CAREER ANTHOLOGY 1923-31

Classical Music

Rudy ”Twoleft” Smith is a legendary figure in the world of steel pan and steelband.This album, What Pan Did For Me, offers samples of his many musical faces: the pan man, the jazz musician, the arranger, the pan tuner, the tune smith…Rudy’s life covers most of the development of steel pan as a tuned musical instrument.The first pans were made from biscuit tins and other metal containers and had but few notes.These were the first steel pans Rudy made and played as a very young boy.During the period 1945-55 the steel pan was gradually transformed into a set of instruments from treble to bass made from 55 gallon oil drums.The orchestra made up of steel pans became known as steelband.The original function of steelbands was to provide music for the masqueraders in the famous Trinidad carnival.The bands played the Trinidad calypso music, but very soon began playing other kinds of music.The U.S. had both a naval and air base in Trinidad.The G.I. audience was a different one than the local audience.And they could pay.With the “Yankees” departure in the late 1950s the steelbands had to look for new markets.As a teenager Rudy started to travel with the band Merrymakers, taking steelband to Europe in the wake of the 1950s calypso craze.

"Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Amir ElSaffar has been expressing his Iraqi-American heritage and artistic identity through successful albums that blend the traditional Iraqi maqam and modern jazz. The Other Shore, the highly anticipated follow-up to Not Two (New Amsterdam, 2017), marks the second time on record he's in the command of the 17-piece Rivers of Sound Orchestra, an extension of the Two Rivers Ensemble. There was one single change in its workforce - John Escreet sits in the piano chair that previously belonged to Craig Taborn. Imbued with passionate lyricism, this music feels both cerebral and freewheeling. Composition and improvisation play an equally important role and there’s plenty of good, hybrid sonorities for one’s listening pleasure." - Jazz Trail

"The music, in some ways, feels like ’70s experiments in loosening up musical boundaries, in the mode of artists such as Miles Davis, Pharoah Sanders, Alice Coltrane, and John McLaughlin. Combining composition and improvisation, the band maneuvers through gentle musical waters, but is more than ready to take it up a notch or two when choppier passages emerge." - The Arts Fuse

Classical Music

Classical Music

Two years after the revelation "Opening" which was awarded the Django Reinhardt Prize from the Academie du Jazz, Fred Nardin is back with the bass player Or Bareket and the drummer Leon Parker for the Fred Nardin Trio's second album: "Look Ahead. " "You can be both as intellectual and as soulful as you want, and the swing beat is powerful but subtle. I think you have to devote yourself to it exclusively to do it at that level". (Mulgrew Miller, DownBeat Magazine. ) A pianist bred on experience(s) and tradition, Fred Nardin has only one aim in life: to play as well as he can, just as long as it swings. Reasonable but determined, passionate and enthralling when it is a question of tackling the great masters - Kenny Barron, McCoy Tyner or Mulgrew Miller -every day Fred Nardin gets a little closer to his objective, and Look Ahead is the resounding proof. Co-founder of The Amazing Keystone Big-Band, chosen sideman for Cecile McLorin Salvant, Bria Skonberg, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Natalia M. King, Stefano Di Battista, Jesse Davis and Gael Horellou, regular feature "After-Hours" at the Duc Des Lombards in Paris: Fred Nardin is everywhere where jazz is happening but it is with the trio of the album "Opening" that he was really discovered in 2017.

Jazz Fest: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Various Artists Few music festivals are as rich, profound, and joyous as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, now entering it's 50th year. With 50 tracks recorded live, Jazz Fest captures the festival's ecstatic spontaneity, which defines the essence and vitality of American popular music. Ever since it's inception a half century ago, Jazz Fest has exuberantly expressed the unique confluence in New Orleans of Native American, African, Caribbean, European, Hispanic, and Asian communities. With essays and annotations by Keith Spera, Karen Celestan, Robert Cataliotti, Jeff Place, Rachel Lyons, and Jon Pareles, plus photos spanning the festival's history, this box set delivers the sights and sounds of being at Jazz Fest for those who have not yet been there, and rekindles memories for the hundreds of thousands who return to New Orleans year after year.

