Thursday, February 26, 2015

Amanda Castro live @ Steamers, this Friday

THIS FRI FEB 27 8P-MID $8 ALL AGES-
AMANDA CASTRO WITH THE PAT ARANDA QUARTET

Steamers Jazz Club and Cafe
138 W. Commonwealth Ave
Fullerton, CA 92832
Ph: 714-871-8800
jazz@steamersjazz.com
www.steamersjazz.com

Amanda Castro is a young jazz singer specializing in well known and lesser known songs of the 1920's and 1930's, adding her own unique mix of Latin rhythms,  New Orleans soul, and genuine blues feeling. She started studying voice at the age of 15 and has been singing professionally for the last two years, appearing in some of Southern California's most well known jazz clubs, including Angel's, Nola's, The Hip Kitty, and now Steamers. In addition, Amanda has also appeared as a feature performer at community music festivals and other entertainment events. Audiences at an Amanda Castro performance have said, "It's not just a band! It's a show!" And a show it is!

Combining high energy musical performance with witty audience rapport and exciting band arrangements, Amanda makes the stage come alive with her own renditions of down and dirty New Orleans blues, sultry Latin songs and straight ahead swinging standards. Consisting of professional jazz musicians with performance experience at international jazz festivals, film, television, Disneyland, and high profile celebrity gigs, the highly versatile band is equally adept at grooving on a Latin samba as much as treating the audience to a taste of authentic New Orleans.  Fans of the Amanda Castro show keep returning for the exciting mixture of great jazz styles offered up by this up and coming singer. Amanda and the band invite you to come experience a fun and entertaining jazz show!

Lenore Raphael returns to Jazz Tuesdays, March 3

Help us welcome back pianist Lenore Raphael when she returns to "Jazz Tuesdays" at the Gillespie Auditorium (between University Place & B'way) in the NYC Baha'i Center, 53 East 11 St. on Tuesday, March 3. 

Lenore and her Trio, with Howard Arlen on guitar and Kelly Friesen on bass, will celebrate their latest CD "Love Notes."

There will be 2 shows at 8:00 and 9:30 pm.  Tickets will be sold at the door or call 212-222-5159 for information and advanced sales. Admission is 15.00, $10.00 for students.

For more about acts at "Jazz Tuesdays", check out our websites at www.jazzbeat.com &www.facebook.com/JazzTuesdays

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Anna Mjöll with the Pat Senatore Trio back @ Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill & Jazz, Feb 27

This next Friday, February 27 at 9pm, Icelandic Jazz Princess and one of my favorite singers, Anna Mjoll, returns to Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill and Jazz (2930 N Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles).

As usual, she will be backed by the fantastic Pat Senatore Trio: Tom Ranier, piano; Dan Schnelle, drums; and Pat Senatore on bass, one of my idols since the Tijuana Brass days.
Not to be missed!

Also this Wednesday, Yuko Ito @ Kitano!

NY-based Japanese vocalist Yuko Ito will be appearing @ NY's Kitano this Wenesday, Feb 25, backed by a stellar trio of Brazilian musicians: Cidinho Teixeira (aka Cidinho "Chiko's Bar") on piano, Gustavo Amarante on bass, and Mauricio Zottarelli on drums.

She celebrates her new CD release, "O Cantador," titled after the famous Dori Caymmi-Nelson Motta introduced by Nana Caymmi (with a great arrangement by Lindolfo Gaya) fifty years ago, in 1966. The album, already available at cdbaby, also includes tunes by Djavan, Marcos Valle, and Milton Nascimento.

Jay Leonhart Concert Window Feb. 25, Live from West End Avenue#2

Jay Leonhart is one of my favorite bassists (as showcased in albums by Gerry Mulligan, Don Sebesky, Joe Beck, Mel Tormé, Louie Bellson, Morgana King, Gerry Niweood, James Taylor, Bette Midler, Eddie Higgins, Lee Konitz, Queen Latifah, the list goes on and on), an excellent singer/songwriter and one of the best "jazz entertainers" of all time. I love his solo albums, specially the "Salamander Pie" CD, recorded in 1983 for Tom Jung's memorable DMP label, and was fortunate to attend several of his apperances at the Blue Note NY brunch. As a composer, he belongs to the same galaxy of Dave Frishberg, something that means a lot! Not to mention that he is the father of the great jazz chanteuse Carolyn Leonhart.

Well... Jay will be doing the second concert of his Concert Window series on Wednesday, February 25 at 7:30 PM. He will perform his own songs, including some new works you have not heard.

Jay Leonhart is constantly writing poems and songs about what he sees, what he thinks he saw, or what he knows he didn't see. No matter. These songs will be full of imagination from this heralded jazz songwriter. And his bass playing is worth the price of the ticket, which can be free if you so choose!

Tune in and chat with Jay as the show progresses and watch him try to answer chats and remember his lyrics at the same time. It's fun and very musical. Don't miss it!

