LET THE DRUMS SPEAK

By Dee Dee McNeil

AUGUST 22, 2022

AL FOSTER – “REFLECTIONS” – Smoke Sessions Records

Al Foster, drums/composer; Kevin Hays, piano/Fender Rhodes/composer; Vicente Archer, bass; Nicholas Payton, trumpet/composer; Chris Potter, tenor & soprano saxophones/composer.

Opening with the “T.S. Monk” tune composed by Al Foster, I am swept away by the beautiful harmonics of this arrangement and the hum-along melody.  It feels like I’m listening to an old familiar standard tune.  When Chris Potter enters on his tenor saxophone, his improvisations take us on a sweet journey. Nicholas Payton adds his own magic on trumpet and Kevin Hays is dynamite on piano.  But it’s the creative and every brilliant drums of Al Foster that make this song sing in an exciting and rhythmic way. The Foster ensemble attacks the Sonny Rollins tune, “Pen-up House” like a force of nature.  They swing hard on the McCoy Tyner tune, “Blues on the Corner.”  On “Half Nelson” Chris Potter’s rich saxophone solo reminds me of Charlie Parker with his fluidity.  Potter was a member of Al Foster’s band in the mid-1990s and played on the “Brandyn” album. They are seasoned partners.

“Chris is genius level, with his own way of playing; his own style,” Foster says.

Foster was influenced by drummers Art Taylor, Max Roach, Tony Williams, Joe Chambers and Jack DeJohnette.  He also was inspired by Thelonious Monk, who he had the opportunity to play with in August of 1969 upon Wilbur Ware’s recommendation. Al Foster was a fledgling drummer when he took to Monk’s bandstand at the Village Gate and they opened for the Miles Davis Quartet that included Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette.

“After the third night, monk asked for a lift, then invited me to his apartment.  On the elevator, he started telling me that critics thought he couldn’t write in ¾ time.  That’s why he wrote ‘Ugly Beauty.’ He talked through his teeth.  You could see his teeth closed.  In his apartment, he showed me his cufflinks and suede shoes and then I left,” Al Foster recalls that historic meeting vividly.

Today, Al Foster has settled into his own style and brilliance. Clearly, in the last decade he has spewed out a list of memorable recordings that memorialize Foster’s admirable talent.  This album is available August 26, 2022 for public consumption.

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GEORGE LERNIS – “BETWEEN TWO WORLDS” – Dunya Label

George Lernis, drums/percussion/Santur/composer; Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, piano/voice/oud; Bruno Raberg, bass; Emiel de Jaegher, trumpet; Burcu Gülec, voice. FEATURED GUEST: John Patitucci, upright bass/elec. Bass.

George Lernis is no ordinary jazz drummer. He plays Santur, percussion and he has composed all the fascinating music on this album. “Between Two Worlds” is literally an exploration between Western culture and the Middle East.  Born and raised in Cyprus, Lernis brings inspiration from the Mediterranean and infuses this music with jazz, the ultimate music of freedom.  As an immigrant himself, the drummer expresses his cultural roots and represents the sweet fruit of hardworking immigrants who bring their hopes, dreams and culture to America.  Lernis blends his musical arrangements to embrace both worlds in a minor-chord-way. He incorporates the beautiful voice of Burcu Gülec, a spattering of poetry and instruments like the Oud and the Santur that establish his style and culture. The oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in Middle Eastern music. The Santur is a percussive, string instrument like a zither or small vibraphone that is struck when played.

Opening with his original composition called “Prayer” John Patitutcci’s thick, beautiful bass supports the tune and locks arms with Lernis to create a powerful rhythm section. A poem is recited, written by George Lernis and his mother, Eliza.  It celebrates the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis.  Ms. Gülec’s voice sings along with the horn lines, a human instrument demanding to be heard.  Mehmet Ali Sanlikol melodically infuses the piano into the mix and Burcu Gülec moves from the horn section to sing unison, along with the piano line.  It’s quite impressive for her vocals to try and keep up with Sanlikol’s piano brilliance and improvisational expression. There are no lyrics.  None are needed.  Pure emotion, pumps from her vocal cords and lungs, singing along with the black and white keys that fly beneath the fingers of Mehmet Ali. What sounds like miniature gongs opens track #2. I believe it is the Santur instrument.  Percussion drips into the track like honey from the cone.  Track #3 “Sailing Beyond” prefaces a suite of music representing the album’s title. Once again Burcu Gülec offers her expressive vocals to set the mood. This song is fused from a Cypress folk song called “I Trata Mas I Kourelou.”  “Origins” is the first part of the “Between Two Worlds” Suite and spotlights the Oud in all its pear-shaped beauty.  This is an album that combines jazz with Middle Eastern tradition in a unique and palatable way. 

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CRAIG DAVIS – “TONE PAINTINGS: THE MUSIC OF DODO MARMAROSA” – Independent Label

Craig Davis, piano; John Clayton, bass; Jeff Hamilton, drums.

Pianist Craig Davis is on a mission to reinform the jazz community by celebrating Pittsburgh, PA jazz man, Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa.  On “Mellow Mood,” the opening tune, Craig Davis opens this song with only solo piano.  It’s a composition Marmarosa wrote when he was only fourteen years old. After Davis plays the song down, with a strong 2-feel, Clayton’s big bold bass enters along with world renowned drummer, Jeff Hamilton.  Craig Davis has chosen two legendary jazz musicians to join him during this trio tribute to Marmarosa. 

Whenever I see the name Jeff Hamilton, I am immediately interested in hearing who this amazing drummer is playing with and what he has to say.  His musicianship speaks to me.  On track #2, “Dodo’s Bounce” I would expect Hamilton to use sticks for this up-tempo swing tune.  Instead, he dances brushes across the drum skins, holding the tempo in place like super-glue, but never losing the energy.  Craig Davis trades fours with Hamilton during this skip-to-my-bounce arrangement and Hamilton shines like the super-star that he is. 

The Craig Davis project titled, “Tone Paintings” has been in the making for more than a decade.  After the talented pianist earned his master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music in 2010, Davis prepared a concert debut at The Kitano Club in New York City.  He put his show together in celebration of some of Pittsburgh’s piano icons including Mary Lou Williams, Erroll Garner, Ahmad Jamal, Billy Strayhorn, Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines and his hero, “Dodo” Marmarosa.

“Dodo’s story really resonated with me, because he was such an enigmatic figure.  He never really got the recognition he deserved beyond having a flurry of fame in the forties,” Davis explained his fascination with the jazz pianist.

“We share similar stylistic interests.  I love bebop and of course he was a bebop innovator.  We’re both classically trained and bring those influences to our music. He also tried to push the art form forward a little bit and not just kind of settle on what was popular.  (Tommy) Dorsey didn’t like him because he was too progressive, but Artie Shaw loved it. So, here’s this guy who was boppin’ with Bird (Charlie Parker) and he was pushing the envelope at the same time. That may also have contributed to his lack of notoriety, but I respect the fact that he really cared about continuing to push boundaries within himself,” Craig Davis praised “Dodo” Marmarosa.

On the “Dodo’s Blues” tune, I hear shades of Gene Harris in the Davis piano style and John Clayton is given an ample opportunity to sing his bass solo. Jeff Hamilton opens the tune “Escape” tapping the tempo out at the top of the melodic, fast-paced tune.

The MCG Jazz record label, whose parent organization is Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG), was a place where Craig Davis’s early recording career began, way back in 1996. It was when drummer, Roger Humphries was recording his debut album, “A New Home: Recorded Live at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild” and Davis was part of that ensemble.  Funny that Craig Davis has come full circle today, returning to this very label to release his second album. The first was recorded on Alanna Records in 2006 and called “Out of the Gate.”  For this project, Davis has transcribed all of the Marmarosa music, compositions that have never been published.  He transcribed these Marmarosa compositions from recordings that he discovered. Marmarosa also performed extensively with Pittsburgh native and bass icon, Ray Brown, including Marmarosa’s premiere recording session as a leader in 1946. Craig Davis offers us ten “Dodo” Marmarosa original compositions and one single original song of his own that he calls “A Ditty for Dodo.”  It’s a lilting, very melodic jazz ballad. 

This is an engaging album that not only introduces us to the music of Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa, but allows us to become acquainted with pianist, composer and arranger Craig Davis.  He’s in the best of company with hard-hitters like John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton as part of his swinging trio. 

