Jan Lundgren - In New York

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:47
Size: 141,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:27) 1. Negotiations
(5:26) 2. East Of The Sun
(7:02) 3. Autumn In New York
(7:36) 4. Stablemates
(4:52) 5. The Gypsy
(7:29) 6. Straight Street
(5:12) 7. M.Z.
(5:51) 8. Cherokee
(4:35) 9. I Can't Get Started
(6:14) 10. This Is For Albert

In sports, coaches like to talk about “putting yourself in position to win.” Jan Lundgren has done exactly that with In New York. He borrowed Bill Charlap’s rhythm section of Peter Washington and Kenny Washington, one of the finest active piano-trio support systems. He recorded at Nola Studios with engineers Jim Czak and Bill Moss and got superb full-bandwidth sound. He assembled a stimulating program of originals, songbook classics (“East of the Sun,” “Autumn in New York,” “I Can’t Get Started”), and jazz standards by saxophonists (Golson’s “Stablemates,” Coltrane’s “Straight Street,” Shorter’s “This Is for Albert”).

Win he does. My only previous exposure to Lundgren’s work was a rather bland album of Swedish folksongs called Landscapes. But on In New York, with the Washingtons smoothing paths for him like two sweepers on the world champion Swedish curling team, Lundgren effortlessly glides and streaks over these songs. His versions of the three songbook pieces are rich, comprehensive and elegantly detailed. The positive energy is powerful and exhilarating. Even Lundgren’s “M.Z.,” for Monica Zetterlund, a wheelchair-bound Swedish singer who died tragically in an apartment fire in 2005, is much more about celebrating her life than mourning her death.
By Thomas Conrad https://jazztimes.com/archives/jan-lundgren-in-new-york/

Personnel: Jan Lundgren (piano); Peter Washington (bass); Kenny Washington (drums)

In New York

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Dave McKenna - Dave McKenna In Madison

Styles: Piano Jazz 
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:37
Size: 144,5 MB
Art: Front

( 4:18)  1. Too Marvelous For Words
(15:25)  2. Vernon Duke Medley
( 3:50)  3. Craziology
( 9:14)  4. Soon Medley
( 5:39)  5. Medley
( 8:19)  6. Exactly Like You
( 5:10)  7. Detour Ahead
(10:39)  8. Time Medley

Too many things have a way of getting forgotten. If you are unfortunate enough not to have experienced pianist McKenna, here's something to think about. I had been hired to start a jazz label. One of my first calls was to McKenna at a hotel in Boston. He was recording on a handshake with Concord at the time and expressed too much loyalty to Carl Jefferson to leave the stable. In coming hedge fund owners changed that dynamic around. The change led him to jazz fan Mat Domber while I was off in other directions. 

The sum total of all that is this live date recorded well away from his stomping grounds. It was never intended to be a record and it's nice to have it escape on a label that'll know what to do with it. Maybe the greatest saloon piano player of our times, this is him simply kicking it out, keeping the audience in the palm of his hand. Whether it was ever supposed to be a record or not, this is a master class of a master at work, doing it solo and swinging like he invented it. A winner throughout. ~ Chris Spector (Midwest Records).

Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Dave-McKenna-Madison/dp/B07HGBDNXD

Personnel:  Piano – Dave McKenna 

Dave McKenna In Madison

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Chris Hodgkins And His Band - A Salute To Humphrey Lyttelton

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2022
File: MP3@128K/s
Time: 68:23
Size: 63,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:16) 1. Cross a Busy Street
(3:09) 2. Cecil Beaten Strikes Again
(4:30) 3. Tribal Dance
(3:03) 4. Fat Tuesday
(3:34) 5. Susan
(4:09) 6. Holy Main
(3:26) 7. In Swinger
(3:55) 8. Late Night Final
(4:48) 9. Mezz's Tune/Mezzrow
(4:36) 10. We Fell Out Of Love
(3:23) 11. One For Buck
(5:58) 12. Wrestler's Tricks
(4:17) 13. Bad Penny Blues
(4:46) 14. Kath Meets Humph
(8:26) 15. Let's Get Out

This album is dedicated to Kathryn Shackleton and Iain Sutcliffe of Watermill Jazz for their perseverance and hard work in supporting the UK jazz scene. The “Salute to Humphrey Lyttelton” is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Humphrey Lyttelton’s birth and to showcase his wonderful life, times and music. As a life-long fan of Humphrey Lyttelton, I wanted to highlight how Humph led the way for the jazz revival of the late ’40s and ’50s by bringing jazz to the UK mainstream with ‘Bad Penny Blues’, the first UK jazz record to reach the Top20.

This album and the tour that preceded it is my dedication to Humph to thank him for his huge contribution to and advocacy of the UK jazz scene. What started off as a simple idea ended up with a substantial cast of helpers and supporters to coordinate a consecutive 17 date tour of the UK along with an accompanying album.

I would like to thank: Ina Dittke and Associates for generating the dates; Digby Fairweather and Mark Cass of the Jazz Centre UK for giving me unfettered access to the Humphrey Lyttelton Collection held at the Centre; Steve Voce for patiently answering my questions; Paul Kauffman, Chair of the National Jazz Archive for providing advice on the travelling exhibition and Gina Treadwell who designed the panels; Issie Barratt of the National Youth Jazz Collective who rode to the rescue on “Create Your Tune”, a scheme I devised to highlight how creativity abounds in schools to retirement homes everyday life from raw beginners to aficionados;

Arts Council England and Lottery Funding for generously financing the tour; The 17 promoters, many of whom are volunteer promoters who worked hard to market the tour; Joe Paice of the PizzaExpress Live kicked off the proceedings by booking the first two gigs; Phil Rose at Birmingham Jazz and Elaine Crouch whose knowledge and advice played a large part in securing funding for the project; Jazz London Radio who broadcast my ten-part series “Salute to Humphrey Lyttelton”; Rupert Burley who did a splendid job on the press and PR; Eric Gilchrist and Jane Reid who lent a hand on the leaflets and design; Roger Wilson who road-managed the tour and gave logistical support including driving one of the tour vans ensuring a smooth transition from one hotel to the next;

Selorm Anku for driving the other tour van and being a patient roadie. Susan da Costa, Humph’s manager since 1959 who gave her blessing to create the ‘A Salute to Humphrey Lyttelton”project.

