Woody Shaw - In My Own Sweet Way

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1987
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:04
Size: 143,9 MB
Art: Front

( 8:33)  1. The Organ Grinder
( 8:33)  2. In Your Own Sweet Way
( 8:41)  3. The Dragon
(10:02)  4. Just A Ballad For Woody
( 7:21)  5. Sippin' At Bells
( 5:19)  6. Estate
(13:32)  7. Joshua C.

Although trumpeter Woody Shaw never really broke through to gain the recognition he deserved, he also never recorded an unworthy album. This late-period set for the German In & Out label (recorded only two years before his death) features Shaw with the Austrian drummer Alex Deutsch and a couple of talented Canadians: pianist Fred Henke and bassist Neil Swainson. They perform three standards (including Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "Estate"), plus a pair of group originals and Theresa Trainello's "Just A Ballad For Woody." Excellent advanced hard bop.By Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-my-own-sweet-way-mw0000176616

Personnel:  Woody Shaw – trumpet; Fred Henke – piano;  Neil Swainson – bass;  Alexander Deutsch - drums

In My Own Sweet Way

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Alex Mendham and His Orchestra - Fascinatin' Rhythm

Styles: Big Band
File: MP3@128K/s
Time: 49:33
Size: 47,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:35) 1. Fascinating Rhythm
(2:56) 2. Limehouse Blues
(3:16) 3. The Charleston
(3:14) 4. You're All The World To Me
(3:48) 5. The Mooche
(2:44) 6. Runnin' Wild
(3:02) 7. From Monday On
(2:39) 8. Pop Goes Your Heart
(2:57) 9. Jealousy
(3:04) 10. Better Think Twice
(3:17) 11. I Wouldn't Change You For The World
(3:18) 12. Doin' The New Lowdown
(2:58) 13. There's Nothing Too Good For My Baby
(3:08) 14. Won't You Stay For Tea?
(2:46) 15. When Day Is Done
(2:45) 16. I'll See You In My Dreams

Mesmerised from a young age by the music of a forgotten time, Essex-born musician, singer, and lyricist Alex Mendham made a name for himself, having burst onto the scene by forming his own orchestra at the tender age of just 20 (and refusing to slow down ever since!).

Alex Mendham spent his youth studying the saxophone and meeting the last surviving dance band musicians from the golden era, living links to the past, including the virtuoso Al Gallodoro, a star of 1920s Paul Whiteman fame. He also spent several years as protégé to Bob Wilber, himself a student of Sidney Bechet.

After the initial performances with his Orchestra, Alex soon realised what was needed was an authentic vocalist and frontman. He exchanged the saxophone for a conductor's baton and the rest as they say is history. https://www.alexmendham.com/alex-biography

Fascinatin' Rhythm

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Bob Seeley - Burnin' The Boogie!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:50
Size: 127.8 MB
Styles: Boogie woogie, Blues piano
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[3:37] 1. Burnin' The Boogie
[3:33] 2. Rockin' The Kid
[3:33] 3. John Doyle Software Strut
[2:17] 4. J.J. Boogie
[2:10] 5. Dr. Ted's Boogie Dream
[4:06] 6. Basement Boogie
[3:23] 7. Jammin' At The Arches
[4:52] 8. Marrakech Nights
[4:28] 9. Groovin' On I-75
[3:51] 10. Jivin' With Jim
[5:08] 11. Big Band Boogie Medley
[2:51] 12. Shout For Joy
[4:29] 13. Mama Take The Lobsters Off The Ice
[4:02] 14. Jack's Blues
[3:24] 15. Boogie At The Philharmonic

This is the fourth of a series of recordings from one of the world's premier boogie piano players, Bob Seeley. An inductee to the Boogie Woogie Hall of Fame in Cincinnati, Ohio USA, Bob is a classically-trained pianist whose early discovery of boogie woogie is our blessing. Born and raised in Detroit, he learned boogie, stride, and ragtime from recordings and folios. Among his great influences is Pat Flowers (Fats Waller's protégé) and the boogie pioneer Meade Lux Lewis - one of the three giants of boogie woogie (along with Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson).