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BILLY DRUMMOND AND FREEDOM OF IDEAS – “VALSE SINISTRE” – Cellar Music

Billy Drummond, drums/composer; Dezron Douglas, bass/arranger; Micah Thomas, piano/composer; Dayna Stephens, saxophones.

Billy Drummond barrels onto the set with serious energy and wailing sticks dancing on the drum skins.  The Jackie McLean tune is called “Little Melonae” and there’s nothing ‘little’ about the arrangement; it’s huge. The tempo is crazy fast and Micah Thomas let’s his fingers fly over the upper register of the piano like an excited bird.  Drummond’s rhythms propel the tune and by the time Dayna Stephens solos on saxophone, the driving energy is on fire.

“The music presented here is a snapshot of my musical vision.  Where I am today, where I’ve been and where I might be headed.  I’ve been leading various aggregations of ‘Freedom of Ideas’ for well over a decade,” Billy Drummond explains the goal and direction of this album.

”Little Melonae” … arranged by Dezron Douglas (the voice of reason), is a disciple of Jackie McLean and, for me, McLean is the epitome of a purity in music that represents freedom in the true sense of the word,” Billy Drummond expounded in his liner notes.  “When I was a youngster, I played with Jackie on two occasions, which was a dream come true.  One of my treasures is an inscription from him on one of his recordings that reads, ‘To Billy, one of my favorite drummers of all time.”

Drummond spoke about his relationship with the title tune, “Valse Sinistre” composed by the Avant-garde artist, Ms. Carla Bley.

“I fell in love with this piece while I was working with her. … I think it’s a gem.  I was incredibly fortunate to play, record and tour with Carla in various ensembles over the years,” Drummond continued to explain why he had chosen various songs for this album release.

Because Tony Williams changed the way music was played and he also changed the way that drums were played, Drummond wanted to celebrate the Williams legacy as both a drummer and outstanding composer by covering his tune, “Lawra” as a gesture of his appreciation for the gone-too-soon percussion master. 

As a composer, Billy Drummond offers us “Changes for Trane & Monk” spotlighting the warm saxophone of Dayna Stephens propelled by Drummond’s energetic drums.  When Billy Drummond pulls out a pair of brushes to interpret the soft and beautiful tune, “Laura” we get to enjoy his tender and sensuous side.  This is an album both delicious and satisfying, like a well-cooked meal with friends and family. 

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PETER KOGAN – “JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT” – Koganote Records

Peter Kogan, drums/composer; Abebi Stafford & Will Kjeer, piano; Charlie Lincoln & Kameron Markworth, bass; Geoff LeCrone, guitar; Jake Baldwin & Mitch Van Laar, trumpet; Pete Whitman, tenor saxophone; Nick Syman, trombone. Dominic Cheli, solo piano on track #9.

Right out the gate, Peter Kogan races onto the scene with a hard-hitting drum solo that introduces us to a song he calls, “Pow, Pow, Pow, Pow – Yeah!”  This composition swings hard and has a memorable melody that’s presented by the horns after several bars of a power-packed drum solo.  It’s an exciting arrangement for this quintet to play, generously spotlighting each player, starting with Kogan’s percussive power. Pete Whitman, on tenor saxophone, blends beautifully with trumpeter Jake Baldwin.  Both offer rich solo excursions that represent Straight-ahead jazz at its best.  Abebi Stafford is dynamic on piano and Charlie Lincoln holds the rhythm section in a tight grip with his walking bass lines. If you love 1950 and 1960 jazz the way I do, this song turns back time in a wonderful way. The title tune follows, “Just Before Midnight (Etude #3).”  It’s introduced by Will Kjeer on piano, teasing us with chord changes that accentuate unexpected intervals.  They lead us to an up-tempo speed. This racing tempo challenges Kogan’s septet to bring their very best to the party, and they do.  Peter Kogan propels them forward with busy sticks and appropriate cymbal crashes.

During this production, you will experience Peter Kogan in various group situations.  He opens with a quintet, moves to a septet-setting, and then to a quartet.  There is also a sextet performance and even a solo piano addition, “Song Without a Word” interpreting Kogan’s original song and played by Dominic Cheli.  Peter Kogan intentionally created different groups of musicians to express the best of his original compositions.  For example, he reverts to a quartet to play his ode to John Coltrane that’s named, “Owed to J.C.” On this arrangement, Kogan plays with the tempo to explore the pulse of the tune, employing a 15/8, Afro-Cuban rhythm during the main body of the song and during the solos. “And Another Thing (Etude #1)” is a catchy title and introduces us to a jazz waltz arrangement that allows Jake Baldwin to brightly soak up the spotlight during his trumpet solo. Peter Kogan also solos on his waltz inspired drums. Geoff LeCrone is featured on guitar during the quartet’s interpretation of “I Dream of Danny Playing Guitar.”

Kogan is a percussionist who has dabbled with various musical genres.  He’s proficient playing jazz, but he also has history with rock music and the blues idiom.  He’s backed up iconic blues musicians like Honeyboy Edwards, Lightin’ Hopkins and Floyd Jones.  In the same breath, he can stand behind a set of timpani drums in a concert hall, and has played with symphony orchestras that include the Cleveland Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Honolulu Symphony.  Kogan represents this type of versatility on drums.  I’m also quite impressed with his composer skills. Peter Kogan has written and arranged all the songs on this album except “Hindsight” written by Cedar Walton.  Employing his various group productions, Kogan introduces us to amazing musicians and a stunning number of his original compositions. To his credit, the Kogan music sounds like standard jazz tunes we should know and love.

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RICHARD BARATTA – “MUSIC IN FILM: THE SEQUEL” – Savant Records

Richard Baratta, drums/percussion; Bill O’Connell, piano/arranger; Michael Goetz, upright bass; Paul Bollenback, guitar; Paul Rossman, congas/percussion; Vincent Herring, alto saxophone.

Here is a conglomerate of compositions snatched from film scores that are not only interesting but entertaining.  The album opens with “Itsy Bitsy Spider” which is a familiar children’s song that is now public Domain.  Every child knows that song.  What I didn’t realize is that it was featured in the 1986 film, “Heartburn.”  They pluck the Quincy Jones tune “Soul Bossa Nova” from the Austin Powers 1997 film.  It’s driven by the Baratta drums and the Paul Rossman percussion.  Vincent Herring’s alto saxophone soars and sings us the melody over their rich percussive rhythms.  Other songs you will instantly recognize are “Theme form the Pink Panther,” “Last Tango in Paris” (from the 1972 film of the same name) and Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” composition.  Arranger, pianist, Bill O’Connell gives an impressive and improvisational solo on the Pink Panther tune.  The ensemble plays an arrangement that’s Straight-ahead and flies at a fast tempo.  Paul Bollenback’s guitar solo is stellar.  Richard Baratta finally steps out front and gives us a taste of his mastery on drums.  He sends sparks of excitement through my listening room. The “Pure Imagination” song from ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ is arranged beautifully as a sweet ballad and features Bollenback’s guitar.

Baratta has a strong drum technique, and he swings hard on “You’ve Got A Friend in Me.”  Although drumming was his first creative love, he was also a gifted film producer. Richard Baratta has dozens of films to his credit including six Spider Man installments, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Irishman and many more.  In the 1970s, he was a drummer struggling to live on a gig-to-gig basis.  When an opportunity came his way in 1984, offering him big paychecks in the film business, Richard Baratta chose film production over his percussive skills.  I’m happy he returned to drumming and combined his love of films with music.   This is a sequel to his 2020 studio debut called “Music in Film: The Reel Deal.”  It’s a wonderful concept, well-played and entertaining.  The choice of repertoire is perfect.  You’ll enjoy eleven songs on this album, performed by these awesome musicians and inspired by the skillful drums of Richard Baratta.

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STEVE GADD, EDDIE GOMEZ, RONNIE CUBER – “CENTER STAGE WDR BIG BAND” – Leopard Music

Steve Gadd, drums; Michael Abene, WDR arranger/conductor; Eddie Gomez, bass; Bruno Müller, guitar; Bobby Sparks II, Hammond B3 organ/Fender Rhodes; Simon Oslender, piano/Hammond B3 organ; Ronnie Cuber, baritone saxophone.  WDR BIG BAND: SAXOPHONES: Karolina Strassmayer & Johan Hörlén, alto saxophones; Malte Dürrschnabel & Paul Heller, tenor saxophones; Jens Neufang, baritone saxophone. TRUMPETS: Andy Haderer, Wim Both, Rob Bruynen, Ruud Breuls. TROMBONES: Ludwig Nuss, Raphael Klemm & Andy Hunter; Mattis Cederberg, bass trombone.

