Saturday, May 23, 2015

Roberto Rico & His Fabulous Band - Barbershop & Close Harmony Favorites

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:31
Size: 95.1 MB
Styles: Vocal harmonies
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[2:40] 1. When You're Smiling
[2:12] 2. Puttin' On The Ritz
[2:08] 3. Johnny Is The Boy For Me
[2:43] 4. I'se Muggin'
[2:41] 5. Fascinating Rhythm
[3:46] 6. Smoke That Cigarette
[2:57] 7. Night And Day
[2:34] 8. Mr. Sandman
[2:44] 9. I Only Have Eyes For You
[2:13] 10. Somebody Loves Me
[3:49] 11. You Always Hurt The One You Love
[3:55] 12. On The Beach In Waikiki
[2:22] 13. My Funny Valentine
[4:41] 14. So In Love

Barbershop & Close Harmony Favorites

Gypsy Swing Revue - Puttin' On The Ritz

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:47
Size: 107.1 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[4:02] 1. Coquette
[4:34] 2. There Will Never Be Another You
[4:26] 3. Troublant Bolero
[3:22] 4. Jojo Swing
[4:15] 5. Viper's Dream
[4:43] 6. Zapala
[4:29] 7. Farewell
[4:28] 8. Swing Gitan
[4:31] 9. Number One
[3:54] 10. Puttin On The Ritz
[4:00] 11. Unfortunate Rendezvous

The music of Gypsy Swing Revue is the swinging jazz of the 30’s and 40’s - Gypsy Jazz. This unique musical style was brought to life by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli during their domination of the Paris jazz scene in the 1930's. With instrumentation similar to Django's Quintet of the Hot Club of France (two acoustic gypsy guitars, violin, and upright bass), tight arrangements and impeccable performance, Gypsy Swing Revue recreates the elegant and energizing mood of war-era European Jazz.

This album was recorded 'live' in the studio, without any overdubs or edits. Notable tracks include two original compositions (Elliot Reed’s Zapala, and Farewell, by Art Gibson), one of the very few bolero-style tunes composed by Django Reinhardt (Troublant Bolero), the title track, a timeless standard by Irving Berlin (Puttin' On The Ritz), modern songs from the Gypsy Jazz repertoire (Jojo Swing, Number One), as well as a rare Russian swing song, contemporary with Django's early career, and never before recorded in United States (Unfortunate Rendezvous).

Puttin' On The Ritz

Warren Vaché, Allan Vaché - Remember

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:48
Size: 175.8 MB
Styles: Straight ahead jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[5:21] 1. Just Friends
[7:39] 2. Tangerine
[5:44] 3. London By Night
[7:18] 4. I'll Remember April
[6:57] 5. All Blues
[8:02] 6. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)
[5:10] 7. The Eel's Nephew
[6:07] 8. Falando De Orlando
[7:56] 9. Cotton Tail
[3:38] 10. Danny Boy
[5:53] 11. If Dreams Come True
[6:56] 12. What Am I Here For

The Vaché brothers, cornetist Warren and clarinetist Allan, grew up in New Jersey in a hotbed of revivalist trad jazz. Their father, Warren Vaché Sr., was a bassist and writer-editor (a bio of Pee Wee Erwin, the early Chicago-style trumpeter, and editor of Jersey Jazz, a newsletter) and one of the Jersey neo-traditionalists who helped kick-off revivals with the annual Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stomp. But while the brothers were steeped in trad jazz—an experience that has given them a deep appreciation of melodic improvisation—and Allan spent long periods working in trad bands in San Antonio and Orlando, this 1998 date is no trad jazz showcase. Reflecting the eclectic interests of the two brothers, especially Warren, it's a swinging mainstream outing with both timeless and modern touches. Joining the Vachés are the extremely versatile cohorts like Howard Alden (guitar), Eddie Higgins (piano), Phil Flanigan (bass) and Ed Metz Jr. (drums).

"Just Friends," a tune associated with bebop and modernists, is given a muscular workout, centered on the two brothers trading increasingly shorter leads and then engaging in a spirited tangle of simultaneous soloing, Alden joining them in an update of New Orleans polyphony. Later, another modern classic, Miles Davis' "All Blues," is given an idiomatic, modal rendition with Harmon-muted cornet. Warren's affection for small group chamber jazz is realized on a lovely duet for piano and flugelhorn on "London by Night" and a romp through Bud Freeman's "The Eel's Nephew" for cornet, guitar and bass. Allan's alternately bright and woody tone and clear articulation make his feature with the rhythm section, a fast "I'll Remember April," memorably swinging.

But the album's most significant tracks are three pieces of circa 1940 Ellingtonia: "Just Squeeze Me" is jaunty and insinuating, with wah-wah muted cornet and spunky clarinet; "Cottontail," beginning niftily with Ben Webster's orchestrated solo by guitar and bass, is a buoyant romp and "What Am I Here For?," invigorated by stop-time breaks and dropouts like clarinet solo with just bass or introductory melody chorus from just rhythm section is refreshingly appealing, timeless Ellington. ~George Kanzler

Remember

Fay Claassen & The Milennium Jazz Orchestra - Specially Arranged for Fay

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:43
Size: 134,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:19)  1. Very Early
(4:57)  2. Just One of Those Things
(7:11)  3. Nature Boy
(4:22)  4. But Not for Me
(7:34)  5. Love For Sale
(8:30)  6. When We Were One
(7:02)  7. Speak Low
(7:22)  8. Giant Steps
(5:22)  9. A House Is Not A Home

Not only was Frank Sinatra an incomparable singer, he was a smart one too, employing only the finest arrangers (Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Gordon Jenkins, Axel Stordahl) and musicians to bring out the best in every note he sang. On her third album for Jazz Impuls, Fay Claassen takes a cue from Ol’ Blue Eyes, using as her back-up crew the world-class Millennium Jazz Orchestra and commissioning superlative charts by conductor / music director Joan Reinders. Claassen has a handsome mid-range voice, and it’s clear that she has worked hard on her delivery, her pacing and her diction (the program consists of five standards plus tunes by Bill Evans, Johnny Griffin, John Coltrane and Burt Bacharach / Hal David, all sung and often scatted in letter-perfect English).

