Monday, February 19, 2018

June Christy - Day Dreams

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:18
Size: 108.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[2:43] 1. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
[2:44] 2. If I Should Lose You
[2:44] 3. Daydream
[3:03] 4. Little Grass Shack
[2:48] 5. Skip-Rope
[2:58] 6. I'll Bet You Do
[2:47] 7. The Way You Look Tonight
[2:59] 8. Everything Happens To Me
[3:13] 9. I'll Remember April
[2:43] 10. Get Happy
[3:05] 11. Somewhere (If Not In Heaven)
[2:25] 12. A Mile Down The Highway (There's A Toll Bridge)
[2:54] 13. Do It Again
[2:50] 14. He Can Come Back Anytime He Wants To
[3:34] 15. Body And Soul
[3:39] 16. You're Blase

This CD includes all of singer June Christy's Capitol recordings from 1947-50 outside of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, including four previously unreleased titles. Christy, a subtle and cheerful improviser, was always willing to take chances, and her repertoire here ranges from novelties and jazz standards to a version of "Everything Happens to Me" on which she is backed by a typically radical arrangement by Bob Graettinger. In addition to the performances with orchestras led by Frank DeVol, Bob Cooper, Pete Rugolo and Shorty Rogers (highlighted by "Get Happy"), there are also two songs from her 1955 duet date with pianist Stan Kenton that were released on this CD for the first time. June Christy is in superior form throughout this highly enjoyable and somewhat historical set. ~Scott Yanow

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Dennis Angel - On Track

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:30
Size: 99.6 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:56] 1. Soul Strut
[3:55] 2. I Like It Like That
[4:22] 3. My Love
[4:09] 4. Take Me Away
[4:44] 5. Serenity
[4:23] 6. Jubilation
[4:31] 7. Tea For Two
[4:40] 8. Sunset Cafe
[4:20] 9. This Song's For You
[4:25] 10. Dream Dancer

Dennis Angel: flugelhorn; Gottfried Stoger: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute; Jason Miles: piano, keyboards; synthesizers, strings; percussion and arrangements; Kenny Barron: piano (1, 8); Will Lee: electric bass; James Genus: acoustic bass; George Porter, Jr.: electric bass; Amanda Ruzza: electric bass; Tom "Bones" Malone: trombone; Romero Lubambo: acoustic guitar; Nick Moroch: guitar; JT Lewis: drums; Brian Dunne: drums; Adrian Harpham: drums; Bashiri Johnson: percussion; Cyro Baptisata: percussion; Maya Azucena: vocals; James D Train Williams: vocals; Pamela Friggs: vocals; Rebecca Angel: vocals.

New York flugelhornist and composer Dennis Angel presents a collection of funk, Latin-tinged and contemporary jazz sounds in a musical package of smooth-styled jazz featuring pianist of note Kenny Barron on the light and savvy On Track. A lawyer by profession with a New York City suburban law firm, Angel delivers his third album as leader and his second collaboration (Timeless Grooves, Timeless Grooves Records, 2012) with pianist and producer Jason Miles who also provides the arrangements along with saxophonist Gottfried Stoger. Angel's soft flugelhorn voicing seems the perfect fit for the soft smooth repertoire of the disc which contains nine originals and a beautiful rendition of the standard "Tea For Two" featuring daughter Rebecca Angel on vocals.

The personnel listing for the ten-piece album features a variety of players and vocalist performing in formats from quintets to an eight-man ensemble with Barron appearing as special guest on a couple of originals. The music opens up on the funky-tinged "Soul Strut" with Barron, Angel and saxophonist Stoger driving the music on this single release. The following "I Like It Like That" picks up the beat featuring Maya Azucena on vocals and a cast of eight laying down a tasteful groove. With music and lyrics by the leader, the love song "My Love" is voiced by James D Train Williams as Angel provides the flugelhorn background on one beautiful song.

Keyboardist Miles is pronounced on the electric piano and the Hammond B3 organ, augmented by Cyro Baptisata on percussion and others on the light "Take Me away," while the smooth jazz chart of "Serenity" features the soprano voice of saxophonist Stoger with accompaniment from the leader, drummer Brian Dunne finishing off another charming piece of music. The carnival-like "Jubilation," is one of the standout pieces of the disc highlighting brisk moments from Angel and Stoger on the flute, the electric bass of Amanda Ruzza and powerful solos from acoustic guitarist Romero Lubambo.

