company" as she is scatting Horace Silver's fun "Doodlin.'" But where Shapiro proves her temper singing almost casually on Loesser's "If I Were a Bell," where she turns the piece into an upbeat ballad with pianist John Harrison III bouncing right along. "Tell Me" is as experimental as its composer with Shapiro interpolating a Jarreau-McFerrin vibe with multi-voice tracking. Shapiro should get out of the classroom more. ~ C.Michael Bailey  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/piano-bar-after-hours-jan-shapiro-self-produced-review-by-c-michael-bailey.php
 

Personnel: Jan Shapiro: vocals; Daniela Schachter: piano (1, 4); Bob Winter: piano (2, 9); Tim Ray: piano (3, 11); Russell Hoffman: piano (5, 6); John Harrison III: piano (7, 8); Adriana Balic: keyboards (10); Bob Stoloff: vocals drums (10); Joey Blake: vocals bass (10).

Piano Bar After Hours

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Susie Glaze - Home on the Hill

Styles: Country, Vocal
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:14
Size: 104,5 MB
Art: Front

(0:52)  1. Intro - Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies
(3:23)  2. One More Mile
(2:48)  3. Paper Wings
(4:22)  4. The Lightning Express
(4:54)  5. My Only Love
(2:46)  6. Prove My Love
(3:54)  7. Home on the Hill
(2:09)  8. Wichita
(2:55)  9. Making Plans
(4:54) 10. Who Will Watch the Home Place
(4:08) 11. Go Dig My Grave
(3:21) 12. Healing Waters
(4:41) 13. Brightest and Best

"At a time when too many singers are hopping on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" bandwagon by hiring a freelance fiddler, putting a little twang in their pop voices and yowling mournfully, Susie Glaze sings forthrightly, unaffectedly, about life's travails, with a sense of musical history that suffuses every note. "Home on the Hill" is one of the rare recent albums in which the vocalist sings with restraint because she knows that holding back can pack a big emotional wallop; because she knows her material can be most effective if it's delivered with precision, not overwrought passion; and because she's confident enough to know she can blow the roof off any joint lucky enough to book her." ~ Ken Tucker, critic-at-large for "Entertainment Weekly" and rock-music critic for National Public Radio's "Fresh Air."

"Susie Glaze is a fresh young voice, strong and flexible, interpreting the variety of songs in this group with ease. And, she's a communicator, to me the most important of qualities in a singer. More personally, listening now to Susie singing out on my family's 'Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies,' the thought strikes me...how wonderful to hear this new voice taking up my songs...quite suddenly I know that, with people like this to trust, my music will go on living, and soaring. And so will I." ~ Jean Ritchie

"I especially liked the Jean Ritchie songs.....You captured the lonesome sweetness of her voice and delivery." ~ Laurie Lewis  (Rounder Recording Artist)

"Heavenly music sung with an ethereal voice." ~  Michael Fleming  (New West Music Recording Artist)

"She has the gift of telling a story through music with a voice as clear and fresh as a spring morning." ~ Terri Anderson, Curator (Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

"One of the pleasures of 'Home On The Hill' is the facility with which Susie Glaze changes musical lanes...From mountain ballad to swing to tex-mex, the program honestly reflects Susie's personality - invitingly homey and graceful...from a personal point of view, this is the kind of voice and material I as a fiddler love to accompany. 'Brightest and Best,' the duet of voice and droney fiddle...was one of those shining one-take moments that emotionally sustain studio musicians through harsh long months of decongestant jingles." ~ Kenny Kosek (Rounder Recording Artist )  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/glaze

Home on the Hill

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OJT - New Standards For The Green Lady

Size: 164,1 MB
Time: 70:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Chained Lightning ( 5:27)
02. The Fez ( 7:51)
03. Eleanor Rigby ( 6:28)
04. Everybody Wants To Rule The World ( 6:21)
05. I Kissed A Girl ( 5:50)
06. Layla ( 8:40)
07. The Way You Make Me Feel ( 6:29)
08. West L.A. Fadeaway ( 6:36)
09. Black Peter (10:22)
10. OJT Theme 2015 ( 6:32)