Personnel: Chris Hodgkins | trumpet; Henry Lowther | trumpet/flugheal horn; Charlotte Glasson | baritone sax/clarinet/penny whistle; Diane McLoughlin | alto sax/soprano sax; Alex Clarke | tenor sax/clarinet; Mark Bassey | trombone; Alison Rayner | double bass; Buster Birch | drums; Wayne Wilkinson | guitar; Jinjoo Yoo | piano

A Salute To Humphrey Lyttelton

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Louise Bøttern - Listen Here

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2022
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:00
Size: 103,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:58) 1. Cloudy Treasures
(2:52) 2. I Want To Be A Sideman
(5:38) 3. Listen Here
(4:18) 4. Shine
(3:28) 5. Bye Bye Country Boy
(5:45) 6. A Timeless Place (The Peacocks)
(3:16) 7. Tight
(5:41) 8. Sweet Kentucky Ham
(3:27) 9. Experiment
(4:25) 10. This Could Be The Start Of Something
(2:09) 11. I Like You, You're Nice

Jazz singer Louise Bøttern has always been drawn to the lesser known jazz tunes and particularly to the cool jazz from the 60’s. The american popular songs of the time with a smart and clever wit are still rooted strongly in the jazz tradition. Among the 11 tracks are instrumental originals by Thelonious Monk with added lyrics.

Louise Bøttern was born in Denmark near Randers into a musical family. As a teenager she was singing Chicago blues in the band ”Louis’ Blues Machine”. The blues led her to discover jazz singers like Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae and later Irene Kral, Deborah Brown and Nancy King. In fact; Deborah Brown did on two separate occasions compare Louise’s voice to the one of Nancy King.

She studied at the jazz department of The Royal Conservatory in The Hague, The Netherlands and with dedication, hard work and training changed both her speaking and singing voice completely. Studying jazz singing with Rachel Gould and Anette von Eichel she graduated in 2004.

She has been taught by jazz greats as Barry Harris, Mark Murphy, Meredith d’Ambrosio, Sanna van Vliet, Fay Claassen, Deborah Brown and Bob Stoloff.

Now back in Copenhagen she is sharing her passion for singing in her private teaching practice ‘Vokalrummet’. She has played concerts in The Netherlands and around Denmark and while planning upcoming events and doing concerts she is currently working on new material.
https://louiseboettern.com/about/

Listen Here

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The Pointer Sisters - Greatest Hits

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:04
Size: 161.5 MB
Styles: R&B/Pop-Rock
Year: 1989/1999
Art: Front

[6:26] 1. Jump (For My Love)
[5:32] 2. Neutron Dance
[6:16] 3. Dare Me
[3:27] 4. Fire
[6:05] 5. Automatic
[5:38] 6. I'm So Excited
[3:37] 7. He's So Shy
[3:51] 8. Slow Hand
[5:49] 9. I Need You
[6:11] 10. If You Wanna Get Back To Your Lady
[6:19] 11. Freedom
[3:58] 12. American Music
[7:19] 13. Baby Come And Get It

This "Greatest Hits" CD is unlike any of the others that are out by the Pointer Sisters and there are many. This CD gathers all of their biggest hits for Planet/RCA (1978-1985 on this disc). There are only 13 tracks because 8 of the 13 are extended remixes. The material presented here is overall great. The disc only clocks in to 71 minutes because in the late 80s' CDs could only fit a total 74 minutes worth of music. ~Amazon

Greatest Hits

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Judith Lorick - The Second Time Around

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:34
Size: 96,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:42)  1. Why Did I Choose You
(3:22)  2. Lucky to Be Me
(4:54)  3. Wild Is the Wind
(4:38)  4. For All We Know / I'll Be Seeing You
(5:00)  5. He Needs Me
(3:59)  6. If You Could See Me Now
(4:10)  7. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right out of My Life
(5:08)  8. When I Look in Your Eyes
(2:54)  9. Hymne à L'amour
(2:41) 10. The Second Time Around

Lovely sophisticated jazz vocals Judith Lorick – Second Time Around:  An absolutely splendid lineup of players has a lot to do with total success on a new release, and Judith’s got it Down on this one… in addition to her comforting vocal work, you’ll hear piano from Eric Reed, trumpet by Jeremy Pelt, drums from McClenty Hunter, bass by Kiyoshi Kitagawa and tenor saxophone from Chris Lewis… songs like the jaunty “Wild Is The Wind” will make you a believer in Judith’s album, I’ve no doubt – just splendid! (no samples are up yet, since this doesn’t go HOT until the 28th of September; I’ll come back and add them in when it’s live). One thing that would be nice as it gets closer to the official date is a live performance video trailer of Judith’s excellent jazz talent… in the meantime, I can tell you that if it’s “sophisticated” you’re looking for, you’ll find “I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life” very attractive… what’s most unique about Judith’s singing is that she’s (unquestionably) “got the magic”… total groove, as you listen to a piece of her soul not to mention that Eric’s keyboard on this one is pure perfection! If you’ve been feeling “down” or “out”, you won’t be for long when you scope out Judith’s performance on “Lucky To Be Me” her joy simply shines through each and every note on this tune. Of the eleven songs offered up, it’s definitely the classic piece “For All We Know/I’ll Be Seeing You” that is my personal favorite… Judith’s passion in this vocal will dig down deep into your core & bring back memories you’d thought long lost. I give Judith and her fantastic players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 for this excellent vocal jazz adventure. http://contemporaryfusionreviews.com/lovely-sophisticated-jazz-vocals-judith-lorick-second-time-around/
 

Personnel:  Vocals - Judith Lorick;  Piano - Eric Reed;  Trumpet - Jeremy Pelt;  Drums - McClenty Hunter;  Bass -  Kiyoshi Kitagawa;  Tenor Saxophone - Chris Lewis.

The Second Time Around

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Aga Zaryan - Sara

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2022
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:33
Size: 112,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:18) 1. Central Park At Dusk
(4:52) 2. Blue Squills
(5:38) 3. Barter
(4:23) 4. Coney Island
(4:37) 5. The Mystery
(5:15) 6. A Little While
(2:19) 7. Summer Night, Riverside
(4:33) 8. Spring Rain
(6:38) 9. Jewels
(5:08) 10. Winter Noon
(4:27) 11. Dzien I Noc.mp3
(0:46) 12. Autumn Dusk

I have been gathering for a few days to write a few words about the new, 11th album in Aga Zaryan's career, because this is not music that is easy to perceive, which can be the background for everyday, prosaic home activities. You have to sit down to listen to this music, just as you sit down in a dark theater hall to watch a performance.

Aga Zaryan, is a Polish jazz vocalist, thanks to her parents (her mother - the author of English textbooks, father a classical concert pianist) part ofShe spent her childhood traveling around Europe and completed her primary education in Great Britain. After returning to Poland permanently, she practiced competitive tennis, winning the Warsaw Championship in the junior category at the age of 14.