Also available on vinyl!

 

At the age of 88, composer and legendary jazz musician Ahmad Jamal presents Ballades, an album that sees him returning to his roots in a transcendent journey. Jamal comes from the closely-knit club of the great masters of jazz. That is why, in the manner of Coltrane and Miles, he goes back to his past as a way to overcome it. At its heart, Ballades is a solo piano album - something Jamal has never done before (double-bass player James Cammack is featured on three tracks). The music is art in its purest form, ranging from the iconic ''Poinciana'' to the symbolic ''Marseille.'' Ballades is a new masterpiece in this artist's long and distinguished career.

2020 release. 1962 features saxophonist Mark Turner, pianist Kevin Hays and the returning rhythm section of Joe Martin and Eric Harland. For fans of Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Potter, the Brian Blade Fellowship, and Jazz! Since arriving in 2012, guitarist Ricardo Grilli has been rising through the ranks and making quite an impression in New York's jazz scene. In this short time he has played with world renowned artists such as Chris Potter, Chris Cheek, Mark Turner, Aaron Parks, Joe Martin, Eric Harland, Kendrick Scott, Kevin Hays, Jon Cowherd, Orlando Le Fleming and Taylor Eigsti among others.

Uri Caine and Stefan Winter met for the first time in New York 30 years ago. A musical adventure begins, there is no goal, but a path. Two outstanding jazz albums are created on JMT, then Caine breaks through the boundaries between jazz, classical and new music like no other artist on Winter & Winter. New, exciting, groundbreaking things are emerging. Caine embodies sound, composition and improvisation merge, Bach and Monk meet as in a completely new duo drama and conduct a dialogue. Caine: “When Stefan Winter asked me to choose music from the past to put on an album, I hesitated. The selection of works is as difficult as if someone asked you which of your children is your favorite child." Caine made a completely surprising choice: worth hearing, enlightening, remarkable!

Colin Vallon / Patrice Moret / Julian Sartorius -"Samares" Dynamic extremes are explored and tuneful hooks - some melody, some harmony, others beat-based - patiently assembled, often completed in mesmerizing fashion. Where subtle rhythmic twists and harmonic progressions constructed around piano triads recall cutting-edge inspirations from the world of art-rock, other expositions reveal a tight-knit jazz trio elaborating a chamber sound focused on close listening and reacting. Recorded at Lugano's Auditorio Stelio Molo in 2023, Samares was produced by Manfred Eicher. Verve Label Group; ECM; Jazz

Woods' advanced execution and uncanny ability to unfurl extraordinary phrases make him a trumpeter with whom to reckon - Brad Goode. Freewheeling, playful and engaging, trumpeter Kevin Woods, guitarist John Stowell and pianist Miles Black weave their way through a collection of originals by Woods & Black, and others from Jobim, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans and Harold Arlen on their debut recording. Though colleagues for many years in different configurations, the three found inspiration in collaborating as Trio Linguae (Lin-gwee) through their collective sense of conversational, contrapuntal improvising and reflexive listening - harkening the spirit of duo and trio albums by Bill Evans, Jim Hall or Kenny Wheeler. Integral to Vancouver's creative music scene, Miles Black has been a collaborator of the highest order since the '80s. John Stowell's unique musical voice and relationship to the guitar has gained him untold followers throughout the world since he began touring in the '70s, and Kevin Woods has found his place in Northwest jazz circles as an articulate improvisor and catalyst for artistic endeavors.

