There's an old saying that a great jazz musician never plays a song the same way once. That could certainly be said of Jerry Bergonzi. He is an intellectual artist of uncompromising integrity and a bold, original composer. On Jerry's new Savant recording he returns to the organ-tenor trio format after a long hiatus from it. From the opening track, Cy Coleman's "Witchcraft" with it's hypnotic organ vamp and "bewitching" chord substitutions Jerry gives to the first 8 bars, you know this isn't going to be your parents' organ-tenor gig. Bergonzi and his discmates, Renato Chicco on organ and Andrea Michelutti on drums, take these standards down new harmonic paths and use them as a launching pad for fertile and impressive improvisation. The playing is always intense and distinctive, fresh and spontaneous.
When I go into the studio with these guys, it's not like I feel pressure. It's like, oh boy, let's go have some fun, ays saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, recalling how his previous Savant recordings came together. In short, the acclaimed veteran didn't want the fun to end. So now here we have another terrific recording to complement the reedman's impressive Savant discography and another chance to delight in the exceptionally responsive company he keeps. Revelling in the company of long-time partners bassist Dave Santoro and drummer Andrea Michelutti, Jerry also brings Pasadena-born pianist Bruce Barth into the studio. Jerry doesn't often record with a pianist a€" when one cuts their musical teeth with a pianist like Dave Brubeck the titan's shadow must loom large over the keyboard but he and Bruce have become muy simpatico over the years and their interplay here is remarkable indeed. With Jerry's imaginative compositions and his intense approach to music-making, this is jazz that cuts you no quarter. The whole session swings, communicates and challenges as only Jerry Bergonzi can.
Tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen was born in Detroit, MI, on December 11, 1972. He is a member of the third wave of Young Lion mainstream jazz players. As a young man, he was influenced by the great musicians who stayed in Detroit, but upon his arrival in New York City his real apprenticeship began, as he worked with such notables as George Cables, Betty Carter, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Frank Foster's Loud Minority big band, Butch Morris, David Murray, and Wallace Roney.
Alto saxophonist Jim Snidero brings the sum total of his experiences to the fore on Main Street, including those as a leader as well as a sideman with Frank Wess, the Mingus Big Band, Jack McDuff, and Toshiko Akiyoshi. Here he draws upon a quarter-century of touring experiences for a trip through some of the American experience via a cycle of new compositions and two covers. With bassist Linda Oh, drummer Rudy Royston and Cuban pianist Fabian Almazan, Main Street offers fresh original material, imaginative arrangements, inspired soloing, and cohesive yet spontaneous group interaction.
Jim Snidero is known to spin out wonderfully clean, inventive lines. His transparent sound and rapid execution evoke the early Art Pepper, as well as one of Snidero's own teachers Phil Woods. He never resorts to aimless scribbling, even at the quickest tempos, while his ballad interpretations are filled with exquisitely oblique lines. This, the saxophonist's second release for Savant, presents a unique ensemble, with no keyboard of any kind, the rhythm section of Paul Gill, bass and Billy Drummond, drums propel the proceedings forward while fret-master Paul Bollenback lays down the changes.
Two CDs. Available for the very first time, the intergalactic icon Sun Ra and his Arkestra's Lights On A Satellite: Live At The Left Bank was recorded on July 23, 1978 at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore, Maryland by the Left Bank Jazz Society.
This December 1977 recording features two of the most prominent AACM musicians, Roscoe Mitchell and Anthony Braxton. Mitchell's composition "run the gamut, beginning with the darkly gorgeous opener that features Braxton's contrabass clarinet nestling evocatively beneath the composer's earthy flute, Mitchell's other pieces investigate the sparer, more abstract realm, as the duo's wide variety of reeds populate the sonic environment with scattered moans, squeaks and pops. Overall, this is a fine meeting between two of the most forward-looking thinkers and players in the music. Recommended. " - Brian Olewnick, allmusic. Com Anthony Braxton also contributes three compositions.
Chicago tenor sax legend Fred Anderson has been getting a lot of press recently because of the forthcoming closing of the current location of the internationally renowned Velvet Lounge. Features Hamid Drake on drums/percussion and Harrison Bankhead on bass. This third live Anderson recording follows "On the Run" (DMK #534) and "Back at the Velvet Lounge" (DMK #549).
With over 25 Top 10 Smooth Jazz radio hits to his credit, including an incredible 15 #1 smash hits, Chuck Loeb is truly an icon and pioneer of the Smooth Jazz genre. As the newest member, lead guitarist, and producer of the super group Fourplay, as well as leader of his own all star touring ensemble, Chuck performs in front of hundreds of thousands of fans every year and his popularity continues to grow. Silhouette features guest appearances by such notables as Fouplay band mate Nathan East, Will Lee (of David Letterman fame), legendary drummer Steve Gadd (Steely Dan), Eric Marienthal, Andy Snitzer (Rolling Stones), and others. In addition, the album features vocals from Carmen Cuesta (Mrs. Loeb) whose sensuous delivery has resulted in her own growing fan base.
This is an intensely personal, painfully revealing portrait of one of jazz's greatest alto saxophonist, Art Pepper. A remarkable expressive soloist and composer who alos was an addict, thief, womanizer and wildman. In candid interviews, he recounts his troubled marriages, dependence on drugs, prison terms, and luck in meeting his last wife, an articulate, compassionate defender of her errant husband. Year 1982. 50 minutes.
Triple threat guitarist, producer and composer Chuck Leob is the quintessential Smooth Jazz artist. Leob's CDs are quite possibly the most played on Smooth Jazz radio. His 5th album on Shanachi is entitled All There Is. Featuring special guest Krik Whalum First single "As Is"