Aga Zaryan gained her vocal skills at the State Secondary School of Music. Fryderyk Chopin in Warsaw and in the Policealne Studium Jazzu under the direction of Ewa Bem, obtaining a diploma with honors. As part of the received scholarship, she also participated in jazz workshops at Stanford and Jazz Camp West in the United States.

As the first Polish artist, she can boast of releasing albums under the banner of the legendary label Blue Note Records from New York. She received the Fryderyk Award twice.

Her debut album, My Lullaby , released in 2002, consisted of jazz standards that she sang with the accompaniment of a classic jazz quartet. An important moment in her career was the opening performance of the 2006 Branford Marsalis concert, which took place as part of the JVC Jazz Festival. In the following years, Zaryan performed in numerous clubs and festivals in Poland, Great Britain, USA, Israel, Czech Republic, Sweden, France, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey, Portugal, Russia and Iceland.

The album titled Sara was inspired by the timeless poetry of Sara Teasdale, an American poet living at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1918 for her collection of poems Love Songs . This is not the first time that the singer is inspired by poetry when recording an album ( A Book of Luminous Things to the poetry of Czeslaw Milosz, Jane Hirshfield and Denise Levertov)

The authors of the music on the album, apart from Zaryan, are two outstanding guitarists - Szymon Mika and David Doružka from the Czech Republic. Both musicians are the only ones who performed next to the singer on this extremely intimate album. This unusual instrumental composition makes us deal with a multitude of colors, musical colors, sound spaces, and the musicians themselves play with different styles. In their playing you can hear Pat Metheny, John Scofield or Bill Frisell. Both guitarists have a fascinating dialogue with each other, sometimes even bantering and competing. For me, an unfulfilled guitarist, this instrumental composition provides a completely unusual aesthetic experience.

The voice of Aga Zaryan on the album sounds noble and intimate, and at the same time extremely light. There is a touching sadness in her singing and at the same time a magic difficult to describe, which I absolutely succumb to with each subsequent release of the singer.I definitely recommend Aga Zaryan-Sara's album.>By Jack Bulak
https://wkulturalnysposob-com.translate.goog/2022/12/12/aga-zaryan-sara-intymnie-i-lirycznie/?_x_tr_sl=pl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc

Sara

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Tom Cabrera - A Standard Afternoon

Styles: Straight Ahead Jazz
Year: 2022
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:11
Size: 150,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:31) 1. This Thing Is
(4:20) 2. This Thing Is (Take Two)
(6:12) 3. Just Us
(5:59) 4. Smiling
(5:35) 5. It's A Mystery
(4:28) 6. Buzz
(7:38) 7. All You Are
(4:51) 8. Fog
(4:23) 9. Fog (Take Two)
(5:27) 10. Especially
(6:09) 11. The Quarter
(5:33) 12. The Wrap

Tom Cabrera’s Unseen Rain recordings include Julie (UR9957) with the Julie Lyon Quintet, the trios Lion Hearted (UR9980) and Sumari (UR9962) and his duo with the quintet’s guitarist Jack DeSalvo have released several albums, among them are Tales of Coming Home(UR9986), Libra Moon (UR9978) and Juniper (UR9966). In addition to being an incomparable jazz drummer, Cabrera is an adept world percussionist, often adding to the proceedings instruments from all over the planet, particularly the middle-east. A Native of Long Island, NY, drummer and multi-percussionist Tom Cabrera began his career in local rock, folk-rock and country bands, but his love of jazz percolated and took over his music making.

Early on both a musician and visual artist/painter, Tom was drawn into the world of graphic arts but music soon took over his life and he became a mainstay on the Hudson Valley NY scene. Cabrera relocated to Orlando, FL, but not before acquiring a frame drum, an event that would prove auspicious to his future work. In Florida Tom gigged constantly, establishing himself as one of the most respected players on the jazz scene there. After meeting his future wife, singer Julie Lyon, they went on to form the Julie Lyon Quartet, a swinging ensemble and released their live album Between Then and Now. Tom and Julie pulled up stakes, settled back up in the New York metropolitan area and assembled a quintet of remarkable musicians for their Unseen Rain Records release Julie (UR9957).
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/tom-cabrera

A Standard Afternoon

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Jesper Thilo Quartet - Jesper Thilo Quartet & Clark Terry

Styles: Jazz, Bop
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:45
Size: 167,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:10)  1. Sunday
(5:05)  2. Did You Call Her Today?
(4:06)  3. Stardust
(8:05)  4. Frog Eyes
(6:05)  5. Body And Soul
(6:29)  6. Just One Of Those Things
(6:37)  7. Sophisticated Lady
(6:11)  8. Save Your Love For Me
(5:35)  9. Rose Room
(6:41) 10. Wave
(7:16) 11. Ballad For Jesper
(6:18) 12. Cherokee

Between them Jesper Thilo and Clark Terry have covered virtually the entire jazz scene, both with big bands and small groups, and the meeting here produced music which will prove to be timeless. http://www.storyvillerecords.com/products/jesper-thilo-quartet-clark-terry-stcd8204

Jesper Thilo Quartet & Clark Terry

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Ben Webster - Music For Loving (2-Disc Set)

Combining two string albums by Ben Webster and one from Ellington sideman Harry Carney, the two-disc Music With Feeling delivers over two hours' worth of incredible ballad interpretations. Webster, of course, made his name with many an after-hours gem, and he predictably shines here amidst the lush yet tasteful orchestral charts penned by Ralph Burns, Gerald Wilson, and Billy Strayhorn; there are particularly fine renditions here of "Early Autumn" and Strayhorn's misty and mercurial "Chelsea Bridge." Carney, too, is stunning, handling the traditionally cumbersome baritone saxophone with grace and loads of feeling, especially on highlights like "It Had to Be You" and his and Strayhorn's "Chalmeau." Forget all those bachelor-pad compilations and give this collection a spin at your next cocktail party. ~Stephen Cook

Album: Music For Loving (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:48
Size: 171.3 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1995

[3:55] 1. Chelsea Bridge
[4:38] 2. Willow Weep For Me
[3:45] 3. There Is No Greater Love
[4:03] 4. Teach Me Tonight
[4:09] 5. Until Tonight
[4:31] 6. We'll Be Together Again
[5:05] 7. Blue Moon
[4:53] 8. Early Autumn
[3:39] 9. My Greatest Mistake
[4:00] 10. What Am I Here For
[4:48] 11. All Too Soon
[3:21] 12. Love Is Here To Stay
[3:21] 13. It Happens To Be Me
[4:43] 14. Do Nothing 'til You Hear From Me
[4:49] 15. Prelude To A Kiss
[4:25] 16. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[3:21] 17. Love Is Here To Stay
[3:16] 18. Love Is Here To Stay