Wednesday Feb. 25 at 7:30 PM--Jay Leonhart Live from West End Avenue. Just go here: https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/13719-jay-leonhart-live

R.I.P.: Clark Terry

R.I.P.: Clark Terry
(born on December 14, 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA;
died on February 21, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA)

"Every musician in the world who ever met Clark Terry is a better musician & person because of it. He now belongs to the ages." - Christian McBride

Services for Clark Terry will be held at the Abyssinian Baptist Church on Saturday, February 28th at 10:00 a.m., led by Dr. Calvin Butts. Clark will be laid to rest at the Woodlawn Cemetery following the service. Funeral services entrusted to P.K. Miller Mortuary, Pine Bluff, Arkansas and George H. Weldon Funeral Home, New York City.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Jazz Foundation of America which has helped over the years to make sure that Clark's needs were met. Please note on donations that they be made "In Honor of Clark Terry" to help them continue this work.
Randy Brecker: "This is going to be a tough day. Just heard about Clark Terry's passing. In 1965 I won a trumpet prize at the Notre Dame Jazz festival and the award was handed to me by Clark Terry a judge at the Fest. A year or so later after moving to NYC a phone rang in my apt, I picked up, and a voice on the other end said: "Hello Randy this is Clark Terry. Would you like to join my Big Band?" Thus began a life in Music... 
CT was an amazing instrumentalist just the best...his agility,tonguing,technical command of the instrument was second to none, and no one could play the blues like CT. No wonder he was idolized by Miles Davis. But beyond the music, CT's humanity was also second to none. He was LOVE personified. He mentored countless young musicians and shared his LOVE of life with everyone he came in contact with. It was real. He was the real thing....one of a kind. I'm proud to have known him and will miss him more that I can say. My heart goes out to his wife Gwen who took such great care of him for all these difficult years...LOVE wins!"
Doug Neal: "Rest in peace, Mr. Mumbles! You broke all that new ground in jazz education! You even put a little baby Miles on the right track. And you will be missed!"
My favorite Clark Terry concert ever documented on video. Originally released on vinyl as Pablo All-Stars Jam, but reissued on DVD as "Norman Granz' Jazz In Montreux Presents Clark Terry Sextet '77." Remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1, it really features an all-star team: Oscar Peterson, Ronnie Scott, Joe Pass, Milt Jackson, Niels Pedersen & Bobby Durham. The "band highlight" is the dazzling up-tempo version of Luiz Bonfa's bossa nova classic "Samba de Orfeu" (from the "Black Orpheus" soundtrack), but Clark Terry steals the show on his solo number, a haunting take on "God Bless The Child," performed on the flugelhorn.
And this is my personal favorite Clark Terry album as a leader: "Clark After Dark," a lush ochestral session produced by journalist Mike Hennessey and recorded from September 9 to 12, 1977 @ Olympic Sound Studio in London, UK, engineered by Keith Grant, England's equivalent to Rudy Van Gelder in terms of bigger-than-life sonic qualities. German master Peter Herbolzheimer did most of the arrangements, but a couple of songs ("November Song" & "Yesterdays") were scored by Horst Muhlbradt, and a third one ("Georgia On My Mind") by Jerry van Rooyeb. The original LP came out on the MPS label in 1978, and has been reissued on CD multiple times. My first vinyl copy was the one issued in my native Brazil by the Copacabana label, with a bad quality pressing; so, the one I listen to often nowadays is the CD reissue released in 1995 by Motor Music in Germany, with nice new liner notes by Hans Thomas. Top tracks: "Girl Talk," "Misty," "Emily," "November Song" and "Clark After Dark." Terry plays flugelhorn exclusively, and it's a document that his skills on this instrument were matched only by Art Farmer, Kenny Wheeler, Freddie Hubard and Chuck Mangione.
RIP: Clark Terry
Clark TerryIst am 21. Februar gestorben: Clark Terry

Sein persönliches Archiv übergab er bereits vor zehn Jahren der William Paterson University in New York. Er wollte damit seinen Beitrag zur Erweiterung der Jazzausbildung leisten. Das Archiv dokumentiert seine bis dahin 60-jährige Karriere als Musiker - neben Manuskripten und Arrangements enthält es auch eigens für ihn gebaute Instrumente und natrlich zahlreiche Schallplatten. Der Trompeter und Flgelhornist Clark Terry wurde am 14. Dezember 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri, geboren. Da seine Eltern sich den Kauf einer Trompete nicht leisten konnten, soll er sich seine ersten Instrumente selbst gebaut haben, indem er einen Trichter auf ein altes Stck Gartenschlauch setzte. Mit dem „Doodle-Tonguing” gelang es ihm später, durch einen speziellen Lippenansatz neue Klangnuancen auf seinem Instrument zu entwickeln. Terry trat in den 1940er-Jahren mit dem Count Basie Orchestra auf und war in den 1950er-Jahren einer der gefeierten Solisten in den Bands von Duke Ellington. 1957 glänzte er als herausragender Virtuose in Ellingtons und Billy Strayhorns Suite Such Sweet Thunder”, Entertainment-Qualitäten als Scat-Sänger zeigte er später in seinem erfolgreichsten Stück „Mumbles“.

Terry war Mentor und lebenslanger Freund von Miles Davis, auch Quincy Jones, mit dessen Band er 1960 durch Europa tourte, nahm einst Stunden bei Terry. Im selben Jahr wurde Terry der erste afroamerikanische, festangestellte Musiker beim Sender NBC, in dessen Tonight Show er auftrat. Danach grndete er seine eigene Big BAD Band, arbeitete als Studiomusiker und international gefeierter Solist. Der Trompeter wurde zu einem Wegbereiter der universitären Jazzausbildung und machte Workshops zu einer regelmäßigen Einkommensquelle fr tourende Musiker. Unter den zahlreichen Talenten, die Terry für eine Jazzkarriere entdeckte und förderte, ist auch die Sängerin Dianne Reeves. Auf Benefizveranstaltungen engagierte er sich fr die Jazz Foundation Of America's Musicians Emergency Fund, die in Not geratenen Jazzmusikern helfen soll. Neben Miles Davis galt Terry als einer der einflussreichsten Trompeter nach Louis Armstrong. Der mit allen bedeutenden Preisen ausgezeichnete Musiker litt seit vielen Jahren an Diabetis. Am 21. Februar ist Clark Terry nach langer, schwerer Krankheit in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, gestorben. Er wurde 94 Jahre alt. Seine Autobiografie erschien 2011 unter dem Titel The Autobiography Of Clark Terry.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

TBT, "Fantasy 20-Bit Digipack Series"








"Fantasy 20-Bit Digipack Series" coordinated & produced by Arnaldo DeSouteiro, originally released in November 2002. 