The swinging cool hard-driving beats of "Sunset Café" mark this one, the funkiest song of the set featuring Barron and Stoger's strong tenor statements. The session begins to close on the high-energy soul jam tune "This Song's for You" which showcases bassist George Porter Jr., and finalizes on the slightly disco-styled finale piece "Dream Dancer," capping off a splendid set of smooth and swing-driven jazz. A finesse player on the flugelhorn, Dennis Angel drives the music right On Track with this engaging outing of smooth jazz, touching on a variety of styles while displaying multiple rhythm sections and solid solo performances by a core cadre of fine players, very nice indeed! ~Edward Blanco

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Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis - Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:42
Size: 141.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Trumpet jazz
Year: 1976/1997
Art: Front

[9:18] 1. Opus Funk
[9:32] 2. Robbin's Nest
[8:04] 3. Candy
[5:28] 4. C Jam Blues
[7:25] 5. Lullaby For Dancers
[7:45] 6. Lester Leaps In
[6:08] 7. Spotlite
[7:59] 8. Blues Walk

Bass – Hugo Rasmussen; Drums – Svend-Erik Nørregaard; Piano – Kenny Drew; Tenor Saxophone – Eddie Davis; Trombone – John Darvill; Trumpet – Harry Edison. Recorded July, 1976 - Rosenberg Sound Technic, Denmark.

Although trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison gets top billing on this Storyville LP, he is only on half of the selections and none of the ones that feature tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and vocalist Richard Boone (who mostly sings his three features straight). Leonardo Pedersen's Jazzkapel (a Danish 11-piece group) is a small big band that sometimes bows in the direction of Count Basie and backs the three guests. Actually nothing all that essential occurs but Edison and Davis completists and fans of mainstream jazz may want to get this set. ~Scott Yanow

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Dena DeRose - A Walk In The Park

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:07
Size: 137.6 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[5:02] 1. Meditation
[5:54] 2. All My Love
[5:45] 3. How Deep Is The Ocean
[4:42] 4. Home (With You)
[5:35] 5. All The Way
[6:08] 6. The Lonely Ones
[6:08] 7. In The Glow Of The Moon
[6:22] 8. Imagine
[6:45] 9. A Walk In The Park (With James)
[2:33] 10. I Could've Told You
[5:08] 11. I Concentrate On You

A dynamic and innovative pianist, a compelling and original singer, and a creative and sophisticated composer and arranger, DeRose debuts on MAXJAZZ with A Walk In The Park. Her fifth release, A Walk In The Park is her much-anticipated and requested first trio recording . The trio here is first-rate: Martin Wind on bass and Matt Wilson on drums. All arrangements are by DeRose, who produced the CD and wrote three of the eleven tracks. DeRose selected little-known songs by Al Jolson and Duke Ellington in addition to well-known standards and - representative of her era – even an iconic song by John Lennon.

"Even as a roomful of female jazz singers have eclipsed her in terms of recognition and popularity, Dena DeRose is hardly a well-kept secret. A singer and pianist of uncommon intelligence and musicality, she is a darling of numerous critics. But A Walk in the Park, her MaxJazz debut, should endear her to a much wider audience. The first of her albums to showcase her in her most natural setting, the trio. It captures her easy intimacy and assertive charm in a way that her previous efforts haven't. DeRose recalls Shirley Horn in the way she makes her piano playing a seamless extension of her vocals. But she's considerably more animated than that beloved artist, here roiling the keys to spur bassist Martin Wind and drummer Matt Wilson and there making judicious use of trills and scat effects and a catch in her voice. The songs range from smartly turned out rarities like Al Jolson's "All My Love" and Duke Ellington's "The Lonely Ones" to freshly voiced standards like "All the Way" and "How Deep is the Ocean." John Lennon's "Imagine," which is too stunted harmonically to ever make it as a jazz standard, is a misstep, but it's the only one in an otherwise flawless performance." ~Lloyd Sachs

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Stephen Guerra Big Band - Namesake

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:17
Size: 165.5 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. Black Nile
[8:07] 2. Joonji
[7:08] 3. Want A Cracker
[6:54] 4. A Pair And A Spare
[7:19] 5. A Promise Not Forgotten
[5:53] 6. Red Means Go
[8:46] 7. Ten Years
[8:09] 8. Dex's Dilemma
[5:21] 9. Three Brothers
[3:41] 10. Winter Wonderland
[6:29] 11. Flower

Steve Guerra is the Managing Director of the Henry Mancini Institute (HMI) and a Lecturer in the department of Studio Music and Jazz at the FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC. He is also the director of the award-winning FROST Studio Jazz Band and teaches classes in jazz conducting and repertoire, composition, arranging, and saxophone. He formerly served as the director of FROST MusicReach and launched many of the programs that continue today.

Under Dr. Guerra’s leadership, the Henry Mancini Institute has appeared in numerous PBS specials, major-label record releases, and high profile live events throughout the United States including a recent performance with John Williams, Kristen Chenoweth, and Matthew Morrison in Beverly Hills, California. Dr. Guerra, in collaboration with Dean Shelly Berg and Resident Conductor and Artistic Coordinator Scott Flavin, strives to create innovative learning and performance opportunities for HMI.