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Album: Music For Loving (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:04
Size: 181.0 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[4:46] 1. Some Other Spring
[3:37] 2. When Your Lover Has Gone
[4:32] 3. Stars Fell On Alabama
[3:21] 4. Under A Blanket Of Blue
[4:40] 5. Stars Fell On Alabama
[3:31] 6. Under A Blanket Of Blue
[3:20] 7. Under A Blanket Of Blue
[3:22] 8. My Funny Valentine
[3:07] 9. You're Mine, You!
[3:04] 10. Sophisticated Lady
[3:19] 11. Love's Away
[3:59] 12. Almost Like Being In Love
[5:48] 13. (I Don't Stand) A Ghost Of A Chance (With You)
[4:47] 14. Take The 'a' Train
[3:40] 15. We're In Love Again
[3:37] 16. Chalmeau
[3:40] 17. Moonlight On The Ganges
[4:16] 18. It Had To Be You
[4:08] 19. Fantasy
[4:21] 20. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)

Music For Loving (Disc 1), (Disc 2)

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Grace Kelly - All That I Need

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2022
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:01
Size: 36,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:20) 1. All That I Need
(4:11) 2. Spoon
(4:14) 3. A Night In Tunisia
(4:30) 4. Queens
(3:12) 5. We Will Rise
(6:08) 6. The Night Time
(3:58) 7. Good To See You Again
(4:09) 8. Shut Up And Dance
(5:16) 9. And So It Goes

An unequivocal musical prodigy, singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer and band leader Grace Kelly has rocked the jazz world with sold-out concerts, 14 acclaimed albums and a resume that includes performing at the Hollywood Bowl and as part of the house band for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” all before reaching her mid-twenties.

Kelly’s early career featured performances at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration at age 16 and at 14 as a soloist with the Boston Pops playing an original composition arranged for the legendary orchestra; she has since then played over 900 shows as bandleader in 35 countries at venues like the Kennedy Center and Moscow Symphony Hall and for the Montreal, Newport, and Montreux international jazz festivals. Touted for her scorching saxophone stylings and purring vocals, Kelly has performed and recorded with renowned artists including Lin Manuel- Miranda, Dave Brubeck, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Huey Lewis, Harry Connick Jr., Gloria Estefan, Questlove, and Wynton Marsalis.

Kelly was named the winner of “Song of the Year” for her single “Feels Like Home” in the 2018 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and has been named nine times consecutively in the Annual Downbeat Magazines Critics Poll “Rising Star Alto Saxophone” from the age of 17 in 2009 and winning the poll in 2017 (Youngest ever named to Downbeat critics poll in 2009.). She has also won multiple ASCAP Composer Awards, Boston Music Awards, and International Songwriting Awards. She has also appeared as a featured performer in films and television, including acclaimed documentary “Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story”, Amazon’s Emmy-nominated original series “Bosch”, and featured in the 2017 Emmy-winning Yamaha production “The Right Note”

Featured by Vanity Fair as a millennial shaking up the jazz world, Kelly’s state-of-the-art brand of electro jazz-pop and inventive digital content are pushing her to the forefront of the fusion scene, alongside names like Snarky Puppy, Jacob Collier, Cory Henry, Robert Glasper, Jon Batiste, and Too Many Zooz.

My new upcoming album “All That I Need” was inspired by the different emotions that embody the courageous spirit. I found myself on a journey thinking about what the courageous spirit feels and looks like to me. Kelly states, “I wanted to write an album that was fueled by the feeling of courage. Coming out of the pandemic, as an artist, I found myself battling the fear-based thought of: am I ever going to be able to do this thing that I love again for people? But I choose to be an optimist. To move forward with some type of courageous spirit. I always want to step into places that might feel scary or challenging in order to create an opportunity for both personal and artistic growth. That was the initial idea behind “All That I Need.”

The inspiration behind the album came in different forms I found inspiration in the written words of the great poet and activist Maya Angelou. Her bold beautiful words in her poem “And Still I Rise” inspired Grace to write the track, “We Will Rise.” It is a song dedicated to women all around the globe, a song about pushing forward during challenging times and standing up together to advocate and fight for our rights.

For full review please follow the link:
https://smoothjazzdaily.wordpress.com/2022/12/10/grace-kelly-all-that-i-need/

All That I Need

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Kirk Lightsey - Live at Smalls Jazz Club

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2022
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:32
Size: 129,8 MB
Art: Front

(10:01) 1. In Your Own Sweet Way
(12:01) 2. Bro. Rudolph
( 8:57) 3. Pee Wee
( 4:09) 4. Heaven Dance
(13:06) 5. Lament
( 8:17) 6. Blues On The Corner

The new SmallsLIVE Living Masters Series has issued Kirk Lightsey Live at Smalls Jazz Club, their second offering, following this past August’s release of vocalist Sheila Jordan’s Live at Mezzrow. As the series name implies, these recordings honor the best of iconic jazz musicians that are still with us. Detroit native and New York-based pianist Kirk Lightsey has been at his craft for over seventy years, having been born in 1937. For this date, we have Lightsey playing in his wonderful, inimitable style joined by his longtime bassist Santi Debriano, guitarist Mark Whitfield, and drummer Victor Lewis, from the live session on September 13, 2021.

Without delving into a lengthy history on Lightsey, suffice it to say that he cut his teeth with these musicians: Chet Baker, Kenny Burrell, Clifford Jordan, and Sonny Stitt, as well as on his countless ground-breaking recordings as a bandleader, many years of which when he was based in Paris, France. As it turns out, Lightsey, like contemporary Ron Carter at age 85, shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, Lightsey appears on guitarist Simon Belelty’s album Pee Wee, which was released just three weeks ago. So, this live recording enables us to hear Lightsey’s delicate, graceful touch, imaginative melodies, and yes, those lush voicings. Interestingly, these six selections contain only one Lightsey original, “Heaven Dance” although the aforementioned “Pee Wee,” penned by Tony Williams has long been a Lightsey staple that appears on almost every Lightsey project of recent vintage.

Much has been written and debated about the pairing of guitar and piano, but this writer is essentially done with debating the issue as there are so many fine examples of where it works brilliantly including here with Whitfield’s stunning melodicism. This pairing was a clear ‘meant to be.’ The program begins with Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way” with Whitfield stepping forward immediately and trading lines with the pianist as Debriano and Lewis stir a subtle undercurrent. Jazz fans will recall that just last year Whitfield won a Grammy for his contributions to Christian McBride’s Big Band’s For Jimmy, Wes, and Oliver so his clean, Montgomery-like picking should come as no surprise. Debriano, a veteran of considerable duo work with the pianist, solos nimbly as well with Lewis trading fours on the way out.