Creating sublime musical structures over the last five decades, where risk-taking, rhythmic rapport, and giving of oneself to the music are the essence, legendary bassist David Friesen's music continues to reach new pinnacles of profound expression. On disc one, his long-touring, closely knit trio with saxophonist Joe Manis and drummer Charlie Doggett went into a Portland studio to record 13 new works by Friesen. Disc Two, with Manis and Australia-based drummer, Reuben Bradley, is a bristling live performance from Vienna's Porgy & Bess jazz club during their Spring 2019 European tour. Thriving on selfless awareness and their uncanny compatibility, the trio's joyful interactions offer surprise, beauty, and depth at every turn.

Originations surely places Cohan in the first rank of contemporary jazz composers. -Chicago Tribune. Dynamically synthesizing classical compositional elements and improvisation, with Middle Eastern and other World music influences, pianist/composer Ryan Cohan's Originations builds on his five critically acclaimed recordings from the last two decades. Born from a trip to Jordan where he discovered his paternal family homeland, the experience catalyzed Cohan to seek out his Palestinian roots for the first time. His reawakened Arab lineage together with his Jewish upbringing was transformative as he contemplated the rich beauty and profound cultural complexities from a musical perspective. Scored for his long-standing Chicago sextet plus string quartet, Originations is a natural progression for him as a musical storyteller as such motifs were a central catalyst in his lauded earlier recordings. Featuring: John Wojciechowski, Geof Bradfield, Tito Carrillo, James Cammack, and Michael Raynor, along with percussionist Omar Musfi and the KAIA String Quartet. "Very intelligent writing. Void of predictability from beginning to end & hellip;" & ndash; Jae Sinnett, WHRV

Baltimorean pianist LAFAYETTE HARRIS JR. Is known for an energetic sense of rhythmic vitality, a tasty, full bodied musical approach to the keyboard, and a sensibility drenched in the blues. A staple at the Lenox Lounge in Harlem for a number of years as well as a member of various aggregations led by Max Roach, Harris' new recording reflects this experience as well as a myriad of influences, from boogie-woogie legend Sammy Price to Kenny Barron and Barry Harris, all of whom encouraged Lafayette as an up-and-coming player. Bassist Peter Washington brings a forceful sense of rhythm and lyrically rounded solos to the date, and drummer Lewis Nash keeps the rhythms swinging strongly and as steady as a Swiss watch. A thoughtful setlist and sterling sound from the Van Gelder Studio makes this a self-recommending album.

In a deeply impressive and magnificent synthesis of gospel, jazz and contemporary music, Uri Caine tells the moving story of Octavius Catto, born in 1839 in South Carolina to free African-American parents. Catto's family moved to Philadelphia in 1844, where he studied, became an educator, humanities scholar, top cricket and baseball player, and civil rights activist. Together with his fellow campaigners, he achieved the abolition of slavery and discrimination in elections based on race, color, or former serfdom, as well as the creation of educational institutions for African-Americans. Catto was murdered by Frank Kelly during riots on election day in 1871. Octavius Catto: "We shall never rest at ease, but will agitate and work, by our means and by our influence, in court and out of court, asking aid of the press, calling upon Christians to vindicate their Christianity, and the members of the law to assert the principles of the profession by granting us justice and right, until these invidious and unjust usages shall have ceased."

The Essential is a testament to Melody Gardot's enduring artistry. This collection spans 14 years of her career and includes 25 tracks that showcase the breadth of her musical abilities. Featuring selections from her six studio albums, remixes, live recordings and previously unreleased tracks, the album captures the essence of Gardot's talent. Highlights include her multilingual performances, emotive renditions of classics like Elton John's "Love Song," and live recordings that convey the raw honesty of her concerts. Each track offers a glimpse into the diverse emotional landscapes Gardot can traverse, making The Essential a rich and compelling portrait of an artist whose music speaks for itself.

Arild Andersen - "Landloper" / Arild Andersen, one of the most widely acclaimed bassists in jazz, presents his first solo album. Choice of repertoire in this recital reflects on Arild's artistic journey and, alongside Andersen originals, we find Norwegian traditional music, a romantic jazz standard and new light cast upon free-jazz classics. Andersen's performances combine his masterful bass playing with real-time creation of electronic loops that bring an atmospheric dimension to solo playing and fresh opportunities for interaction. Artist Hometown: Norway. Verve Label Group; ECM; Jazz.