From the first strains of the familiar introduction to Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” composition, you’ll find your body moving to Steve Gadd’s drums and the WDR big band music.  Pushed forward by the dynamic drums of Steve Gadd, this is finger-snappin’, toe-tappin’ music. Bruno Muller’s guitar dances boldly and Simon Oslender’s piano solo is full of joy.  Gadd has reunited with bassist, Eddie Gomez and baritone sax man, Ronnie Cuber from their “Gadd Gang” days.  They join the Grammy Award-winning WDR Big Band, under the direction of Michael Abene, and the merger is magic.  Together, with this exuberant big band, Gadd and his gang reach back to pull a cluster of classics from their repertoire.  The first three tunes on this album are smokin’ hot and danceable.  Track #4 is a beautiful ballad, delivered with solos by Ronnie Cuber on his baritone sax and Eddie Gomez steps briefly into the spotlight on double bass. Trombonist, Ludwig Nuss is also featured, a WDR band member who plays beautifully.  After that song, the band is back to playing all those rhythm and blues licks, spirited and infused by Steve Gadd’s powerhouse drum presence. The tune is “Them Changes” and Simon Oslender brings his B3 organ to the party, along with Bruno Müller’s lead guitar that plants deep bluesy roots into the hard-swing arrangement.  On “Way Back Home” they let Steve Gadd loose, wrapping his funk beat like a coil winding tightly around the tune.  He holds everything in perfect place. The horn lines stutter their sweet, harmonic message across space until the rhythm guitar teases Gadd and dares him to come forward and spew his drum licks all over the place. Oh, but when they reach back and snatch that blast from the past, “Honky Tonk” they’ve got me just where they want me.  Michael Abene has arranged it as a medley, smartly incorporating this blues shuffle into the country/western tune, “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” although the transition wasn’t as smooth as it could have been. The arrangement sounded very similar to the Ray Charles big band arrangement. You can’t miss with that arrangement.

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DUDUKA DA FONSECA & QUARTETO UNIVERSAL – “YES!!!” – Sunnyside Records

Duduka Da Fonseca, drums/composer; Vinicius Gomes, guitars/composer; Helio Alves, piano/composer; Gili Lopes, bass/composer.

Unlike many bandleaders who are drummers, Duduka Da Fonseca does not try to submerge his talents inside the quartet arrangements.  Duduka Da Fonseca is right up front and spectacular throughout this production. Starting with the first track, “Samba Novo” you feel his powerful spirit fueling the arrangement with exciting drum-fills and engaged sticks.  He sets the rhythm and the time, making Helio Alves fingers race over the piano keys with precision and creativity.  The two are in perfect sync. When the spotlight swerves to highlight Vinicius Gomes on guitar, Gomes is ready and eager to showcase his technique.  Afterwards, Duduka steps from the background to the forefront and tantalizes the listening audience with his mastery.  Here is a 4-time GRAMMY Award nominee, a drummer who takes the reins of his band and rides at full pace into the outer limits of jazz and Brazilian rhythms.  He also opens the second track enthusiastically, his solo drums commanding attention and painting the production in loud, vivid, dramatic colors.  His artistic sticks dance, sway and tap across his trap drums with purpose and excellence. Dom Salvador’s composition, “Transition” is a bold tune that allows the quartet to veer from the melody and explore their own improvisational solos.  All the while, the drums push and prod them forward.  Every band has to have that one inspirationally driven purpose and that one person who inspires the others and leads the way.  Duduka Da Fonseca is THAT bandleader.

All four of these bandmates are soaked in Brazilian music and culture.  Consequently, they blend warmly together like Cafezinho (a respected coffee) and ‘rapadura’ (Brazil’s popular unrefined sugar). This project is sweet, strong and entertaining. 

On the Hermeto Pascoal composition, “Montreux” Gili Lopes offers us an emotional and beautiful bass solo. All of these musicians are excellent, each in their own right. They bring their best to this project, including their original compositions mixed into a repertoire of Brazilian icons. Pianist Alves has added his composition “Bebe” to this stew of cultures and classics.  It’s a Sambossa waltz and guitarist Gomes has co-written “Exodo” that leans more towards contemporary jazz, perhaps in the realm of something Chick Corea would play.  Dynamically, Duduka’s drums color and paint the arrangement with excitement. Gili Lopes adds “West 83^rd Street” to the album and Vinicius’s guitar warmly introduces us to the pretty melody. Lopes takes a bass solo to explore his own interpretation of his original song. Finally, they close with “Dona Maria” that Duduka Da Fonseca has penned. The melody is quite compelling.  When Helio enters on piano he doubles the time and skips over the keys with intention and creative purpose.  Duduka’s drums chase the black and white keys, with the energy of a playful puppy running after ducks at the lake.  His drum solo that follows is spectacular! If you are looking for a Brazilian jazz super band, look no further.

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CHRIS PARKER TRIO – “TELL ME” – M’Bubba Music

Chris Parker, drums/composer; Kyoko Oyobe, piano; Ameen Saleem, bass.

It has taken a couple of years before these three musicians could get back to the studio. The pandemic caused havoc with their lives and careers.  But it also gave Chris Parker time to compose and arrange original songs, in hopes of soon recording them.  “Tell Me” is the title of their third project together. It’s the eighth album for Chris Parker as a bandleader. Most of the compositions belong to Parker, with the exception of the opening Thelonious Monk tune that bass man, Ameen Saleem gave the nickname of “Coolypso.”  The trio swings with a very Calypso, Latin arrangement of Monk’s tune “Let’s Cool One.” Parker’s out front on his drums during the introduction and Ameen joins him on bass.  When Kyoko Oyobe adds her piano, they are complete and lock into a nice calypso groove.  It’s an unusual arrangement, but very likeable.  They Tango their way into Track #2 that Parker named “Desaparecido.”  His powerful drums keep everything moving, exciting and solid. When Ameen Saleem enters a final segment of the song by bowing his bass, it’s very electrifying.  Kyoko cements the pretty parts into the song with her fingers twirling in the treble register of the piano.

Chris Parker is a seasoned veteran on his drums.  At one point in his career, he was one of the best fusion/funk drummers around and recorded with The Brecker Brothers, “Live at the Bottom Line.”  But Chris longed to explore other percussive paths.  He heard music in his head, while the rhythm spewed from his body like the sweetest cologne. Consequently, Parker studied composition, arranging and jazz drumming.  This album showcases all of his talents, including the former funk and fusion player, as well as the more polished jazz drummer he has become. His skills have grown on the drums and now Chris Parker enjoys all the nuances and creativity that jazz has to offer, as well as the creativity and skill it takes to compose and arrange music.  Meet the complete, Chris Parker.

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VOICES PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

By Dee Dee McNeil

August 15, 2022

SAMARA JOY – “CAN’T GET OUT OF THIS MOOD” – Verve Records / a SINGLE RELEASE

Ben Paterson, piano; David Wong, double bass; Kenny Washington, drums.

Here is a young jazz vocalist who embodies Ella Fitzgerald’s smooth style, adding her own succinct and unique vocal qualities to captivate our ears as she sings, “Can’t Get Out of This Mood.”   This Is Samara Joy’s single release from her upcoming album, scheduled for a September 2022 release and titled, “Linger Awhile.”   

Samara Joy is a vocalist to watch.  I am certain she will climb the ladder to fame and fortune and her voice will carry the true jazz vocal torch straight up to the stars.  She is a product of a musical family.  Her grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, led the well-known Philadelphia-based gospel group “The Savettes.”  Her father toured with Andrae Crouch.  Consequently, her early musical influences are gospel based, but also include the inspiration from genius artists like Stevie Wonder, Lalah Hathaway, George Duke and Musiq Soulchild.  It wasn’t until she attended Fordham High School for the Arts that she discovered and fell in love with jazz.  She has already won Best Vocalist at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition and recently graduated as the Ella Fitzgerald Scholar.  Let me introduce you to 22-year-old Samara Joy, who gives me hope that jazz is alive and secure in the hands of a new, young, talented generation.

