Marty Grosz Quartet - Just For Fun

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:44
Size: 141.3 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[5:58] 1. All I Do Is Dream Of You
[4:09] 2. Just Friends
[7:49] 3. Love Is Just Around The Corner
[4:22] 4. It's The Talk Of The Town
[4:52] 5. How Can You Face Me
[6:48] 6. Mood Indigo
[5:39] 7. Sweethearts On Parade
[4:37] 8. Ain't Misbehavin'
[4:02] 9. A Hundred Years From Today
[3:07] 10. If I Had A Talking Picture Of You
[5:06] 11. Memphis Blues
[5:12] 12. The Lady Is In Love Ith You

Like Eddie Condon, one of his early mentors, acoustic guitarist and vocalist Marty Grosz has always preferred playing in small combos. The present occasion, as recorded live in Hamburg's Amerika Haus, is no different in that respect from the many stateside sessions he has recorded over the years under such fanciful names as Destiny's Tots, the Hot Cosmopolites, the Orphan Newsboys, the Paswonky Serenaders, and the Collector's Item Cats, the latter a sobriquet he stole from an exceedingly obscure 1940 78 by Wild Bill Davison and Boyce Brown. So much for his literarily arcane, jazzlore-rich wit, which has also, invariably to his admirers' delight, graced the liner notes of equally well-informed jazz recordings.

Featured with Grosz on this overseas progress through tunes both familiar and rarely tried are trumpeter Alan Elsdon and baritonist, altoman, and clarinetist Johnny Barnes, both longstanding veterans of the British trad scene, and Australian-born bassist Murray Wall, now a well-established New York-based mainstreamer. A master of the plunger mute, Elsdon throughout summons up memories of Muggsy Spanier and Cootie Williams, while Barnes has long been considered one of the best baritone players of any nationality to master the full-bodied, booming, Adrian Rollini-Ernie Caceres approach to the lower ensemble voice.

Grosz's vocals are, as always, models of their kind, with the joint influence of Fats Waller's rent-party humor and Red McKenzie's highly personal synthesis of jazz phrasing and melodramatic pathos never far from the surface. For an example of the latter, listen to "Just Friends," one of Red's early hits. Elsdon takes the vocal on "Sweethearts On Parade," while Barnes emotes with similar effectiveness on "If I Had A Talking Picture Of You," a parody of an early '30s Bing Crosby number that even includes a half-chorus in German. ~Jack Sohmer

Just For Fun

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Rosemary Loar - The Quando Swing

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:19
Size: 108.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Cabaret
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:08] 1. The Quando Swing
[3:44] 2. Prelude To A Kiss
[3:59] 3. Heart And Soul Every Time We Part
[3:44] 4. I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues
[3:32] 5. Since I Fell For Ice Cream
[5:39] 6. Remember That You Did It First With Me
[4:15] 7. One O'clock Jump
[4:01] 8. I Wanna Get Married
[4:56] 9. Cold
[2:52] 10. The Wrong One
[4:08] 11. Shine It On
[2:15] 12. When You Wish Upon A Star

Everyone knows that jazz is a cool, intellectual and rarified art form that can only be appreciated by true devotees. Or not.

For ROSEMARY LOAR, jazz is a smorgasbord, a feast of incredible tastes and textures. In The Quando Swing, she makes it her business to give her listening audience the opportunity to sample each and every one of those exotic flavors. Rosemary can flit into a light and bouncy swing that includes a “word-scat” a la Annie Ross, lay back, soulful and sultry (“I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues”), or hypnotize you with a sublime version of a classic balled (“Prelude To A Kiss”). Rosemary also introduces us to some great new standards for our time: The “Wrong One” by David Friedman, the haunting “Remember” from Irish singing duo Zrazy, and Annie Lennox’ brilliant “Cold.” She gives us memorable arrangments of classic jazz standards, but is not afraid to turn our expectations on their heads. Rosemary adds one more flavor that is uniquely her own - a quirky and spontaneous sense of humor, seen in her rendition of Nellie Mc Kay’s “I Wanna Get Married,” and in where she takes Giaccomo Puccini’s “Quando Me’n Vo,” from the world famous opera La Boheme.

Rosemary Loar fell in love with jazz the first time she heard Billie Holiday sing on a scratchy old 78 LP. And sing jazz is what she did when she first came to New York, working in many of New York’s legendary downtown jazz spots. Now, five Broadway shows and numerous national tours and regional productions later, Rosemary returns to her first love.

The Quando Swing is Loar’s fourth CD. She is backed by music director/pianist , Frank Ponzio, accoustic bass player, Peter Donovan, (Audra McDonald, Barbara Cook), and drummer, Vito Lesczak (Andy Bley). Rosemary Loar was featured vocalist for the PBS production, New Year’s Eve with Guy Lombardo, and has performed with the North Carolina, Orlando, Nelson Riddle and Peter Duchin Orchestras. She was the creator and co-producer of the Alternative Torch concert series of the New Voices Collective at New York’s Symphony Space, which ran for three seasons. Rosemary is also a rock/pop composer/songwriter and has released three CDs of her original music : Alternative Torch, Through Women’s Eyes, and Water From The Moon (which is also the score for her original musical of the same name and for which she wrote both the book and music.)