Claassen has to stay on her toes to avoid being upstaged by the MJO and those sparkling arrangements by Reinders, and it’s to her credit that she is able to hold her own and remain squarely in the spotlight. Claassen is comfortable at any tempo, equally charming on ballads (“Very Early,” “Nature Boy,” “A House Is Not a Home,” “When We Were One”), flag-wavers (“Just One of Those Things,” “Love for Sale,” “Giant Steps”) or anything in between (“But Not for Me,” “Speak Low”). Reinders’ charts combine the buoyancy and brilliance of Riddle or May while leaving ample room for solos, with Jan Wessels’ flugel especially impressive on “Love for Sale” and “Giant Steps.” Others who help brighten the scenery include pianist Hans Kwakkermaat and bassist Bart Tarenskeen (“Very Early”), tenor Gerlo Hesselink and drummer Niek van Wiggen (“One of Those Things”), Kwakkermaat again (“When We Were Young”), trombonist Jeroen Rol (“Speak Low”) and baritone Job Helmers (“Giant Steps”). 

But the album was Specially Arranged for Fay, and Ms Claassen returns the compliment by showing on every selection that she’s a talented young singer who is definitely on an upward curve. Reinders’ charts fit her like a glove, and vice versa. Add the MJO and the upshot is one of the better big-band-with-vocalist (or vocalist-with-big-band) albums of the year. ~ Jack Bowers  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/specially-arranged-for-fay-fay-claassen-jazz-impuls-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: Joan Reinders, conductor, arranger; Fay Claassen, vocals; Willy van Diepen, alto, soprano sax, flute; Gerard Grobben, alto, soprano sax, clarinet; Gerlo Hesselink, tenor, soprano sax, flute, clarinet; Martin van der Horst, tenor, soprano sax, clarinet; Job Helmers, baritone sax, bass clarinet; Rini Swinkels, Jan Wessels, Bert Fransen, Erik Hilferink, Herman Nijkamp, trumpet, flugelhorn; Jeroen Rol, Henri Gerrits, Gert Nijenbanning, trombone; Eric Westerink, bass trombone; Hans Kwakkernaat, piano; Bart Tarenskeen, bass; Niek van Wiggen, drums.

Kyle Eastwood - Time Pieces

Styles: Jazz, Bebop
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:43
Size: 173,9 MB
Art: Front

( 7:08)  1. Caipirinha
( 4:30)  2. Blowin' the Blues Away
( 7:22)  3. Dolphin Dance
( 5:02)  4. Prosecco Smile
( 8:30)  5. Vista
( 6:51)  6. Peace of Silver
( 6:16)  7. Incantation
( 3:41)  8. Letters From Iwo Jima
( 4:35)  9. Nostalgique
( 5:13) 10. Bullet Train
( 5:18) 11. Corner of 3rd and 6th Avenue (Bonus Track)
(11:12) 12. Pfrancing (No Blues) (Bonus Track)

Double bassist, composer and producer Kyle Eastwood unveils a timeless treasure with his seventh album as leader on the sensational Time Pieces, capturing the mood and aura of the 50s and 60s jazz scene blending two standards from the era with rich new compositions incorporating the sensitivities and flavor of that time period. It has been seventeen years since his debut album and along the way, Eastwood also enjoys working on film music where he has composed and arranged scores for his famous father Clint Eastwood's Oscar nominated films "Mystic River," "Million Dollar Baby," and "Letters from Iwo Jima," which is reprised here with a scaled down version arranged for piano and bass. On this album, Eastwood who performs here on the electric, acoustic and fretless bass returns to his jazz roots and influences as he includes music from some of his favorite jazz musicians notably, Horace Silver and Herbie Hancock and admits that much of the originals on this recording, are infused with elements of such influences. The bassist ventures into the modern jazz territory on a ten-piece repertoire where, with the exception of the light melancholy original "Vista,' the brief duet with pianist Andrew McCormack on "Letters from Iwo Jima," and the humbling "Nostalgique," he leads a working quintet of young English musicians in documenting a vibrant session of powerful swinging sounds.

The clock starts ticking on the imaginative and funky original "Caipirinha" featuring the leader on the electric bass, the trumpet voice of Quentin Collins and sharp solos from saxophonist Brandon Allen as the band opens in impressive style. The Silver standard "Blowin' the Blues Away" is s burner of a tune capturing more hard-driving grooves from both the trumpeter and saxophonist but this time, also brings pianist McCormack and Eastwood to the fore with a terrific solo moments supported by strong stick work by drummer Ernesto Simpson. Eastwood introduces the mid-tempo Hancock tune "Dolphin Dance" arranged with a light texture to it also features horn man Collins on a graceful flugelhorn dance that marks the piece which is followed by the perky grooves of the Eastwood/McCormack original "Prosecco Smile." Dedicated to the late Horace Silver who passed away during the recording of the project "Peace of Silver" is another powerful number featuring pronounced solos from Collins on the horn, while the sensual "Incantation," as the press sheet states "finds a direct heart line to the lyricism of Wayne Shorter." Closing out the set as it began, Eastwood and band perform another high-octane number with the energetic and electrifying "Bullet Train" featuring torrid solos from Allen on the soprano, Collins on the trumpet, a piano foray from McCormack, splashing cymbal accents by Simpson and firm steady lines by the leader on the acoustic bass all making for one dramatic clock-stopping exit. There's no question about this one, Kyle Eastwood's outstanding Time Pieces succeeds in delivering a measure of swing, swagger and grace in a musical package that's perfect for any time. ~ Edward Blanco  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/time-pieces-kyle-eastwood-harmonia-mundi-jazz-village-music-review-by-edward-blanco.php
Personnel: Kyle Eastwood: electric bass, acoustic bass, fretless electric bass; Brandon Allen: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; Quentin Collins; Andrew McCormack: piano; Ernesto Simpson: drums.