Singer Petra Haden excels in this beautiful and unique program of songs penned by the songwriting team of John Zorn and Jesse Harris. Friends for many years, they began working together on The Song Project in 2012, and 8 years later this CD presents the full fruits of their collaboration: 13 Zorn compositions with original lyrics by Jesse Harris. Including the most beautiful melodies from a wide variety of Zorn CDs (and one original that has never appeared on cd before), the melodies are catchy, the lyrics heartfelt, the grooves deep and the solos profound and exhilarating. Backed by the amazing Julian Lage, Jorge Roeder and Kenny Wollesen and produced by Jesse Harris, this is a CD that you will listen to again and again. EASY TIME * LISTEN * NOTHING * THE WIND IN THE CLOUDS * IT WAS INNOCENT * KAFIRISTAN * WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS * ALL THIS TIME * LOST IN THE RAIN * TAKING MY TIME * MY FORBIDDEN TEARS * I NEVER THOUGHT * OVER YOUR HEAD

2020 release. Australia's greatest and most enduring songwriter, Paul Kelly, collaborates with award-winning Jazz pianist and composer, Paul Grabowsky, for reinterpretations of Paul Kelly classics, plus a cover of Cole Porter's 'Every Time We Say Goodbye'.

Jakob Bro - "Taking Turns" / Taking Turns, recorded in New York's Avatar Studio in 2014, finds Danish guitarist Jakob Bro joined by a multi- generational cast of improvisers, highly distinctive players all. Lee Konitz, Andrew Cyrille, Bill Frisell, Jason Moran and Thomas Morgan lend their energies to a session that bypasses conventions of the "all-star" band and puts the emphasis on teamwork. Bro's space-conscious music encourages fresh responses: an atmospheric hint, or a fragment of gentle melody, opening new trails to explore. Artist Hometown: Denmark. Verve Label Group; ECM; Jazz.

Stephan Micus - "To the Rising Moon" To the Rising Moon is Stephan Micus' 26th solo album for ECM. It features instruments from Colombia, India, Xinjiang (China), Bavaria, Cambodia, Egypt and Borneo, but taking center stage is the Colombian tiple, slightly smaller than an acoustic guitar. The sunny plucked sound of the tiples alternates with darker bowed strings, which bring a more meditative mood. Once again, Stephan Micus takes us on a unique musical journey to places unknown that couldn't have been created or played by anyone else. Artist Hometown: Germany. Verve Label Group; ECM; Jazz.

Calculus is another radical step forward for Zorn-two major 20-minute long-form compositions scored for piano trio. Featuring the incredible young pianist Brian Marsella along with the dynamic rhythm section of Trevor Dunn and Kenny Wollesen, this is a complex and exhilarating display of instrumental virtuosity at it's most extreme. Drawing upon all of Zorn's musical obsessions, from thorny atonal- ity to touching minimalism, burning jazz, funk, folk, exotica, ambient, noise and more, this is some of the most ambitious and expansive music ever created for jazz piano trio. Passionately performed by three core members of Zorn's inner circle Calculus is an outrageous and kaleidocopic journey into the unknown! The Ghost of Departed Quantities * Parabolas

Splintered Stories is the brilliant new CD by Sam Eastmond of the Spike Orchestra, whose sparkling arrangements of Masada compositions were a highlight of both The Book of Angels and Zorn's Book Beri'ah. Filled with startling instrumental colors, fiery solos, driving rhythms and moody harmonies, the music is brilliantly performed by this tight 15-piece big band and lovingly mixed by Marc Urselli. Cutting edge big band music for the 21st century by one of the most powerful ensembles working today! The Pink Shagpile * Matriarch Variations * Here and Now * Standing on the Shoulders of Giant Slayers