The Quando Swing

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Kikoski Carpenter Novak Sheppard - From The Hip

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 69:44

Size: 159.6 MB

Styles: Straight ahead jazz

Year: 2013

Art: Front

[7:44] 1. Star Eyes

[7:26] 2. From Ton To Tom

[9:19] 3. Bolivia

[8:37] 4. My One And Only Love

[7:58] 5. How Deep Is The Ocean

[7:41] 6. If You Could See Me Now

[6:36] 7. Autumn Leaves

[6:16] 8. Tones For Joan's Bones

[8:05] 9. Mr. PC

In 2006, pianist David Kikoski was invited to perform and record in front of a live audience at the private Beverly Hills studio of George Klabin, President of the Rising Jazz Stars Foundation. Kikoski brought in some of his first-call friends for the occasion and, with nary a rehearsal to be had, put on a stunner of a standards-based show; the nine tracks that make up From The Hip were recorded at that gathering.

Kikoski, saxophonist Bob Sheppard, drummer Gary Novak, and bassist Dave Carpenter, who passed away shortly after this recording took place, form a compelling unit that injects new life into these old gems. The eyebrow-raising bass riff that ushers in the album-opening "Star Eyes" makes it clear that this isn't a case of a group of pros simply phoning it in. This quartet invests its creative energy into this music and that investment pays off in artistically satisfying dividends.

The aforementioned "Star Eyes" proves to be a winner right out of the gate, but that's only the beginning. The band follows that up with a visit to Brazil, via Toninho Horta's "From Ton To Tom," and a trip to Cedar Walton's "Bolivia," which takes flight on the wings of Novak's full throttle drumming. Sheppard shines all by his lonesome at the outset of "My One And Only Love" while Kikoski captures the most attention on the pair of tunes that follow; his introduction and solo on "How Deep Is The Ocean" are the clear highlights there, and he's the focal point on a sans-Sheppard trio take of "If You Could See Me Now." That number opens with sparkling pianisms and ends with a piano cadenza of note, but the joyous music that takes place in between is a testament to the communicative force(s) at play between Kikoski, Novak and Carpenter.

From The Hip is terrific, but it isn't perfect. Carpenter's intonation, for example, could be called into question in a few spots, but that's beside the point. Little issues like that do little to diminish the overall experience of hearing music like this performed by musicians who are this well-studied in the art of marrying the structured with the spontaneous.

David Kikoski: piano; Dave Carpenter: bass; Gary Novak: drums; Bob Sheppard: saxophones.

From the Hip

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Karin Plato - A State Of Bliss

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:59
Size: 147,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:01)  1. Up With The Lark
(5:43)  2. Let's Take An Old Fashioned Walk
(3:34)  3. Blue Room
(3:52)  4. Big Black Crow
(6:21)  5. Diamonds On The Waves
(4:02)  6. I Hear Music
(4:54)  7. My Favorite Things
(5:32)  8. Time Will Not Wait For You
(5:57)  9. Pennies From Heaven
(7:08) 10. Here It Is
(4:26) 11. Cast Your Fate To The Wind
(5:53) 12. Summer Will Follow
(3:29) 13. The State Of Bliss

The State Of Bliss is Karin Plato’s fifth recording since 1996. Released in May 2003 the disc features Karin singing with three different rhythm sections. The songs include arrangements of familiar jazz standards as well as several of Karin's original compositions. A special highlight on "The State Of Bliss" is the guest appearance by acclaimed Canadian jazz vocalist Denzal Sinclaire. Denzal sings two duets with Karin: the swinging "I Hear Music" and the lovely waltz "Let's Take An Old Fashioned Walk" by Irving Berlin.  Noted Canadian producer Torben Oxbol who collaborated with Karin on previous CD's including her JUNO NOMINATED "THERE'S BEAUTY IN THE RAIN" in 1998 and "BLUE AGAIN " in 2000 is the producer of "The State Of Bliss ". Musicians on the recording include guitarist Bill Coon, saxophonist Campbell Ryga, pianist Ross Taggart, pianist Bob Murphy and several other of Canada's finest jazz musicians based in Vancouver, BC.

Nominated "Canadian Jazz Vocalist of the Year" at THE NATIONAL JAZZ AWARDS 2003 in Toronto, Canada (the award went to Diana Krall), Karin continues to win new fans everywhere that she performs. "The State Of Bliss " showcases the talent of one of Canada's rising stars in jazz. A blissful state indeed... http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7156261&style=music&fulldesc=T

A State Of Bliss

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Kristin Porter - By the Light of the Moon

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 16:05
Size: 37,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:24)  1. It Could Happen to You
(3:35)  2. Teach Me Tonight
(3:27)  3. Light of the Moon
(2:48)  4. Moody's Mood for Love
(3:49)  5. Never Telling Me You Loved Me

"Kristin has a voice with a warmth and richness of someone twice her age. Take a listen to this bright young star!"~  Roy Agee.

This album takes pages from the Great American Songbook, as well as featuring Kristin's originals. You'll find swingin' Jazz, Bossa grooves, sultry lyrics, even a little Reggae. The last track, Kristin's original, "Never Telling Me You Loved Me", leaves you wanting more. This track hints at Kristin's love for the Blues, and showcases her influence from great Jazz/Blues composers that influenced her, such as Harold Arlen.  

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/KristinPorter/from/tblink

By the Light of the Moon

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Ehud Asherie & Harry Allen - Lower East Side

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:54
Size: 142,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:30)  1. S'posin'
(5:58)  2. Hallelujah!
(5:08)  3. Portrait In Black And White
(6:04)  4. Hey There
(5:24)  5. Thou Swell
(4:06)  6. Some Other Time
(4:44)  7. Thanks A Million
(6:31)  8. 'Deed I Do
(5:37)  9. Loads Of Love
(5:34) 10. Always
(7:12) 11. When I Grow Too Old To Dream

Pianist Ehud Asherie and tenor saxophonist Harry Allen are established musical partners with a shared fondness for a time when songwriting giants like Irving Berlin and Richard Rodgers were at their creative zeniths. Lower East Side is the pair's second duo outing, following on from Upper West Side (Posi-Tone, 2012), and once again the two demonstrate how this fondness for a bygone era can still produce fresh and joyous music. The journey from Upper West Side to Lower East Side is geographically short just a few miles. Musically, Esherie and Allen's journey is as brief as can be. Both albums feature the same mix of standards some famous, some undeservedly less so and the same stylish combination of tenor sax and piano. Why mess up a good thing, as they say. The mood throughout Lower East Side is relaxed, inviting, friendly. 