Burnin' The Boogie!

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Norah Jones - Little Broken Hearts (Deluxe Edition)

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 123:16
Size: 283,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:17) 1. Good Morning
(3:27) 2. Say Goodbye
(3:12) 3. Little Broken Hearts
(3:10) 4. She's 22
(4:06) 5. Take It Back
(3:42) 6. After The Fall
(2:59) 7. 4 Broken Hearts
(3:06) 8. Travelin' On
(3:28) 9. Out On The Road
(3:34) 10. Happy Pills
(4:25) 11. Miriam
(6:29) 12. All A Dream
(3:41) 13. Killing Time (Bonus Track)
(3:34) 14. I Don't Wanna Hear Another Sound (Bonus Track)
(3:22) 15. Out On The Road (Mondo Version / Bonus Track)
(4:15) 16. Miriam (Peter, Bjorn And John Remix)
(6:38) 17. Good Morning (David Andrew Sitek Remix)
(3:47) 18. She's 22 (David Andrew Sitek Remix)
(4:40) 19. Take It Back (David Andrew Sitek Remix)
(4:11) 20. After The Fall (David Andrew Sitek Remix)
(3:20) 21. Good Morning (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(3:32) 22. Say Goodbye (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(3:36) 23. Little Broken Hearts (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(3:26) 24. She's 22 (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(4:27) 25. Take It Back (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(3:55) 26. After The Fall (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(3:44) 27. Out On The Road (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(3:41) 28. Happy Pills (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(4:35) 29. Miriam (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(6:09) 30. All A Dream (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)
(3:32) 31. Black (Live At Austin City Limits, TX / 2012)

A decade ago Norah Jones defied expectations with her 5th studio album Little Broken Hearts, a striking collaboration with the producer Danger Mouse featuring the standout singles “Happy Pills” & “Say Goodbye” that arrived 10 years after her debut Come Away With Me prompting SPIN to call it “the second essential record of Norah Jones’ career.”

The newly expanded 31-track Deluxe Edition curated by Jones & Eli Wolf includes the original album plus rare bonus tracks, alternate versions, and remixes, as well as a previously unreleased live version of the album that was recorded for Austin City Limits in 2012.
https://store.bluenote.com/products/norah-jones-little-broken-hearts

Little Broken Hearts (Deluxe Edition)

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Barbara Thompson - First Light

Styles: Saxophone And Flute Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:42
Size: 179,2 MB
Art: Front

(14:27) 1. The Tie Game
( 6:43) 2. Threnody
(11:57) 3. The Awakening - First Light
(10:03) 4. The Awakening - Second Light
( 4:48) 5. The Awakening - Daylight
( 6:23) 6. Miguel The Speed Freak
( 5:27) 7. Favela
( 4:17) 8. Esmeralda's
( 6:52) 9. Touch Of Blue
( 6:40) 10. Black Pearl

Tremendous lost work from British saxophonist Barbara Thompson a wonderful 70s player who didn't always get her due! The set brings together material from three different sessions, all nicely different really demonstrating the range of expression that Thompson could bring to her work as she blows tenor, soprano, and flute here all in the company of very different groups!

The set begins with a combo that features Peter Lemer on piano a nicely avant group that also includes Johnny Dyani on bass and Laurie Allen on drums, plus some cool wordless vocals from Pepi Lemer at points too on the titles "Threnody" and "The Tie Game". Next is a very striking large ensemble directed by Neil Ardley with Thompson in a very hip lineup that also includes Howard Riley on piano and organ, Henry Lowther and Kenny Wheeler on trumpet and flugelhorn, Don Rendell on reeds, Bill LeSage on electric piano and vibes, and even Norma Winstone on a bit of voice as the group perform the longer "The Awakening" suite of tracks.