The other composers covered, like Brubeck, are no longer with us. They are Eddie Harris, Tony Williams, J.J. Johnson, and McCoy Tyner. Lightsey’s vitality, best exemplified through his ever-vibrant right hand is a marvel as he brightens familiar fare such as “Freedom Jazz Dance” and “Blues on the Corner.” Whitfield is flying on the former and adds a distinctly bluesy tone to Tyner’s oft-covered tune, as the two lead voices lock-in, emitting enough power to light up a New City block. It all comes to hush as first Debriano and then Lightsey improvises lightly around the theme, gradually building it back to a full-throttle quartet explosive close.

As strong as those are, we’d be remiss to overlook Lightsey’s own “Heaven Dance,” first recorded in 1988 with Lightsey’s trio ‘The Leaders’ featuring Cecil McBee on bass and Don Moye on drums. Again, Whitfield adds a new dimension, pushing the tempo across subtle Latin rhythms as he and Lightsey each author brilliant turns with Lewis turning some of his sharpest kit work. As the title implies, J.J. Johnson’s “Lament” is the most tender reading in the set, a vivid portrait of Lightsey’s graceful touch, strengthened by Debriano’s arco technique and Whitfield’s collaborative role.

These are four musicians who never miss a step and seemingly never a note. Live performances don’t come any better. Admittedly, this writer bypassed Lightsey’s solo outing, 2021’s I Will Never Stop Loving You (Jojo) but am returning to it now. Lightsey’s piano playing is as bright as his legendary smile. https://glidemagazine.com/281997/legendary-jazz-pianist-kirk-lightsey-shines-leading-quartet-on-live-at-smalls-jazz-club-album-review/

Personnel: Kirk Lightsey - piano; Mark Whitfield - guitar; Santi DeBriano - bass; Victor Lewis - drums

Live at Smalls Jazz Club

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Merry Christmas!

 

Friends like you put the magic into Christmas.

Every Christmas is merrier because you’re a part of it.

Thank you for being magical friends all these years (in spite of my faults)

and for lifting me up when I’ve fallen down.

Friendship is gold and I am incredibly grateful for our friendship.

Merry Christmas my dear friends, wishing you good health, lots of happiness

and also sending you lots of love and hugs on this joyous occasion.

Giullia

Joe Castro - Lush Life: A Musical Journey (6-CD Box Set)

Joe Castro's Jam Sessions (Disc 1) 

Styles: Jazz, Big Band 

Year: 2015
Time: 68:55
File: MP3 @ 128K/s
Size: 63,4 MB
Art: Front

(31:35) 1. Abstract Candy (part I) (ft. Buddy Collette & Chico Hamilton)
(11:35) 2. Abstract Candy (part II) (ft. Buddy Collette & Chico Hamilton)
(25:44) 3. Abstract Sweets (ft. Chico Hamilton)

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Joe Castro's Friends/Falcon Blues - The Teddy Wilson Sessions (Disc2)

Time: 78:26
File: MP3 @ 128K/s
Size: 73,3 MB

(7:35) 1. Falcon Blues (Blues in G) (ft. Stan Getz)
(6:53) 2. Someone To Watch Over Me (ft. Stan Getz)
(7:04) 3. Just One of Those Things (ft. Stan Getz)
(6:00) 4. Out of Nowhere (ft. Stan Getz)
(7:59) 5. I Want To Be Happy (ft. Stan Getz)
(4:17) 6. Just You, Just Me
(3:40) 7. Everything I Have Is Yours
(4:13) 8. I Got Rhythm
(7:27) 9. Sunday (ft. Zoot Sims)
(4:30) 10. You Go To My Head (ft. Zoot Sims)
(4:44) 11. I've Found a New Baby (ft. Zoot Sims)
(6:52) 12. Tea for Two (ft. Zoot Sims)

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Joe Castro's Jam Sessions - Just Joe (Disc 3)

Time: 66:15
File: MP3 @ 128K/s
Size: 61,3 MB

( 6:33) 1. Tricotism (ft. Zoot Sims, Lucky Thompson & Oscar Pettiford)
(11:10) 2. Lester Leaps In (ft. Zoot Sims, Lucky Thompson & Oscar Pettiford)
(11:33) 3. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (ft. Zoot Sims, Lucky Thompson & Oscar Pettiford)
(13:24) 4. Just Joe (ft. Zoot Sims, Lucky Thompson & Oscar Pettiford)
(13:13) 5. There Will Never Be Another You (ft. Lucky Thompson & Oscar Pettiford)
(10:21) 3. Out of Nowhere (ft. Zoot Sims & Oscar Pettiford)

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Feeling the Blues - The Quartet Sessions (Disc 4)

Time: 74:21
File: MP3 @ 128K/s
Size: 69,2 MB

(8:10) 1. Billie's Bounce
(4:58) 2. Feeling the Blues (td-5 [7])
(4:53) 3. Sweet Georgia Brown (tk-8)
(6:31) 4. You Name It
(6:21) 5. Woody 'n'You (tk-7)
(6:08) 6. Good Gravy
(6:43) 7. Walk On (tk-4)
(6:15) 8. Autumn Leaves 1
(5:24) 9. Autumn Leaves 2
(6:26) 10. Autumn Leaves 3
(7:02) 11. Autumn Leaves 4
(5:25) 12. Sweet Georgia Brown (tk-4)

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Joe Castro Big Band - Reflection (Disc 5)

Time: 48:49
File: MP3 @ 128K/s
Size: 45,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:39) 1. Subway Grate (soloists Castro Edwards)
(8:26) 2. Funky Blues (soloists: Edwards / Castro / Candoli / Vinnegar)
(6:55) 3. Reflection (Sweepea / Strayhorn) (soloists: Baltazar / Edwards / Rosolino / Cooper / Candoli / Castro / Baltazar)
(3:01) 4. For Carl (Perkins) (soloists: Edwards / Cooper)
(3:17) 5. Hard to Find (soloists: Castro / Edwards / Cooper)
(4:44) 6. Sunset Eyes (soloists: Castro / Edwards)
(4:55) 7. Play Me the Blues (soloists: Edwards / Castro)
(3:19) 8. Daisy Mae [Whatever] (soloists: Cooper / Castro / Cooper)
(2:45) 9. Vintage '57 (soloists: Castro / Cooper)
(3:00) 10. Jeannie's Waltz (Would You Believe) (soloist: Edwards)
(2:47) 11. Sunset Eyes (soloist: Ortega)
(3:06) 12. Play Me the Blues (soloists: Edwards / Castro) (6:35) 13. Reflection (Sweepea / Strayhorn) (2:56) 14. For Carl (Perkins) (soloists: Cooper / Castro)