Asherie and Allen form a democratic, unselfish, partnership: a duo that functions best through mutual encouragement and cooperation. Such an arrangement may lack the fire and excitement of more competitive pairings but it more than makes up for this with a surfeit of good humor and high quality musicianship. Asherie's playing sparkles with a lightness of touch and an understated charm. He has a superb sense of rhythm there's never a moment where the music misses drums or bass especially when his stride playing takes center stage on tunes like Rodgers' "Thou Swell." His confidence is clear, his strong left-hand rhythms matched by emphatic, percussive, right hand melody lines. Allen's soft, slightly breathy, sound gives every note he plays a tonal richness. He's eminently capable of adding a raw edge but he does so sparingly, which simply heightens the impact of this shift in tone when it does appear his use of it on "Thou Swell" gives the tune a sexier vibe than usual.

Both men have a warmth to their playing, which heightens the emotional impact of the songs, whether they are upbeat and cheerful or a little more romantic; Allen's tenor on Leonard Bernstein's "Some Other Time" combines softness and warmth like a favorite blanket. The pair's delightful take on Fred Rose's "'Deed I Do" finds them both at their most assertive, driving the tune at a fast tempo that guarantees to drive away the blues. Although Esherie gets top billing on Lower East Side the great joy of this record is to be found in the interplay between piano and saxophone, between two terrific players with a deep, yet still evolving, musical relationship. Esherie and Allen form one of the most talented and most rewarding partnerships on the contemporary jazz scene. ~ Bruce Lindsay  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=43847#.UsggjLRc_vs

Personnel: Ehud Asherie: piano; Harry Allen: tenor saxophone.

Lower East Side

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Bobby Gordon & Dave McKenna - Clarinet Blue

Styles: Dixieland/New Orleans/Swing
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:56
Size: 167,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:28)  1. It's Been So Long
(4:08)  2. Ja-Da
(3:23)  3. I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
(3:58)  4. You're Driving Me Crazy
(5:07)  5. You Turned the Tables on Me
(4:32)  6. Clarinet Blues
(4:08)  7. Rosetta
(5:01)  8. Poor Butterfly
(3:12)  9. Louisiana
(4:23) 10. Sweet Lorraine
(6:46) 11. I Cried for You
(2:31) 12. Sweet Adeline
(4:15) 13. Beale Street Mama
(4:15) 14. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
(4:13) 15. On a Slow Boat to China
(3:30) 16. Ballin' the Jack
(4:59) 17. Gotta Be This or That

Clarinetist Bobby Gordon and pianist Dave McKenna have teamed up with Frank Tate and Joe Ascione to produce a quartet recording that is soulful in a low-key, swinging way. Gordon plays a rich toned, introspective clarinet with an emotional range that incorporates hesitancies and doubts, which plays off well against the seemingly casual virtuosity of McKenna. In fact, the setting brings out some of the best in McKenna as he plays in a more pared down, single note style quite different from what a listener might expect who is only familiar with his renowned solo work. Gordon’s darkly, beautiful opening clarinet solo to the title track "Clarinet Blue" inspires an equally striking response from McKenna. This is part of what makes this recording so good: Gordon’s opening tone-setting solos, ably accompanied by McKenna, followed by a vivid McKenna reply. 

All of this rides above the subtle, responsive bass and drums duet of Frank Tate and Joe Ascione. Those who know Dave McKenna as the soloist with a rollicking left hand that seems to rise out of the depths of the earth will be continually tweaked by what he can do as an accompanist in a small group context. Deep listening is evident throughout this recording. Bassist Frank Tate’s solos are consistently attuned to the emotional climate of the tunes. His solo on "I Cried For You" is outstanding. Drummer Joe Ascione helps keep everyone on course, adding his own imaginative solos. This is a recording that gets better and better with repeated listening. Clarinet Blue will be especially interesting to those who enjoy the dynamics of a thoughtful rhythm section and a laid back solo exchange. This is small group swing, indeed. ~ Mike Neely   

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=6932#.Usc2RLRc_vs

Personnel: Bobby Gordon, clarinet; Dave McKenna, piano; Frank Tate, bass; and Joe Ascione, drums.

Clarinet Blue

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Demi Evans - Why Do You Run

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 59:03
Size: 135.2 MB
Styles: Soul/blues vocals
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:04] 1. Why Do You Run
[4:18] 2. Passing Judgment
[4:51] 3. Picking Beans
[4:30] 4. Be Good To Me As I Am To You
[4:13] 5. Hard Spot
[4:55] 6. Thinking About The Past
[3:59] 7. Words For A Hum
[4:02] 8. Platinum Age
[4:53] 9. All This Flowers
[3:34] 10. Trying To Live Life Without You
[4:34] 11. Heart In My Hands
[4:03] 12. Backwards To Forwards
[5:59] 13. They Won't Go When I Go

Demi Evans (real name is Demetrious Evans) is an American vocalist and lyricist from Dallas, Texas, who is heavily marketed in Western Europe and especially France as a famous blues singer. although she is relatively unknown in the US. She is known in the European jazz for her voice.