In high demand as a composer and arranger, Dr. Guerra has been commissioned to write music for Dave Koz, Ben Folds, Carmen Bradford, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Manchester Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, and the Air Force Band of the West. In December 2016, he traveled to Japan as the assistant orchestrator for Japanese music sensation Yoshiki’s Classical Tour. He has served as a composer‐in‐residence throughout the U.S., thanks to the Commission Project and the National Endowment for the Arts. Dr. Guerra has also performed alongside many jazz greats, including Phil Woods, Al Grey, Snooky Young, Marshall Royal, Louis Bellson, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. He was a featured soloist on the Clark Terry Young Titan’s of Jazz 2003 release Live at Marihan’s and the Louie Bellson Big Band release, Louie and Clark Expedition 2. In addition to the Stephen Guerra Big Band critically acclaimed first album Namesake in 2009, he also contributed to the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra’s 2015 release Swingin’ for the Holidays.

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Al Cohn - Stay Where You Are

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:57
Size: 178.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[3:30] 1. Mediolistic
[4:20] 2. Just One Of Those Things
[3:15] 3. My Blues
[6:10] 4. The Front Line
[3:26] 5. I Ain't Got Nobody
[9:19] 6. Earthy
[3:22] 7. When Your Lover Has Gone
[3:56] 8. A New Moan
[6:12] 9. I Wouldn't
[3:19] 10. Round Midnight
[3:09] 11. More Bread
[6:27] 12. Soft Winds
[2:47] 13. The Song Is Ended
[3:09] 14. Crimea River
[4:09] 15. Plain Bill From Bluesville
[7:12] 16. What's Not
[4:06] 17. Blue Lou

An excellent tenor saxophonist and a superior arranger/composer, Al Cohn was greatly admired by his fellow musicians. Early gigs included associations with Joe Marsala (1943), Georgie Auld, Boyd Raeburn (1946), Alvino Rey, and Buddy Rich (1947). But it was when he replaced Herbie Steward as one of the "Four Brothers" with Woody Herman's Second Herd (1948-1949) that Cohn began to make a strong impression. He was actually overshadowed by Stan Getz and Zoot Sims during this period but, unlike the other two tenors, he also contributed arrangements, including "The Goof and I." He was with Artie Shaw's short-lived bop orchestra (1949), and then spent the 1950s quite busy as a recording artist (making his first dates as a leader in 1950), arranger for both jazz and non-jazz settings, and a performer. Starting in 1956, and continuing on an irregular basis for decades, Cohn co-led a quintet with Zoot Sims. The two tenors were so complementary that it was often difficult to tell them apart. Al Cohn continued in this fashion in the 1960s (although playing less), in the 1970s he recorded many gems for Xanadu, and during his last few years, when his tone became darker and more distinctive, Cohn largely gave up writing to concentrate on playing. He made many excellent bop-based records throughout his career for such labels as Prestige, Victor, Xanadu, and Concord; his son Joe Cohn is a talented cool-toned guitarist. ~ Scott Yanow

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Sunday, February 18, 2018

Kenny Dorham - Blues In Bebop

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:47
Size: 166.6 MB
Styles: Bop, Trumpet jazz
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[2:49] 1. The Jitney Man
[2:51] 2. Bebop In Pastel (Take 3)
[2:32] 3. Fool's Fancy
[2:53] 4. Bombay
[2:42] 5. Ray's Idea
[2:31] 6. Serenade To A Square
[2:34] 7. Good Kick
[2:25] 8. Seven Up
[2:39] 9. Blues In Bebop
[2:50] 10. Bebop In Pastel (Take 2)
[2:51] 11. Bebop In Pastel (Take 4)
[2:53] 12. Conglomeration
[2:52] 13. Bruz
[2:38] 14. Roll 'em, Bags
[4:34] 15. Scrapple From The Apple
[3:54] 16. Barbados
[3:14] 17. Be Bop
[6:39] 18. Saucer Eyes
[5:35] 19. Man Of Moods
[6:21] 20. Bringing Up Father
[4:21] 21. Groovin' High