"New Standards for the Green Lady" is the third album length release by the Kansas City based organ jazz group OJT. While previous releases featured jazz standards and original compositions, New Standards for the Green Lady is a collection of OJT's organ jazz arrangements of familiar pop songs. Selected, arranged, and performed over 2 years for audiences at Kansas City's Green Lady Lounge, OJT plays the music of Steely Dan, The Beatles, Tears for Fears, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, The Grateful Dead, and even Katy Perry. OJT continues its Wednesday and Saturday night house band gigs at Green Lady Lounge with no end in sight.

OJT builds on the classic organ jazz trio by mixing old school Kansas City jazz with blues and a modern funky groove. Ken Lovern on Hammond organ, Kevin Frazee on drums, and Brian Baggett on guitar play equal parts in balanced arrangements with stand out improvisations. OJT has been a band for more than 12 years and it shows.

OJT is:
Brian Baggett: Guitar
Kevin Frazee: Drums
Ken Lovern: Hammond Organ

New Standards For The Green Lady

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Jasper Kump - Sunday In New York

Size: 143,9 MB
Time: 61:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Starting Here Starting Now (2:19)
02. Rainbow Connection (4:26)
03. You Are All The World To Me (5:07)
04. Sunday In New York (3:24)
05. New York State Of Mind (5:18)
06. So In Love (4:55)
07. Shower The People (5:15)
08. Let It Be (3:29)
09. Fields Of Gold (4:57)
10. My Romance (2:24)
11. Only In New York (3:39)
12. In The Garden (4:13)
13. Never Never Land (4:30)
14. All In Love Is Fair (4:24)
15. When I First Saw You (2:45)

Jasper Kump has been described by Elliott Forrest of A&E's Breakfast with the Arts as a "fresh new talent...full of fire." With influences from jazz and gospel to folk and theatre, his voice has heart and soul. "Sunday In New York" is his first full-length CD and is filled with a wonderfully eclectic mix of music. It's a celebration of life, love and New York City. While all but one of the tracks are songs originally performed by other artists, Jasper brings a new perspective as he sings these gorgeous new arrangements by Russ Kassoff. The one new song, "You Are All The World To Me", is a warm and touching ballad with lyrics by Deidre Broderick and music by Russ Kassoff.

The band on "Sunday In New York" is nothing short of brilliant! Their bios and credits read like "Who's Who" of popular, jazz and theatre music. Russ Kassoff (Arrangements/Musical Direction/Piano and Keyboards) has worked with legends such as Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, Rita Moreno, Carol Sloane and Sylvia Sims - just to name a few. Martin Wind (Bass) is part of the incredible Bill Mays Trio and has recorded several CDs and worked with jazz greats Pat Metheny, Bucky Pizzarelli and more. Warren Odze (Drums) has worked on numerous Broadway shows as well as well-known artists such as Rod Stewart, Peter Cincotti and Peter Allen. Gerry Niewood (Saxophone/Flute) has worked for decades with Chuck Mangione and has graced the recordings of such stars as Simon and Garfunkel, Ann Hampton Callaway and many others. Jesse Levy (Cello) has performed with such household names as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Luther Vandross and Madonna.

Jasper was born in California and knew early on in life that he was destined for great things. Some are even convinced that Jasper was born singing! When he was five years old, he stole the stage as the Little Drummer Boy. By the age of 11, Jasper decided to utilize his passion for entertaining people and joined the Artist in Residence Program in Germany. He spent much of his adolescence in Europe focusing his studies on spiritual, jazz, and popular music. Along with pursuing his dreams in the classroom, Jasper took every chance he got to perform.

In 1987, Jasper performed for President Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Reagan at Berlin's 750th anniversary celebration. Shortly thereafter, Jasper returned to the United States and continued to pursue his love for music and theater.