Elaine Lucia - A Sonny Day

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:50
Size: 96,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:48)  1. I Like the Sunrise
(4:18)  2. Lugar Bonito
(4:44)  3. Sea Journey
(3:18)  4. Sunny
(2:07)  5. Fun Life
(3:34)  6. I Only Have Eyes For You
(4:14)  7. In The Land Of Make Believe
(3:47)  8. When The World Is At Rest
(3:10)  9. I Call You Sonny
(2:48) 10. You Are There
(4:57) 11. Final Remembrance

“A Sonny Day” is a “day in the life of” concept, beginning with Duke Ellington’s prayerful “I Like The Sunrise,” and ending with the hymn-like homage “Final Remembrance.” After the sunrise song, the ‘day’ progresses with songs that serve as metaphors for life’s journey. As the sun rises higher in the sky, the songs gain in intensity and climax at high noon with a samba treatment on “I Only Have Eyes For You.” The day goes on, the sun begins to set, and the songs get quieter as we remember and dream of those we love, and those we’ve lost. “In The Land Of Make Believe” and the lovely song “When The World Is At Rest” are like lullabies, ushering in night time, where the bittersweet song “You Are There” reminds us that our loved ones are never truly gone; they live in our hearts and within the small moments of every day life that evoke cherished memories. The last song, “Final Remembrance,” was originally an instrumental song by vibraphonist Gerry Grosz. I heard the! song on the day of my father’s funeral, and the simple, beautiful melody haunted me for days. I wrote the lyrics shortly after, and it says all that was in my heart on that day. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/A-Sonny-Day-elaine-lucia/dp/B000H9I1MI

Count Basie - Compact Jazz - Basie Plays The Blues

Styles: Swing, Big Band
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:11
Size: 145,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:46)  1. Li'l Ol Groovemaker...Basie
(2:47)  2. Two For The Blues
(3:02)  3. Eee Dee
(3:41)  4. The Long Night
(2:23)  5. Blee Blop Blues (Live In Gothenburg / 1956)
(3:11)  6. Sent For You Yesterday And Here You Come Today
(3:42)  7. Slow But Sure
(3:05)  8. Magic
(6:34)  9. Blues Inside Out
(3:20) 10. Cherry Point
(2:44) 11. Stompin' & Jumpin'
(4:00) 12. Paradise Squat
(3:23) 13. Goin' To Chicago Blues
(3:16) 14. Jump For Johnny
(5:53) 15. Rails
(3:05) 16. Blues For The Count And Oscar
(3:00) 17. Sure Thing
(3:12) 18. Midgets

Bill Basie studied music with his mother as a child and played piano in early childhood. He picked up the basics of early ragtime from some of the great Harlem pianists and studied organ informally with Fats Waller. He made his professional debut as an accompanist for vaudeville acts and replaced Waller in an act called Katie Crippen and her Kids. He also worked with June Clark and Sonny Greer who was later to become Duke Ellington’s drummer. It was while traveling with the Gonzel White vaudeville show that Basie became stranded in Kansas City when the outfit suddenly broke up. He played at a silent movie house for a while and then became a member of the Walter Page Blue Devils in 1928 and ’29. Included in the ranks of the Blue Devils was a blues shouter who was later to play a key role as early male vocalist with Basie’s own big band, Jimmy Rushing. It was in fact the rotund Rushing who happened to hear Basie playing in Kansas City and invited him to attend a Blue Devil's performance. Basie soon joined the band after sitting in with them that night. After Page's Blue Devils broke up Count Basie and some of the other band members integrated into the Bennie Moten band. He remained with Moten until his death in 1935. After Moten’s death the band continued under the leadership of Bennie’s brother Buster, but Basie started a group of his own and soon found a steady gig at the Reno Club in Kansas City employing some of the best personnel from the Moten band himself.

The band gradually built up in quantity and quality of personnel and was broadcast live regularly from the club by a small Kansas City radio station. It was during one of these broadcasts that the group was heard by John Hammond, a wealthy jazz aficionado, who had himself worked as an announcer, disc jockey and producer of a live jazz show on radio. Hammond decided that the band must go to New York. Through his efforts and support (at times even financially) the band enlarged its membership further and went to New York in 1936. Hammond installed Willard Alexander as the band’s manager and in January of 1937 the Count Basie band made its first recording with the Decca record label. By the following year the Basie big band had become internationally famous, anchored by the leader’s simple and sparse piano style and the rhythm section of Freddie Greene guitar, Walter Page bass, and Jo Jones drums. The great soloists of this band included Jimmy Rushing as vocalist, Lester Young and Herschel Evans tenor saxes, Earl Warren on alto, Buck Clayton and Harry “Sweets” Edison on trumpets, and Benny Morton and Dickie Wells on trombones, among others. Also contributing to the bands success were the arrangements by Eddie Durham and others in the band and the “head” arrangements spontaneously developed by the group. Despite the occasional losses of key soloists, throughout the 1940’s Basie maintained a big band that possessed an infectious rhythmic beat, an enthusiastic team spirit, and a long list of inspired and talented jazz soloists. Among the long line of budding stars to pass through the Basie aggregation's ranks during these years were tenor men, Lester Young, Herschel Evans, Don Byas, Buddy Tate, Lucky Thompson, Illinois Jacquet, and Paul Gonsalves. On trumpets the list includes Buck Clayton, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Joe Newman, and Emmett Berry. In the trombone section Dickie Wells, Benny Morton, Vic Dickenson, and J.J. Johnson all had stints with Basie in the 40’s.