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Teddy Edwards Tentet / Angel City (Disc 6)

Time: 61:30
File: MP3 @ 128K/s
Size: 57,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:48) 1. Angel City
(4:25) 2. Bear Tracks
(4:51) 3. Lee-Ann
(4:54) 4. The Midnight Creeper (alternate take)
(5:46) 5. Theme for Jay
(4:40) 6. Nairobi Chant
(4:28) 7. I'm In That Old Mood Again
(3:38) 8. Steppin' Lightly
(6:48) 9. Angel City (alternate take)
(4:53) 10. The Midnight Creeper
(6:19) 11. Theme For Jay (alternate take)
(5:56) 12. I'm In That Old Mood Again (alternate take)

Jazz has always had more than its fair share of lucky personalities highly charismatic, captivating artists who could win over producers, club owners and peers just as easily as they could break audience hearts with their music. One of the most complex and least-known among them was Joe Castro, an upbeat, easy-going and gregarious pianist who was close with Dave Brubeck, Zoot Sims, Teddy Edwards, Duke Ellington, Lucky Thompson, Louis Armstrong and June Christy, to name a few. But Castro's spell wouldn't have lasted long if his drive and talent hadn't been exceptional.

Now, a new box set provides ample evidence of Castro's wide-ranging talents. Joe Castro: Lush Life, a Musical Journey (Sunnyside) features six CDs of previously unreleased private recordings in a variety of settings. There are never-before heard abstract works with Chico Hamilton and Buddy Collette in 1954; private recordings Castro made of Teddy Wilson in 1955; jam sessions with Teddy Edwards, Billy Higgins and Leroy Vinnegar in 1959; a Teddy Edwards Tentet date in 1966; and perhaps the most exciting material in the box the Joe Castro Big Band featuring top West Coast players and the finest orchestral recording of Teddy Edwards' Sunset Eyes I've ever heard.

As jazz musicians go, Castro was rather unusual. He didn't have a drug or alcohol habit. He didn't have issues with depression. And he wasn't self-destructive. Instead, Castro was a hard-working, swinging pianist who had a long-term romantic relationship with heiress Doris Duke in the 1950s that may or may not have led to marriage. Either way, the union exposed him to wealth, world capitals, a recording studio Duke built for him on her property and friendships with powerful artists and executives in the jazz and entertainment industries.

The Castro-Duke relationship eventually wound up in a legal tiff in 1964 followed by their reuniting and Duke agreeing to give Castro capital control of their label Clover Records and their music publishing company, JODO. But Castro's fondness for being away touring and booking recording artists who weren't particularly well known meant the label was burning through cash without much to show on the sales side. Clover and JODO were dissolved in 1966. That year, Castro married Loretta Haddad, a pianist-singer, and the pair would remain together until Haddad's passing in 2008. Castro died in 2009. Duke died in 1993.

JazzWax clip: Here's the the Joe Castro Big Band playing “Sunset Eyes," arranged by Castro. The band, contracted by Al Porcino, featured Porcino, Ray Triscari, Stu Williamson and Jimmy Zito (tp); Dick Noel, Mike Barone, Ken Shroyer and Frank Rosolino (tb); Anthony Ortega (as, fl); Gabe Baltazar (as); Bob Cooper and Teddy Edwards (ts); Bill Hood (baritone); Joe Castro (p, arr); Ron Anthony (g); Leroy Vinnegar (b) and Carl Lott (d).

And here's “There Will Never Be Another You“ in 1956 recorded at Duke Farms in Somerville, N.J., with Lucky Thompson (ts), John Glasel (tp), Joe Castro (p), Oscar Pettiford (b) and Ron Jefferson (d). By Marc Myers https://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/joe-castro-lush-life/

Joe Castro - Lush Life: A Musical Journey Disc 1, /Disc 2,Disc 3, Disc 4, Disc 5, Disc 6

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Lew Tabackin Quartet - What A Little Moonlight Can Do

Styles: Saxophone And Flute Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:34
Size: 130,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:14)  1. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
(7:22)  2. Easy Living
(6:51)  3. I Wished On The Moon
(5:02)  4. Love Letters
(7:48)  5. Poinciana
(5:13)  6. This Time The Dream's On Me
(7:35)  7. Broken Dreams
(6:04)  8. Leave Of Absinthe
(5:20)  9. Dig

The deep, smooth tenor sax tones of Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins are clearly the models that Lew Tabackin patterns his playing after on this album featuring his quartet. The sax giants' influence can clearly be seen on "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," on which Tabackin plays above the melody, concluding with Webster's patented fluttering, whispering tone. Tabackin's playing throughout this session, irrespective of the tempo, is contemplative, exploring every nook and cranny, every nuance, every subtlety of the tune. He and his quartet travel winding roads of complex and interesting improvisations, always managing to return to the basic melody unscathed. He gives himself plenty of time for each journey, with most of the tunes running more than six minutes in length but never becoming boring or repetitive. Tabackin and his quartet caress "Easy Living," with Benny Green's piano getting significant exposure. "I Wished on the Moon," made famous by Billie Holiday, is done more like a tango than the swinging number it became in the hands of Lady Day. There are two non-standards on the album. Jimmy Knepper's "Leave of Absinthe," based on the chord changes to "Lullaby of the Leaves," is a vehicle for Tabackin's flute playing, while Tabackin's "Broken Dreams," commissioned by his wife, bandleader Toshiko Akiyoshi, is a lovely ballad, again with Green's piano in the vanguard. The rhythm section backing Tabackin is world-class, with Green, Peter Washington on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums. Playing professionally since the 1960s, Tabackin shows that almost 30 years later, he hasn't lost any of his passion for the music. ~ Dave Nathan https://www.allmusic.com/album/what-a-little-moonlight-can-do-mw0000118368

Personnel: Lew Tabackin (tenor saxophone, alto flute, flute), Benny Green (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)

What A Little Moonlight Can Do

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Scott Hamilton - Ballad Essentials

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:35
Size: 152,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:57)  1. Skylark
(3:40)  2. Everything Happens to Me
(5:26)  3. My Foolish Heart
(3:47)  4. That's All
(4:59)  5. In a Sentimental Mood
(4:44)  6. I Should Care
(5:39)  7. Body and Soul
(5:57)  8. 'Round Midnight
(5:33)  9. My Romance
(4:01) 10. Stardust
(4:26) 11. I'll Be Around
(5:24) 12. Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face)