Not only did Jasper take the opportunity to sing in the Vocal Jazz Ensembles at California State University, Long Beach, he also performed in several musicals and concerts including Into the Woods (Jack), Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), The Scarlet Letter: A Musical Romance (Chillingworth), Follies (Young Buddy) and Lagunatics.

Jasper not only comes to life on stage, but he is also passionate about composing music. Prior to "Sunday In New York", he recording a five-song EP of original songs entitled "Real", his skills have also led him to commercial success composing music for advertising and corporate use.

Jasper lives in New York City.

Sunday In New York

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Elly Hoyt - Oranges & Sunshine

Size: 115,3 MB
Time: 49:32
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Blackbird (4:09)
02. Easy To Love (2:56)
03. Our Little Boy (4:41)
04. Nature Boy (4:00)
05. Sink Or Swim (6:26)
06. It Could Happen To You (3:21)
07. Today I Sing The Blues (4:56)
08. It’ll Rise Again (4:38)
09. On The Other Side (6:00)
10. My Baby Just Cares For Me (4:01)
11. Oranges & Sunshine (4:19)

After living and studying with giants of jazz in New York City last year, and putting together a collection of all new works, Elly Hoyt is back with her new album and new sound to Bennetts Lane. Her new album, Oranges & Sunshine, being launched tonight, is the offering she promised after receiving the Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album Award in 2011.

Elly consistently captures audiences with her soulful and seductive voice, and her disarmingly natural stage presence. At only 26, she has the uncanny ability to invoke the charge given to past greats and take it somewhere new, especially somewhere with groove. Elly released her debut self-titled album in late 2010 to rave reviews and awards, but this album, sculpted with time, experience and a pozible campaigne, is the work of an energetic, seasoned and dedicated music maker.

James Morrison: "From the moment I first heard Elly sing, I knew she had that classic, indefinable thing that makes one a jazz singer. It's not just a sound, or a choice of notes but a way of approaching a song that lets the listener know - this is the real thing".

Featuring: Scott Griffiths, Darryn Farrugia & Jonathan Zion and special guests on didgeridoo & strings.

Oranges & Sunshine

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Archie Fleming - Papa Sax

Size: 122,9 MB
Time: 52:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Soul Jazz, Saxophone Jazz
Label: Archie Fleming
Art: Front

01. Mojo Mama (5:05)
02. Pearly Gates (5:52)
03. Elenor Rigby (5:15)
04. Harlem Nocturne (6:55)
05. Love Potion Number 9 (5:27)
06. Summertime (5:23)
07. Lady In Red (6:41)
08. A Night In Tunisia (5:28)
09. Sugar (6:44)

Passionate and soulful music in the Memphis tradition with sax, flute and guitar solos accentuated by horn section.

Papa Sax

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Ale Vanzella - Indie Bossa II

Size: 105,1 MB
Time: 35:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Indie Rock, Bossa Nova
Art: Front

01. Come As You Are (2:58)
02. How Long (2:19)
03. Ready To Start (4:23)
04. Crumble (3:08)
05. Heart Of Gold (2:30)
06. I Am Afraid Of You (2:33)
07. The Man Who Sold The World (2:45)
08. Killing Me Softly (4:03)
09. Golden Drama (2:11)
10. Use Somebody (3:00)
11. Everlong (3:00)
12. I Started A Joke (2:59)

Recorded and produced in Rio de Janeiro, completing the concept of blending indie rock and bossa nova, the album features 12 tracks in English, production by the experienced RAYMUNDO BITTENCOURT, with special guest master of Bossa Nova ROBERTO MENESCAL and guitarist GRECCO BURATTO.

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, drummer, self-taught ALE VANZELLA met on their debut album, INDIE BOSSA (Albatroz Music, 2012), apparently distinct styles: Indie Rock and Bossa Nova, who gave a unique musical identity to the artist.

Indie Bossa II

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Cab Calloway - Are You Hep To The Jive?