Except for a period in 1950 and ’51, when economic conditions forced him to tour with a septet, Basie maintained a highly swinging big band that, at one time or another, included Clark Terry, Wardell Gray, Al Grey, Frank Wess, Frank Foster, Thad Jones, Sonny Payne, Joe Wilder, Benny Powell, and Henry Coker. In 1954 Joe Williams became the band's full time male vocalist. By 1955 he had infused the Basie band with new life and further commercial success beginning with Every Day I Have The Blues. Also during this period arrangers Neal Hefti and Ernie Wilkins contributed many fine swinging arrangements to the band's book. These great men of music coupled with Basie’s undying allegiance to the beat and the 12 bar blues allowed the band to consistently turn out records of extremely high caliber well into even the 1970’s. Count Basie's health began deteriorating in 1976 when he suffered a heart attack that put him out of commission for several months. Following another stay in the hospital in 1981 he began appearing on stage driving an electric wheel chair. Count Basie died of cancer at 79. Along with a number of Grammy awards the Count and his big bands won the following Jazz polls: Esquire’s Silver Award in 1945; Down Beat reader’s poll in 1955, ’57-’59; Metronome Poll ’58-’60; Down Beat Critics Poll ’54-’57; Playboy All Stars’ All Stars ’59. As pianist Basie won the Metronome Poll in ’42-’43. In 1958 Count Basie was elected to the Down Beat Hall Of Fame. http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/countbasie

Friday, May 22, 2015

Marcie Castro - Enchantment

Size: 115,1 MB
Time: 49:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals, Brazilian Rhythms
Art: Front

01. Let's Do It (3:15)
02. The Way You Look Tonight (3:08)
03. Steppin'out With My Baby (2:07)
04. A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square (3:26)
05. Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (5:17)
06. Les Valses - Tendresse Et La Vie En Rose (3:23)
07. Mas Que Nada (3:22)
08. So Serene (3:47)
09. I Got Rhythm (3:43)
10. Bells Are Ringing (2:22)
11. Send In The Clowns (4:05)
12. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (2:52)
13. Just My Friends And I (2:50)
14. Home With You (3:33)
15. Reilly's Theme (1:50)

International artist Marcie Castro captures, animates and enchants her audiences whether in her native New York or overseas. A versatile pianist, vocalist and composer, Marcie is equally at east performing American popular standards of the 30's and 40's, as well as the music of her Brazilian heritage. "Enchantment" is her first CD, a melange of Brazilian music, jazz and pop originals.

Join Marcie as she takes you on a journey. It is a journey where she entices her listeners to be a part of her world: a world of soirees that take place in different countries as well as in her own imagination; scenes where one becomes caught up in the wonder and magic of her heart. Her piano style is rich and inventive filled with texture, color and space. The Bossa Nova is cool and smooth. The Samba is hot. Her sense of hard edge swing vocals echo the resounding tones of the immortal Ella Fitzgerald.

Fluent in romantic languages, Marcie's romantic homage to Edith Piaf "Les Valses" is a work of art. Her modern interpretation of the classic Jerome Kern composition "The Way You Look Tonight" and the World War II ballad "A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square" utilizes her sweet pensive heartfelt voice to convey her deepest feelings, thoughts and emotions.

"Bells Are Ringing" is the title song composed by Jule Styne, Adolph Green and Betty Comden for the show of the same name, Here Marcie creates her own take on this rather obscure piece. Her rendition of Sondheim's "Send In The Clowns" is a real gem, memorable and one of her most requested songs. Freedom and passion are most felt in the swing numbers "Let's Do It" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love".

"Mais Que Nada", a samba made famous by Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66, is performed with an authentic Brazilian style that is hot, sexy and whimsical. While listening you might feel Marcie's personal invitation to join her in the Carnaval paradeIn Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)" she takes us to a place in Rio, a familiar place where she spent a great deal of her childhood.

Two brilliant rhythm sections, one in Los Angeles and the other in New York, accompany Marcie and make the jamming all possible. The guitar solos of LA based, Larry Koonse sway serenely in the Bossa Novas. "I Got Rhythm" is her own arrangement that builds into a driving jazz alto sax solo performance by LA based Rusty Higgins.

At the end of the journey through Marcie's enchanted world, we hear a beautiful original composition called, "Reilly's Theme". No words are sung as the vocalizations take the listener to a dreamy and ethereal place.

"Enchantment", a most eclectic CD will capture your heart and leave you yearning to hear more of this greatly diverse artist, entertainer and composer who so easily has integrated jazz, Brazilian music and cabaret.

Enchantment

Mark Maxwell - Blue Moon

Size: 112,1 MB
Time: 48:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Moonlight In Vermont (3:44)
02. Shadow Of Your Smile (3:45)
03. When Sunny Gets Blue (2:47)
04. Take The A Train (2:54)
05. Blue Moon (3:53)
06. Meditation (3:27)
07. Sophisticated Lady (3:57)
08. In A Sentimental Mood (5:48)
09. Autumn Leaves (4:54)
10. Here's That Rainy Day (4:06)
11. 'Round Midnight (5:33)
12. Angel Eyes (3:11)

Blue Moon is the mellowest of the mellow. Deeply relaxing, spacious, sophisticated and subtle.

This one's something special - timeless jazz standards performed on tenor saxophone and grand piano.

Blue Moon: a fine collection of very mellow and romantic standards. This one is unique in that it is done with sax and piano only, so it has a very spacious and beautiful sound, with lots of subtle elements.

