International Jazz Day, April 30

The Jazz Journalists Association's JazzApril campaign supports both Jazz Appreciation Month and International Jazz Day (April 30) We use JazzApril to refer to both and to stress that all of "April is Jazz Month."
For those of us who live and breathe jazz, dedicating a month to jazz may seem a bit redundant, or even silly-- but what JazzApril (the JJA's project to support the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month + UNESCO's Jazz Day on April 30) is really trying to do is to reach out beyond the cognoscenti, and build new audiences for jazz. That can't help but be good for all of us. Cheers!

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-days/international-jazz-day-2013/

"For over a century jazz -the universal language of passion and benevolence- has united people of disparate cultures, religions, and nationalities, fostered and strengthened communication and partnerships among heterogeneous groups, enhanced the peace-making process, and demonstrated just how much we all have in common. (...) No musical art form is more powerful as a diplomatic tool than jazz." - Message from Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General and Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador & Chairman of Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

International Jazz Day Press Conference, Istanbul


Al Jarreau, Wayne Shorter and many other jazz virtuosos -- Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, John McLaughlin, Robert Glasper, Lee Ritenour, Terence Blanchard etc -- were assembled, April 29, in Istanbul's famous Topkapi Palace Gardens to announce the most anticipated global musical event of the year: April 30, Istanbul, the 'City of Two Continents' will be unique as the global hub of jazz, live-streaming from 7 p.m. local time the notes of freedom to the near and far corners of the world.

R.I.P.: Hugh McCracken

Another of my musical heroes passed away: Hugh McCracken, often mispelled Hugh MacCracken. In terms of electric guitar, he was the equivalent to what Jay Berliner and Gene Bertoncini represent to acoustic guitar. There's a good obituary below, written by Pierre Perrone to The Independent, focusing on his work with pop and rock stars like Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Alicia Keys and Steely Dan.

But there's not a single line about his tremendous contribution to jazz sessions. Btw, I first noticed McCracken on Ron Carter's "Yellow & Green" album for CTI, on which he also played harmonica. (Ron was one of Hugh's biggest fans, and invited him to many other sessions like "Pastels," Ron's debut for Milestone, backed by Don Sebesky's scores, as well as "Pick 'Em," featuring Hugh playing harmonica on the title track.)

A "first-call" musician (I hate the term "session player"), McCracken played in over 500 pop/rock/soul albums, and in over 200 jazz albums. Still in my childhood, I was also impressed by his performance on Roberta Flack's "Quiet Fire" and Aretha Franklin's "Let Me In Your Life" (both on Atlantic), followed by Bob James' debut on CTI, "One."

Other highlights in my McCracken collection include contributions to albums by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Hank Crawford, Esther Phillips, Idris Muhammad, Houston Person, James Taylor, Herbie Mann, Paul Simon, Gladys Kinight & The Pips, Ashford & Simpson, Eumir Deodato, Marlena Shaw, Laura Nyro, Van McCoy, John Blair, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Billy Joel, Kenny Loggins, Billy Joel, Mike Mainieri, Stephane Grapelli, Carly Simon, Ralph MacDonald, Richard Tee, Sylvia Syms, Michael Franks, David Sanborn, Nancy Wilson, Dr. John, James Brown, Blood Sweat & Tears, Van Morrison, Patti Austin, Randy Crawford, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles and many many more.

Back in 1971, the ATCO label released "Mike Corbett & Jay Hirsh with Hugh McCracken." For the Congress label, McCracken recorded a single as a leader, with the songs "What I Gotta Do To Satisfy You" and "Runnin' Runnin'." A rare/cult 2-LP set issued on CTI, "Genealogy of Crossover Guitarists," lists Hugh as main performer on the title track from Ron Carter's "Yellow & Green." Another track that showcases his talent on harmonica is Stanley Clarke's "Taxi Blues" from Fuse One's self-titled first album. When I produced Deodato's compilation "Do It Again" for Verve, in 2007, one my first choices was "Funk Yourself," which features McCracken's frenetic rhythm guitar. Rest in Peace, Hugh!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/hugh-mccracken-guitarist-who-worked-for-lennon-and-mccartney-8579183.html

The list of credits amassed by the New York session guitarist Hugh McCracken from the late 1960s to the mid-noughties reads like a who's who of popular music and includes the delightful 1970s coffee-table classics Young, Gifted And Black by Aretha Franklin, Abandoned Luncheonette by Daryl Hall & John Oates, Paul Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years and Roberta Flack's Feel Like Makin' Love, as well as Katy Lied and The Royal Scam by Steely Dan.
His understated prowess prompted Paul and Linda McCartney to try to enlist him into the first line-up of Wings after the wonderful contributions he made to their chart-topping album Ram, most notably the solo on the opening track "Too Many People", and the simpatico picking and crisp riffing on their 1971 US No 1, the Noel Coward-meets-Abbey-Road medley "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey".