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:07
Size: 146.8 MB
Styles: Big band, Swing
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[2:46] 1. Boo-Wah Boo-Wah
[3:01] 2. Are You All Reet
[2:53] 3. Hey Now, Hey Now
[2:44] 4. Everybody Eats When They Come To My House
[2:47] 5. Are You Hep To The Jive
[3:02] 6. The Calloway Boogie
[3:01] 7. Hep Cat's Love Song
[2:30] 8. Papa's In Bed With His Britches On
[2:40] 9. What's Buzzin' Cousin
[2:44] 10. Twee-Twee-Tweet
[2:53] 11. Come On With The Come On
[3:20] 12. Chant Of The Jungle
[2:46] 13. I Want To Rock
[3:01] 14. Oh Grandpa
[3:13] 15. The Jungle King (You Ain't Done A Doggone Thing)
[2:41] 16. Don't Falter At The Alter
[3:08] 17. Who's Yehoodi
[2:51] 18. A Chicken Ain't Nothin' But A Bird
[2:46] 19. Tarzan Of Harlem
[3:14] 20. Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day
[2:54] 21. Boog It
[3:00] 22. Foo A Little Bally-Hoo

Cab Calloway was a gloriously outsized manifestation of all that was frantic in the first full flowering of prohibition-era jazz. Dressed with all the flash of a brand new Cadillac, leading a crack band who could swing and sway with both abandon and precision, and spinning demi-monde tales of wild good times complete with illegal party favors, Calloway was a joyous personification of America's id at a time when such celebrations were hardly the stuff of common currency. Calloway's most popular music was recorded during the early to mid-'30s, but when more polished swing sounds supplanted his earlier style, Cab wasn't afraid to move with the times and led a top-notch big band capable of playing more contemporary music while still delivering the free-wheeling punch Calloway's personality demanded. Are You Hep to the Jive? is a great compilation from Columbia's Legacy series that brings together 22 sides Calloway waxed for Vocalion, Okeh, and Columbia between 1939 and 1947, and shows beyond a doubt Cab's muse was still in fine fettle at this point in his career. Calloway's band was filled with first-class talent, and the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Chu Berry, Milt Hinton, and Jonah Jones can be heard on the selections included here, but as great as the band is (and they swing with potent, joyous force throughout this disc), it's Calloway's 100-proof charisma, his unabridged lexicon of jive speak and his top-shelf scatting skills that bring this collection to life, and the fine madness of "Are You All Reet?," "A Chicken Ain't Nothin' But a Bird," "Tarzan of Harlem," and "Who's Yehoodi?" is as satisfying as a cold drink on a warm day. If this isn't quite the definitive Cab Calloway disc, Are You Hep to the Jive? is an excellent overview of his work in the '40s, and it's solid fun from first note to last. ~Mark Deming

Are You Hep To The Jive?

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The Marc Toussaint Combo - Old Devil Moon

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:38
Size: 125.1 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[2:33] 1. Old Devil Moon
[2:26] 2. Dancing In The Dark
[5:08] 3. At Last
[2:26] 4. The Shadow Of Your Smile
[2:57] 5. The Lady Is A Tramp
[4:59] 6. Misty
[2:49] 7. Beyond The Sea
[0:54] 8. All The Things You Are
[2:55] 9. How High The Moon
[2:07] 10. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[5:55] 11. Stardust
[5:29] 12. Round Midnight
[6:24] 13. I Get A Kick Outta You-Night And Day
[4:34] 14. Prelude To A Kiss
[2:53] 15. Call Me

Native of Dallas, Texas, MARC TOUSSAINT purchased his first jazz records at age ten (Mel Torme, Art Tatum & Cannonball Adderly). Some thirty years later, Marc leads the premier vocal jazz combo in North Texas. THE MARC TOUSSAINT COMBO is made up of seasoned jazz musicians from all over the United States and has garnered a well earned reputation for sophistication, excellence and dependability. MARC TOUSSAINT performs regularly at The Mansion on Turtle Creek and can be seen in the finest venues including The Chaparral Club, Reatta, The Adolphus Hotel, The Tower Club, The Dallas Country Club, The Columbian, Ridglea Country Club, and many others.