Demi Evans was born in the 60s in North Dallas. She was raised by her grand mother, herself a singer in the clubs of Dallas. This gave young Demi the opportunity to meet singers such as Johnnie Taylor. Demi helped her grandmother by working every evening at the Dallas Morning News as young as 14, till her grandmother decided to move to California. In Los Angeles, she was recruited by a model agency which paid for her acting studies. She moved to New York in the middle of the 80s, where she performed in gay cabarets. As a singer and model, she got to visit Europe, modeling for Jean-Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix in Paris, Milano or Vienna. She then moved to Germany where she worked with Sven Väth, a famous DJ. She released a few pop singles which had some success. Demi went back to the US and started working with Stevie Wonder. She then dropped modeling and continued her career as singer and lyricists, moving back to Europe. Demi then worked in the group of Jean-Jacques Milteau who helped her in her creative process.

Her first album « Why Do You Run » was issued in the spring of 2006 and since then has been touring the French and European jazz festivals.

Why Do You Run

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Various - Jazz Manouche

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:53
Size: 141.7 MB
Styles: Swing, Gypsy jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:41] 1. Stochelo Rosenberg - After You've Gone
[2:48] 2. Romane - Swing 98
[3:14] 3. Django Reinhardt - Nuages
[3:59] 4. The New Quintette Du Hot Club De France - Mélodie Pour Stéphane
[5:09] 5. Stochelo Rosenberg - Just Enough For Jazz
[5:21] 6. Tchavolo Schmitt - J'attendrai
[4:49] 7. Stochelo Rosenberg - All Jazzy
[3:29] 8. Bernard Berkhout - Last Minute Swing
[3:21] 9. Tchan-Tchou - Flots Du Danube
[3:50] 10. Romane - Legende
[3:59] 11. Hot Club Usa - Stompin' At Decca
[3:22] 12. Tim Kliphouse - Exactly Like You
[4:21] 13. Tchavolo Schmitt - It Had To Be You
[4:00] 14. Hot Club Usa - Djangology
[2:38] 15. Stochelo Rosenberg - Melody For Babik
[2:45] 16. Django Reinhardt - Echoes Of France (La Marseillaise)

Gypsy jazz (also known as gypsy swing or hot club jazz) is a style of jazz music often said to have been started by guitarist Jean "Django" Reinhardt in the 1930s. Because it's origins are largely in France it is often called by the French name, "jazz manouche", or alternatively, "manouche jazz", even in English language sources. Some modern dictionaries recommend avoiding using the word "gypsy" because it is felt to have been tainted by its frequent use as a pejorative, however dictionaries do not caution against use of the term "gypsy jazz."Django was foremost among a group of Romani guitarists working in and around Paris in the 1930s through the 1950s, a group which also included the brothers Baro, Sarane, and Matelo Ferret and Reinhardt's brother Joseph "Nin-Nin" Reinhardt.

Many of the musicians in this style worked in Paris in various popular Musette ensembles. The Musette style waltz remains an important component in the Gypsy jazz repertoire. Reinhardt was noted for combining a dark, chromatic Gypsy flavor with the swing articulation of the period. This combination is critical to this style of jazz. In addition to this his approach continues to form the basis for contemporary Gypsy jazz guitar. Reinhardt's most famous group, the Quintette du Hot Club de France, also brought fame to jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli.

Jazz Manouche

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Gabriele Tranchina - The Old Country

Styles: Vocal Jazz, Bossa Nova
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:32
Size: 111,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:02)  1. Berimbau
(7:03)  2. I Never Say Goodbye
(5:19)  3. Samba Do Aviao
(3:51)  4. The Old Country
(4:14)  5. Just One of Those Things
(6:24)  6. Lamento No Morro
(4:44)  7. I Have the Feeling I've Been Here Before
(7:14)  8. Lover Man
(4:36)  9. Angel Eyes

Vocalist Gabriele Tranchina embodies a rare combination of European charm and New York style. Having left her native Germany in 1988, the source for her gracious manner of performance, Tranchina has absorbed all that her adopted land has to offer. Her broad repertoire from the popular songbook and the blues to samba and a variety of Latin forms is the veritable gumbo that constitutes American jazz. She truly brings an international perspective to her songs: no wonder "Old Country," the title track of her new CD, contains such great insight. Tranchina's talents have earned her a place on the stages of Birdland, the Blue Note, Metronome, the New Yorker Club, the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Academy Museum, among others. For a time, she hosted the Squire's popular open mic night. Her versatility with languages - she is tri-lingual and sings in English, German and French as well as Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish - has made her an asset to tour operators and hotels. She has performed for special events at New York's Marriott Marquis, Rockefeller Center's Sea Grill, and on Spirit Cruises. 

Her husband, the pianist Joe Vincent Tranchina, often accompanies her. In addition to her busy schedule in the Tri-State area, Gabriele has won praise in her native Germany for appearances at the Hessen Jazzfest, Jazzfest Mirfelden Walldorf, the Mainz Arts and Crafts Festival, as well as Darmstadt's Heinerfest and Hochzeitsturmfest. That tiny city, known as a center of German jazz, also boasts numerous clubs: Tranchina has played its prestigious Achteckiges Haus, Oktave Jazzclub, and Cafe KUK. Renowned composer/big band leader Connie Scheffel chose Tranchina to record a number of his works. Berlitz's Rush Hour German  a boy-meets-girl, musical theater adventure that departs from standard format language tapes - also features Tranchina's voice. She holds a BFA in Music and Physical Education with a teaching degree from J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt. By the age of 20, Tranchina had traveled throughout Europe and spent a year touring India, Nepal, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. She pursued a career as a dancer and arrived in New York City to further her studies. Enrolled as a foreign student at Peridance and then the Broadway Dance Center/Ballet Arts, Tranchina danced for Ned Williams William Adair, Igal Perri and several other up-and-coming choreographers. Although an injury caused her to retire in 1993, New York and its music scene would not let her go. She would meet vocal legends Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan, now long time friends and mentors, and began to organize vocal workshops for them (a story detailed in "Mark Murphy: Workshops Without Water Wings" Jazz Times Educational Supplement, 2002). 