Press Release, intro

A BMG orgulhosamente apresenta os 20 títulos escolhidos para esta primeira serie de lançamentos em “digipack” da Fantasy Records, uma empresa de peculiar história no mundo do jazz.

Sim, melhor chamar a Fantasy Records de empresa do que de selo ou gravadora. Porque se trata, indiscutivelmente, do maior conglomerado de jazz na indústria fonográfica mundial!

Afinal, o que começou como um pequeno selo independente, fundado na cidade californiana de San Francisco, em 1949, pelos irmãos Max & Sol Weiss, transformou-se numa potência em 1968, quando um grupo de investidores – liderado por Saul Zaentz – comprou a gravadora que já tinha firmado seu prestígio graças ao sucesso de artistas como Dave Brubeck, Gerry Mulligan e Cal Tjader.

Sob o comando de Saul Zaentz, este sucesso e este prestígio se multiplicaram. Caso raro de amante do jazz dotado de imensa habilidade como administrador, além do faro para apostar pesado em novos talentos, Zaentz desde então passou a comprar vários selos de jazz, como Milestone, Riverside, Prestige, Galaxy, Debut, New Jazz, Contemporary e Good Time Jazz.

Formou, assim, um império nunca dantes visto no mercado jazzístico. E que viria ainda a incorporar, de forma inusitada, o selo Pablo, em 1987. Quando decidiu se aposentar, o próprio dono da Pablo (o produtor Norman Granz) procurou a Fantasy para propor a venda de sua empresa. Porque sabia que, sob os cuidados de Zaentz (chairman da Fantasy Incorporation) e de Ralph Kaffel, Presidente da Fantasy Records, seu precioso acervo estaria em muito boas mãos.

Vale comentar que, ao longo dos anos, a Fantasy também investiu com sucesso em outras áreas, adquirindo selos famosos de black music (Specialty, Stax), blues (Takoma) e folk (Kicking Mule), além de lançar o Creedence Clearwater Revival, um dos grupos de maior sucesso na história do rock! Sem falar da consagração de Saul Zaentz como produtor cinematográfico, responsável por filmes campeões de bilheteria e de premiações como “Um Estranho no Ninho” (vencedor de 5 Oscars), “Amadeus” (8 Oscars!), “A Insustentável Leveza do Ser” e “O Paciente Inglês” (outro Oscar-winner), cujas trilhas sonoras obviamente pertencem ao catálogo da Fantasy.

Por fim, torna-se importante esclarecer a grande diferença entre a Fantasy e selos como Verve e Blue Note, que também fizeram história no jazz. Há muito tempo, porém, ambos deixaram de ser companhias independentes, desde que a Verve foi vendida à MGM nos anos 60 e a Blue Note foi comprada pela Liberty nos anos 70. Passaram de mão em mão, e hoje a Verve funciona apenas como um selo dentro da Universal, assim como a Blue Note existe como uma marca da EMI. Ou seja: atualmente, a Fantasy Records é a única grande companhia independente de jazz em atividade nos Estados Unidos, e o maior catálogo de jazz no mundo!
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Fantasy 20-Bit Digipack Series (texto para dept. de vendas)

Antes de falar resumidamente sobre os 20 títulos escolhidos para esta primeira serie de lançamentos da Fantasy em Digipack, gostaria de fazer uma rápida explanação sobre a importância desta empresa.

Sim, melhor chamar a Fantasy Records de empresa do que de selo ou gravadora. Porque se trata, indiscutivelmente, do maior conglomerado de jazz na indústria fonográfica mundial!

Afinal, o que começou como um pequeno selo independente, fundado na cidade californiana de San Francisco, em 1949, pelos irmãos Max & Sol Weiss, transformou-se numa potência em 1968, quando um grupo de investidores – liderado por Saul Zaentz – comprou a gravadora que já tinha firmado seu prestígio graças ao sucesso de artistas como Dave Brubeck, Gerry Mulligan e Cal Tjader.

Sob o comando de Saul Zaentz, este sucesso e este prestígio se multiplicaram. Caso raro de amante do jazz dotado de imensa habilidade como administrador, além do faro para apostar pesado em novos talentos, Zaentz desde então passou a comprar vários selos de jazz, como Milestone, Riverside, Prestige, Galaxy, Debut, New Jazz, Contemporary e Good Time Jazz.

Formou, assim, um império nunca dantes visto no mercado jazzístico. E que viria ainda a incorporar, de forma inusitada, o selo Pablo, em 1987. Quando decidiu se aposentar, o próprio dono da Pablo (o produtor Norman Granz) procurou a Fantasy para propor a venda de sua empresa. Porque sabia que, sob os cuidados de Zaentz (chairman da Fantasy Incorporation) e de Ralph Kaffel, Presidente da Fantasy Records, seu precioso acervo estaria em muito boas mãos.

Vale comentar que, ao longo dos anos, a Fantasy também investiu com sucesso em outras áreas, adquirindo selos famosos de black music (Specialty, Stax), blues (Takoma) e folk (Kicking Mule), além de lançar o Creedence Clearwater Revival, um dos grupos de maior sucesso na história do rock! Sem falar da consagração de Saul Zaentz como produtor cinematográfico, responsável por filmes campeões de bilheteria e de premiações como “Um Estranho no Ninho” (vencedor de 5 Oscars), “Amadeus” (8 Oscars!), “A Insustentável Leveza do Ser” e “O Paciente Inglês” (outro Oscar-winner), cujas trilhas sonoras obviamente pertencem ao catálogo da Fantasy.