Danilo Santinelli is a remarkable musician and educator from Argentina whom I met through a mutual friend here in California, Larry Brooding, who engineered the meeting between Danilo and I, knowing that sparks would fly, and fly they did. After our first time playing together, I knew we had to get it recorded, so we immediately began planning a recording session. This CD is a product of that session.

We really labored over the tune list. We wanted to find songs that were classics but that would lend themselves to a spacious rendition. And during the recording session we continually reminded ourselves to keep it mellow, to lay back. So this CD is really, really mellow, and very consistently so.

In fact, I like to say that this CD is like a snifter of fine cognac: dark, rich, mellow, and relaxing. I hope you agree.

Blue Moon

Gonzalo Rubalcaba - Suite Caminos

Size: 192,3 MB
Time: 83:44
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Afro Cuban Jazz
Art: Front

01. Sendero De Aliento ( 9:08)
02. El Hijo Mensajero ( 9:21)
03. Destino Sin Fin (10:00)
04. Sendero De Espuma (14:44)
05. Santa Meta (10:57)
06. Alameda De Vientos (Feat. John Mclaughlin) ( 9:24)
07. Via Prodigiosa ( 6:30)
08. Ronda De Suerte (13:36)

Gonzalo Julio Gonzalez Fonseca was born in post-revolutionary Havana into a musical family rich in the traditions of the country’s artistic past. During his childhood, in addition to the standard fare of elementary schools, Gonzalo absorbed the Cuban musical heritage of his nascent environment through personal contacts within his family, notably his father, pianist Guillermo Rubalcaba and his two brothers (pianist and bassist) as well as from leading musicians who were frequent houseguests: Frank Emilio, Peruchin, Felipe Dulzaides and others. He also assimilated, through scarce and treasured recordings, the tunes and styles of 40's – 70's US jazz masters: Thelonius Monk,Bud Powell, Oscar Peterson among pianists; and instrumentalists Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey. Gonzalo loved drumming and early in his career studied both piano and drums. Despite the diversity of his background, Gonzalo’s initial formal musical training was entirely classical. He began his training at Manuel Saumell Conservatory at age 9, where he finally chose the piano as his main instrument. He moved up to middle-school at Amadeo Roldan Conservatory and finally earned his degree in music composition from Havana’s Institute of Fine Arts in 1983.
By that time he was already playing in clubs and music halls in Havana. He toured France and Africa with Orquesta Aragon in 1980 and introduced his ownGrupo Projecto to the North Sea and Berlin Festivals in 1985. Egrem Studios of Havana was the first to record his music during the early and mid ’80's and these discs, Inicio, an album of piano solos andConcierto Negro, are still available. Beginning in 1986 Gonzalo began recording for Messidor of Frankfurt, Germany and put out three highly acclaimed albums for that label with his Cuban Quartet entitled Mi Gran Pasion,Live in Havana, and Giraldilla. On the strength of these works Gonzalo began attracting international attention and in 1986 a chance meeting in Havana with bassist Charlie Haden brought him to the attention of Blue Note Records‘ president, Bruce Lundvall, and thus began an association first withToshiba/EMI of Japan and later with Blue Note in the US which resulted in 14 discs being released. (See the Discography page for a complete listing.) In July 1990, he appeared as a surprise guest in an historic performance, available on the CD Discovery with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian (ex Bill Evans trio members) at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland.

Further works eventually brought Gonzalo both a Latin Grammy for Jazz Album of the Year, Supernova, as well as a Grammy for co-production with Charlie Haden on Nocturne, a Verve release of Cuban and Mexican boleros and ballads. Gonzalo has to his credit 15 Grammy nominations, including five for Jazz Album of the Year, Rapsodia in 1995, Antiguoand Inner Voyage in 1999, Supernova in 2002, Avatar in 2008. Among recent honors, in June 2001 Gonzalo received the SFJAZZ Leaders Circle Laureate Award and in 2002 he performed as Artist-in-Residence at the Montreal Jazz Festival together with Chucho Valdez. Gonzalo has performed with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Ignacio Berroa, Chick Corea, Al DiMeola, Herbie Hancock,Charlie Haden, Katia Labeque, Richard Galliano, Francisco Cepsedes, Tony Martinez, Issac Delgado, Juan Luis Guerra, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Eric Harland, Dennis Chambers, Brian Bromberg, Ron Carter, Yosvany Terry,Matt Brewer, Mike Rodriguez, Marcus Gilmore, Pat Martino, Giovanni Hidalgo,John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, Joao Bosco, Eric Harland , Ivan Linz and many others.

Suite Caminos

Kaoru Azuma - Wonderlands (Feat. Phillip Strange)

Size: 155,6 MB
Time: 67:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Alice In Wonderland (7:03)
02. My Foolish Heart (7:53)
03. Four (6:13)
04. What A Wonderful World (7:33)
05. So Nice (4:24)
06. My One And Only Love (6:29)
07. Joy Spring (4:20)
08. Moonlight Serenade (7:09)
09. East Of The Sun (5:09)
10. But Not For Me (6:03)
11. I'll Be Seeing You (4:55)