Tranchina also studied with vocalists Nancy Marano, Dominique Eade, and Jay Clayton, with lessons in improvisation from pianist Connie Crothers. Sessions with vocal coach Jeannie Lovetri, who heads the New York Voice Teachers Association and counts Meredith Monk and Helen Merrill among her pupils, helped Tranchina perfect her spectacular three octave range. She enjoys a sound reminiscent of "cool school" vocalists June Christy and Chris Connor.

At last, here is my debut recording. The Old Country endured a complicated birth, as life brought many unexpected delays. Instead of the usual nine months, this child took about two years before the final mix was completed. September 11, 2001, at noon was the initial date for the final mix. Little did I know that I and my husband would be evacuated from our apartment in Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan and consequently be without a home for months to come. So whenever I play this CD there is a bittersweet taste to it. The sweetness comes from friends like Sheila Jordan with whom we lived for three months, sharing wonderful moments, cherished forever; Mark Murphy who gave a benefit concert for us at the Blue Note, and finally, my vocal coach, Jeannie Lovetri, who continued coaching me for free until our money situation recovered. 

The Old Country was deemed to be most appropriate as the title for my CD debut by Lara Pellegrinelli, freelance writer for JazzTimes and other publications. Laradescribes my voice as being "reminiscent of 'Cool School' vocalists June Christy and Chris Connor." It has been said that the years of living in New York City have made me a mixture of city coolness and "Old Country" charm and sophistication which come from my upbringing in Europe. Hence, "The Old Country" is a mixture of all these things, represented by standards, more obscure jazz tunes and Brazilian songs.  http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7192690&style=music&fulldesc=T

The Old Country

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Claire Martin - He Never Mentioned Love

Styles: Jazz Vocals
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:38
Size: 139,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:06)  1. He Never Mentioned Love
(3:56)  2. Forget Me
(5:15)  3. Everything Must Change
(2:44)  4. Trav'llin Light
(6:13)  5. The Music That Makes Me Dance
(3:38)  6. All Night Long
(4:58)  7. If You Go
(5:01)  8. A Song for You
(4:08)  9. Slowly But Shirley
(4:35) 10. You're Nearer
(5:23) 11. L.A. Breakdown
(4:10) 12. Slow Time
(5:26) 13. The Sun Died

Eleven Claire Martin albums have preceded He Never Mentioned Love, and if none are part of your jazz library, then there’s a significant gap in your knowledge and appreciation of contemporary vocalists. This time around, the finely tuned Brit pays tribute to the songs and spirit of Shirley Horn. Or, as Martin more articulately puts it, she spends “a really heartfelt hour remembering someone who I really love.” Martin, whose voice is one of the most satisfying instruments in jazz, doesn’t sound like Horn, nor does she attempt to. But they do share a dusky, contemplative self-assurance, making it eminently clear that each track is equally indebted to heart and mind. A salute to Horn demands not only sublimely intelligent singing, but also inspired piano work. Since Martin doesn’t play, she wisely calls on the superb Gareth Williams. 

Additional instrumental highlights come from guest guitarist Jim Mullen, working his subtle brand of magic on “Everything Must Change,” and blazing sax accompaniment by Nigel Hitchcock on an “All Night Long” that sounds like an Edward Hopper painting brought to urgently shadowy life. And, is there a finer expression of love for a lost pal than “A Song for You,” especially as Martin handles it, treating Leon Russell’s delicate lyric like a priceless treasure that demands care both gentle and firm? ~ Christopher Loudon  http://jazztimes.com/articles/18948-he-never-mentioned-love-claire-martin

He Never Mentioned Love

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Kenny Burrell - Easy

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:44
Size: 169,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:54)  1. How Could You
(2:49)  2. Bye and Bye
(4:40)  3. Mood Indigo
(4:03)  4. Satin Doll
(6:25)  5. Moten Swing
(4:20)  6. The Squeeze
(4:24)  7. Imagination
(3:30)  8. One Mint Julep
(3:18)  9. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You
(4:42) 10. Opus 21
(5:05) 11. The Switch
(2:54) 12. Stella by Starlight
(3:40) 13. People Will Say We're in Love
(4:40) 14. Gettin' in the Groove
(3:06) 15. Funk Junction
(4:17) 16. Reverie
(4:01) 17. Bluesin' Around
(3:47) 18. Mambo Twist

One of the leading exponents of straight-ahead jazz guitar, Kenny Burrell is a highly influential artist whose understated and melodic style, grounded in bebop and blues, made him in an in-demand sideman from the mid-'50s onward and a standard by which many jazz guitarists gauge themselves to this day. Born in Detroit in 1931, Burrell grew up in a musical family in which his mother played piano and sang in the Second Baptist Church choir and his father favored the banjo and ukulele. Burrell began playing guitar at age 12 and quickly fell under the influence of such artists as Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, Oscar Moore, T-Bone Walker, and Muddy Waters. Surrounded by the vibrant jazz and blues scene of Detroit, Burrell began to play gigs around town and counted among his friends and bandmates pianist Tommy Flanagan, saxophonists Pepper Adams and Yusef Lateef, drummer Elvin Jones, and others.

