The Music of Billy Strayhorn long thought of as a chapter within the Duke Ellington songbook has become recognized as one of the most important bodies of work in 20th century American music. In Strayhorn's short life time the greater part of recorded examples of his masterworks were by the Ellington Orchestra or groups led by players from that revered organization. In the half century since the death of the man affectionately known as Sweet Pea many of his classic compositions have found their way into the mainstream jazz repertory via recordings by some of the genre's greatest players. Ellington's eulogistic 1968 LP And His Mother Called Him Bill brought into sharp focus the breadth of Strayhorn'swork. Now we can add John DiMartino's uniquely personal interpretations to that illustrious list.
On their stunning duo release Bloom, guitarist Ben Monder & saxophonist Bill McHenry boldly exhibit total simpatico, complete trust in each other and the ability to thoroughly listen to each other to bring forth a true work of musical art. On ten tracks, they take the listener to a spectacular sound world of textural chords, evocative percussive effects, spontaneously created melodies and deep musical telepathy. Monder, whom Pat Metheny described as "a very evolved kind of musician" and the New York Times wrote was "a terror on his instrument" plays with an ethereal sound - a mainstay with a variety of artists from Paul Motian to Norah Jones - purrs instead of pounces, seduces rather than shouts, and caresses instead of crashes.
The Lombardini Quartet is not only named after the Venetian violin virtuoso and composer Maddalena Laura Lombardini Sirmen, but now also recorded her versatile "Sei quartetti" op.3 from 1769. Lombardini Sirmen was one of the few women to realize a career as a professional musician in the 18th century and, according to sources, the first woman to compose string quartets, at a time when this genre was still extremely young and in the formal experimental stage. The interpreter's highest credo is always the speaking play and the uncovering of all affects in the music, of the finest emotions, which often change so quickly in the quartets - a veritable rollercoaster of feelings. All the quartets are in two movements and enchant with their variety of colors and richness of form: "Like a walk through a blossoming spring meadow: It is worthwhile to turn one's gaze very carefully to the many beauties that nature offers to the left and right. We felt the same way about Lombardini's music: many little flowers by the wayside to discover, some large and recognizable at first glance, some very small and easy to overlook. It is fragile music that reveals a rich inner life on closer inspection," says Elisabeth Wiesbauer of the Lombardini Quartet.
Brazilian Dream Blooms is the remastered version of "Brazilian Dream" with an additional bonus track "Danca". This is an ENHANCED CD that includes a movie clip of a live performance of "Danca" recorded in Brazil. // Fleurine composed all the music on guitar and found herself a dream band made up out of up and coming, and some well established Brazilian musicians on the New York Jazz scene, some of whom she has collaborated with for many years like Vitor Goncalves on piano and accordion, Chico Pinheiro on electric guitar, Eduardo Belo on bass, Ian Faquini on acoustic guitar and Rogerio Boccato on percussion a.k.a. Boys from Brazil. Some familiar American boys were added to the mix, Chris Potter on Flutes and Saxes and Brad Mehldau on Fender Rhodes and piano to complete the dream.
Every new recording by tenor saxophonist JD Allen serves to solidify his reputation as one of the finest, most adventurous young musicians playing today. With a gently swinging, very personal vibrato he weaves his way into territory that he has charted for himself. With pianist Orrin Evans, JD takes US on a intensely personal journey through an ever-changing landscape of jazz as he sees it with playing that earned Allen a blaze of critical attention signaling his ascension to the upper ranks of the contemporary jazz world.
Rose Ever Blooming honours the role of Mary in the story of Jesus, highlighting the importance of family and the eternally strong bonds between mother and son. Inspired by poetry by Patricia Monaghan, we have constructed a libretto featuring twelve of these poems. Traditional Christmas carols are woven together with this poetry, acting as musical touchstones while also supporting the themes and narratives in Monaghan's poetry. Each divine moment of the Christmas story is presented here with a human counterpart. These poems portray Mary in all her humanity and as a reluctant hero of the Christmas story. In Rose Ever Blooming, Mary's story is presented as a reflection from the end of her life, beginning with the Annunciation and ending with her own list of Beatitudes, praising the ordinary and the everyday blessings we take for granted. We see the onset of motherhood as a metamorphosis from ordinary girl to one who will "bring forth the future. " A new Magnificat, not praising an entity outside ourselves, recognizes the divine within all of us. It was refreshing to tell Mary's story through her eyes, and Monaghan's brilliant portrayal of her character shines through in these sensitive and poignant poems.