Kenny Dorham was a solid and forward-thinking modernist when he emerged in the mid-to late 1940s. The trumpeter was overshadowed throughout his career by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, and Freddie Hubbard, and became the epitome of the word "underrated." Dorham never recorded as a leader for Savoy other than co-leading the Be Bop Boys with altoist Sonny Stitt, so this single CD is just a sampling of his sideman appearances. Definitely not for completists since all but the Bebop Boys date issued here are incomplete, one wonders who the disc is aimed at, particularly since Dorham's most significant work was made a little later on for Blue Note. The trumpeter is heard with the Billy Eckstine Orchestra playing "The Jitney Man"; performing eight numbers (plus two alternate takes) with the Be Bop Boys (a quintet also including altoist Stitt and pianist Bud Powell); on three songs with a band headed by vibraphonist Milt Jackson and including the pioneer jazz French horn player Julius Watkins; on three tunes from a February 12, 1949 broadcast by the Charlie Parker Quintet (and available in much more complete form elsewhere), and on four of the selections from a 1956 album by baritonist Cecil Payne. The bop and hard bop music heard throughout this CD is consistently enjoyable, but the reissue is a bit of a frivolity. The Be Bop Boys date should have been coupled with some other unrelated all-star sessions instead, with the other Dorham sideman dates being reissued in full in more logical sets. ~Scott Yanow

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Emma Harris - Lovelife

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:11
Size: 112.6 MB
Styles: Jazz/blues vocals
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[4:36] 1. My Funny Valentine
[2:55] 2. Perfidia
[5:12] 3. Conscious
[4:16] 4. How Deep Is The Ocean
[3:20] 5. The Rock
[6:31] 6. Desert Kiss
[4:30] 7. Can We Pretend
[2:47] 8. A Sunday Kind Of Love
[5:45] 9. Nell's Song
[4:15] 10. Try A Little Tenderness
[4:59] 11. Dimming Of The Day

I come from a musical family and was brought up on a combination of Reggae and Motown. I started singing at the tender age of five when I went to primary school in North Wales. My headmaster noticed in assembly that I could sing in tune and from there on I was encouraged to do solos in church and school concerts. At seventeen years old I was invited to sing in a reggae band with my Mum (who has a great voice) and Dad on guitar. I had a lot of fun singing harmonies but the band didn't last long.

Six months later the Sax player from the reggae band, David Gunn came round to my house and said "You have a great voice, would you like to sing in a Jazz band?" I said "I would love to but I don't know a thing about Jazz or a single Jazz song. Dave came round every week for months and taught me loads of Standards until one day he announced I was ready to do a gig with the band (whom I had never met, that's Jazz for you) the next week. I turned up, thought I was coming down with flu cause I felt so ill from nerves, walked on stage, head swimming and was introduced to the band.

As the band played the intro I thought "I'm never going to get through this", then I opened my mouth, the song came out with a life of it's own, all my nerves dissapeared and that was the beginning of my very long love affair with Jazz. From then I started a six year stint singing with the Jazz outfit 'Eyebrow Music', singing the songs of greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Billie Holiday.

In 1995 Emma moved to the Southwest and went on to explore the Blues spending 3 years gigging with 'Blues Express', a five piece Delta/Chicago style Blues band. Here her warm husky voice was often compared to that of Bonnie Raitt and on a long night, Janis Joplin. It was during this Blues phase that she developed the Bluesy Gospel style that she is well known for now.

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Tito Puente - Carnaval En Harlem (Remastered)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:02
Size: 84.8 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban jazz
Year: 1966/2010
Art: Front

[2:50] 1. Mi Trompeta Tropical
[3:37] 2. Mirame Mas
[2:03] 3. Downtown
[2:19] 4. Pompo
[3:29] 5. Cuando Calienta El Sol
[3:28] 6. Carnaval En Harlem
[3:19] 7. Rumba En El Patio
[1:56] 8. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
[2:40] 9. Como Esta Miguel
[3:41] 10. Letargo
[3:15] 11. Bluesette
[4:18] 12. Corta El Bonche

Tito Puente was a musical pioneer, mixing musical styles with Latin sounds and experimenting in fusing Latin music with jazz. Born on April 20, 1923, in New York City, Tito Puente, donned the "King of Latin Jazz," was a pioneering force in Latin music, known for fusing styles and putting a big-band spin on traditional Latin music. In 1948, Puente formed a band that would become known as the Tito Puente Orchestra. A decade later, he released his best-selling album, Dance Mania (1958). His most notable songs include "Babarabatiri," "Ran Kan Kan" and "Oye Como Va." By the end of his decades-long career, Puente was deemed a musical legend in Latin music and jazz circles. He died in New York City in 2000, at age 77.

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Vic Juris - Vic Juris Plays Victor Young

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:44
Size: 155.1 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[7:15] 1. Love Letters
[5:45] 2. Street Of Dreams
[6:19] 3. Stella By Starlight
[7:54] 4. Johnny Guitar
[6:02] 5. A Weaver Of Dreams
[6:23] 6. My Foolish Heart
[8:52] 7. When I Fall In Love
[5:04] 8. Golden Earrings
[6:33] 9. Beautiful Love
[7:33] 10. Ghost Of A Chance

VIC JURIS guitar; JAY ANDERSON bass; ANTHONY PINCIOTTI drums; KATE BAKER vocal. Recorded March 2014.