Kaoru Azuma was born in Osaka, Japan 1977.
She started her professional career during her junior college year in Osaka, Kyoto, and other parts of Japan.
In 2000, she got the one of the prizes of the Kobe Jazz Vocal Queen Contest.
In 2003, she moved to New York to perform and enrolled in the jazz studies program at the City College of New York.
Kaoru’s knowledge and education in music comes from great singers and musicians such as Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan,
Suzanne Pittson, Kate McGarry, Mike Holober and Scott Reeves in New York.
After receiving her BFA degree and the Pro Music Award from City College, Kaoru began performing in clubs such as the 55 bar, the Cornelia Street Café and others while collaborating with New York-based musicians.
In 2006, Kaoru’s 1st CD, The Water Is Wide was released in the U.S. and has had airplay in Belgium and Switzerland.
In 2008, Kaoru’s 2nd CD, Footprints in New York (River East Music 1002, 1003), was released in the U.S. and Japan.
Her selections are primarily compositions associated with the great jazz masters.
Her CD was reviewed and recommended as a Hot New CD for Summer 2009 by Jazz Improv Magazine.
In 2010, Kaoru was selected as a guest vocalist with Japanese All Stars from Kobe City for the French Quarter Jazz Festival in New Orleans, where she performed a series of acclaimed shows.
In 2011, Kaoru was selected as one of the semifinalists for the 10th International Jazz Voices Competition in Klaipeda, Lithuania.
The unit Star In Green with guitarist, Jesse Forest released its 1st album Star In Green (River East Music 1003) in October 2011.
In 2013, Travels (APLS-1305 Apollo Sounds) with co- leader Hitomi Nishiyama, was released.
Throughout she has been known as a remarkable and creative jazz vocalist, composing original music, writing lyrics on re-imagined instrumental tunes, doing free improvisation, and contributing unique arrangements to the jazz canon.

Wonderlands

Bruce Riley - Central Eclipse

Size: 116,7 MB
Time: 50:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. It's All Good (5:09)
02. Smoothin' That Smooth (6:31)
03. Sunset Delight (3:46)
04. Invisable Mirrors (5:09)
05. Planetarium Orbit (4:09)
06. Eligant Charms (5:16)
07. Holiday Feast (3:54)
08. Elements (4:46)
09. Central Eclipse (7:23)
10. Cruisin' That Groove (4:08)

Jazz grooves at its finest. Captivates the melody moods of smooth, nu, and contemporary grooves like no other.

Any more info will be welcome.

Central Eclipse

Evan Christopher, Koen De Cauter & David Paquette - New Orleans Rendezvous

Size: 155,2 MB
Time: 66:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: New Orleans Jazz, Swing
Art: Front

01. Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me (4:40)
02. Histoire De Faussaire (5:35)
03. Chloe (Song Of The Swamp) (5:56)
04. There'll Be Some Changes Made (5:09)
05. Melancholy (4:53)
06. Them There Eyes (5:21)
07. Please (3:58)
08. Luz Que No (4:40)
09. Someday Sweetheart (4:33)
10. Walking Stick (4:57)
11. Blues For Nina (3:48)
12. Les Passantes (4:55)
13. Everybody Loves My Baby (3:57)
14. Song Of The Island (3:35)

Evan Christopher - Clarinet
Koen De Cauter - Guitar
David Paquette - Piano

Evan Christopher combines virtuosity, immaculate taste, and enthusiasm with a deep commitment to exploring the full range of possibilities of the New Orleans clarinet tradition. His highly personal brand of "contemporary early-jazz" strives to expand the unique musical vocabulary created by early Creole musicians such as Sidney Bechet, Omer Simeon, and Barney Bigard.

Christopher's journey on Clarinet Road began in 1994 when he left his native California to join the New Orleans music community. Diverse work included gigs with musicians such as Al Hirt or veterans of Preservation Hall to funk and brass bands including the Nightcrawlers and Galactic until he accepted regular work with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band of San Antonio, Texas in 1996. For nearly three years, he appeared nightly as their featured clarinetist and recorded several of their syndicated radio programs, Riverwalk: Live from the Landing.

When Christopher returned to New Orleans, published research and presentations on the New Orleans clarinet style initiated pursuit of a Masters degree in Musicology at Tulane University. He also began producing his "Clarinet Road" series of CDs (STR Digital) and touring internationally. Other recordings have found him alongside many New Orleans artists including Big Al Carson, Duke Heitger, Irvin Mayfield, Uncle Lionel Battiste, and Tom McDermott. After the the Federal levees failed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005, he accepted an artist residency in Paris at the invitation of the French government and formed his current group, Django à la Créole. This Europe-based quartet fuses Gypsy Swing with New Orleans grooves and rhythms of le monde Créole. Three CDs for (Frémeaux & Associés) "Django à la Créole" 2007, "Finesse" 2010, and LIVE 2014 have all gained critical attention and earned the group a worldwide reputation for its elegant, acoustic character.

Having returned permanently to New Orleans in 2008, Christopher is an advocate for the cultural workforce and jazz-based music education. He taught briefly at the University of New Orleans where he coached a "New Orleans Music Ensemble" that performed with guest mentors such as Lucien Barbarin and Marcus Roberts. Locally, although it is rare to find him performing in bars, hotels or restaurants, he does appear occasionally as a guest with groups such as the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and jazz composer guild, NOLA ArtHouse Music. He also writes columns about the music scene for NolaVie.com

As a composer, his original songs are the high point of acclaimed recordings such as "Delta Bound " (Arbors, 2007) featuring pianist Dick Hyman, "The Remembering Song " (Arbors, 2010) featuring guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and the Grammy-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra's "Book One." (2012). In July 2010, he had the honor to debut his "Treat It Gentle Suite," the first concerto written for clarinet and jazz band in the New Orleans style, with the Minnesota Orchestra. Mr. Christopher began his musical training on clarinet at age 11. In high school, he received the Louis Armstrong National Jazz Award and was one of the first graduates of the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy. He continued studies at the University of Southern California and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach.