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DO’A – “HIGHER GROUND” – Outside In Music

Do’A, Vocals/guitar/piano/composer; Harold Lopez-Nussa, piano/vocals; Nando Michelin & Syhai Maestro, piano; Julio Cesar Gonzalez, bass; Shango Dely & Ruy Adrian Lopez-Nussa, percussion; Mayquel Gonzalez, trumpet.

Do’A is a vocalist with a haunting voice and a style all her own.  Her music is interesting and unique, blending Brazilian and Columbian cultures with her Albanian upbringing and elements of Albanian folk music. She sprinkles in jazz, samba and African rhythms to tantalize us with her multi-languages and honey-warm voice.  Currently, she is an artist-in-residency at the Music Center of Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland.  This project introduces us to Do’A who sings, plays piano, guitar and composes.  I am enamored by her composer talents. As soon as I heard this album, I thought the hit record, the crossover, commercial, original song written by Do’A  is “Lampara.”   Not only do I think “Lampara” is a hit, but I also think “Unidad” is a strong second. Both are sung in Spanish. Her melodies are hypnotic and, although I don’t understand the language, I am still intoxicated with the songs of Do’A.  On her opening song, “Flor de Lis” she sings in Portuguese.  Shai maestro’s piano playing introduces us to an Albanian Folk Song, “Pranvera” along with Do’A’s smooth and intimate vocals in her native language.  It’s my first time hearing Albanian folk music and I find it truly delicious to my ears. On the final song, Do’A sits at the piano to play her original composition called, “Krijim,” also sung in Albanian.  This is world music with an international theme.  She sings in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Albanian to interpret the theme of her album, “Higher Grounds.” Do’A hopes that her music is reflective of the interconnected nature of the human spirit. This is her debut album and it transcends borders, genres and traditions to introduce us to Do’A the artist. Her music also calls attention to the power and to the love that music can transmit. I look forward to hearing, not only her husky, emotional voice in the future, but more Do’A compositions. 

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JOHN MINNOCK – “SIMPLICITY” – Dot Time Records

John Minnock, vocals; Dave Liebman, soprano saxophone; Mathis Picard, piano/composer; Sean Mason, piano; Mark Lewandowski, bass; Pablo Eluchans, drums; Carolos Mena, bass.

There is nothing simple about John Minnock’s “Simplicity” album.  The songs are challenging, with technically difficult melodies, but Minnock sings them easily, fooling the listener into believing they are simple.  His vocal timbre somehow reminds me of Al Jarreau’s tone, although he has a completely different style and presence.  His band is smokin’ hot with master reedman, Dave Liebman, always a joy to hear on saxophone. The arrangements are interesting and for the most part, compliment his creativity. Pianist, Mathis Picard has composed several of these songs with lyricist Erick Holmberg and sometimes John Minnock contributing words. I love their bluesy “Cape’s End” and I’m intrigued with “Bordeaux” a song about a faraway place and a distant love that teases Minnock’s range and has a provocative melody with unusual intervals.  John sings a few standards you will recognize like “Angel Eyes,” “Maiden Voyage” and “You Don’t Know What Love Is.”  On both the Matt Dennis tune and Hancock’s composition, Dave Liebman is given free rein to explore all the nuances of the tunes before John Minnock takes center stage and does his own unique interpretations. On the Herbie Hancock tune, he improvises without lyrics and leaves the soloing to Liebman and Mathis Picard on piano. The voice becomes a human instrument that simply colors the tune at various points.  This is art for art’s sake and since jazz reflects freedom and creativity, this is a perfect example of just that.

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SHEILA JORDAN – LIVE AT MEZZROW – Cellar Music

Sheila Jordan, vocals; Alan Broadbent, piano; Harvey S., bass.

On a cold, wintry, October twenty-fifth evening, the jazz luminary, Sheila Jordan, took to the stage of the intimate Mezzrow Jazz Club. She opens with the Abbey Lincoln composition, “Bird Alone,” accompanied by two-time GRAMMY winner, Alan Broadbent on piano and Harvey S., on bass.  Harvey S. was one of the members of the quartet she established in 1979.  That ensemble included Steve Kuhn and Bob Moses. On this project, Sheila and Harvey come full circle. Sheila Jordan’s album becomes the inaugural release of the SmallsLIVE Living Masters Series with the Cellar Music Group.  It marks the first ‘live’ recording of Sheila Jordan in nearly a decade.

Born in November of 1928 in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan, Jordan has a rich legacy in jazz. Now ninety-three years old, she still can swing with the best of them. Jordan is one of the pioneers of bebop and scat singing.  In her prime, she made her mark in the jazz world by performing her unique vocal style with only the double bass.  It is said that the great Charlie Parker paid her an amazing compliment by calling her “the lady with the million-dollar ears.” Sheila Jordan dared to put lyrics to the tumbling and exuberant notes of Charlie Parker’s improvised horn parts.  Sheila went to New York where jazz was thriving and studied harmony and music theory with Lennie Tristano and Charles Mingus. She was always in the company of jazz greats and striving to break musical glass ceilings for vocalists.  In New York, she was a familiar face in Greenwich Village performing with pianist Herbie Nichols. Jordan recorded with icons in experimental jazz music like George Russell.  You can hear her on his album “The Outer View” singing “You Are My Sunshine.”

In the 1960s she released her own album called “Portrait of Sheila” on the popular Blue Note label.  She also played with Don Heckman, Lee Konitz, Carla Bley and Roswell Rudd. In 1975, she recorded “Confirmation” and a year later, recorded a duet album with Arild Anderson.  But her work with George Russell gives an example of her musical direction and groundbreaking vocal attitude early in her career.  That crystal clear, emotional delivery developed with nurturing from dynamic musicians like Charlie Parker, George Russell and her husband Duke Jordan.  Below, here is her interpretation of “Confirmation” on her 1975 presentation.

As a lyricist, songwriter, and for twenty-eight years as an Adjunct Professor of Music , Sheila Jordan inspired students at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the Vermont Jazz Center, InterplayJazz and Arts, as well as sharing her knowledge and creativity at International workshops.  This historic album become the twentieth she has recorded as a bandleader.

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PATRISHA THOMSON – “WILD IS THE WIND” – PT Designs Productions

Patrisha Thomson, vocals; Mon David, guest vocals; Steve Rawlins, piano/arranger/producer; Grant Geissman, guitar; Ken Wild, Jennifer Leitham & Bob Feldman, bass; Bernie Dresel, Bob Leatherbarrow & Gordon Peeke, drums; Brad Dutz, percussion; Scott Mayo, flute/alto flute; Tom Peterson, tenor saxophone; Michael Stever, trumpet; Ira Nepus, trombone.

Patrisha Thomson loves to sing, although she chose a career as a visual artist first and then became an educator.  Still, music and jazz were rooted deeply in her heart.  When her father passed away, Patrisha took over the presidency of his company.  With all those careers intermingling, she somehow found time for her passion to sing.  But it was much later in life that she decided to pursue becoming a recording artist.  Patrisha Thomson’s singing style is more cabaret than jazz, but she’s chosen a Bakers Dozen of familiar jazz standards to interpret. All the songs are pulled from the late 1930s through the 1940s.  Patrisha opens with the popular Ellington tune, “In a mellow Tone” where Michael Stever’s trumpet swings hard. She and her band of L.A. based musicians also cover “Dindi” and crowd pleasers like “Route 66” where Grant Geissman shines on guitar and jazz vocalist Mon David joins her as guest. Mon David puts the “J” in jazz.  Jennifer Leitham is featured on the title tune and lays her rich bass tones beneath Patrisha Thomson’s emotional delivery. Scott Mayo adds flute to the mix. Patrisha and Ken Wild open the tune, “Just Squeeze Me” made popular back in 1941, another Duke Ellington gem. “This Can’t Be Love” has a lovely Latin arrangement by Steve Rawlins. Ms. Thomson persuasively delivers Great American Songbook tunes, like “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” that the band swings and “Autumn Leaves,” as a slow ballad. Sometimes Patrisha Thomson’s voice reminds me of days I spent in Paris, listening to the emotional female jazz singers in those blue-lit European nightclubs. She even sings Autumn Leaves in French. Her finale song is an original ‘Happy Birthday Song’ she has penned herself.