Stella By Starlight, My Foolish Heart, Johnny Guitar, Beautiful Love – just a few of the iconic American Songbook titles by Victor Young, whose music has been an important part of the repertoire of guitarist Vic Juris for many years. Juris dedicates the whole album here to the undisputed giant of the American film music composer of the last century.

“Two outstanding qualities characterize Vic Juris’ playing. One is his embodiment of the jazz tradition, while always stretching his scope and reaching for new possibilities and concepts. The other is his almost uncanny ability to hear and communicate the totality of the music he is playing, from beginning to end, including what is going on around him in the group and his many references to the jazz legacy.” ~Victor L. Schermer

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Jorge Drexler - Eco

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:46
Size: 95.6 MB
Styles: Latin pop-jazz vocals
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:20] 1. Eco
[3:42] 2. Deseo
[3:36] 3. Todo Se Transforma
[3:57] 4. Guitarra Y Vos
[4:09] 5. Transporte
[3:53] 6. Milonga Del Moro Judio
[3:55] 7. Polvo De Estrellas
[3:04] 8. Se Va, Se Va, Se Fue
[3:55] 9. Don De Fluir
[3:38] 10. Fusion
[4:32] 11. Salvapantallas

Reissue of Uruguayan singer-songwriter, Jorge Drexler's stunning album ECO. After the success of this album, Drexler was approached by director Walter Salles to write a song for his new film "The Motorcycle Diaries" the song, "Al Otro Lado Del Rio" earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

"For many gringos, Uruguayan singer/songwriter Jorge Drexler’s arrival was announced by his quietly strummed performance of "Al Otro Lado Del Rio" during the closing credits of The Motorcycle Diaries. The song wound up winning an Oscar for Best Original Song, but this kind of acclaim is nothing new for talented Drexler: he's already a major pop star in Latin America. Using South American roots styles for subtle flavor, Drexler's music combines a sophisticated blend of modern production, acoustic guitar-based songs and a myriad of different slightly electronic touches. His voice has the same kind of sensual but thoughtful tone we’ve come to expect from Caetano Veloso. While the title track sounds like it could be one Coldplay's sweeping anthems, Drexler gets verbal for the talk/singing "Guitarra Y Vos," which a real highlight. Longtime fans will consider Eco, his seventh album overall, up to his high standards, but this is a real eye opener for those who are just coming to the table." ~Tad Hendrickson

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Polly Bergen - The Party's Over

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:30
Size: 74.4 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Vocal
Year: 1957/2010
Art: Front

[2:53] 1. The Party's Over
[3:25] 2. It Never Entered My Mind
[2:23] 3. Where's The Boy I Saved For A Rainy Day
[2:13] 4. Make The Man Love Me
[2:54] 5. But Not For Me
[2:03] 6. My Melancholy Baby
[2:39] 7. (When Your Heart's On Fire) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
[2:50] 8. You'll Never Know
[2:54] 9. I'm Thru With Love
[2:13] 10. Ev'rytime We Say Goodbye
[2:44] 11. I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
[3:15] 12. You Don't Know What Love Is

Actress/singer Polly Bergen was born July 14, 1930 in Knoxville, TN, making her radio debut at the age of 14 and honing her craft on the summer stock circuit before journeying to Hollywood in 1949. She soon made her feature debut in Across the Rio Grande, quickly followed by roles in no less than three Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis comedies -- At War with the Army, That's My Boy and The Stooge. Increasing dissatisfaction with the roles coming her way prompted Bergen to walk away from a lucrative movie contract in 1953, however, and she soon made her Broadway debut in the revue John Murray Anderson's Almanac; upon recovering from throat surgery, two years later she also recorded her self-titled debut LP for Jubilee, followed later that year by Little Girl Blue. She jumped to Columbia for 1957's Bergen Sings Morgan, and continued recording for the label until the early 1960s; in the meantime she also maintained her stage career, additionally finding success in the business world through a series of ventures including Polly Bergen Cosmetics, Polly Bergen Jewelry and Polly Bergen Shoes. In 1960, she also authored the first of three books, Fashion and Charm. Bergen returned to film in the 1961 noir classic Cape Fear, although in the decades she was perhaps best known for her many television appearances, including a starring role in the 1983 miniseries The Winds of War and its 1988 sequel War and Remembrance. ~ Jason Ankeny

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Scott Hamilton - Ballads For Audiophiles

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:54
Size: 134.8 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[5:56] 1. Everything Happens To Me
[6:58] 2. All Or Nothing At All
[5:28] 3. The Gypsy
[6:48] 4. Moon River
[7:04] 5. This Is All I Ask
[5:32] 6. Hey There
[5:33] 7. The Shadow Of Your Smile
[6:08] 8. Baby All The Time
[4:11] 9. Se Todos Fossem Iguais A Voçê
[5:11] 10. Goodbye

Scott Hamilton, saxophone; Paolo Birro, piano; Aldo Zunino, bass; Alfred Kramer, drums. Recorded at Hotel Il Castello - Palazzo di Scoto di Semifonte Certaldo Alto (Fi), November 2016. As no editing has been made, all the tracks on this record are heard as they were performed.