Last is the Jubiaba group with Lemer on electric piano, Bill LeSage on vibes, Ian Carr on trumpet, Trevor Tomkins on percussion, and Derek Wadsworth on both acoustic and electric trombones! Titles from that group include "Miguel The Speed Freak", "Favela", "Touch Of Blue", and "Black Pearl". © 1996-2023, Dusty Groove, Inc.
https://www.dustygroove.com/item/152958/Barbara-Thompson:First-Light

Personnel: Ian Hamer, Kenny Wheeler - trumpet, flugelhorn; Henry Lowther - trumpet, flugelhorn, violin; Derek Wadsworth - trombone; Don Rendell, Barbara Thompson - saxes, flutes; Charles Tunnell - cello; Howard Riley - piano, electric piano, organ; Bill LeSage - electric piano, organ, vibes, percussion; Jeff Clyne - bass

First Light

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Bernt Rosengren - Plays George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:09
Size: 126.3 MB
Styles: Bop, World Fusion
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[4:27] 1. Summertime
[2:37] 2. A Woman Is A Sometime Thing
[1:46] 3. Porgy´s Entre The Cotton Hook
[2:08] 4. Gone, Gone, Gone
[1:47] 5. Overflow 1 & 2
[3:42] 6. My Man´s Gone Now
[2:50] 7. Leavin´ For The Promised Lan´
[1:27] 8. I Got Plenty O Nuttin´
[3:54] 9. The Buzzard Song
[6:12] 10. Bess, You Is My Woman Now
[3:30] 11. I Ain´t Got No Shame
[4:08] 12. It Ain´t Necessarily So
[4:19] 13. I Loves You Porgy
[2:42] 14. A Red Headed Woman
[2:23] 15. Clara, Clara
[0:57] 16. Porgy´s Theme
[3:43] 17. There´s A Boat Dat´s Leavin´ Soon For New York
[2:27] 18. Oh, Bess, Oh Where´s My Bess

Acoustic jazz has had a surplus of George Gershwin tributes over the years -- some of them quite memorable, some of them pretty routine. One of the most memorable examples of a jazzman embracing Gershwin's music in the 1990s was this 1996 date by veteran tenor saxophonist Bernt Rosengren. Leading an all-Scandinavian octet that includes Gunnar Bergsten on baritone sax, Tommy Koverhult on soprano sax, Hakan Nyquist on French horn, Sven Berggren on trombone and Peter Nordahl on piano, the Swedish improviser focuses entirely on the music from the 1930s musical Porgy & Bess and provides thoughtful arrangements that recall Miles Davis' orchestral work of the late 1950s.

Although the CD is entirely instrumental, Rosengren called it a "jazz opera" and saw the horns as portraying main characters from the play: while Bergsten is Porgy and Koverhult is Bess, the leader "plays" Sporting Life. But while lovers of the play will find that information of interest, even those who have never seen a production of Porgy & Bess will find Rosengren's arrangements of classics like "Summertime," "I Loves You So" and "It Ain't Necessary So" rewarding. In Sweden, this CD was exalted as one of the saxman's finest achievements, and those who made that claim weren't exaggerating. Coincidentally, Rosengren was born the very year Gershwin died (1937), which underscores the remarkable staying power Gershwin's songs have.By Alex Henderson

Plays George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess

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Alex Mendham and His Orchestra - Puttin' On The Ritz

Styles: Big Band
Year: 2020
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:39
Size: 96,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:41) 1. Puttin' On The Ritz
(3:27) 2. Midnight, the Stars and You
(2:57) 3. Baby
(3:01) 4. Please
(3:29) 5. Not So Hard, Sam!
(3:16) 6. I Only Have Eyes For You
(2:29) 7. Some Of These Days
(3:13) 8. I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
(2:15) 9. Let's Fly Away
(3:50) 10. Never In A Million Years
(2:54) 11. Shake That Thing
(2:48) 12. Heartaches
(4:15) 13. Happy Feet