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NATALIE CRESSMAN & IAN FAQUINI – “AUBURN WHISPER” – Groundup Records

Natalie Cressman, tenor trombone/bass trombone/composer/arranger; Ian Faquini, guitar/ vocals/composer.

Natalie Cressman’s mother, Sandy Cressman, is a jazz vocalist, steeped deeply in the traditions of Brazilian music.  Natalie’s father, Jeff Cressman, is a recording engineer and trombonist who recently concluded a two-decade run with Santana. They say the apple does not fall far from the tree.  In this case, that’s absolutely correct.  The twenty-something Natalie Cressman has honed her skills singing (like her mother) in Portuguese and is quite proficient, like her father, on the trombone. She’s also a composer and lyricist. Her partner on this album is Brazilian composer and guitarist, Ian Faquini. Cressman has studied at the Manhattan School of Music and Ian Faquini studied at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley and after graduating joined the faculty there. He is also on the faculty at California Brazil Camp. Clearly, both artists are super talented. Together, this duo offers a world music album of original music, with both artists contributing to the songwriting. I found their songs to be quite melodic. However, the over-dubbing of horn parts that are all quite legato often drags the music down. For example, on Track #11, “Hood River” the legato horn lines distract from what could have been a joyful, moderate-tempo tune. Some points of staccato horns could have lightened the mood and brightened the arrangement. Cressman has a light, soprano voice that is quite beautiful and Ian’s voice is a smooth baritone.  When they blend, together their sound is beautifully hypnotic. Track #2, “Rear Window” seems to be based on the chord changes of Mona Lisa, but Cressman’s voice interprets a very different melody once she sings the song and it’s lovely. When I listen to “Afoxe Pra Oxum” her voice is airy and joyful.  I wish she had incorporated some of that lightness and joy into her horn arrangements.

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ANNE WALSH – “THE ASTRUD PROJECT” –  A to Zink Music

Anne Walsh, vocals; Tom Zink, piano/arranger; Mitchell Long, guitar/cavaquinho; Kevin Winard, drums/percussion; Chris Wabich, drums; Mike Vacarro, flutes/clarinet/bass clarinet; Gary Meek, flute solos; Tony Guerrero, trumpets/flugelhorns; Andy Martin, trombone; Charlie Bisharat, violin; Tom Lea, viola; Irina Chirkova, cello.

In celebration of Brazilian jazz singer, Astrud Gilberto, Anne Walsh takes to the microphone. Astrud’s bright, clear tones helped to introduce the Bossa Nova movement of the 1960s to American audiences.  Anne Walsh, originally born in Boston and now living in Long Beach California, has a similar vocal style.  On the opening tune, “On My Mind” the happy melody dances from Anne’s lips triumphantly.  The trumpet of Tony Guerrero shares a joyful solo.  Gary Meek shines on flute during this arrangement. “Call Me” is a familiar pop tune.  Anne Walsh sings it rubato on the top and then steps into a Brazilian arrangement of this tune that is pleasant and danceable.  “Crickets” is a challenging song with swiftly moving lyric and a tempo that demands attention to both enunciation and the beautiful Latin rhythms that celebrate Brazil so naturally. Anne Walsh handles both the tempo and the Portuguese language very comfortably.  On the composition, “Take Me to Aruanda” Walsh is playful and duets with the horn.  On “Dindi” Tom Zink’s piano and the addition of Charlie Bisharat’s violin, Tom Lea’s viola and Irina Chirkova’s cello add delicate and lush beauty to this arrangement. Anne adds her own original song lyrics to the “Beach Samba” song, then scats her way through the tune.  This is Easy Listening Latin Jazz and Anne Walsh has a soothing, clear and compelling voice.

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CATHY SEGAL-GARCIA & PHILLIP STRANGE – “LIVE IN JAPAN” – Origin Records

Cathy Segal-Garcia, vocals/composer; Phillip Strange, piano.

This is a project recorded nearly thirty years ago, (1992) but it’s still fresh and exciting.  The ‘live’ performance shows off the very best of Cathy Segal-Garcia’s range and style.  It also features the wonderful and inventive piano playing of Phillip Strange.  It’s a 2-CD set, opening with “I’m In the Mood for Love” where Cathy sings the original melody, with quite a few of her own twists and complimentary turns, then stretches out to sing James Moody’s famous rendition (Moody’s Mood for Love).  This is a jazz duet that is fresh and complimentary with both artists innovative and improvising on a theme spontaneously. After all, that’s what makes jazz so wonderful.  The freedom it reflects and the intricacies of transforming the music into something fresh and new can be quite exciting. For example, they play “You’ve Changed” as an upbeat Latin number.  I enjoyed their take on “When You Wish Upon a Star.” The two musicians, offer us twenty-three songs in this double CD set. Cathy is constantly playing with time, stretching meters like taffy, but you can clearly hear the comfort level and warm camaraderie between these two musicians during this ‘live’ performance.

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MARIA MENDES – “SAUDADE, COLOUR OF LOVE” – LIVE IN AMSTERDAM with METROPOLE ORKEST CONDUCTED by JOHN BEASLEY” – Challenge Records

Maria Mendes, vocals/composer/arranger; John Beasley, conductor/arranger/orchestrator/ KeyWi/keyboards/producer/composer; Cédric Hanriot, piano/keyboards; Jasper Somsen, double bass; Mário Costa, drums/percussion.  METROPOLE ORKEST: 1^st VIOLINS: Vera Laporeva, Jasper van Rosmalen, Sarah Koch, Pauline Terlouw, Christina Knoll, Saskia Frijns. 2^nd VIOLINS: Herman van Haaren, Willem Kok, Ruben Margarita, Robert Baba, Xaquin Carro Cribeiro, Lonnid Nikishin; VIOLA: Norman Jansen, Mieke Honingh, Iris Schut, Isabella Petersen; CELLO: Joel Stepmann, Emile Visser, Annie Tángberg, Jascha Albracht. FLUTE: Mariël van den Bos, Janine Abbas; OBOE/ Cor anglaise; Maxime Le Minter; CLARINET: Christof May, Max Boreree; FRENCH HORN: Pieter Hunfeld.

There are few things as exciting and as challenging as singing with a full orchestra.  Maria Mendes has a voice, toned by technique and colored with emotion, that soars like another instrument atop the awesome arrangements of the Metropole Orkest conducted by John Beasley.  Mendes explores and explains the Portuguese word ‘saudade.’ This word refers to one’s desire to regain the past, hoping it will become the present again. It also represents the belief that destiny is something no one can escape. Some things are just meant to be.

“Surprisingly, I find these (meanings) comparable with love, as love can strike at any moment leaving us powerless, coloring our lives with grey as well as bright rainbow colors,” Maria Mendes explains in her liner notes.

‘Fado music’ has fused this project. It’s a music form familiar and popular with Portuguese people and fuels all those who seek nostalgic love of the past or, for that matter, love in the present. So that title of ‘Fado’ is almost a twin to ‘saudade.’  Mendes has embraced the two words during this project, combining jazz with the wonderful world of Portugal and her affection for that culture.  She offers us Portuguese Folk songs, colorfully arranged and plush with orchestration. The mastery of John Beasley as arranger and conductor shines like gold. This project is Maria Mendes’ dream-come-true album, recorded, May of 2022 in Amsterdam.  Her voice is as natural and multi-layered as the orchestra and her exquisite range soars above the instruments like a powerful bird in flight.  Maria’s range is astounding and the way she weaves jazzy scat sounds into the production is both unique and ear-catching.  John Beasley builds the production around her vocals beautifully, attentive to the details of her delivery, while all the time, enriching this amazing orchestra with his sensitive, dynamic arrangements. 

There is a photograph inside the album jacket, of a song penned expressly for Maria Mendes by Hermeto Pascoal.  He has written original, musical notes on the back of a plastic emergency exit instruction card for Maria to keep and treasure, the same way she treasures his talent and musical sensibilities. It’s a song he penned exclusively for her titled, “Hermeto’s Fado for Maria.”  She opens this arrangement with vocal scats and melodic tones, an instrument in her own right. Another favorite is track #6, the emotional ballad, “E Se Nao For Fado,” featuring Cédric Hanriot on piano. 

Here is an artistic and unusual project, infused with jazz, rich with classical overtones and culturally prominent.  it represents the Portuguese, historical, Fado folk music and the talent of Maria Mendes.  Perhaps she explained this musical experience best when she said:

“This is no Fado album.  This is no traditional jazz music.  This is an adventure that is real and can be felt by everyone, as love is.”