The musical line leading up to tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton is not confusing. He wears his influences on his sleeve. You hear Lester Young's phrasing, Ben Webster's languid tone, and more than a dash of Zoot Sims's overall presentation. And while 1989's Scott Hamilton Plays Ballads is a gorgeous showing off of these influences, Ballad Essentials is a magnificent overview of his smoldering command of the genre. There's a pair of tracks from Plays Ballads ("In a Sentimental Mood" played as limber, late-night swing and "Round Midnight" given a robust, big-hearted embrace) and a pair from With Strings. The other eight pieces come from all over Hamilton's catalog, and describing any particular tune would tax the vocabulary "aching" and "tender" have only so many synonyms. Hamilton's sense of swing is easy to love, as is his brawny tone even when it slips into whispering mode. Ballad Essentials is meant as a themed collection, and it not only succeeds as such, it also serves as a primer for Hamilton's whole output. Editorial Reviews ~ Andrew Bartlett  http://www.amazon.com/Ballad-Essentials-Scott-Hamilton/dp/B00004NRVM

Personnel: Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone); Chris Flory, Howard Alden, Cal Collins (guitar); Ken Peplowski, Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Dave McKenna, Gerry Wiggins, John Bunch, Alan Broadbent, Nat Pierce, Norman Simmons, Brian Lemon (piano); Connie Kay, Jake Hanna, Jeff Hamilton , Allan Ganley, Roy McCurdy, Chuck Riggs (drums).

Ballad Essentials

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Keely Smith - The Intimate Keely Smith (Expanded Edition)

Size: 92,1 MB
Time: 39:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Somebody Loves Me (4:08)
02. As Long As He Needs Me (2:27)
03. Blame It On My Youth (2:55)
04. He Needs Me (2:42)
05. Sinner Or Saint (3:37)
06. It Had To Be You (3:29)
07. Time After Time (4:00)
08. Nancy / You Are My Sunshine (3:56)
09. God Bless The Child (2:50)
10. You'll Never Know (2:13)
11. The Whippoorwill (2:56)
12. Twin Soliloquies (Wonder How It Feels) (With Frank Sinatra) (1:38)
13. No One Ever Tells You (2:21)

You can’t get any more popular in American entertainment than Keely Smith was in the early ‘60s. Having blown the doors out in Las Vegas, winning a Grammy, having hit after hit and lighting up television screens playing straight “man” to husband Louis Prima, she’d navigated the tricky waters of a professional and personal divorce, striking out on her own and starting her own record label, Keely Records, in partnership with close friend and mentor Frank Sinatra, under the auspices of his Reprise label. A groundbreaking businesswoman, as well as recording artist, Keely recorded 5 classic albums for Reprise. Because she’d seen enough show business shenanigans to last a lifetime, a generation before it became standard practice to do so, she retained the rights to her masters. Those albums have NEVER come out legitimately on CD anywhere in the world. Now, Real Gone Music, in concert with Keely & her family, is very proud to announce that the label is going to answer the pleas of pop fans worldwide and release ALL of Keely’s Reprise albums on CD for the first time in deluxe packages featuring bonus tracks, rare photos, and new liner notes by Steve Hochman. Produced by Keely’s husband-to-be & Reprise hitmaker Jimmy Bowen, 1964’s The Intimate Keely Smith is, as the steamy cover and saucy title suggest, a sexy, swinging affair and the quintessential Keely Smith recording from her Reprise period. A concept album, the project was the long form representation of her legendary “mood spot” concert segment, a staple of Keely’s live shows. Key album tracks include a rendition of Sinatra’s “Time After Time” and a version of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child”…this album presents Keely really taking wing as an artist. And the bonus tracks? Well, Keely’s strong rapport and long history with Frank Sinatra are well known. As one of the foundational artists at Reprise, which was at full creative flower, Keely was part of some really great projects outside of her own releases. With the blessing of Frank Sinatra Enterprises, we’ve included her duet with Frank, “Twin Soliloquies,” from the The Reprise Musical Repertory Theatre Presents South Pacific album, plus rare the non-LP single of the King-Goffin-Spector track “No One Ever Tells You,” arranged by Jack Nitszche and also produced by Bowen.

The Intimate Keely Smith

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Swingle Singers - Swinging The Classics

Styles: Jazz, Bop, Cool
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:20
Size: 135,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:39) 1. Air For G String
(2:07) 2. Zortzico
(1:13) 3. Scherzo
(7:12) 4. Three Windows
(4:20) 5. Adagio
(5:04) 6. When I Am Laid In Earth
(2:14) 7. Tango In D Major
(1:29) 8. Etude Op. 25 No. 2
(3:33) 9. Vendome
(1:25) 10. Limoges, The Market
(4:17) 11. Little David's Fugue
(3:30) 12. Andante
(6:31) 13. Ricercare
(2:37) 14. Romance Espagnole
(4:53) 15. Alexander's Fugue
(2:09) 16. Short Fugue

Originally a French vocal band, founded in 1962 by Ward Swingle, specialized in singing classical songs with a capella/jazz arrangement. They were very popular in the USA, they won 3 Grammy Awards in 1964 and 1965. The French group disbanded in 1973, Ward went to England where he formed Swingle II with an expanded repertoire, he continued actively with the group until 1985. The Swingle Singers have continued, with various new members and with Ward as musical advisor, to this day.

The original double-quartet: Alto: Alice Herald - Anne Germain Soprano: Christiane Legrand - Jeanette Baucomont Tenor: Claude Germain - Ward Swingle (Arranger) Bass: Jean Cussac - José Germain

The current members are: Sopranos: Sara Brimer, Joanna Goldsmith-Eteson Altos: Clare Wheeler, Lucy Bailey Tenors: Christopher Jay, Richard Eteson (- 3/2010) Basses: Tobias Hug, Kevin Fox

They have performd and record under the names The Swingles, The New Swingle Singers and eventually, The Swingle Singers. Since the London group's incarnation, the group has never disbanded. https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/artist/the-swingle-singers

Swinging The Classics

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Malene Mortensen - Agony & Ecstacy

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2009
Time: 53:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 123,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:21) 1. Enigma
(5:34) 2. The Light Up Ahead
(5:21) 3. Eternal Three
(4:21) 4. Tidal Wave
(6:00) 5. Black Amy
(4:22) 6. Valentine
(6:02) 7. Into Your Heart
(5:24) 8. Tools And Rules
(4:24) 9. Seeds Of Summer
(4:28) 10. Transparent
(3:25) 11. Good At Goodbyes

Agony & Ecstacy is Malene Mortensen’s fi"h release. Her 2003 debut, Paradise, was produced by Niels Lan Doky, andKasper Villaume produced DATE WITH A DREAM from 2005.She recorded and released MALENE in 2006 with Chris Doky producing, and in the holiday season of 2007, she released TO ALL OF YOU, produced by Søren Siegumfeldt. Each album is the result of a unique collaboration between Malene, the session musicians and the producer, and eachalbum has its own unique atmosphere.