Quite simply, Puttin' On The Ritz is very special - In their brand new album, Alex Mendham and His Orchestra celebrates the Jazz Age in a roaring tribute to the wonderful music of the 1920s and 30s. With 15 dazzling tracks, this is the ultimate CD soundtrack as we enter a new decade of the twenties! Recorded in stunning 24-bit clarity, the Orchestra displays it's virtuosity across a huge range of material from hot rhumbas to faithful recreations of the gorgeous movie musical sound of the 30s. Join Alex Mendham as he leads his famed 11-piece orchestra in Puttin' On The Ritz, croons well-loved classics and unveils a few hidden gems in an album guaranteed to kick-start your 2020s! https://www.alexmendham.com/product-page/puttin-on-the-ritz-new-album

Quite simply, Puttin' On The Ritz is very special. In their brand new album, Alex Mendham and His Orchestra celebrates the Jazz Age in a roaring tribute to the wonderful music of the 1920s and 30s. With 15 dazzling tracks, this is the ultimate CD soundtrack as we enter a new decade of the twenties! Recorded in stunning 24-bit clarity, the Orchestra displays it's virtuosity across a huge range of material from hot rhumbas to faithful recreations of the gorgeous movie musical sound of the 30s. Join Alex Mendham as he leads his famed 11-piece orchestra in Puttin' On The Ritz, croons well-loved classics and unveils a few hidden gems in an album guaranteed to kick-start your 2020s! Opiniones Editoriales https://www.amazon.com/Puttin-Ritz-Alex-Mendham-Orchestra/dp/B08J5CSYT8

Puttin' On The Ritz

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Jenna Laurise - Serendipity and All That Jazz

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:22
Size: 109,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:09) 1. My Favorite Things
(3:17) 2. Come What May
(3:15) 3. Dream a Little Dream
(3:12) 4. Serendipity
(3:16) 5. Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)
(3:41) 6. Walking on Sunshine
(3:06) 7. Cool Beans
(3:08) 8. You Swayed Me
(4:06) 9. Moonsong
(2:38) 10. I've Got Rhythm
(4:44) 11. My Funny Valentine
(3:30) 12. Recharge
(2:53) 13. That Jumpin' Vibe
(2:19) 14. Be Yourself

Hey there! My name is Jenna and I want to share my musical journey with you. I never ever imagined I would become an artist/songwriter, as my biggest dream growing up was to perform on Broadway. I grew up in Denver, Colorado and was inspired by my father who played guitar and sang. As soon as I was old enough to talk, I began to sing and before you knew it we were harmonizing in three-part harmony- my dad, my sister Rachel, and me. He died at a fairly young age, and now part of my journey is to continue his musical tale.

I began performing professionally in musical theatre by the age of 12 and was dead set on becoming successful on Broadway. I was very lucky to have performed in over 100 productions and worked for equity theatre companies all over the country. One of My favorite roles was playing the Evil Queen at Disneyland. I got married while I was still in college to my college sweetheart Eric who is very supportive of my music. Along the way, we've had two AMAZING boys that are the apple of my eye, Cameron and Connor.

In 2007, I got an itch to go back to grad school and deepen my musical abilities and had the fortunate experience of attending DU's Lamont School of Music. While there, I gained amazing training in jazz and contemporary music, and I began to write. At first it was just in my classes for jazz. Then after graduating with my Master of Music in Vocal Performance in Jazz and Commercial Music, I started writing music that I felt had some depth and hopefully some inspiration. At the same time, I started a Voice and Piano Studio and honest to goodness, God has made it grow into something I never dreamed it would be. I consistently teach 40 students every week. My students are amazing and I love developing and training them to be something great!