Por fim, torna-se importante esclarecer a grande diferença entre a Fantasy e selos como Verve e Blue Note, que também fizeram história no jazz. Há muito tempo, porém, ambos deixaram de ser companhias independentes, desde que a Verve foi vendida à MGM nos anos 60 e a Blue Note foi comprada pela Liberty nos anos 70. Passaram de mão em mão, e hoje a Verve funciona apenas como um selo dentro da Universal, assim como a Blue Note existe como uma marca da EMI. Ou seja: atualmente, a Fantasy Records é a única grande companhia independente de jazz em atividade nos Estados Unidos, e o maior catálogo de jazz no mundo!

************
O primeiro suplemento da série Fantasy 20-Bit Digipack – formado por obras-primas do catálogo da Fantasy Records – chega agora ao Brasil, via BMG, destacando alguns dos mais importantes artistas da história do jazz. Todos os CDs foram remasterizados com tecnologia digital de 20bits - o que permite uma resolução sonora muito superior aos CDs convencionais de 16bits, com maior ganho de “graves, médios e agudos” como diria Tim Maia – e estão sendo lançados em luxuosa embalagem no formato “digipack”, o predileto dos consumidores de jazz na Europa e no Japão. Todos eles (à exceção do lendário encontro de Tony Bennett & Bill Evans) editados pela primeira vez em CD no mercado brasileiro. Hoje, dez discos chegam às lojas. Na próxima semana, mais dez!
“Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco” marcou a estréia do conjunto de Cannonball (“Bola de canhão”, apelidado dado a Julian Adderley por seu porte físico), após a associação do saxofonista com Miles Davis. Representou também a consagração imediata de seu quinteto como o mais endiabrado grupo do chamado “funky jazz” (jazz funkeado) tão em moda no final dos anos 50. Para agravar a situação, este disco foi gravado ao vivo, em 1959, num clube de jazz de San Francisco, levando a platéia ao delírio com inflamadas performances de “This here”, “Spontaneous combustion” (o título diz tudo!) e “Hi-Fly” (obra-prima do mestre Randy Weston). O clássico “Straight, no chaser”, clássico de Thelonious Monk foi incorporado à esta reedição como bonus track.
Artista que transcendeu o mercado jazzístico para se tornar um astro pop de imensa popularidade, Chet Baker ficou conhecido como “o James Dean do jazz” em referência ao estilo rebelde e ao consumo de drogas. Virou “padrão de beleza” nos anos 50, por quem as mulheres suspiravam de tesão. Despertou fúria nos críticos conservadores porque, além de branco, ultrapassou até mesmo Miles Davis em matéria de fama e vendagens de disco. “It could happen to you”, gravado em 58, mostra outros motivos para tanto sucesso: além de exímio trompetista, Chet cantava maravilhosamente bem um repertório romântico (“The more I see you”, “Old devil moon”, “I’m old fashioned”, “Everything happens to me”) que viria a influenciar grandes nomes da bossa nova, como João Gilberto. Uma das faixas extras, “You make me feel so young”, tema frequente no repertório de Sinatra, recebe uma leitura singular. Mais “cool”, impossível.
A carreira de Chet teve altos e baixos, sempre por causa das drogas (era viciado em heroína) que o acabaram matando em 1988. Até hoje não se sabe se caiu ou foi jogado de um quarto de hotel em Amsterdam... Acidente? Suicídio? Assassinato? Certa vez, durante um show, foi nocauteado por um traficante. O soco afundou o trompete em sua boca, quebrando vários dentes. Foram anos até ele conseguir voltar a tocar! Mas, em 1973, surpreendeu a todos que o consideravam acabado, retornando à ativa por insistência do produtor Creed Taylor (da CTI Records) e gravando excelentes discos. Entre eles, este “Once upon a summertime” de 1977 para o selo Galaxy, exclusivamente instrumental, com participações do contrabaixista Ron Carter e do batera Mel Lewis. Sensacional álbum no estilo “hard-bop”, traz standards (“The song is you”), a linda faixa-título de Michel Legrand (composta em 1954 sob o nome “La valse des lilas”), e até mesmo um tema do ex-rival Miles Davis (“ESP”).

Muito antes de virar capa da revista “Time” por conta do mega-hit “Take five”, de autoria de seu saxofonista Paul Desmond, Dave Brubeck – que inaugurou o selo Fantasy em 1949 – já desfrutava de enorme popularidade. Principalmente no circuito universitário americano, conquistando uma fiel legião de fãs. Captado durante em 1953, “Jazz at Oberlin” é considerado o mais representativo da fase inicial desta lenda viva do jazz, cativando pelas originalíssimas concepções de Brubeck (eleito “melhor pianista” daquele ano pela Down Beat) e de Desmond, cuja inconfundível sonoridade aveludada de seu sax-alto foi por ele mesmo definida como um “dry Martini”. Os solos de ambos em “These foolish things” são aplaudidos no meio pela platéia em êxtase.
Outro “clássico” do catálogo da Fantasy, “Lush life” traz um dos maiores tenoristas de todos os tempos em sessões gravadas entre maio de 1957 e janeiro de 1958. Naquela época, paralelamente à sua carreira-solo, John Coltrane integrava o grupo de Miles Davis. Ao lado de nomes como Donald Byrd (trompete) e Red Garland (piano), John passeia por um repertório de standards, extravasando seu lirismo em temas suntuosos como “I love you”, “I hear a rhapsody” (uma das músicas favoritas de Bill Evans), “Like someone in love” e a faixa-título, obra-prima de Billy Strayhorn. Algo bem diferente da fase pós-“Giant steps” (mais “agressiva”), e milhas distante do controvertido experimentalismo de seus últimos discos.
Apesar de pouco badalado, “Blue Moods” é um dos discos mais singulares, sedutores e, por que não?, sensuais na carreira do trompetista Miles Davis. De atmosfera romântica sofisticadíssima, mas sem derrapar para a melosidade, inclui apenas quatro lindas baladas – “Nature boy”, “There’s no you”, “Alone together” e “Easy living” – em sublimes performances. Gravado em um único dia (9 de julho de 1955), conta com instrumentação inusitada: trompete, trombone (Britt Woodman), vibrafone (Teddy Charles fazendo o papel que caberia ao piano), contrabaixo (o “monstro” Charles Mingus, então dono do selo Debut) e bateria (o igualmente “fera” Elvin Jones).