MARC TOUSSAINT has performed with and for several legendary artists including Stevie Wonder, Bobbi Humphrey and Mike Love, most recently opening for Chris Botti at his appearance in Dallas. THE MARC TOUSSAINT COMBO recently released it's fourth project, ONE FOR MY BABY. This project along with MORE, OLD DEVIL MOON, and SWINGIN SINGIN CHRISTMAS each engineered by multi-Grammy award winner Phil York are collections of some of the greatest swing, jazz and dance favorites. OLD DEVIL MOON was included in the 2003 Grammy competition and ONE FOR MY BABY was a contender in 2005. The single I COVER THE WATERFRONT was included in the competition for Best Vocal (Traditional). A fifth project is due in the Fall of 2006. MARC TOUSSAINT along with his wife Melissa and their children and dogs, live in the Dallas area.

Old Devil Moon

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Liz Menezes - Relaxing Bossa

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:11
Size: 89.7 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Bossa Nova
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:45] 1. California Dreamin'
[3:18] 2. The Look Of Love
[2:59] 3. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
[2:31] 4. If
[2:49] 5. God Only Knows
[2:40] 6. There Is Nothing More To Say
[3:30] 7. Caroline Goodbye
[2:09] 8. Don't Take Your Time
[3:18] 9. Hello It's Me
[2:23] 10. Kites Are Fun
[1:59] 11. This Will Be Our Year
[3:07] 12. Up Up And Away
[2:51] 13. Walk On By
[2:46] 14. Wichi Tai To

Liz Menezes is a singer songwriter that began her musical career at the age of ten by getting involved in her church as part of the choir ensemble, while she was learning how to play classical piano. Her training as a writer began at an early age, when she began writing poetry which later would take life with melodies eventually becoming songs. Her desire to be involved in music led her to audition and along the way she did performances as a singer and also worked as a backup vocalist for different artists.

Liz has been influenced greatly by the Brazilian culture. During her two year stay in Rio de Janeiro, she had the opportunity to record American standard songs in Bossa Nova. She worked with the record label Albatroz Music as an independent artist. Included in these projects, which were released in Europe and Japan are such names as Bossa Nova great Roberto Menescal, and partner of Albatroz Music, Raymundo Bittencourt.

Relaxing Bossa

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Leah Natale - Swing Easy

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 29:45
Size: 69,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:55)  1. Time After Time
(3:11)  2. If I Had You
(4:14)  3. Say It
(3:07)  4. Moonglow
(3:04)  5. I'm Confessin'
(2:58)  6. Under A Blanket Of Blue
(4:13)  7. I Didn't Know About You
(2:09)  8. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
(3:51)  9. Do Nothing Til You Hear Rom Me

“Swing Easy”  The title of this latest musical compilation comes from two of my passions: Classic vocal jazz and the beautifully complex game of golf. In golf, “Swing Easy” refers to combining balance and a smooth tempo to produce an effortless swing. The same is true with classic vocal jazz. When the right balance of vocals and instruments is combined with smooth tempos, the perfect scenario is created to give both performer and listener that effortless, swinging feel. While listening to this album, I hope you find yourself lost in the passionate world of jazz with selections that are perfect for the 19th hole. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/leahnatale2

Swing Easy

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Dave Pell Octet - Jazz For Dancing And listening Disc 1 And Disc 2