In 1951, Burrell made his recording debut on a combo session that featured trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie as well as saxophonist John Coltrane, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, and bassist Percy Heath. Although his talent ranked among the best of the professional jazz players at the time, Burrell continued to study privately with renowned classical guitarist Joe Fava and enrolled in the music program at Wayne State University. Upon graduating in 1955 with a B.A. in music composition and theory, Burrell was hired for a six-month stint touring with pianist Oscar Peterson's trio. Then, in 1956, Burrell and Flanagan moved to New York City and immediately became two of the most sought-after sidemen in town, performing on gigs with such luminaries as singers Tony Bennett and Lena Horne, playing in Broadway pit orchestras, as well as recording with an array of legendary musicians including Coltrane, trumpeter Kenny Dorham, organist Jimmy Smith, vocalist Billie Holiday, and many others. Burrell made his recorded debut as a leader on the 1956 Blue Note session Introducing Kenny Burrell technically his second session for the label, but the first to see release. From the late '50s onward, Burrell continued to record by himself and with others, and has appeared on countless albums over the years including such notable albums as 1957's The Cats featuring Coltrane, 1963's Midnight Blue featuring saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, 1965's Guitar Forms with arrangements by Gil Evans, and 1968's Blues The Common Ground.

Beginning in 1971, Burrell started leading various college seminars including the first regular course to be held in the United States on the music of composer, pianist, and bandleader Duke Ellington. He continued performing, recording, and teaching throughout the '80s and '90s, releasing several albums including 1989's Guiding Spirit, 1991's Sunup to Sundown, 1994's Collaboration with pianist LaMont Johnson, 1995's Primal Blue, and 1998's church music-inspired Love Is the Answer. In 2001, Burrell released the relaxed quartet date A Lucky So and So on Concord and followed it up in 2003 with Blue Muse. He celebrated turning 75 years old in 2006 by recording a live date, released a year later as 75th Birthday Bash Live! In 2010, Burrell released the live album, Be Yourself: Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, recorded at Lincoln Center's smaller club-like venue, followed two years later by Special Requests (And Other Favorites): Live at Catalina's. Besides continuing to perform, Burrell is the founder and director of the Jazz Studies Program at UCLA as well as President Emeritus of the Jazz Heritage Foundation. ~ Matt Collar & Al Campbell, Rovi  https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/kenny-burrell/id119995#fullText

Easy

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Antti Sarpila, Frank Roberscheuten, Engelbert Wrobel - The Three Tenors of Swing

Styles: Swing
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:43
Size: 158,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:35)  1. Bean Stalking (Idaho)
(3:37)  2. Please Be Kind
(4:55)  3. Please Don't Talk About Me (When I'm Gone)
(5:00)  4. Weary Blues
(2:34)  5. Oh My Solo (O Sole Mio)
(4:37)  6. East of the Sun (And West of the Moon)
(5:08)  7. One O' Clock Jump
(3:34)  8. Clarion Song
(3:39)  9. Flight of the Hawk
(4:07) 10. Laura
(5:17) 11. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
(4:32) 12. Swing in the Clowns (From "i Pagliazzi")
(5:10) 13. Four Brothers
(3:59) 14. The Cat Walk
(4:48) 15. Panama Rag
(3:05) 16. Creole Love Call / Mood Indigo (Medley)

Inspired by their shared love and enthusiasm for the swing - jazz and from pleasure and joy of making music together in this tradition , three of the most renowned saxophonist and clarinetist of the European jazz scene have joined forces : Antti Sarpila from Finland, Frank Roberscheuten from the Netherlands  and Engelbert Wrobel from Germany . With plenty of power and drive , they allow taking a look back at the big time of swing and inspire their audiences with skillful arrangements , mainly from his own pen , and exciting improvisations. All three soloists and stand for years before his own formations .

With a wink, taking the headline reference to the famous " three tenors " from the Opera area. "The 3 Tenors of Swing " but might as well "The 3 Clarinets " or "The 3 Altos Of Swing " hot , or they would have to imagine as "The 3 Reed Men Of Swing" , because these three protagonists are all multi-instrumentalists - everyone plays both tenor and another saxophone, and clarinet - and each of these instruments masterfully. (translated using Google translator).  

http://www.swingsociety.de/html/the_three_tenors_of_swing.html

The Three Tenors of Swing

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Joe Venuti & Zoot Sims - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 60:04

Size: 137.5 MB

Styles: Swing

Year: 1975/1988/1994

Art: Front

[3:41] 1. My Honey's Lovin' Arms

[3:49] 2. Deep Night

[5:01] 3. Remember

[3:35] 4. I Got Rhythm

[3:43] 5. Avalon

[5:03] 6. I Surrender, Dear

[4:30] 7. Wait Till You See Her

[4:18] 8. Russian Lullaby

[3:59] 9. Lady Of The Evening

[4:30] 10. Where Or When

[6:40] 11. Lover, Come Back To Me

[4:46] 12. I'll See You In My Dreams

[3:03] 13. Don't Take Your Love From Me

[3:18] 14. Shine

Violinist Joe Venuti's three recordings with tenorman Zoot Sims are all quite joyful and exciting. This Chiaroscuro recording matches the pair with pianist John Bunch, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Bobby Rosengarden and, on "Don't Take Your Love from Me," trombonist Spiegel Willcox who was then 73. The small-group swing performances have plenty of life and more often than not are hard-swinging. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at WARP Studios and Downtown Sound, New York, New York in May 1974 and May 1975.

Joe Venuti (violin); Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar); Zoot Sims (tenor saxophone); Spiegle Willcox (trombone); Dick Hyman, John Bunch (piano); Bobby Rosengarden , Cliff Leeman (drums).