Uma outra faceta do iconoclasta Miles transparece em “Bag’s groove”, feito em 1954 para o selo Prestige. Trata-se de uma verdadeira sessão de all-stars, com as presenças de astros como Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver, Kenny Clarke, Percy Heath, e o vibrafonista Milt Jackson, autor da faixa-título que se tornaria um “standard” jazzístico. Aliás, a música – cujo título refere-se ao apelido de Milt, “Bags” – aparece em dois takes cintilantes, ambos com Thelonious Monk ao piano. Rollins, além de aprontar solos bárbaros, contribui como autor de “Airegin”, “Oleo” e “Doxy”, clássicos do hard-bop.
Absurdamente nunca lançado no Brasil, nem mesmo em vinil, “Portrait in Jazz” (1959) ocupa lugar de destaque na discografia de Bill Evans. Primeiro, pelo simples fato de ser um dos melhores álbuns gravados por um dos cinco maiores pianistas da história do jazz. Em segundo lugar, por registrar seu primeiro encontro com o fenomenal baixista Scott LaFaro, prematuramente falecido em 1961 aos 25 anos, vitimado por um acidente de carro. A interação atinge nível telepático em faixas tipo “Autumn leaves”, “Spring is here”, Peri’s scope” e “Blue in green”. Na bateria, Paul Motian dá uma aula de sutileza, impecável nas vassourinhas.
Durante sua carreira, Evans acompanhou pouquíssimos cantores. Entre tais felizardos estava Tony Bennett, o predileto de Evans (e também de Frank Sinatra!), o único a quem o pianista concedeu o privilégio de gravar dois álbuns em duo de piano & voz. “The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans álbum” foi o primeiro, fruto de três dias de gravação “ao vivo” (sem overdubs) no estúdio da Fantasy, em junho de 1975. O repertório, dominado por baladas, abriga emocionantes releituras de “Some other time”, “My foolish heart” e “Waltz for Debby”, a mais famosa composição de Evans, com letra adicionada por Gene Lees. Para comemorar o resultado, Tony & Bill se apresentaram no Newport Jazz Festival (atual JVC), recebendo uma das maiores ovações da história do festival. Vale lembrar que Tony atravessa uma fase de renovada popularidade, desde o entrondoso sucesso de seu “MTV Unplugged”.
“Alone together” traz Jim Hall & Ron Carter captados no Playboy Club, de New York, em 1972. Guitarrista de fraseado minimalista e sonoridade singular, por usar o mínimo de amplificação necessária, Jim Hall já atingiu há muito a condição de “mito” no meio jazzístico. Ron Carter também não fica atrás em matéria de prestígio, ainda mantendo-se na “crista da onda” até hoje, após mais de 40 anos de carreira. Aliás, sempre foi o baixista predileto dos artistas brasileiros, gravando com Jobim, Deodato, Airto, Flora, Hermeto, Bonfá, Dom Um, Astrud, Ithamara Koorax, Milton Nascimento e Gal Costa. Neste duo em clima intimista, passeiam por temas de Ron (“Receipt, please”), Duke Ellington (“Prelude to a kiss”), Sonny Rollins (“St. Thomas”) e standards como “Softly as in a morning sunrise” e “Autumn leaves”. Leve este show para a sua casa!

Previously unreleased live recordings by João Gilberto and Stan Getz coming out next month

George Klabin's California-based Resonance Records will be releasing "Selections from Getz/Gilberto '76" on March 20 in Europe, on April 18 in the USA and on April 20 in Japan (distributed by King International) to coincide with the Record Store Day (April 18th). It will be available only as 10-inch audiophile vinyl LP, but the full album will come out on CD and 2-LP sets probably in time to celebrate Joao Gilberto's 84th birthday (June 10).

Stan Getz and João Gilberto reunite in 1976 with these previously unreleased recordings from a four-night engagement at San Francisco's Keystone Korner, "Selections from Getz/Gilberto '76." This Limited Edition 10" record commemorates performances that are one of the few times this duo collaborated in the 1970's, after their multiple Grammy award-winning 'Getz/Gilberto" released by Verve in 1964, and soon after their second studio reunion on "The Best Of Two Worlds" in 1976.

Resonance acquired the tapes from jazz impresario Todd Barkan, owner of the now-defunct (but very famous in the 70s) Keystone Korner jazz club in SF. They cleared rights with the Stan Getz Estate and the other musicians including Joao Gilberto. As the title suggests, this is a sneak peak of the upcoming full length "Getz/Gilberto '76" due for release (CD & 2-LP sets) in June.