The Dave Pell Octet was one of the most successful West Coast modern jazz combos in the 50s, playing a stimulating and swinging repertoire ideal for the group s aims. Dave Pell favoured variations on the melody rather than the harmonic emphasis heard in the work of his contemporaries. The deftly crafted arrangements, by Marty Paich, Shorty Rogers, Johnny Mandel, Wes Hensel, Bill Holman, Jack Montrose, André Previn, and Jimmy Giuffre, established the group s sound and personality, and offered shrewdly placed spots for its stellar soloists. They were a hit everywhere, with concerts and teenage dances notable showcases for the unit. With three of its key personnel, Pell, Don Fagerquist and Ray Sims, honed by years as star soloists of Les Brown s band, the Octet s cohesion was remarkable. These originally Atlantic and Capitol sessions also featured the wonderfully swinging sound of Bob Gordon s baritone sax. Elected New Star of the Year in the 1955 Down Beat critics poll, he was killed in an automobile accident two months after these recordings were made. His work here remains a brilliant display of his great talent. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-For-Dancing-Listening-Romantic/dp/B000PFU97Y

Styles: Saxophone Jazz

Year: 2012

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 50:53

Size: 117,3 MB

Art: Front

(2:53)  1. How Are Things In Glocca Morra?

(4:04)  2. Memphis in June

(2:53)  3. Deep in the Heart of Texas

(4:24)  4. New Orleans

(2:55)  5. White Cliffs of Dover

(3:53)  6. Sunday In Savannah

(2:45)  7. Isle Of Capri

(2:53)  8. Shuffle Off to Buffalo

(3:37)  9. Paris in the Spring

(3:19) 10. On A Slow Boat To China

(3:23) 11. London in July

(2:32) 12. Flying Down to Rio

(2:49) 13. I Had the Craziest Dream

(3:24) 14. Jazz Wagner

(2:24) 15. Mike's Peak

(2:36) 16. Poopsie

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Dave Pell Octet - Jazz For Dancing And listening  Disc 2

Year: 2012

Time: 53:07

Size: 122,3 MB

(2:52)  1. Star Eyes

(2:43)  2. Klump Jump

(2:40)  3. My Heart Belongs to Daddy

(2:05)  4. On The Good Ship Lollipop

(3:28)  5. Can't We Be Friends

(3:33)  6. I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling

(3:30)  7. Love Is the Sweetest Thing

(2:13)  8. I've Got A Crush On You

(3:29)  9. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight

(3:05) 10. Let's Do It

(3:09) 11. Just One More Chance

(4:19) 12. Who Walks In When I Walk Out

(3:11) 13. You can't pull the wool over my eyes

(4:54) 14. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

(4:31) 15. Solitude

(3:19) 16. I've Found A New Baby

Jazz For Dancing And listening Disc 1, Disc 2

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Jane Ira Bloom - Sixteen Sunsets

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:35
Size: 178,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. For All We Know
(7:46)  2. What She Wanted
(7:13)  3. Gershwin's Skyline/ I Loves You Porgy
(6:27)  4. Darn That Dream
(5:17)  5. Good Morning Heartache
(6:22)  6. Out of This World
(4:34)  7. Ice Dancing (For Torvill & Dean)
(7:34)  8. Left Alone
(4:26)  9. The Way You Look Tonight
(5:41) 10. But Not for Me
(4:29) 11. Primary Colors
(2:42) 12. My Ship
(4:29) 13. Too Many Reasons
(5:27) 14. Bird Experiencing Light

Sidney Bechet pioneered the use of the soprano saxophone in jazz in the early 20s. John Coltrane brought that "straight horn" out of a relative dormancy of use in 1959 with his anthem-like take on Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things" on his Atlantic Records album of the same name. Steve Lacy took the soprano "out there," and Dave Liebman continues to stretch its boundaries. The name Jane Ira Bloom can be added to that list of icons. For thirty years Bloom has used the soprano saxophone to give voice to fertile and uncompromising artistic spirit. She's broken ground on the introduction of live electronics into her music and has created a singular sound on a variety of multi-faceted projects including a commissioned work by the NASA Art Program. And (talk about "out there") the International Astronomical Union named an asteroid for her: 6083janeirabloom. Bloom's work in a quartet setting shines the brightest, on 2003's Chasing Paint (Arabesque Records), a nod to painter Jackson Pollock, 2008's Mental Weather (Outline), or the CD at hand, Sixteen Sunsets, an examination of the ballad form.