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JAZZ IS AN OPEN WINDOW TO CHANGE

By Dee Dee McNeil

August 6, 2022

One thing I know about jazz, it’s respected and revered all over the world.  It’s our sacred American folk music, created by African Americans and embraced by all cultures who appreciate the concept of pure art and freedom. The albums I have reviewed for this column, each in their own unique way, musically reverberate this notion.

MIGUEL ZENÓN – “MUSICA DE LAS AMERICAS – Miel Music

Miguel Zenón, alto saxophone/composer; Luis Perdomo, piano; Hans Glawischnig, bass; Henry Cole, drums; Emil Martinez, Edwin ‘Wechin’ Avilés, Joshuan Ocasio, Joseph Ocasio & Jeyluix Ocasio, Panderos/percussion/vocals; Paoli Mejias, percussion; Victor Emmanuelli, Barril de Bomba; Daniel Diaz, congas.

Because of this renowned saxophonists’ deep love of music, geography and history, Miguel Zenón has often wondered what the Americas, post-colonization, were like?  What did this part of the world look like before 1491?  Who lived here and how did they arrive on these lands?  His album pays tribute to that concept. Best known for his ability to blend and enhance American jazz with modernism, soaked in folk and traditional Puerto Rican music, this new music is meant to reflect Americas various cultures and their encounters with European colonists.  Often, the tunes seem to portray two instruments sparring with each other. This is extremely evident on “Opresion y Revolucion.”  The percussive excitement is palpable throughout this album.

On the opening tune, “Tainos y Caribes,” Luis Perdomo’s piano solo is fluid and energy driven. Henry Cole’s drums are an amazing source of spirit and drive as Perdomo’s fingers race up and down the 88-keys. Miguel Zenón is inspired on his alto saxophone.  The melody unfolds, rolling like a rich red carpet down the jazz improvisation path. There is the feel of native American Indian music playing beneath Miguel’s solo, beating like a tom-tom, expressed by the piano and bass.  Then Hans Glawischnig steps into the spotlight with his double bass, continuing that rhythmic mix of cultures. At the tune’s ending, Miguel Zenón’s saxophone is a bird, an arrow, a prayer whispering across a moonlit sky. 

“… two predominant societies, who were very different; the Tainos were a more passive agricultural society, while the Caribes were warriors who lived for conquest,” explains Zenón, who endeavors to capture the clashing of societies in this arrangement.

The Western exploitation of South America’s resources became Zenón’s inspiration for composing “Venas Abiertas.” He composed this song after reading the classic Eduardo Galeano’s “Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent.” This is told to us in the press package, but for this innocent listener’s ears, I only hear the complexity of the arrangement, the beauty of Miguel’s alto saxophone and the dynamic percussive contributions.

Victor Emmanuelli introduces us to Track #6 with his awesome ‘Barril de Bamba’ percussion solo. He really snatches my attention. The term ‘Bambula’ is a reference to a dance brought to American shores by African slaves. Over time, ‘Bambula’ became the term for a rhythm commonly called “habanera.”  It’s prominent in much of Latin American music today. 

“It’s a thread from New Orleans to Brazil to Central America, back to Africa and across all these eras from the past to contemporary pop,” Miquel Zenón teaches us with his music.

Six minutes into the song, he arranges a sultry, sexy ballad to step forward into the mix, giving us just a surprising minute of relief from the intense energy and then races back into the original tempo, carrying us along with the band on a musical train to outer limits. His alto saxophone ends the piece with a repetitive call to action, like a warning bell from the past, flashing red light signals to the dangerous and aggressive present.

As a multiple Grammy nominee and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow, Miguel Zenón is one of a select group of musicians.  His goal of blending the often-contradictory poles of jazz freedom, creativity and tradition is to be applauded.  Zenón’s unique voice, both as a composer and on his tenor saxophone, continue to startle our senses alive.  Miguel Zenón’s music awakens something deep within the soul and human spirit. He invites us to just sit still, listen, contemplate and be open to change.

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DENNIS MITCHELTREE – “GOLDEN RULE” – Dengor Music

Dennis Mitcheltree, tenor saxophone/composer; Johannes Wallmann, piano; Jesse Crawford, bass; Bill McClellan, drums.

Dennis Mitcheltree has composed all nine songs on his recent release and the quartet opens with a jazz waltz he wrote for his son “Tai.” It’s a pleasant listen. This is Mitcheltree’s sixth album as a bandleader. He has named Track #2 after the COVID virus.  It’s called “Omicron” and gives drummer Bill McClellan a platform to showcase his percussive skills. “Sarah” is a pretty but sad ballad, with an introduction by Johannes Wallmann’s piano.  Dennis Mitcheltree has a warm tone on his tenor saxophone. He reminds me a little bit of Stan Getz.  Mitcheltree delivers this “Sarah” tribute to his girlfriend in a very pensive way, coloring the sweet and interesting melody with saxophone tenderness.  One of my favorite tunes on this album is the Mitcheltree composition “Via Dance” where the quartet lays down a moderate swing in a very finger-snapping sway. 

His tune “Bling Tone” sounds like it’s based on the standard tune “If I Were A Bell” and becomes another vehicle to allow Mitcheltree to take flight with tenor saxophone improvisation. His “Golden Rule” album speaks directly to doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.  If people paid more attention to this one passage from the bible, it would quickly solve most of the world’s problems. Dennis Mitcheltree’s album is scheduled for an October 2022 release.

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  DAVE SLONAKER BIG BAND – “CONVERGENCY” – Origin Records

Dave Slonaker, composer/arranger/bandleader; Larry Koonse, guitar; Ed Czach, piano; Edwin Livingston, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; Brian Kilgore, percussion; REEDS: Bob Sheppard, alto & soprano  saxophones/flute; Brian Scanlon, alto & soprano saxophone/flute/clarinet; Rob Lockart, tenor saxophone/clarinet; Tom Luer, tenor saxophone/clarinet; Adam Schroeder & Jay Mason, baritone saxophone/bass clarinet; TRUMPET/FLUGELHORN: Wayne Bergeron, Dan Fornero, Ryan Deweese, Clay Jenkins & Ron Stout. TROMBONES: Alex Iles, Charlie Morillas, Ido Meshulam & Bill Reichenbach, bass trombone/tuba.

This album of quality music opens with what sounds like a country/western music gathering and then explodes into a rich, boisterous jazz big band arrangement. It’s the title tune of Dave Slonaker’s latest recording, “Convergency,” and it’s a wonderful way to open-up this impressive production. The horns dance and sway like curtains in the wind.  Then Adam Schroeder steps into the spotlight on baritone saxophone, shining bright as sunshine. The light touch of Ed Czach’s fingers across the piano keys gives a few seconds of sweet tension release, after the much-appreciated baritone sax solo.  The amazing Peter Erskine drum solo closes this piece out with finality and brilliance.

Here is an artistic production that celebrates big band beauty in an unforgettable way.  Part of the reason for this masterpiece are Dave Slonaker’s compositions and arrangements.  The other part of the brilliance is thanks to the A-list of Southern California jazz cats.  They bring their own mastery to the party, interpreting each of Slonaker’s original songs the way a diamond cutter polishes his stones. Just listen to Larry Koonse, on guitar, deliver his solo on “Uncommonly Ground” or Bob Sheppard fly around the chord changes of “Duelity” on his alto saxophone with mad improvisation, dueling with Stout’s trumpet interpretations.  Ron Stout’s trumpet brings out his own “Inner Voices” during this composition along with Rob Lockart’s tenor sax. The trumpet of Clay Jenkins takes “A Curve in the Road” and makes me feel like I’m riding with him in his sporty coupe, speeding down an open highway. Clay’s horn is expressive, fluid and creative.  When Tom Luer’s tenor kicks into the tune, it feels like that coupe I visualize just had a gear change. The harmonic horn parts blow like a hot summer breeze and Brian Scanlon’s alto saxophone infuses this piece with very cool tones. Once again, Erskine’s tumultuous drums infuse the arrangement with high energy and slap the ending into place like the screech of brakes. Slonaker’s “A Gathering Circle” was inspired by a visit to a Native American Indian village museum.  It’s meant to epitomize a meeting place where people gather and that idea of ‘coming together.’  In a nation that currently seems so polarized, Brian Scanlon’s soprano saxophone sings like a bird of peace. The guitar improvisation of Larry Koonse is warm and wonderful. I love the circular feel to the rhythm that reminds us of the American Indian culture and propels this piece throughout Slonaker’s entire arrangement. It’s one of my favorite tunes on this album.