Puerto Rican abstract expressionist painter, Olga Albizu (1924-2005), graces the cover with her artwork "Equilibrium Verde"; Creed Taylor loved her work and selected Albizu's paintings for other Verve releases in the early 60s by people like Bill Evans ("Trio 64"), Bob Brookmeyer ("Gloomy Mondays And Other Bright Moments"), and the seminal Getz' albums "Jazz Samba" (with Charlie Byrd) and "Getz/Gilberto."

This collector's LP (with a limited pressing of 3,000 units) is pressed on translucent green-colored 140 gram vinyl at 33 1/3 RPM by Erika Records. The tracklist includes Dorival Caymmi's "Doralice" (recorded by João & Getz in 1963 for the historical "Getz/Gilberto"), and three songs covered by them on "The Best of Two Worlds" for CBS: "É Preciso Perdoar (Alcyvando Luz/Carlos Coqueijo Costa), "Eu Vim da Bahia" (Gilberto Gil), and "Retrato Em Branco E Preto" (Antonio Carlos Jobim/Chico Buarque), the latter also included by Gilberto on another masterpiece, the "Amoroso" album for Warner in 1977.

Backing João Gilberto (acoustic guitar & vocals) and Stan Getz (tenor sax) are Joanne Brackeen on piano, Clint Houston on acoustic bass, and Billy Hart on drums. [Hart and Houston also performed on "The Best Of Two Worlds".] Prior to his work as president and founder of the Resonance label, George Klabin was the owner and chief engineer of the Sound Ideas Studio in NY, where great jazzmen and Brazilian artists -- such as Thiago de Mello ("Amazon"), Eumir Deodato ("Os Catedráticos 73"), João Donato ("Donato/Deodato) and Flora Purim ("Everyday Everynight") -- recorded many nice albums during the 70s.
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Resonanceから超貴重未発表音源続々!
「スタン・ゲッツ&ジョアン・ジルベルト'76」がアナログ10インチで登場!

未発表発掘レーベルとしてすっかりジャズ・ファンにおなじみとなったResonance Recordsが、今度は、なんと、スタン・ゲッツとジョアン・ジルベルトの76年のライブを送り出します!

言わずもがなの永遠不滅の名コラボ、音楽史上の超大名盤『ゲッツ・ジルベルト』が録音されたのは63年のことで、それから12年あまり。本作にはサンフランシスコの名門クラブ、キーストン・コーナーで行われたライブが収録されています。Resonanceは、スタン・ゲッツ・エステイトはもちろん、ジョアン・ジルベルトを含め参加メンバーの許諾をえて、権利をクリア。このたび、リリースの運びとなりました。70年代において、このコンビの演奏が聴ける作品は、とても少なく貴重でもちろん未発表音源。曲はどれもおなじみながら、この時代らしく、75年にリリースされた『Best of Two World』の収録曲から3曲、そして『ゲッツ/ジルベルト』の収録曲から一曲。このコンビならではの美しい音楽の果実を堪能できます。サウダージ溢れる哀愁のジョアンのヴォーカルと温かみに溢れるゲッツのサックス、また瑞々しく鮮やかなブラジル音楽の響きは、極上です。ジャケット・アートは、『ゲッツ/ジルベルト』『ジャズ・サンバ』等々を手掛けたペインター、Olga Albuizuというのもとてもうれしいところ。盤面もResonanceお得意のカラー・ヴァイナルです。CDおよび2LPとしてのフル・ヴァージョンは2015年または、2016年を予定。そちらの発売も待たれますが、こちらは生粋のコレクターズ・アイテム。ブラジル音楽、ジャズファンはもちろん、アートとしてもうれしいリリース。必携です。

TBT, CD-Single of the Month: "Dorothy Norwood Presents Faith Howard and Visions"

TBT, CD-Single of the Month
Dorothy Norwood Presents Faith Howard and Visions: "He's Got Everything" (CTI/Salvation SAL 30011-2)

A wonderful gospel singer, Faith Howard is a native of Chicago. She is the protégé of “The Queen of Gospel Music,” Albertina Walker, and was the first recipient of the Albertina Walker Foundation Scholarship for the Creative and Performing Arts. She was discovered by Creed Taylor, who signed Howard to CTI Records' subsidiary label, Salvation. Ms. Howard currently serves as one of the praise and worship leaders at New Life Covenant Church, under the leadership of Pastor John F. Hannah. Ms. Howard has lent vocals to many gospel artists, including Yolanda Adams, Bishop Walter Hawkins, CeCe Winans, Marvin Sapp, DeWayne Woods, Shirley Caesar, Kurt Carr, Albertina Walker, Jessy Dixon and Walter Whitman and The Soul Children of Chicago, to name a few.

Faith Howard has also appeared with Ashford and Simpson on the "Oprah Winfrey" show, in Carnegie Hall with Visions, and with Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, and James Ingram. She was a featured artist at the 1995 Chicago Gospel Festival and has performed many times on BET's "Bobby Jones Gospel Hour," She continued to make appearances with Yolanda Adams and Albertina Walker.

This CD-single, with 4 tracks suggested to radio airplay, was part of CTI Records' marketing campaign to the release of "He's Got Everything," the debut album from this rising star. Released on CTI's Salvation label, it was produced by gospel icons Dorothy Norwood and Albertina Walker, with artwork by Blake Taylor. Dorothy Norwood had already five Gold Records to her name, and Albertina Walker won a 1995 Grammy Award for the album "Songs of The Church: Live In Memphis."