For such a forward-looking artist, this is something of a surprise. Bloom explores the standards here, along with four of her own standard form songs, with an extraordinary aplomb and patience. Her tone on the soprano is the purest, richest of sounds as if her horn were made of gold; and her quartet, featuring Matt Wilson on drums, bassist Cameron Brown and pianist Dominic Fallacaro, play with a delicacy and restraint that gives the sound a feeling of depth and a subdued grandeur. Bloom says she knows the words to all these songs: "I Loves You Porgy," "The Way You Look Tonight," "For All We Know," "Good Morning Heartache." These are tunes that dip down deep into longing, heartache, loneliness, tender love. Bloom's soprano saxophone is her voice. It's a voice that tells these song's stories with an exquisite grace and understanding of the vicissitudes of the human condition. 

Bloom's backing trio rolls mostly in the mode of subtle accompaniment, but when she lays back the trio steps out with a jewel- like elegance, as pianist Fallacaro, with the supplest of touches, wrings every teardrop out of the melody of "Good Morning Heartache," or injects a hopeful counterpoint to the angst of the temptations on "I Loves You Porgy." Sixteen Sunsets is, arguably, Jane Ira Bloom's most compelling recording. It's certainly her loveliest no argument there. And the sound quality is out of this world. An asteroid is nice, but it seems a rather small celestial body for an artist that can create something as perfect as this disc. Perhaps a star, a bright one, can be found. ~ Dan McClenaghan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/sixteen-sunsets-jane-ira-bloom-outline-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php

Personnel: Jane Ira Bloom: soprano saxophone; Dominic Fallacaro: piano; Cameron Brown: bass; Matt Wilson: drums.

Sixteen Sunsets

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Loston Harris - Why Try To Change Me Now

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:59
Size: 110,4 MB
Art: Front

(9:12)  1. Young At Heart
(6:13)  2. Angel Eyes
(3:52)  3. From This Moment On
(3:52)  4. Day In-day Out
(4:01)  5. I Fall In Love Too Easily
(3:57)  6. Why Try to Change Me Now
(4:34)  7. Jordu
(6:14)  8. Too Close for Comfort
(3:57)  9. That Old Black Magic
(2:02) 10. Empty Tables

Loston Harris' recorded debut as a leader, Comes Love (N2K) in 1998, cast him in the role of a traditionalist who played expert modern swing piano (with touches of Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal and Red Garland) and took a few cheerful vocals (including on "Close Your Eyes" and "Comes Love"). A subtle improviser, Harris (heard with a trio/quartet) was reshaping the past and sounding quite creative within the older style. He actually had started seriously playing piano fairly late. Harris had some piano lessons when he was five but soon dropped the instrument. Instead he played drums from the time he was ten until he hit his early twenties, primarily rock and r&b. He received a scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University and was initially a percussion major. 

However Ellis Marsalis (who was a visiting professor at VCU) heard Harris jamming on the piano and he suggested that he switch instruments since Harris a natural feel for the piano. Soon Harris was practicing eight-to-ten hours a day and, when Marsalis returned to New Orleans, he transferred to Howard University. He had opportunities to study with Geri Allen and Billy Taylor and was soon working locally. After graduating, Harris landed a local gig three nights a week in Reston, Virginia that continued throughout the 1990's. In addition, he toured with Wynton Marsalis in 1995, played second piano for Marcus Roberts on his "Portraits In Blue" tour in 1996 and had opportunities to play with Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove and Joshua Redman. Loston Harris began singing in the mid-1990's after being inspired by Nat King Cole records and he clearly has strong potential for the future. Bio  ~ https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/loston-harris/id56727018#fullText