Every original composition and each awesome arrangement by Dave Slonaker offer intrigue and surprise. Slonaker’s arrangements are well-written chapters of a musical book. Like any good novel, this album has me totally engaged. Each tune becomes another intriguing page for me to read, turn with great expectation, and enjoy.

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CALVIN KEYS – “BLUE KEYS” –  Wide Hive Records

Calvin Keys, guitar/composer; Henry Franklin, bass/composer; Scott Brown, bass; Mike Blakenship, piano/composer; Gregory Howe, organ/piano/percussion/composer; Mike Hughes & Thomas McCree, drums; Gary Bartz & Doug Rowan, saxophones; Mike Renta, trombone; Steve Turre, trombone/trumpet shells; Babatunde Lea, congas/percussion.

Calvin Keys always brings something fresh and creative to the studio. This album is no exception to that rule. I remember him from his music on Gene’s Black Jazz Record label. Calvin Keys has always been able to blend jazz with funk, strong R&B grooves with Straight-ahead power, and his extraordinary and unique guitar style.

The songs on this new album are inspired and the arrangements kept me entertained and surprised. That’s what jazz is about. Reinventing music with new perspectives. Opening with “Peregrines Dive,” the saxophone mimics a falcon winging its way across the skies. The music dips and dives, with the drums propelling the energy forward. Composed by Calvin Keys with co-writers, trombonist Mike Renta, piano man, Mike Blankenship, and the multi-talented Gregory Howe, this is a brilliant way to begin a musical escapade that celebrates various grooves, moods and genres. I would have enjoyed crediting each musician for their contributions, but there are multiple bass players, drummers and pianists listed on this wonderful album of original music. I can’t tell who is playing on which tune, thanks to the CD cover design. The fault lies with the album designer, and I might add, all those low-level blue tones on the cover make it impossible to see the artists and difficult to read their names on the CD cover. What a shame! And is Babatunde’s name misspelled? Despite this less-than-stellar design of the CD jacket, the music is spectacular. Track #2, “Ck 22” is an exciting and funk-based jazz tune with a prominent bass line that becomes the melodic backbone of the tune by Calvin Keys. “Ajafika” was written by Gregory Howe, and I love the way those drums and percussion parts color this creative music. Calvin adds his electronic guitar sounds to the mix, with an undercurrent of rock and roll. Still, this arrangement makes perfect sense, even though it’s not like anything I’ve really heard lately, and I listen to music every single day.  That’s a nod and a fist pump to the genius of Calvin Keys. Many of his band members are also composers and contribute to this project in a very positive way.  That blues guitar on “Making Rain” just thrilled me to the bone. Composed by Henry Franklin and Calvin Keys, these two expert musicians shine in a trio situation, with the drummer placing tasty licks of rhythm at all the appropriate places. The title tune is another blues, with Calvin Keys wailin’ on the guitar and the horn section moaning harmonically in the background.

It’s nice to have Calvin Keys back on the recording scene. For a short while, he had to lay low and recuperate after a quadruple bypass surgery on his heart, back in 1997. However, he quickly rebounded and was on the road again promoting his album ‘Detours into Unconscious Rhythms,’ another Wide Hive Records release.  Three other albums followed. In 2005 his ‘Calvinesque’ album climbed up the jazz charts and reached #30. Calvin Keys remains relevant and working in Northern California, where he is a teacher at the Oakland Public Conservatory (OPC) and Calvin also gives private lessons. This is a strong production of creative, original jazz music and creme-de-la-crème of seasoned jazz players.

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GLENN DICKSON – “WIDER THAN THE SKY” – Naftule’s Dream Recordings

Glenn Dickson, clarinet & live loops.

Glenn Dickson’s music sounds open and ethereal, like space itself.  His music personifies the title of this unusual recording where Dickson is playing his clarinet along with recorded loops and exploring the outer limits of his own creativity. He opens with “Introit” and his clarinet sounds like a flute, like a bird, like a Leprechaun dancing through Irish fields. He inspires my imagination.  His composition, “Gentle Touch” is music that is quite meditative.  With the use of electronics and over-dubbing on work by guitarist Robert Fripp, flautist, Paul Horn and various klezmer clarinetists, Glenn Dickson builds layers of music, as sweet as cake, letting his silky clarinet tones drip like icing over the melodic dessert.  His compositions sooth and relax me. On Track #4, “Memories Lost” I get the feelings that I’m floating in space, surrounded by galaxies and stars, moons and planets.  No wonder Glenn Dickson titled this work, “Wider Than the Sky.”  His music has a feeling of spaciousness.

As a bandleader and creative artist, Glenn Dickson has recorded albums, played major jazz festivals worldwide, played with the Philly Pops and on Woody Allen and Sidney Lumet’s movie soundtracks.  He has created award-winning collaborations with Maurice Sendak (i.e., “Pincus & the Pig”) and NPR’s Ellen Kushner’s (“The Golden Dreydl”).  As a composer he has received a Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Grant.  Always looking for new and fresh ways to explore his instrument and his creativity, Dickson has toured with an eclectic rock band called Hypnotic Clambake and with Greek bands Revma and Taximi.  He uses his imagination to push the boundaries of jazz, blowing down the walls with his clarinet creativity. Glenn Dickson encourages us to think outside the perimeters that bind us.  He wants us to think “Wider Than the Sky.”

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STEVE KNIGHT – “PERSISTENCE” – Independent Label

Steve Knight, guitar/composer; Justin Peterson, bass; Jeff Stitley, drums.

Steve Knight is a Chicago-based guitarist and composer.  “Persistence” is the title of this, his debut album, and perhaps he says it all in the title.  Knight says it took him 18-COVID locked-down months to compose the opening track, “Suspects” but only twenty minutes to pen his composition, ”Real Type Things.”  He mused in his liner notes, that the tune seemed to write itself. The “Suspects” song is catchy and reminds me of Wes Montgomery’s “Tequila” hit record with his first few notes.  It soon melodically changes to offer us Knight’s own melodic path, but I can hear, in his playing, that he studied Montgomery’s guitar style. “Real Type Thing” is soaked in the blues, with Jeff Stitley pumping a funk drum lick underneath the arrangement to spur it forward. Justin Peterson, another respected Chicago jazz cat, takes a bass solo, but it’s Steve Knight’s bright guitar lines that carry this debut album into the new-artist spotlight.  His music is a mix of jazz and commercial viability. Steve Knight and his trio began working on this album during the pandemic shutdown, presenting weekly concerts from Knight’s backyard and later, their popularity inspired the city council to invite them to perform in the local park for the pleasure and appreciation of the neighborhood.

“I don’t like music that seems to be written just for other musicians.  A jazz guitarist is part poet and part athlete.  I think (George) Benson strikes the perfect balance.  He’s an incredible technician on the guitar, but his music is very accessible for a general audience,” Steve Knight explains his purposeful recording goal. 

Knight began to play guitar at twelve-years old.  He stepped off his skateboard and into music, when he became fascinated by a Sears electric guitar with a built-in, 9-volt powered amp.  He was encouraged to practice and dive into mastering his guitar chops when he was grounded by his parents for six long months.  Knight says it was a totally legitimate punishment, but the boring hours at home helped him to practice and improve his guitar playing. Knight attended  Emporia State University in Kansas and majored in theater.  But because he could play guitar and read music, he was soon invited to join the college orchestra and the school’s big band.  Always in search of artistic outlets, Steve Knight graduated college and worked in theater as a director.  He also became a professor who played jazz gigs on the side. He moved to New York City and before he could get his feet properly grounded in the Big Apple, Knight was hired by Carnival Cruise Lines to play in their dance and theater bands while sailing around the world. That’s a wonderful opportunity to tighten up your ‘chops.’ Once he planted his feet on solid ground again, Steve Knight began studying with guitar masters like Mark Sherman, Mark Whitfield and Jack Wilkins. Inspired by Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall and Grant Green, he enjoys teaching guitar, composing and performing.  He moved to Chicago, Ill in 2016 and joined their vibrant and demanding jazz scene.  His composition, “Chop Chop” reflects the excitement and fast tempo that Chicago always inspires.  It also showcases the technical tenacity of all three musicians, giving each one an opportunity to solo and strut their stuff. This is an enjoyable listen with the persistent spotlight shining brightly on Steve Knight and his guitar.