New Orleans Rendezvous

Alex Bugnon - Going Home

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:16
Size: 92.2 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[6:00] 1. Oliloqui Valley
[5:08] 2. Silverfinger
[3:07] 3. The World Is A Ghetto
[5:50] 4. Nouthra Dona Di Maortse
[3:20] 5. Jersey Jump
[5:59] 6. Another Love Season
[5:43] 7. Ahmad's Apple
[5:07] 8. Going Home

Montreux-reared Bugnon studied at a music conservatory in Paris before coming to America to continue at Boston’s famed Berklee School of Music. He spent a lot of time playing not only jazz but gospel, gigging on that time-honored southern circuit. Upon graduation he moved to New York. After spending a year driving taxicabs and teaching French at the Berlitz School, he found initial work backing R&B stars such as Patti Austin & James Ingram and Keith Sweat. It was through backing Freddie Jackson that he made the contact at then-new Orpheus Records where he recorded his first two CDs Love Season (1989) and Head Over Heels (1991), making his deepest first impressions with R&B audiences as a soulful instrumentalist du jour. A switch to Sony’s Epic Records family yielded 107 Degrees in the Shade (1991) and This Time Around (1993), upon which time he jumped to RCA Records for Tales from the Bright Side (1995). From there he segued into the four albums he did for Narada Records, an associated label that specialized in smooth jazz and new age.

Beyond his recordings, Alex has built a loyal fan base through constant touring on the club and jazz festival circuits. Just last year he passed the great Dizzy Gillespie’s record of playing Washington, D.C.’s Blues Alley for 12 consecutive Thanksgivings with his own lucky 13th visit. That most recent gig found his new music from Going Home receiving quite the warm welcome. “People in their 40s, 50s and 60s that have all of my CDs were raving about the new songs,” he beams. “At the same time, college students that are more likely to be Radiohead fans were coming up to me saying, ‘I really dug that ‘Silver Finger’ song, man’ - which was really nice to hear!”

“I’m very proud to be heading into this direction,” Alex concludes concerning Going Home, the first release through his own company Xela Productions (“Alex” spelled backwards). “I might not get immediate gratification, but that’s not what this is about. I’m so happy with what I was able to do with the help of my friends. It’s just an unbelievable feeling... The timing of this record could not be more perfect.”

Going Home

The Kennedy Brothers - I'll Remember April

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:01
Size: 121.4 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[6:57] 1. I'll Remember April
[5:36] 2. Tenderly
[8:00] 3. Secret Love
[4:27] 4. Laura
[6:10] 5. Pennies From Heaven
[5:02] 6. Midnight Mood
[6:46] 7. Soft Winds
[4:32] 8. You Don't Know What Love Is
[5:29] 9. Silk Stockings-All Of You

Ray Kennedy, piano; Tom Kennedy, bass; Todd Strait, drums.

This recording is an excellent example of piano trio music. Ray Kennedy, of the John Pizzarelli Trio, shows his unbelievable sense of musicality on this record. He plays the piano beautifully on the ballad Laura and is unbelievable on I'll remember April, the title track. Tom Kennedy, of the Dave Weckl Band, has an incredible sense of time and feel on the bass. His melodic sense will blow you away! His solos are unbelievably technically challanging and have a wonderful melodic and harmonic sense.....he sounds like a horn player! You can also hear him on his solo release "Basses Loaded," on TKM records. Todd Strait's drumming is absolutely flawless. His great sense of time and feel truly add to this remarkable record! ~J. Lovins

I'll Remember April

Billy Cardine - Six String Swing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:05
Size: 89.5 MB
Styles: Swing, Guitar jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:41] 1. Them There Eyes
[3:44] 2. Les Yeux Noirs
[3:44] 3. After You've Gone
[3:21] 4. Rose Room
[5:22] 5. Nuages
[3:22] 6. Double Scotch
[3:57] 7. Sweet Chorus
[2:24] 8. Hungaria
[3:13] 9. Oriental Shuffle
[3:17] 10. China Boy
[2:57] 11. Django's Castle

The swing music Billy Cardine is tackling on the resophonic guitar on this project is some of my all time favorite music, and in his hands, the music itself takes on an all new meaning to me. It all sounds so natural to the resophonic guitar that one is almost forgiven for not realizing that this is pretty much impossible to pull off so convincingly. Billy is definitely a rising star in the resophonic world! ~Mike Auldridge

Six String Swing

Cécile Verny Quartet - The Bitter And The Sweet

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:18
Size: 129,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:51)  1. The Bitter And The Sweet
(3:03)  2. I Am Broken
(4:13)  3. Motherland
(4:22)  4. Face à Face
(5:34)  5. Soft Snow
(4:02)  6. Memory Hither Come
(5:38)  7. Two Ghosts
(4:00)  8. Quand Il Pleut
(4:48)  9. Nomades
(3:53) 10. Mad Song
(4:12) 11. I Will Give My Love An Apple
(4:21) 12. You Here And Now
(2:15) 13. Cradle Song Ii

The path of the Cécile Verny Quartet (CVQ) has been an eventful one, during the past quarter century of their existence.  When the young singer from the Ivory Coast moved from France to Freiburg in the late 80’s, she discovered Jazz almost by chance.  Yet even then, she dared to lead the way in bridging the gap between French and English texts.  First in a duet and then in a trio she explored the standards of Modern Jazz and Blues, all while creating her own material.  In 1989 they became a quartet with the addition of the bassist Bernd Heitzler, a like-minded new member, and from then on were known under the catchy abbreviation of CVQ. Their first CD release was in 1992 and in the following two decades the foursome, which also included pianist Andreas Erchinger and drummer Lars Binder, played their way to international esteem.  

The tour route led from Paris to Nairobi, from Antibes to Asmara, and from South Africa to Latvia. Eight CDs accompany the amazing career, they span from the Afro-colors (“Métisse”, 1999 and “Kekeli”, 2001) in which Verny reflects upon her heritage, through delicate Jazz poetry in French (“Amoureuse”, 2008), to the sophisticated, rocking soulful tones that characterize the last album “Fear & Faith” (2012).  German record critics are enthusiastic about the qualities of the CVQ and their 2006 production, “The Bitter & The Sweet,” was awarded the Grand Prix by the Jury at the festival in Antibes.  Numerous radio recordings characterize the varied work of the three men and their front lady. Today the Quartet can accredit themselves with 78 original compositions and 8 CDs. More.. http://jazzhausrecords.com/C%C3%A9cile_Verny_Quartet-en

Personnel: Cécile Verny (vocals); Bernd Heitzler (acoustic bass); Andreas Erchinger (piano); Torsten Krill (drums).