Timeless Favorites! Pure ballad albums are not a rarity in jazz, but they are always a daring undertaking. So that such a record does not get boring, kitschy or banal, it needs already a skillful song selection, elaborate arrangements and above all first-class musicians.

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Saturday, February 17, 2018

Roland Hanna - Perugia

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:49
Size: 93.5 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1974/1983/1999
Art: Front

[6:07] 1. Take The A Train
[7:27] 2. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
[6:15] 3. Time Dust Gathered
[8:20] 4. Perugia
[5:28] 5. A Child Is Born
[7:10] 6. Wistful Moment

Piano [Solo] – Roland Hanna. Recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland on July 2, 1974

A talented pianist with a style diverse enough to fit into swing, bop, and more adventurous settings, Roland Hanna was one of the last in an impressive line of great pianists who emerged in Detroit after World War II (including Hank Jones, Barry Harris, and Tommy Flanagan). After serving in the Army and studying music at Eastman and Juilliard, Hanna made a strong impression playing with Benny Goodman (1958). He worked with Charles Mingus for a period in 1959, and went on to generally lead his own trios. Hanna was an integral part of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis orchestra (1967-1974), and in 1974 helped found the New York Jazz Quartet (with Frank Wess). He was given knighthood (thus the "Sir") from the President of Liberia in 1970 in recognition for a series of concerts held to benefit Liberian children. Hanna recorded many solo dates and often with a trio, but also composed many works for groups of varying sizes - both for jazz groups and classical ensembles. His piece "Oasis" for piano and orchestra was performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1993. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Hanna was also an active educator and tenured professor at Queens College in New York. After almost half a century of performing and recording, Sir Roland Hanna passed away at the age of 70 on November 13, 2002 after suffering a heart attack. ~ Scott Yanow & Wade Kergan

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Laurindo Almeida & The Bossa Nova All Stars - Bossa Nova

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:19
Size: 96.9 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova, Jazz guitar
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:18] 1. Naked City Theme
[2:11] 2. Ramblin' Rose
[2:22] 3. Maria
[2:34] 4. Lollipops And Roses
[2:02] 5. Moon River
[3:11] 6. Desafinado
[1:51] 7. Mr. Lucky
[2:13] 8. One Note Samba
[2:01] 9. Theme From Route 66
[2:53] 10. Recado Bossa Nova
[2:26] 11. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
[2:16] 12. O Barquinho (Little Boat)
[2:32] 13. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)
[2:18] 14. Satin Doll
[2:04] 15. The Alley Cat Song
[2:32] 16. Meditation (Meditação)
[2:24] 17. Walk Right In
[2:04] 18. Days Of Wine And Roses

b. 2 September 1917, Prainha, São Paulo, Brazil, d. 26 July 1995, Van Nuys, California, USA. A fluent and skilled musician, famous in his native country as a classical Spanish guitar player, Almeida went to the USA in the 40s to work in film and television studios. His jazz work was first widely exposed during a spell with Stan Kenton in the late 40s. Although continuing his film and television work, Almeida also took many opportunities to play jazz, joining forces with bass player Harry Babasin, altoist Bud Shank and drummer Roy Harte in 1953. The work of this group anticipated many of the hallmarks of the bossa nova craze that came a few years later. In 1974, Almeida gained further appreciation when he was teamed with bass player Ray Brown, drummer Chuck Flores and Shank to form the L.A. 4. Records by this group, with Flores replaced successively by Shelly Manne and Jeff Hamilton, and later teamings with Shank in duo performances and with fellow guitarists Larry Coryell and Charlie Byrd, showcased the distinctive style that set Almeida’s work apart from the mainstream of jazz guitar.