In 2011, I wrote and sang vocals on several tracks on the grammy nominated Album Moment Between Eternities with Louis Colaiannia. So much fun! In 2014, I released my second CD, Coming Home and several of the songs have been signed with music libraries for film and TV licensing.

I have really enjoyed performing in the live duo Brightenstar since 2015, and we gig quite frequently in Denver and the surrounding areas. I have been fortunate to perform at such venues as: The Soiled Dove, The Walnut Room, Lila B's, Hapa Sushi, Nonna's Bistro, Dazzle Restaurant, Jazz at Jack's, Platte River Bar and Grill, and many more.

I am so lucky to currently be co-writing songs with some award winning songwriters, including Nitanee Paris and Vince Constantino. Several of our songs have been featured on Women of Substance Radio and signed to music publishing.

In 2018, I have been working with an awesome music producer from the Netherlands, Jan Baars on my third CD, Songbird. It is a pop/EDM crossover album that has some very meaningful songs on it that deal with love, loss, life challenges, and more. Impacting the world and individuals in a positive way through well written music is my goal so I really hope you enjoy my music and share it if you like it! https://jennalaurise.com/bio

Serendipity and All That Jazz

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Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - Cheek To Cheek

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:20
Size: 115,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:03)  1. Anything Goes
(2:50)  2. Cheek to Cheek
(2:36)  3. Don't Wait Too Long
(3:13)  4. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(4:08)  5. Nature Boy
(2:11)  6. Goody Goody
(3:10)  7. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
(1:57)  8. Firefly
(3:56)  9. I Won't Dance
(1:48) 10. They All Laughed
(4:14) 11. Lush Life
(3:49) 12. Sophisticated Lady
(2:06) 13. Let's Face the Music and Dance
(4:04) 14. But Beautiful
(2:23) 15. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
(3:43) 16. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) [Live from Frederick P. Rose Hall, New York 2014]

Lady Gaga has flat-out said that recording the jazz standards album Cheek To Cheek with the legendary Tony Bennett saved her from possible artistic death. It’s the culmination of a lifelong love affair with jazz, which Gaga has said she started singing when she was 13 years old. So, how does Gaga rate next to Bennett, who was well into his second (or third) career resurgence when she was born? Despite the 60-year age difference between the “Applause” singer and the vocal legend, on the 11-track album the pair sound like a match made in heaven. They flawlessly merge their unique styles and show off a charming in-studio rapport that totally translates to the collection of jazz and pop vocal standards. ~ Gil Kaufman  http://www.mtv.com/news/1931065/lady-gaga-tony-bennett-cheek-to-cheek-review-breakdown/

Cheek to Cheek

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Tony Bennett - Here's To The Ladies

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:35
Size: 153,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:41) 1. People
(3:50) 2. I'm In Love Again
(3:56) 3. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
(5:10) 4. My Love Went To London
(5:40) 5. Poor Butterfly
(3:27) 6. Sentimental Journey
(4:42) 7. Cloudy Morning
(3:45) 8. Tenderly
(2:09) 9. Down In The Depths
(2:52) 10. Moonlight In Vermont
(4:04) 11. Tangerine
(2:49) 12. God Bless The Child
(3:42) 13. Daybreak
(5:29) 14. You Showed Me The Way
(2:55) 15. Honeysuckle Rose
(3:24) 16. Maybe This Time
(1:58) 17. I Got Rhythm
(1:55) 18. My Ideal

For years, it was rumored that Frank Sinatra was going to record an album called Here's to the Ladies, but the Chairman of the Board never got around to actually making the record. However, Tony Bennett did and his record covers a wider range of artists and styles than Sinatra's scheduled record. Naturally, Bennett turns in a thoroughly entertaining, professional performance. It's a solid contribution to his impressively assured and diverse comeback. By Stephen Thomas Erlewine
https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/heres-to-the-ladies-mr0000372200

Personnel: Tony Bennett – vocals; Ralph Sharon – piano; Clayton Cameron – drums; Doug Richeson – double bass; Lew Soloff – trumpet solos; unidentified session orchestra and big band (except for tracks 8, 10, 12, 16, 17 & 18); Jorge Calandrelli – arranger, conductor of the orchestral charts (tracks 2, 4–7, 13–15); Bill Holman – arranger, conductor of the Big Band charts (tracks 1, 3, 9, 11)

R.I.P.