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FRANK KIMBROUGH – “LULLABLUEBYE, VOL. ONE”/”PLAY, VOL. TWO” – Palmetto Records

Frank Kimbrough, piano/composer; Ben Allison & Masa Kamaguchi, bass; Matt Wilson & Paul Motian, drums.

This is a tribute album that celebrates the life and musicianship of the late pianist and composer Frank Kimbrough, recorded in a trio setting.  Kimbrough unexpectedly passed away in December of 2020.  This is a compilation, double-set album that celebrates his art from 2003 through 2006. It’s a beautiful listen, featuring two different trios and Kimbrough’s exquisite composer skills.

“Everytime I play music it is a special occasion, especially when I’m playing with these gentlemen,” Frank Kimbrough once said about his choice of trio players.

You will hear Kimbrough’s comfort-level on these two CDs with his choice of two sets of bandmates.  His piano mastery is both subtle and melodic; thoughtful and creative.  Kimbrough is well-known for his 25-year tenure with the Maria Schneider Orchestra.  Soon after he arrived in New York City, during the early 1990s, Kimbrough and bassist, Ben Allison co-founded the Jazz Composers Collective. When Frank Kimbrough merged talents with the Herbie Nichols Project, that brought him to Palmetto Records and they recorded his 2001 album, “Strange City.”

Frank Kimbrough had the ability to present something that sounds quite simplistic in a rare and deeply intricate way. Take, for example, the title track of “Lullabluebye.” His composition is a 22-bar blues (not the eight or twelve-bar-blues you might expect) in the simplistic key of C.  But don’t get it twisted.  There is nothing simple about the way Kimbrough composes or arranges his music.  He just makes it sound easy.  This tune opens volume one of Kimbrough’s two-set CD and clearly introduces us to Frank Kimbrough, the pianist. I note that he is quite succinct with his musical ideas. I enjoy the way Ben Allison plays tag with Kimbrough’s piano, especially on the fade where they seem to be playfully chasing each other, using spontaneous improvisational lines. I enjoyed his composition “Centered” which is based on an augmented triad that he centered over the chord changes in various and unexpected ways. That may not mean much to you, if you aren’t a musician, but for layman ears this song sounds pensive and exploratory, perhaps like someone trying to find the center of themselves. His tune “Ode” is a tribute to Kimbrough’s friend and inspired musician, Andrew Hill. Kimbrough said this composition is based in perseverance and dignity, a high compliment to Mr. Hill. On the funk-based song “Eu Bu,” Matt Wilson is given an extended drum solo and the bass of Ben Allison is prominent, not only in the rhythm section but also as a featured instrument. Allison contributed one well-written, original song to this Vol. 1 titled simply, “Ben’s Tune.” 

On Volume Two, the disc is titled “Play.”  Track #2 is called “The Spins” and sounds like it was inspired by Thelonious Monk. It’s an uptempo waltz and Kimbrough says he wrote it in memory of Steve Lacy, but it’s very Monkish. On this second CD, Paul Motian’s drums propel the music forward and Masa Kamaguchi takes a significant bass solo during the track-two arrangement.

This is a lovely recording that musically memorializes the talented composer/pianist Frank Kimbrough. I will enjoy playing it again and again because of the peace and tranquility it exudes.

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GEOFFREY KEEZER & FRIENDS – “PLAYDATE” –  Markeez Records

Geoffrey Keezer, piano/composer/arranger; Shedrick Mitchell, Hammond B3 organ/composer; Ron Blake, tenor & soprano saxophones; Richie Goods, acoustic and electric basses; Kendrick Scott, drums; Munyungo Jackson, percussion; Nir Felder, guitar; Aayushi Karnick, guitar; Elizabeth Steiner, Harp; Rachel Drehmann, French horn. VIOLINS: Lady Jess (lead/ contractor); Sara Caswell, Claire Chan, JD Hunter, Hajnal Pivnic, Curtis Stewart, Tiffany Weiss, Orlando Wells. VIOLAS: Tia Allen, Andrew Griffin, Celia Hatton & Trevor New. CELLOS: Maria Jeffers, Sasha Ono & Zsaz Rutkowski.

A sweeping string section introduces us to Geoffrey Keezer’s first original tune called “Refuge.” When the horns enter, it becomes a full-fledged orchestra.  Then the spotlight moves to pinpoint Geoffrey Keezer, sitting at the piano.  It’s a thrilling moment. His piano solo changes the entire texture of the tune and puts the “J” in jazz.  Talk about ‘opening a window to change,’ in the first twenty-four bars of this song, Keezer and his amazing ensemble of musicians take us on a magic carpet ride. Fasten your seatbelt.  Keezer and friends cover all the nuances that you look for in jazz; melody, harmony, improvisation, surprise and technical skill.  It’s all here.

“I want there to be moments on this record that make you do a double take.  I want it to be unpredictable and exciting and fun to listen to,” Geoffrey Keezer shares.  

Well mission accomplished, Mr. Keezer!  When Shedrick Mitchell appears on his Hammond B3 organ, letting Ron Blake introduce him with a straight-ahead and inventive tenor solo, I am already captivated by the variations in this arrangement.  Aayushi Karnik continues the pleasant surprises with his fusion guitar solo and Munyungo Jackson adds percussive brilliance throughout, locked in with Kendrick Scott’s drums and fattening the rhythm.  This opening song was such a mind-blowing surprise that I had to play it twice.

Track #2, I.L.Y.B.D. is spurred by the blues and there is nothing I love more than an organ playing the blues. It reminds me of nights I spent sitting in Jimmy Smith’s historic club on the West Coast and soaking up his rot-gut, jazzy organ blues. Blake swings hard on saxophone and then Geoffrey Keezer enters. His technical and spiritual merge, like coffee and cream.  I just want to drink up his amazing talent.  I know that part of the title of this tune means “I Love You Because…” but what does the ‘D’ stand for?

Shedrick Mitchell has composed the very beautiful ballad, “Her Look, Her Touch.”  We get an opportunity to hear Geoffrey Keezer expand his ferocious talents in a slow and emotional way. Ron Blake’s interpretation on tenor is both tender and expressive. The ensemble’s interpretation of Quincy Jones’ hit record composed by the Johnson brothers and singer, songwriter Siedah Garrett is beautifully reinterpreted.  “Tomorrow” never sounded so good.

This album has Grammy written all over it.

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ROGER LEWIS “ALRIGHT!” – Irresistible Revolutionary Records

Roger Lewis, alto/baritone/soprano/tenor saxophones; Herlin Riley, drums; Kirk Joseph, sousaphone; Don Paul, spoken word vocals; Erica Falls, singing vocals; Michael Torregano Jr., keyboards; Mario Abney, trumpet.

Roger Lewis first saw a saxophone in his cousin Alvin Bailey’s room, sticking out from under his bed. Curious, the young boy picked it up and tried it out; blew into it; examined it; ran his fingers along its length.  The instrument stirred something deep and emotional inside of Roger.  He began to craft saxophone shapes out of rolled-up newspapers. So began his infatuation with music.

Born October 5, 1941, Roger Lewis is in his eightieth year and still going strong.  He has dedicated sixty years to music and this is his debut album as a bandleader.  It’s stuffed with spirit, memories, poetry, ghosts of the past and hope for the future. Roger is playing all four saxophones to express himself.  He’s a native of New Orleans and his music reflects that soulful, Louisiana jazz legacy.  He toured with Eddie Bo and a plethora of bands. Roger started gigging around the New Orleans scene before he was seventeen. He worked with Deacon John and the Ivories.  As part of the DDBB, George Wein signed them to Concord Records and they travelled to Europe, moving from a lounge band to playing at the Montreux Jazz Festival. DDBB recorded four albums for Columbia from 1989 to 1992. Herlin Riley brings youth and excitement on his drums and the soothing voice of Don Paul on spoken word is an unexpected addition to the recording. I enjoyed the sensitive interaction of Don’s voice with Roger’s expressive saxophone improvisation. Roger Lewis has interwoven poetry, history and spirits into his horn-playing like knitting needles weaving a shawl.  His music covers us, warms us and surprises us with both its intensity and rawness.

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