During his career Almeida won Grammy awards in 1959 for his performance on Danzas, and the following year for The Spanish Guitars Of Laurindo Almeida and Conversations With The Guitar. In 1961, he gained two more with Discantos and Reverie For Spanish Guitars, and in 1962 further honours with nominations for Viva Bossa Nova! in the Best Performance By An Orchestra For Dancing and Best Jazz Performance categories and a third nomination with The Intimate Bach (Best Classical performance). In 1964, the album Guitar From Ipanema won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, and in 1972 he was nominated for the Best Soloist award with The Art Of Laurindo Almeida. ~bio from AMG

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Stephanie Lottermoser - This Time

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:08
Size: 94.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. This Time
[3:58] 2. Your Own Sweet Way
[4:51] 3. No Horizon
[3:46] 4. Colours
[3:16] 5. Flip It
[5:04] 6. Temptation's Fair
[3:52] 7. Who's That
[3:59] 8. Lullabye
[3:07] 9. Reflection Song
[4:46] 10. Everyday People Freedom Jazz Dance

Stephanie Lottermoser started taking classical piano lessons and vocal training at the age of 7, with 14 she started to play saxophone and took lessons with Karsten Gorzel, Johannes Enders, Don Menza and Axel Kühn. She studied jazz saxophone with Leszek Zadlo at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich. Her compositions are a mixture of Jazz, Soul, Pop and Funk and in combining the saxophone with her vocals she found her own and very personal musical expression.

In 2013/2014 she received a six month scholarship oft he bavarian gouvernment for a stay at the "Cité Internationale des Arts" in Paris. Since then various new projects and collaborations were built that will continue, especially her work with french pianist François Faure who also plays on her current album. Stephanie Lottermoser is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays a silver Yamaha 82Z tenor saxophone.

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Oscar Peterson - Oscar Peterson Plays The Irving Berlin Song Book

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:29
Size: 72.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1959/2014
Art: Front

[2:35] 1. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
[3:10] 2. Supper Time
[1:59] 3. I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket
[2:23] 4. Change Partners
[2:56] 5. The Song Is Ended
[2:58] 6. How Deep Is The Ocean
[2:26] 7. Cheek To Cheek
[2:16] 8. I Used To Be Color Blind
[2:18] 9. You're Laughing At Me
[3:19] 10. Isn't This A Lovely Day
[2:14] 11. Top Hat, White Tie, And Tails
[2:49] 12. Remember

Oscar Peterson's Songbook have received mixed reviews through the years. The second time the pianist indulged in this project, he, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen recorded nine albums in a month. Obviously, not much planning went into the individual songs. Since the emphasis was on easy-listening jazz, the interpretations of the dozen Irving Berlin compositions included on this out-of-print LP are fairly melodic and safe, if swinging. Nothing unexpected occurs, but the music is reasonably pleasing, if lacking in emotional depth; certainly this is one of the happier versions of "Supper Time" (whose lyrics deal with a lynching) yet recorded. ~Scott Yanow

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Dizzy Gillespie - Dizzy's Diamonds: The Best Of The Verve Years (3-Disc Set)

Many of trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie's recordings for the Verve label in the '50s and early '60s show him at the peak of his powers. This three-CD set is a sampler of his legacy, with the discs subtitled "Big Band," "Small Groups & Guests" and "In an Afro Cuban, Bossa Nova, Calypso Groove." The programming jumps all over the place and makes little sense but this set serves as a good excuse to acquire 40 performances by the great Gillespie and the many all-stars who recorded with him. Few but the most fanatical veteran Gillespie fans will have all of these selections. This collection filled a void until Verve got around to doing a much more comprehensive Dizzy Gillespie reissue program. ~Scott Yanow

Album: Dizzy's Diamonds: The Best Of The Verve Years (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:52
Size: 164.5 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1992

[ 5:53] 1. Prelude
[ 6:45] 2. 'bout To Wail
[ 2:59] 3. Umbrella Man
[ 9:08] 4. The Chains
[ 4:54] 5. Birks' Works
[ 4:08] 6. Stella By Starlight
[ 3:39] 7. Dizzy's Business
[ 3:08] 8. Autumn Leaves
[11:47] 9. Dizzy's Blues
[ 3:52] 10. Flamingo
[ 4:11] 11. Jordu
[ 4:43] 12. Evening Sound
[ 6:38] 13. Take The A Train

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Album: Dizzy's Diamonds: The Best Of The Verve Years (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:36
Size: 168.5 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1992

[11:48] 1. Blue 'n Boogie
[ 3:58] 2. Bonnie's Blues
[ 5:36] 3. Ool Ya Koo
[ 6:27] 4. Blues After Dark
[ 6:36] 5. The Heat's On
[ 2:28] 6. Leap Frog
[ 3:37] 7. Where's Adam
[ 3:27] 8. There's No Greater Love
[ 6:09] 9. Just One Of Those Things
[ 5:27] 10. I Know That You Know
[ 7:05] 11. Swing Low Sweet Cadillac
[10:54] 12. Dizzy Atmosphere