Born: August 3, 1926, Long Island City, New York, United States
Died: July 21, 2023, New York, New York, United States

Here's To The Ladies

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Alex Mendham and His Orchestra - On With the Show

Styles: Big Band
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:48
Size: 99,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:50) 1. Shall We Dance
(2:25) 2. Let Yourself Go
(3:44) 3. Cheek to Cheek
(2:44) 4. Night and Day
(2:30) 5. Caravan
(2:58) 6. I'm No Angel
(2:32) 7. Jeepers Creepers
(3:20) 8. What Is This Thing Called Love?
(2:54) 9. Anything Goes
(2:54) 10. Nobody Cares If I'm Blue
(3:06) 11. Broken Record
(2:23) 12. Hot Lips
(2:39) 13. The Way You Look Tonight
(3:09) 14. Blue Moments
(2:33) 15. Prelude in C# Minor

Mesmerised from a young age by the music of a forgotten time, Essex-born musician, singer, and lyricist Alex Mendham made a name for himself, having burst onto the scene by forming his own orchestra at the tender age of just 20 (and refusing to slow down ever since!). Alex Mendham spent his youth studying the saxophone and meeting the last surviving dance band musicians from the golden era, living links to the past, including the virtuoso Al Gallodoro, a star of 1920s Paul Whiteman fame. He also spent several years as protégé to Bob Wilber, himself a student of Sidney Bechet. After the initial performances with his Orchestra, Alex soon realised what was needed was an authentic vocalist and frontman. He exchanged the saxophone for a conductor's baton and the rest as they say is history.

Alex Mendham and His Orchestra was founded by the debonair, white-tie-and-tails wearing bandleader, to sweep audiences away with the high style and musical glory of the 20’s and 30’s. He and his Orchestra have turned the music of a golden age into a worldwide concert touring show. Initially, Alex Mendham pitched his wild idea to the owners of London's Savoy Hotel, and the Orchestra embarked a long-standing residency in the hotel's hallowed ballroom. Request performances soon followed at many iconic venues around the capital, including the world-famous Ritz Hotel. This vital early period allowed the Orchestra to hone it’s signature style and sound, playing together each night. Soon, the allure of taking their music to the world-stage became too great for Alex and His Orchestra to resist. Beginning with the now legendary sell out show at the Kursaal Concert Hall in Belgium, Alex Mendham has taken his orchestra to new heights internationally performing everywhere from the lush art-deco Cicada Club of Downtown L.A to open-air concerts in the gothic palaces of Russia, via grand scale events upon the romantic canals of Venice. Outside of their live performances, the Orchestra is a mainstay of BBC Radio, and has lent it's talents to productions for film and television. https://www.alexmendham.com/biography

On With the Show

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Champian Fulton - Birdsong

Styles: Vocal, Piano Jazz
Year: 2020
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:39
Size: 152,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:13) 1. Just friends
(6:36) 2. Yardbird suite
(5:32) 3. This is always
(5:40) 4. Star eyes
(5:07) 5. Quasimodo
(4:49) 6. All God's chillun got rhythm
(4:46) 7. Dearly beloved
(5:06) 8. Out of nowhere
(7:21) 9. If I should lose you
(5:00) 10. My old flame
(9:25) 11. Bluebird

Champian Fulton was introduced to alto saxophonist Charlie Parker during her stay in the womb. The New York-based pianist/vocalist's father, Stephen Fulton held a high opinion ("The most beautiful music that ever was") of Charlie Parker With Strings (Verve, 1950), so he made a cassette tape of the recording and played it during his wife Susan's pregnancy: The sound waves of Charlie Parker and Orchestra traversing maternal flesh to burst into the domain of amniotic fluid to find their way to tiny ear canals, the tympanic membranes, to the ultimate destination the pleasure centers of the growing brain, bringing (we can guess) a bright pre-birth smile that hasn't (no guessing here) faded to this day.