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 29, 1935, Dorothy Norwood began singing and touring with her family at the age of eight. In 1956, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, and was soon singing with such notables as the great Mahalia Jackson, the world renowned Caravans, and the incomparable Reverend James Cleveland. Evangelist Norwood launched her solo career in 1964 and recorded her first album Johnny and Jesus on Savoy Records. It brought her national attention and was certified Gold. She followed it up with the stirring Denied Mother, which also went Gold, and earned her the title "World's Greatest Storyteller".

In her over 36 years in the Gospel Music Industry, Dorothy has recorded over 40 albums, five of which were certified GOLD. She has also received numerous awards and citations, including six Grammy nominations. As renowned as she is in America, she is just as large in Europe. She has performed in Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and England. Believing that "if the mountain won't come to you, then you must go to the mountain…" Dorothy agreed to do a 30 state American tour with Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones in 1972. She was able to spread the Gospel in a mission field that was virtually closed to gospel artists.
In February 1991, Evangelist Norwood signed with Malaco Records and recorded Live with the Northern California GMWA Mass Choir. It was an immediate hit, reaching the Number 1 position on Billboard's Top Forty after only 7 weeks. Her second project earned a Stellar Award nomination as well as a Grammy Award nomination. Every album released since, has been nothing short of miraculous, propelling Dorothy further into the ranks of greatness. In 1996, Dorothy produced the debut album of a new gospel sensation, Faith Howard, released on CTI Records' subsidiary Salvation label.

Her 2007 album, entitled No Request, is a memorable, powerful release recorded "Live" in Jackson, Mississippi with the internationally renowned Mississippi Mass Choir. Ms. Norwood's talents are many; not only is she the vocalist we all know and love, she is a songwriter and very sought after producer. Whether she is with a choir, or her own group, this Gospel Storyteller has an amazing capacity to offer her gifts to God in a most refreshing manner. Because of this, she has become one of the most sought after Gospel artists of today.

Apex at Avalon Hollywood, this Wednesday

Join us on Feb 25 for ‪#‎Apex‬ at ‪#‎AvalonHollywood‬! 1000+ of Socal's Collegiate Party people all under one roof! 9pm-3am! 3 stages , 6 fully stocked bars & new state of the art sound ! ‪#‎January‬ & ‪#‎February‬ birthdays in free! Arrive early!
Discount tickets --> www.flavorus.com/ApexAvalon
21+ Free Tickets : www.purplepass.com/ApexAvalon

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Sing for Record Labels, Enter by February 28

                SING IN FRONT OF RECORD LABELS AT SHOWCASE!
 
Your Record Label "Showcase", "Meet & Greet" with music representatives and new recording equipment are among the many services being offered to the best singer in the Vocalist Contest.

Upload a song or video demonstrating your singing ability directly from the VocalistContest.com website and compete today.
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Your Record Label Showcase
Here is your opportunity to be seen and heard by music industry insiders. The top singer will attend a "Meet & Greet" before the showcase. This is a great way to gain exposure with music business insiders who matter. A sound system is provided. Just bring your voice!

The top singer will travel to Nashville for five days and four nights the same weekend of the National Association of Music Merchants event. Receive the newest music gear including a digital audio mixer, wireless and studio microphones and customized CD duplication along with full insert printing on 10,000 CDs.

The contest is open to singers of all ages and from any country. Both English and non-English submissions are accepted. Choose from eight different vocal genres.

Sing a "cover song" (one originally recorded by another artist) or a song that you have written yourself. Submissions can be "vocal only" or contain backing music.

D-Tox Sunday After Hours w/ DJ Contessa

AFTER HOURS (2AM-7AM) @
LOS GLOBOS NIGHTCLUB (INSIDE THE RED ROOM)
3040 Sunset Blvd
Featuring DJs Contessa & Shanto, with special guest Darin Westcott.
That's the real "Good Morning, LA!"

R.I.P.: Lesley Gore

(born Lesley Sue Goldstein on May 2, 1946 in New York, NY;
died on February 16, 2015 in New York, NY)

Quincy Jones: "I am heartbroken at the news today of the passing of Lesley Gore. I discovered Lesley, almost on a dare, in 1963 when she was 16 years old and I was Vice President of Mercury Records and we would go on to make 16 hit songs together including 'It's My Party,' 'Judy's Turn to Cry,' 'You Don't Own Me,' and 'Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows.' Lesley was an incredibly soulful singer/songwriter even at that young and that was why the world embraced her songs the way it did. It is important to remember that at one point, the only group that surpassed her in the pop charts was The Beatles. It was a privelege to have been a part of Lesley's life personally and professionally from those early days until now, and although I will miss her deeply, her essence will remain with us always through her music."

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Poncho Sanchez live @ Steamers, Feb 15

SUNDAY, FEB 15, 7P-11P ALL AGES- $25
CALL 714-871-8800 FOR TIX
GRAMMY AWARD WINNING  PONCHO SANCHEZ AND HIS LATIN JAZZ BAND

Steamers Jazz Club and Cafe
138 W. Commonwealth Ave
Fullerton, CA 92832
jazz@steamersjazz.com
www.steamersjazz.com

Although born in Laredo, Texas, in 1951 to a large Mexican-American family, Sanchez grew up in a suburb of L.A., where he was raised on an unusual cross section of sounds that included straightahead jazz, Latin jazz and American soul. By his teen years, his musical consciousness had been solidified by the likes of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaria, Wilson Pickett and James Brown. Along the way, he taught himself to play guitar, flute, drums and timbales, but eventually settled on the congas. t colors and brightest lights to emerge from either side of the border. At any given show, on any given record, fragments of Latin jazz, swing, bebop, salsa and other infectious grooves collide and churn in a fiery swirl, with results that are no less than dazzling.