Why Try To Change Me Now

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Hal Singer - Rent Party

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 41:52

Size: 95.9 MB

Styles: Jump blues, Jazz-blues

Year: 1984/2009

Art: Front

[2:55] 1. Cornbread

[2:23] 2. Teddy's Dream

[2:41] 3. One For Willie

[2:31] 4. Neck Bones

[2:33] 5. Rent Party

[2:23] 6. Singer Song

[2:21] 7. Rice And Red Beans

[2:22] 8. Swing Shift

[2:45] 9. Hot Rod

[2:19] 10. Rock 'n Roll

[3:08] 11. Indian Love Call

[2:19] 12. The Frog Hop

[2:55] 13. Hometown-Down For Dean

[2:46] 14. Easy Living

[2:22] 15. Hound's Tooth

[3:03] 16. Crossroads

Singer started performing in the 1930s and on into the 1940s in the bands of Ernie Fields, Jay McShann and Oran "Hot Lips" Page, among others, then in the late 1940s cut records backing Brownie McGhee and also with the groups The X-Rays and The Lem Davis Sextet before forming his own Sextet (and briefly an Octet). A recording contract with Savoy resulted in 7 singles, a number of which are presented here (which first came out in 1984 as vinyl LP Savoy Jazz SJL 1147).

During the height of the British Invasion, following a tour of Europe with Earl "Fatha" Hines, Singer chose to make his new home near Paris where, among others, he played with the likes of Charlie Watts - the famed drummer of The Rolling Stones - and his jazz band, as well as the legendary Duke Ellington. In fact, he can be heard in the Duke's acclaimed album Paris Soul Food, recorded in 1969. In 1981, at age 62, he was also part of the 1981 Rocket 88 live album by the British group of the same name, and later recorded two of his own albums for JSP records, owned by John Stedman, "Swing On It" and "Big Blues" - the latter also involving Jimmy Witherspoon. Another album, "Royal Blue," was done at age 70 in 1990 in collaboration with Al Copley for Black Top Records. That same year he had a role in the film Taxi Blues, and in 1999, after he turned 80, he was the subject of the documentary film Keep The Music Going.

This album, in terms of his more prominent singles, is probably the best of what's out there covering this unsung saxophonist, with digitally-remastered sound and original vinyl sleeve notes written by Phil Schaap. The other personnel involved in these original Savoy recordings are: tenor saxophonists Buddy Lucas and Sam Taylor, alto saxophonist Dave McRae, baritone saxophonist Leslie Johnakins, trumpeter Willie Moore, trombonists Milt Larkins and Chips Outcalt, pianists Wynton Kelly, Kelly Owens and George Rhodes, guitarist Mickey Baker (of Mickey & Sylvia fame), bass players George Duvivier, Frank Skeete, Leonard Gaskin and Walter Page, and drummers Sol Hall, Heywood Jackson, Panama Francis and Bobby Donaldson. ~AvidOldiesCollector

Rent Party

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Laura Karst - Little Did I Dream

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:30
Size: 113.3 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:04] 1. Nobody Else But Me
[3:54] 2. When Springtime Turne To Fall
[3:36] 3. Que Reste-T-Il De Nos Amours
[4:46] 4. There's No You
[4:16] 5. Autumn Serenade
[3:59] 6. Desafinado
[5:34] 7. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out Of Dry
[4:39] 8. Little Did I Dream
[6:03] 9. Everybody's Song But Me Own
[3:57] 10. Devil May Care
[5:36] 11. Turn Out The Stars

Laura Karst: vocals; Adam Shulman: piano; Doug Pohorski: acoustic bass; Joey Niehuis: drums; Jim Schneider: tenor saxophone.

Laura Karst debut solo release Little Did I Dream is a delightfully produced and well thought out gem that is as entertaining a release as you can find. With jazz having more sub genres on the family tree and the female vocalist branches clearly split into the wondrous and exciting as Christmas morning and as forgettable as my sister's Thanksgiving dinner. Little Did I Dream easily moves onto the wondrous and exciting branch with an eclectic yet incredibly likable song selection and a first call band backing her talents.

An entertaining release, well paced and flawlessly arranged this is how you sing jazz!

Little Did I Dream

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