There may or may not have been a method to Stephen Fulton's madness. But if there was a strategy, it must have worked. Thirty some years later, Champian Fulton offers Bird Songs, a joyful celebration of Charlie Parker's centennial. Champian and Company open with "Just Friends," a tune that also sat in the introductory cut position on Parker's With Strings session. A better choice couldn't have been made. The Champian Fulton-led ensemble has a relaxed and fluid swing. Fulton's vocals feature syllables stretched like warm bread dough interspersed with interludes of a horn like sassiness. Saxophonist Scott Hamilton blows a supple and swingingly elegant solo. Fulton covers tunes written by Parker "Yardbird Suite," "Quasimodo," "Bluebird" as well as numbers that Parker made his own...

Making them her own something that Fulton is doing here in her own sweet way, whether it's "Star Eyes," its bounce coming out of the understated, old school style rhythm team, with bassist Hide Tanaka and drummer Fukushi Tainaka, or "Dearly Beloved," with Fulton comping straight up behind Hamilton's sax solo, sounding a bit like Jutta Hipp. "Out of Nowhere" features rumba rhythm and gorgeous, soft-around-the-edges flugelhorn solo from Stephen Fulton (the guy with that cassette tape), while "Bluebird" one of Bird's most recognizable melodies, closes the show with an authentic 1940s, early 1950's atmosphere.Marvelous!By Dan McClenaghan https://www.allaboutjazz.com/birdsong-champian-fulton-self-produced

Personnel: Champian Fulton: piano, Vocal; Fukushi Tainaka: drums; Hide Tanaka: bass; Stephen Fulton: flugelhorn; Scott Hamilton: saxophone, tenor.

Birdsong

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Queen Latifah - The Dana Owens Album

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:48
Size: 104.9 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:42] 1. Baby, Get Lost
[3:08] 2. I Put A Spell On You
[4:11] 3. Simply Beautiful
[3:52] 4. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
[3:59] 5. Moody's Mood For Love
[2:55] 6. Close Your Eyes
[3:42] 7. California Dreamin'
[5:21] 8. Hard Times
[3:27] 9. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
[3:00] 10. Hello Stranger
[4:04] 11. If I Had You
[4:24] 12. Lush Life

Queen Latifah, vocals; Featuring Herbie Hancock, piano on "I Put A Spell On You"; Featuring Al Green, vocals on "Simply Beautiful"; Featuring James Moody, alto sax on "Mood for Love"; Featuring Mervyn Warren, solo vocal on "Close Your Eyes"; Featuring David "Fathead" Newman, alto sax on "If I Had You"; Produced by Ron Fair, co-produced by Tal Herzberg, except for tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 11 Produced by Arif Mardin, co-produced by Joe Mardin. Track 12 produced by Mervyn Warren.

With this opus Queen Latifah sets aside her rap "crown" for a jewel-encrusted jazz-pop tiara. Tiara?! Yes, a tiara she deserves for the melodic, nostalgic opus she decided to label with her given name: The Dana Owens Album. The artist is notorious for feminist controversy, but the only thing controversial about this album is Latifah's hard departure from the rap genre. But jazz fans can rejoice. She spans a continuum from standards to R&B to the blues and more, but jazz this is, at heart—all selections are done in her own fresh style. The lush orchestral arrangements behind Latifah don't impose; much as Shirley Horn came alive for listeners in such a magnificent way when backed by an orchestra in Here's To Life, Latifah raises eyebrows by keeping chill and jazzy throughout—not a bit of cheese to be found here!