At 24, after working his way around the local club scene for several years, he landed a permanent spot in Cal Tjader's band in 1975. "I learned a great deal from Cal," says Sanchez, "but it wasn't as though he sat me down and taught me lessons like a schoolteacher. Mostly it was just a matter of being around such a great guy. It was the way he conducted himself, the way he talked to people, the way he presented himself onstage. He was very elegant, very dignified, and when he played, he played beautifully. The touch that he had on the vibes - nobody has that sound. To me, he was - and is, and always will be - the world's greatest vibe player." Now, Poncho Sanchez became a legend himself, and a perennial winner in the Percussion category of the DownBeat Polls.

Thana Alexa's "Ode To Heroes" out next month

Thana Alexa's "Ode to Heroes" comes out on March 10 on Harmonia Mundi's Jazz Village label.
Pre-order here: http://www.amazon.com/Ode-Heroes-Thana-Alexa/dp/B00QL3U98S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424203404&sr=8-1&keywords=thana+alexa

CD Release Party on March 23 at SubCulture NYC
Get tickets here:

Great cover shot by Salvatore Corso,
Beautiful album artwork by Nicole Bonasoro

Clark Terry needs our prayers

It is with a heavy heart we share that our beloved Clark Terry is now in hospice care. Gwen and the health care team are making sure that Clark is as comfortable as possible. During this time the family is asking for your prayers. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
Btw, the documentary film "Keep On Keepin' On" is now available on VOD. Check with your local carrier, pop some popcorn and grab someone you care about to watch the film!
Also screening on February 18th at the great Al Maysles Documentary Center
http://maysles.org/m…/oscar-buzz-presents-keep-on-keepin-on/

Gina Saputo back @ Steamers, this Friday

Gina Saputo -- one of our favorite singers, and certainly one of the best jazz acts in California -- will be back @ Steamers this next Friday, February 13.

CALL 714-871-8800 RSVP-only $8
STEAMERS JAZZ CLUB
138 w. COMMONWEALTH AVE
FULLERTON, CA

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Tonight in NYC: Justin Kauflin CD Release Party

JOIN US FOR JUSTIN KAUFLIN'S CD RELEASE PARTY
TUESDAY FEB 10 | JAZZ STANDARD | 116 East 27th Street New York, NY 10016 | 7:30 pm & 10:00 pm

The Justin Kauflin Quartet with Billy Williams, Chris Smith and Matt Stevens will be in NYC at the Jazz Standard, performing songs from the newly-released CD "Dedication."  

It debuted at #6 on CMJ and #10 on Billboard's traditional jazz charts, and is currently #4 on the JazzWeek Radio Chart!

If you're in the area, please join us tonight!
For tickets to the 7:30 show, please call Jazz Standard at 212-576-2232 
or visit Ticket Web for the 10:00 pm show

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Looking forward to the East Coast hang, so come on through!


See the Dedication video

Read more about Dedication at justinkauflin.com

Sunday, February 8, 2015

"Love & Lust" featuring Vikki Paradox

www.loveandlustball.com
LA's Hottest Thing To Do On Valentine's Day!
"Love & Lust" - Featuring my lovely friend Vikki Paradox.
Couples, singles & everything in between make your Valentines Day plans now...

Larry Coryell + Strings Attached On Tour

From Blues Alley to Blue Note, don't miss Larry Coryell's 2015 Tour with the Strings Attached masters: Jack Wilkins, Vic Juris, Jimmy Bruno and Joe Cohn!

Valentine's Bash @ Penthouse Nightclub


Blu-Spec CD of the Month - "Johnny Hammond: Gambler's Life"

Blu-Spec CD of the Month
Johnny Hammond: "Gambler's Life" (CTI/Salvation) 

Produced by Larry Mizell & Chuck Davis
Arranged by Larry Mizell & Johnny Hammond
Engineered by David Hassinger, Val Garay & John Mills @ The Sound Factory (Hollywood, CA, USA)
Cover Photo: Pete Turner
Album Design: Sibbie McDonough

Featuring: Johnny Hammond (electric piano, synths), Al Hall (trombone), Fonce Mizell (clavinet, background vocals, trumpet, vocal arrangements), Carl Randall, Jr. (sax), Jerry Peters (piano), Chuck Davis (synthesizer programming), Mel Bolton, Melvin "Wah Wah" Ragin & John Rowin (electric guitar), Tony Dumas & Henry Franklin (bass), Harvey Mason & Fritz Wise (drums), King Errisson (congas), Larry Mizell (solina, background vocals), Stephanie Spruill (percussion, vocals), Fred Perren (background vocals)

A Very Special Valentine's Day Dance with Amanda Carr

SHM-CD of the Month - "Patti Austin: End Of A Rainbow"

SHM-CD of the Month
Patti Austin: "End Of A Rainbow" (CTI KICJ 98513)

Original Session & Reissue Produced by Creed Taylor
Remastered by Rudy Van Gelder
Recorded by Joe Jorgenson, Alan Varner & Rudy Van Gelder
Mixed by Rudy Van Gelder
Cover Photo: Pete Turner
Album Design: Rene Schumacher

Arranged & Conducted by David Matthews
Featuring: Patti Austion (lead vocals), Richard Tee (acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano & Hohner clavinet), Michael Abene (acoustic piano), Barry Miles (synths), Will Lee, Chuck Rainey & Jeff Berlin (electric bass), Steve Gadd & Andy Newmark (drums), Ralph MacDonald (congas, percussion), Eric Gale & Steve Khan (guitars), Michael Brecker & Joe Farrell (tenor sax), Ronnie Cuber (baritone sax), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Gloria Agostini (harp), Vivian Cherry, Gwen Guthrie, Frank Floyd & Zachary Sanders (backing vocals) et al.