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Album: Dizzy's Diamonds: The Best Of The Verve Years (Disc 3)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:55
Size: 173.8 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1992
Art: Front

[ 6:24] 1. Manteca
[ 3:53] 2. Fiesta Mojo
[ 4:14] 3. A Night In Tunisia
[ 3:21] 4. And Then She Stopped
[ 4:14] 5. Trin Tin Deo
[ 3:26] 6. Desafinado
[ 7:37] 7. Africana
[ 2:42] 8. Pergunte Ao Joao (Ask John)
[ 7:18] 9. Caravan
[ 3:01] 10. This Lovely Feeling
[ 3:19] 11. Ungawa
[ 4:51] 12. Begin The Beguine
[ 4:59] 13. Con Alma
[11:29] 14. Rio Pakistan
[ 5:01] 15. Jambo

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Karrin Allyson - Azure-Te

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:06
Size: 139.9 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[5:15] 1. How High The Moon / Ornithology
[4:34] 2. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You
[4:14] 3. Bernie's Tune
[5:23] 4. Night And Day
[6:58] 5. Blame It On My Youth
[4:06] 6. Yardbird Suite
[5:58] 7. Good Morning Heartache
[5:23] 8. Stompin' At The Savoy
[6:34] 9. Azure Te
[6:17] 10. Some Other Time
[6:19] 11. Samba '88

On piano: Paul Smith, Laura Caviani; on trumpet & flugelhorn: Stan Kessler, Mike Metheny; on bass: Bob Bowman, Gerlad Spaits; Todd Strait, drums: Rod Fleeman, acoustic guitar; Danny Embrey, electric guitar; Kim Park , alto & tenor saxaphones; Randy Weinstein, harmonica.

Karrin Allyson is one of the best jazz singers to emerge in the 1990s. She is a masterful scatter, as she shows on some of these selections (including "How High the Moon" and "Yardbird Suite"), but she is also quite expressive on ballads (including "Blame It on My Youth" and "Some Other Time"). The strong backup musicians (a variety of top Kansas City players with guest spots for violinist Claude Williams and flügelhornist Mike Metheny) keep the music swinging. Highly recommended. ~Scott Yanow

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Pius Baumgartner - Jazz-Q

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:06
Size: 165.1 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:39] 1. Conga Blues
[5:14] 2. In A Sentimental Mood
[5:16] 3. Boqueron
[4:35] 4. Waltzin'
[8:17] 5. Peruvian Nights
[6:16] 6. Coffee-Time
[7:46] 7. Darn That Dream
[4:57] 8. Poinciana
[6:03] 9. Estate
[5:26] 10. Gently
[5:02] 11. Bossa Al Dente
[3:18] 12. Good Monring Here's Your Wake Up Call
[7:11] 13. Watermelon Man

Pius Baumgartner (saxophone); Marcel Schefer (piano); Kalli Gerhards (double bass); Patrick Manzecchi (drums).

Pius Baumgartner, freelance musician and composer, born on December 25, 1967 in Lugano. Grew up in Samedan in the beautiful Engadine and since 2006 lives in Meierskappel (LU). At the age of eight, he received clarinet lessons from Dumeng Morell for the first time. 1990 - 95 Studied music at the Jazz-School St.Gallen and acquired the teaching diploma SMPV. This is followed by several stays abroad and engagements in Buenos Aires, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Los Angeles, Ankara and Prague.

1995-96 saxophone and flute lessons in New York with Tim Price. Member of the then newly formed Army Big Band under the direction of Pepe Lienhard. Culture Prize of the Canton of Grisons. Collaboration with a variety of musicians, bands and artists u.a. "Chapella Clavadatsch", the "Engadine Ländlerfründa" and the brothers Domenic and Curdin Janett (Fränzlis) from Tschlin. Hans Hassler, Frantiske Uhlir, Francis Coletta, Kalli Gerhards, Isla Eckinger, Bernita Bush, Alexia Gardner, Dani Felber u.v.m. Recent projects with the Grisons cabaret flurin Caviezel and "The four holy three kings" - the swinging witty saxophone quartet with Carlo Schöb, Mario Haltinner, Franco Mettler and Pius Baumgartner. The "Christoph Walter Orchestra" (ART ON ICE 2011 in Zurich with Donna Summer). The "Bodan ARTOrchestra" with contemporary big band sound and the "Swiss Ländler Gamblers".

His musical roots are in Pius Baumgartner's Graubünden folk music. As a multi-instrumentalist - saxophone / clarinet & flute - he is found in a variety of styles and occupations, e.g. Big bands, musicals, folk bands or various experimental projects. Above all as a jazz saxophonist with his own band "Baumgartner Jazz-Q." (Translated from German.)

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