However, at 27, with a lot of studio experience behind her, Malene decided to take control of her new recording. No outside produ-cers, no guest musicians. Instead she took her road band into the recording studio to expand on their inspiring concert work.

Since 2007 the personnel in Malene’s band has consisted of four friends from Copenhagen’s Rhythmic Conservatory: Carl Mörner-Ringström (guitar), Magnus Hjorth (piano), Petter Eldh (bass) and Snorre Kirk (drums). Together they have play-ed over 100 concerts in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany,Britain, France, Poland, and not least in Asia. It has been an intense development and the inspiration for this recording.

Malene’s repertoire has always included her own music and in part her own lyrics, but where her earlier releases also fea-tured well-known jazz standards and jazzed-up rock and pop songs, all tunes on Agony & Ecstacy are originals writtenby Malene herself or in collaboration with Carl or Magnus.Malene’s sound has taken a twist away from acoustic standard jazz towards something more electric an update of the jazz/rock fusion of the early 1980’s.

Fortunately, this cool, enticing, energetic and spellbindingmusic will raise the eyebrows of some jazz puritans, but it will also fascinate the rest of us. Audiences unaccustomed to jazz will love the interplay, the great solos, the guitar riffs and Malene’s virtuosic voice and musicality.

Agony & Ecstacy makes it clear that Malene Mortensen can write, and that she composes melodies that stay in your ears long after the tune is over. Her vocals have the con-viction and courage that give the songs a personal sound and carry emotions from Agony & Ecstacy. These are songs from a hard-working artist, continuously pursuing her own path.
http://www.malenemortensen.dk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/09.-AE-engelsk-kopi-.pdf

Personnel: Malene Mortensen (voc), Carl Mörner Ringström (g), Magnus Hjorth (p, keys), Petter Eldh (b), Snorre Kirk (d, perc).

Agony & Ecstacy

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George Colligan- King's Dream

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2022
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:48
Size: 153,2 MB
Art: Front

(6:05) 1. Clearing The Mind
(6:36) 2. Change
(5:47) 3. Daddy Go Bye Bye
(5:33) 4. Doom Sandwich
(7:46) 5. Golden Years
(5:21) 6. Blues For Dwayne Burno
(6:19) 7. King's Dream
(6:19) 8. Weightless, Rising Towards The Sun
(5:00) 9. Liam's Lament
(5:03) 10. Wishing For Things To Happen
(6:53) 11. Finally, A Rainbow

In this challenging era and complex world in which we live, we have to believe that good will and enlightenment will prevail over ignorance and hatred. By George Colligan

George Colligan expresses the complexities and conflicting emotions of our confusing, sometimes chaotic times with the November 11 release of King’s Dream (PJCE). Though not quite a sequel, the album builds on many of the themes presented on his previous solo album, 2018’s Nation Divided.

The 11 original compositions on King’s Dream (Colligan’s 36th album as a leader) are not all new: Some of them go as far back as 2008. But like all the best improvised jazz, the tunes become about the moment in which they’re being played in this case a very fraught moment. “It was and still is such an unusual time,” Colligan says. “Who knows what tomorrow brings? The music is a representation of that uncertainty.”

The variety of moods on the album help underscore that uncertainty. It moves from the wistful, bittersweet “Clearing the Mind” to the glorious funk of “Change”; from the hard-bitten “Blues for Dwayne Burno” to the lyrical balance of hope and trouble in “King’s Dream”; from the plaintive “Wishing for Things to Happen” to the sanguine “Finally a Rainbow.”

The title track of King’s Dream is also its centerpiece. Invoking the famous ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the piece both echoes and questions that optimism, making for a statement both timely and timeless about American life while also serving as a microcosm for the album’s precarious position between glass-half-full and half-empty with glass-half-full perhaps taking the edge.

“In this challenging era and complex world in which we live, we have to believe that good will and enlightenment will prevail over ignorance and hatred,” Colligan writes in the album’s liner notes. “I don’t know whether music can make a difference, but I dedicate my album to those who believe in, as drummer Al Foster would say, ‘Peace, Love, and Jazz.’”

George Colligan was born December 29. 1969 in Summit, New Jersey, but considers his hometown to be Columbia, Maryland, where he grew up since about the age of 3. In the fourth grade he took up trumpet in the elementary school band, then got serious about the instrument in middle school around the time he discovered jazz from a neighbor who gave him a stack of Clifford Brown

Colligan went to Baltimore’s Peabody Institute, earning his degree in classical trumpet. While in Baltimore, though, he started teaching himself to play jazz licks on piano, soon getting gigs on the local scene, and suddenly found himself selling all his trumpets and becoming a professional pianist.

He shuttled back and forth between Baltimore and Washington, DC, mentoring with such musicians as Paul Carr, Gary Thomas, and Reuben Brown for several years before he made the leap to New York City in 1995. These associations meant that he already had some cachet on the New York scene when he arrived, and he was soon working with legendary figures like Eddie Henderson, Gary Bartz, and Lee Konitz, as well as recruiting the revered bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Ralph Peterson for his own 1996 debut Activism.

His career continued to grow, collaborating fruitfully with other greats of his generation including Ingrid Jensen, Nicholas Payton, and Kurt Rosenwinkel; working under Jack DeJohnette, Buster Williams, Billy Hart, and Al Foster; and recording dozens of albums under his own name. In 2005, he married fellow pianist Kerry Politzer, and a few years later they moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he began a career as a jazz educator.

That career continued on to a job at Oregon’s Portland State University, where Colligan moved in 2011 and remains today. In addition to his academic work, he has become a mainstay of the Portland jazz scene as a drummer as well as a pianist. (He’s the drummer on Kerry Politzer’s latest CD, In a Heartbeat, also on PJCE Records.) Indeed, although King’s Dream is a solo album, it is also a collaboration with a longtime Portland colleague, pianist Randy Porter, who recorded, mixed, and mastered the album at his Heavywood Studio. By Terri Hinte https://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/pianist-composer-george-colligans-kings-dream-his-36th-album-as-a-leader-and-5th-as-a-solo-pianist-due-november-11-on-pjce-records/

King's Dream

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