The Mel Lewis - 20 Years At The Village Vanguard

Styles: Bop, Post-Bop
Year: 1986
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:35
Size: 127,6 MB
Art: Front

( 5:18)  1. All Of Me
( 7:19)  2. Blue Note
( 8:45)  3. Butter
( 6:08)  4. C Jam Blues
( 5:23)  5. Dearly Beloved
( 5:54)  6. Interloper
( 5:51)  7. Alone Together
(10:53)  8. American Express

The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (originally co-led by Thad Jones) celebrated its 20th anniversary with this Atlantic album, one of its very few major-label releases. Although two of Jones'arrangements are on this set ("All of Me" and "Interloper"), the big band had changed quite a bit since his defection in 1979, becoming younger (it was originally an all-star group), less dependent on one arranger, and a bit more influenced by classical music while still swinging. The 1985 version of the band included such notable players as pianist Kenny Werner, altoist Dick Oatts,and both Joe Lovano and Ralph Lalama on tenors, but it was more of a team effort without any one player dominating. Excellent modern big-and music. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/20-years-at-the-village-vanguard-mw0000188323

Personnel: Mel Lewis (vocals, drums); Joe Lovano, Ralph Lalama (vocals, flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Dick Oatts (vocals, flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Jim Powell (vocals, trumpet); Ed Neumeister (vocals, trombone); Kenny Werner (vocals, piano); Ted Nash (flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Gary Smulyan (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); John Mosca (trumpet, trombone); Bill Pusey, Glenn Drewes, Earl Gardner, Joe Mosello (trumpet); Stephanie Fauber (French horn); Earl McIntyre, Douglas Purviance (trombone, bass trombone).

Tony Monaco Trio - Burnin' Grooves

Styles: Jazz, Straight-ahead/Mainstream
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:35
Size: 125,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:59)  1. Blues for T
(5:57)  2. Backward Shack
(4:18)  3. Girl Talk
(3:56)  4. Fungi Mama
(6:27)  5. Jumpin' the Blues
(6:40)  6. Ashleen
(7:42)  7. Bluesette
(6:42)  8. Road Song
(6:50)  9. So Long For Now

Tony Monaco fronts two organ trios on this album of hot standards. The leader and two excellent guitar traditionalists make the session stand out. Monaco maintains a lively rhythmic groove, while everyone adds fuel to the fire. Trading fours and stretching out, each trio member participates independently. And yet, they're cohesive. Derek DiCenzo and Louis Tsamous work with the organist on "Backward Shack," "Fungi Mama" and "So Long for Now." Paul Bollenback and Byron Landham – longtime associates of Joey DeFrancesco jam with Monaco for the rest. The courage required of him in overcoming neuralgic amyotrophy speaks to the organist's enthusiasm. His motivation has carried him through tough times from age 15 on. External motivation has come from Jimmy Smith and Joey DeFrancesco; both encouraging him to perform with them at key intervals. More about Monaco's courageous battle and highlights from this, his latest album, are available from his web site.  Joey DeFrancesco sits in on piano for "Girl Talk," the session's lone vocal number. His romping interlude burns in vintage form. That track and "Bluesette" represent the album's high points. This is hot, straight-ahead jazz. There are no low points. ~ Jim Santella  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/burnin-grooves-tony-monaco-review-by-jim-santella.php
Personnel: Tony Monaco- Hammond B3 organ, vocals; Joey DeFrancesco- piano; Paul Bollenback, Derek DiCenzo- guitar; Byron Landham, Louis Tsamous- drums.

Burnin' Grooves

Bill Watrous - Space Available

Styles: Trombone Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:24
Size: 161,6 MB
Art: Front

( 6:42)  1. Space Available
( 7:43)  2. The Road Goes Ever Onward
( 9:38)  3. It'll Count If It Goes
( 6:13)  4. My Foolish Heart
( 9:50)  5. Mama Lama Samba
( 6:15)  6. My Romance
(10:59)  7. I Got d'Zzz'z
(13:01)  8. Village Dance

In the mid-1970s, trombonist Bill Watrous led a couple of notable big band albums for Columbia. Since relocating to the Los Angeles area in the '80s, Watrous has put together jazz orchestras on a part-time basis to play at local clubs. Finally, in 1997, a recording was released by the more recent version of the Bill Watrous Big Band. Featuring arrangements by Tom Kubis, Shelly Berg, Gordon Goodwin, Ken Kaplan and Frank Perowsky, the Double-Time set is largely straight-ahead but not exactly predictable. Most of the eight selections have their complex sections, but always swing. 

The warm-toned trombonist is the main soloist (fully showcased on "My Foolish Heart" and "My Romance"); powerhouse pianist Shelly Berg is the top supporting player, and other key voices include Gene Burkurt and Bill Liston on tenors, trumpeters Bob Summers and Steve Huffsteter, and altoist Sal Lozano. The music is as rewarding as one would expect, considering the caliber of these players, and is easily recommended to modern big-band fans. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/space-available-mw0000025021

Personnel: Bill Watrous (trombone); Sal Lozano, Phil Feather, Bill Liston, Gene Burkurt, Bob Carr (saxophone); Dennis Farias, Wayne Bergeron, Bob Summers, Darrel Gardiner, Steve Huffsteter (trumpet); Doug Inman, Bob McChesney, Wendell Kelly, Rich Bullock (trombone); Shelly Berg (piano); Trey Henry (bass); Randy Drake (drums).