Joe Venuti & Zoot Sims

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Gary Cundiff - Invariable Change

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 45:53
Size: 105.0 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:32] 1. Thirsty Night
[3:45] 2. Alsuma Swing
[3:47] 3. Impulses
[2:10] 4. Monday Detour
[4:09] 5. Something About Melissa
[2:57] 6. Bangkok Sun
[2:25] 7. Hidden Dreams
[2:51] 8. Riding To Rio
[3:21] 9. Small Danger
[2:38] 10. Rainy Road
[4:42] 11. Amber Light
[2:36] 12. Late Afternoon
[3:56] 13. Pub Generation
[2:58] 14. Bossa Boss

Gary Cundiff uses computers, software and digital samples to create music. Currently exploring Jazz, Latin, Bebop and Swing in this release "Invariable Change" a follow-up to 2012's "Variable Change".

Invariable Change is Gary Cundiff's second Jazz album featuring Tenor Sax, Piano, Rhodes, Trumpet and Guitar playing melodies and solos out front of a Drums-Bass-Piano trio. This effort draws from many past influences and strives to present them in a modern sonic experience...best shared with someone you adore!

Invariable Change

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Brigitte Zarie - L'amour

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:19
Size: 107,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:59)  1. Where There Is Love
(3:46)  2. Lamour (French Vers.)
(4:04)  3. Walk the Line
(4:09)  4. Good to Be Home
(3:44)  5. I Just Love You (feat. Randy Brecker)
(4:02)  6. Quiet Nights (Corcovado)
(3:01)  7. Nobody Else
(4:14)  8. How Can It Hurt
(3:47)  9. Lamour (English Vers.)
(3:49) 10. Don't Forget Me
(4:06) 11. Celebrate
(3:32) 12. Get Me Through

To paraphrase Peter Bonventre of Newsweek magazine on his leaving the Boston Garden and a Hagler fight in November 1978, “Marvelous Marvin is a beautiful fighter!” – well, “Brigitte Zarie is a beautiful singer.” Oh, that bass!  And Randy Brecker featured on 2 tunes.  

Oh, that horn!  First class production.  Big orchestra sound.  Nice instrumentation.  Now, Brigitte, it’s Good to Be Home listening to this on Quiet Nights with Nobody Else 12 tunes impeccably swinging crisp and beat. My favorite female vocalist Anita O’Day.  Brigitte is a new favorite not the edge of a Miss O’Day, but as full voiced and vibrant and lyrical.  And sincere.  I see myself at Charlie’s Gone By listening to both.  Whoa!  Wow!  Outstanding!  And elegant! 

Brigitte is an extraordinary songwriter too except for Walk the Line and Quiet Nights (Corcovado), she wrote all of the songs on L’amour music by Brigitte Zarie and Neil Jason; lyrics by Brigitte Zarie.  I’m hearing standards all over the place. To paraphrase Bonventre again, “Brigitte is a beautiful songwriter.”  L’amour highly highly recommended.  It is a story.  And it is jazz. ~ Peter DeVeber  http://www.nejazz.com/Wordpress/2013/12/cd-lamour-brigitte-zarie/

L'amour

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Lindsay George - Living Inside-Out

Styles: Jazz Pop
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:00
Size: 103,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:06)  1. Buzzed
(4:42)  2. No Surprise
(4:47)  3. Run Away with You
(4:20)  4. Life Is Good
(5:28)  5. You Get to Me Like You Do
(4:34)  6. Don't Wanna Give Up on You
(4:41)  7. If You've Only Known Lonely
(4:01)  8. Blame
(4:17)  9. I Could Write a Book
(5:59) 10. Once I Loved

At age three, Lindsay and her family left Philadelphia headed to Nashville. At the time, no one realized what a precipitous move that would turn out to be. “Music City” was just the place young Lindsay needed to be. For it was evident early on, that the precocious toddler was musical. While listening to radio’s Jerry House and the House Foundation on her way to pre-school every day, she quickly became enamored with country music. It turns out that country wasn’t her only interest. In fact, Lindsay has a passion for all things musical. At age 11 she sang her first part in a theater production of The Magician's Nephew, which enjoyed an 8 week run at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.  A few years later, while looking for a new musical adventure, Lindsay discovered a small music school north of town  The Nashville Jazz Workshop. 

It was there that she fell “head over heels in love” with Jazz! The folks at the NJW encouraged her to audit a phrasing class taught by legendary vocal coach, Ron Browning. Up to that point, Browning had rarely worked with children. After the 15-year old Lindsay’s impromptu rendition of the classic Route 66, in front of his stunned adult class, Browning changed his mind about young students. That chance meeting led to five years of private coaching, which truly brought Lindsay vocally, to where she is today. “Ron made me work hard, and would never let me just … get by,” shared George. “He always pushed me for more.”  While most kids at Brentwood High School were listening to Hip-Hop, Lindsay loaded Johnny Mercer and Tony Bennett on her iPod. “I love Ella Fitzgerald, and Carmen McCrae’s Love is Here to Stay is one of my favorite songs ever,” says George. Gifted academically as well, Lindsay completed high school in three years, and graduated at the top of her class.

Belmont University offered George a full scholarship, and she accepted. Her major: Commercial Music of course. In her sophomore year, she was honored with a very special award. Voted on by the Dean, and all the instructors in the School of Music, the Presser Award, a cash prize of $5,000, was presented to Lindsay, as the most talented and deserving music student. A family friend who had been following Lindsay’s musical progress, thought it would be appropriate for her to meet Denny Jiosa. The 4-Time Grammy nominated producer and Smooth Jazz guitarist, Jiosa, liked Lindsay from the start. “She’s smart, she’s adorable, she has a great vibe, and she’s a super-talented singer,” he gushed. After a few meetings, Denny agreed to produce a project on her. “I only had one condition,” he said. “I told Lindsay that she would have to c0-write at least one song with me.” Lindsay accepted the challenge. Living Inside-Out contains five cuts penned by George & Jiosa. So, from a magical town known mostly for its “guitars, Cadillacs, and hillbilly music,” comes a fresh, new and prodigious, Jazz Pop talent, with an incredible musical future. Keep your eyes and ears wide open for the lovely, the talented, Lindsay George!  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lindsaygeorge