The most serious eyebrow-raiser is "California Dreamin',"? arranged with a focus on Latifah's beautiful voice. The gorgeous guitar work by Raul Midon works very well to evoke, respectfully, a bit of the era from which the tune comes. Between the castanets and the smooth string backgrounds, "Dreamin'"? is easily the most laid back of all the selections on this eclectic journey through what ostensibly are the favorite musical memories of Newark, New Jersey-born Dana Owens.

Standards are represented here: "If I Had You"? is done sweetly, without cloying—and swings nicely, thank you. Fathead Newman adds excitement with a breezy solo. On "Lush Life"? Latifah's voice strains ever so slightly, violating the admonition she gives earlier in the album (on the cut "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy") that one should "never let 'em see you sweat."? Given, however, the difficulty for any singer to bulls-eye that tune, she comes close. "Moody's Mood for Love,"? featuring the composer on sax, is performed here lovingly, like putting on a favorite cardigan. It's apparently a nod not only to the song but to the source: the late "Chief Rocker"? Frankie Crocker on WBLS radio during the 1970s and '80s in the metro NYC area. Some Arthur Prysock fans may be surprised that credit for the arrangement to "Close Your Eyes,"? performed ever-so-soulfully with a fillip of jazz, thanks to a scat solo from Mervyn Warren, is given to a Peggy Lee recording. "Hello Stranger"? replete with electric organ effects and "shoo-bop"? vocal backgrounds is sung by Latifah in a manner so heartfelt and fresh it prevents the song from becoming a caricature of itself.

Rap fans may be dismayed by this release, but fans of soulful jazz have reason to rejoice and will find themselves playing this very approachable disc over and over again. ~Paul Lewis

The Dana Owens Album

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Dave Brubeck & Tony Bennett - The White House Sessions, Live 1962

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:50
Size: 145,3 MB
Art: Front

( 0:52)  1. Introduction Of Dave Brubeck Quartet
( 5:27)  2. Take Five
( 1:19)  3. Band Introduction
(11:09)  4. Nomad
( 8:25)  5. Thank You (Dziekuje)
( 8:49)  6. Castilian Blues
( 0:34)  7. Introduction
( 1:59)  8. Just In Time
( 3:00)  9. Small World
( 2:31) 10. Make Someone Happy
( 1:17) 11. Rags To Riches
( 2:45) 12. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
( 3:37) 13. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
( 1:59) 14. Lullaby Of Broadway
( 2:10) 15. Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)
( 3:20) 16. That Old Black Magic
( 3:29) 17. There Will Never Be Another You

Since both were performing their own sets at the White House Seminar American Jazz Concert on the Sylvan Theater grounds on August 28, 1962, Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck decided to perform an impromptu collaborative set together that day, and although one song from it was eventually released, a version of "That Old Black Magic," the rest of the hour-or-so-long tape ended up lost in the vast Sony catalog vault, filed, as it turned out, with several classical tapes, until it surfaced again shortly after Brubeck's death in 2012. Now finally available, it reveals two master performers at the very top of their respective games. Bennett's signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," had been released only a couple of weeks before the concert, while Brubeck's "Take Five" had just begun to take on its iconic significance. 

Brubeck and his quartet, Paul Desmond on alto sax, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums, played a four-song set, followed by a six-song set from Bennett and his band, with Ralph Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylor on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Then came an unrehearsed and impromptu four-song set from Bennett and Brubeck, with Wright on bass and Morello on drums (alto saxophonist Desmond sat out) that included versions of "That Old Black Magic" (the only track previously released before this), "Lullaby of Broadway," "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)," and "There Will Never Be Another You," each of which purveys a loose, fun elegance that makes this archival find a true treasure. Bennett and Brubeck would not perform together again until both appeared and briefly reunited on-stage at the 2009 Newport Jazz Festival. By Steve Leggett  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-white-house-sessions-live-1962-mw0002529832