Living Inside-Out

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Jannick Top, Serge Perathoner - Good Mood For Jazzy Souls

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:11
Size: 118,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:23)  1. Silencious Walk on a Memory
(3:48)  2. Blue and Yellow Cocktail
(3:20)  3. Jaunt in New York With You
(3:29)  4. Amazing Sunday Morning
(3:10)  5. Sweet Lamentation
(4:00)  6. Secret Love in Your Arms
(3:09)  7. Deep and Dark Memories
(4:00)  8. Smokey Dance
(3:59)  9. Party in the Boat of Life
(5:00) 10. A Rose Floating on the Brook
(3:56) 11. Rainy Sky in My Heart
(4:07) 12. This Is Your Rhythm Babe
(2:46) 13. The Last Drop of Wine
(1:58) 14. Hot Ice Cream

Serge Perathoner, born June 27, 1953 | music at Longchamp-sur-Aujon, is a composer, keyboardist and musical arranger French. Studio musician and arranger Michel Berger, Luc Plamondon, France Gall, Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Vartan, Celine Dion ... He is the arranger of musicals Starmania and Notre-Dame de Paris, and composer of film music. He is Member of the Board of Directors of the SACEM since 2013.  Serge Perathoner studied at the Conservatoire National de Troyes, then the Superior of Paris in class piano, chamber music and writing. He started alongside Yves Simon 's especially on the soundtrack Diabolo Menthe in 1977.

Then he forms with the American violinist David Rose Blue Rose group whose album was ranked billboard. Studio and / or on stage, accompanied Serge Perathoner France Gall, Michel Berger, Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Vartan, Jane Birkin, Gérard Manset ... As arranger and musical director, he has to produce albums for Celine Dion and France Gall. Close associate of Michel Berger, it ensures the arrangements and musical direction of rock operas Starmania (versions 1988 and 1993) and The Legend of Jimmy (1991). Then the author Luc Plamondon and composer Richard Cocciante entrust those of the successful musical Notre-Dame de Paris. Also a composer, he created with Jannick Top television (Ushuaia, Opération Okavango) music, pubs, series (Navarro, Fabio Montale), Dance (Roland Petit) and films. He works regularly since their beginnings with Peter and Marc Jolivet for film, television and theater. By the late 1980s, he founded Piano Bass Music, producer and publisher of the majority of his compositions, including the generic emission Nicolas Hulot Ushuaia. Translate by google 

http://www.musicme.com/Serge-Perathoner/albums/Good-Mood-For-Jazzy-Souls-3610152119276.html&usg=ALkJrhjg9my0FrVeZW2y5Zi_Aqw03nI0QQ

Jannick "Janik" Top is a French bass player and composer, born in Marseille. Top plays the electric bass and the cello. In the 1970s, he was a lead member of the influential zeuhl band Magma, along with Christian Vander and Didier Lockwood. In 1977-1980 he played in the popular electronic project Space. Since then, he has worked with many other musicians, including session work for Michel Berger, France Gall, Richard Cocciante, Bonnie Tyler, Eurythmics, Ray Charles, Céline Dion as well as live playing and musical direction for shows, including Johnny Hallyday and Starmania. In association with Serge Perathoner, keyboardist, he has also done a variety of film and advertisement musics. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannick_Top

Good Mood For Jazzy Souls

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Karl Olandersson - Introducing

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:50
Size: 114,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:20)  1. The Old Country
(4:35)  2. Moon River
(3:28)  3. Sermonette
(6:02)  4. We'll Be Together Again
(5:21)  5. Smile
(6:05)  6. How Long Has This Been Going On
(3:15)  7. Red Sails In The Sunset
(5:33)  8. Who Can I Turn To
(5:41)  9. The Night We Called It A Day
(5:25) 10. I RemeSmber Clifford

Karl Olandersson, jazz trumpet player, born in 1978 in Hedemora, Dalarna, Sweden. Moved to Stockholm in 1997 and studied four years at the Royal College Of Music. Karl has been working as a freelance musician since then and he is now one of the top trumpet players in Sweden. His first album, ”Introducing”, was released in 2003. The second is called ”I Like The Way You Shake That Thing”, but this album was only released in Japan, in 2005. Karl’s third album, ”Plays Standards”, was released in August 2010.  http://www.karlolandersson.com/bio.html

Introducing

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Ilya Serov - September In The Rain

Size: 88,9 MB
Time: 37:56
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. September In The Rain (3:50)
02. All Of Me (3:52)
03. You Go To My Head (4:42)
04. Our Love Is Here To Stay (4:03)
05. The Girl From Ipanema (3:25)
06. I've Got The World On A String (3:54)
07. Dream A Little Dream Of Me (3:15)
08. But Not For Me (2:55)
09. When We Remake Love Tonight (4:54)
10. Honeysuckle Rose (3:01)

This album is a great selection of standards of swing and big band era. Smooth and mellow arrangements, warm vocals and that soulful sound of trumpet!

Los Angeles – based trumpeter/vocalist/songwriter ILYA SEROV has been hailed as one of the most versatile young jazz singer - trumpeters of his generation. Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, he has graduated from the oldest academy of music in Russia (St.–Petersburg Conservatory of Music named after N.A. Rimsky – Korsakov). Ilya has performed as a guest artist in the United States and Europe. He is best known for his dazzling trumpet solos, smooth vocals and his own arrangements of jazz standards and original compositions influenced by jazz, R&B, pop and world music.

September In The Rain

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