"This song represented a breakthrough in our musical relationship," McCracken recalled. "Paul is a genius. He sees and hears everything he wants, and would give specific instructions to me and the drummer [Denny Seiwell]. But he didn't know what he wanted the guitar part to be like on this song. I asked him to trust me and he did. After I came up with the parts, he was very pleased. For the rest of the record, Paul let me try things out before making any suggestions."
After McCracken backed Gary Wright, who had been a member of Spooky Tooth, on a European tour in the summer of 1971, he and his wife joined the McCartneys and Seiwell in Scotland, but he turned down their offer to join Wings. "He was such a New York guy that he didn't really like to be away from America," said McCartney when talking about Ram last year. "New York is such a satisfying town, you can walk one block and get anything, whereas you can't do that in the Mull of Kintyre."

By October 1971 McCracken was indeed back in New York, recording "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" with John Lennon, Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band. After finding out that the guitarist had worked with McCartney, Lennon remarked that Ram had just been "an audition to get to me. He said you were all right."
McCracken reconnected with Lennon and Ono for Double Fantasy, the comeback album issued three weeks before Lennon's murder in December 1980. "Like Paul, he was extremely intelligent and aware of what he wanted in the studio," said McCracken of the sessions that included "(Just Like) Starting Over", "Woman" and "Watching The Wheels", and several tracks released posthumously on Milk and Honey in 1984. "But you'd never find two more diametrically opposed personalities. I was working on Double Fantasy at the time of his death. How long did it take me to recover from that night? I still haven't recovered."

Born in 1942, McCracken grew up in New Jersey in a music-loving family. His plumber father led a dance band at weekends while his mother worked in night-clubs. She also played country music around the house, undoubtedly inspiring the picking style that was one of his trademarks.

His chief motivation when he began playing the electric guitar his mother bought him in the mid-1960s was to impress girls, but he learned music theory and became a versatile musician, able to switch to banjo or acoustic guitar, as well as harmonica, and to contribute arrangements and production ideas when necessary. His breadth of styles also embraced the jazz and rhythm and blues he picked up from a friend's record collection. This enabled him to shine when his mother got him an audition with the saxophone virtuoso King Curtis, who hired him for his 1961 album Trouble In Mind.
He took up the stage name Mack Pierce to gig in a cover band called The Funatics, but reverted to his real name when he released a gritty garage single, "You Blow My Mind", in 1966. He quickly became an in-demand sessioneer, helping The Left Banke realise the baroque pop of several tracks on their Walk Away Renée/Pretty Ballerina debut album and contributing to Van Morrison's debut solo hit "Brown Eyed Girl" as well as Neil Diamond's "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon", all in 1967
He can be heard on the bubblegum recordings of the fictional band The Archies and played rhythm guitar and traded solos with blues giant BB King on his 1969 crossover album Completely Well. Equally comfortable backing the singer-songwriter Laura Nyro on the epochal Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968), Johnny Hallyday on a rare New York outing entitled Flagrant Délit (1971) or the soul-jazz vocalists Eugene McDaniels and Marlena Shaw on a run of albums that became rare groove favourites, he was also part of the coterie of Big Apple musicians who moonlighted in Mike Mainieri's experimental jazz-rock outfit White Elephant Orchestra. These included fellow guitarist David Spinozza, who committed a faux pas by accepting another booking after starting work on Ram, and was replaced by McCracken on Denny Seiwell's recommendation.

McCracken, who died of leukaemia, was a stalwart of many Steely Dan sessions, excelling on "Hey Nineteen", one of the definitive tracks on Gaucho (1980), Donald Fagen's solo homage to radio The Nightfly (1982), and the Dan's Two Against Nature (2000) and Everything Must Go (2003). His résumé ran the gamut from saxophonist Tom Scott's New York Connection (1975), with both him and George Harrison playing slide, to The Diary Of Alicia Keys (2003), featuring the worldwide hit "If I Ain't Got You".

- Pierre Perrone
Hugh Carmine McCracken, guitarist, songwriter and producer: born Glen Ridge, New Jersey 31 March 1942; twice married (two sons, two daughters); died New York 28 March 2013.

Blu-ray of the Month - "Miles Davis with Quincy Jones & The Gil Evans Orchestra"

Blu-ray of the Month
Miles Davis with Quincy Jones & The Gil Evans Orchestra: "Live at Montreux 1991" (Eagle Vision)

Featuring: Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Wallace Rooney, Kenny Garrett, Mike Richmond, Grady Tate, Gil Goldstein, Delmar Brown et al.

Previously released on LaserDisc as well as on DVD as part of the 10-disc set "The Definitive Miles Davis at Montreux Collection 1973-1981," it came out now on Blu-ray format, released here in the USA on March 19, 2013.

This concert from July 8th, 1991 was the last of Miles Davis many appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival and took place only a few months before his death. Despite a defiant never look back philosophy, Miles was persuaded by Quincy Jones and Claude Nobs to take part in this tribute to his great friend Gil Evans, who had passed away in 1988. This truly unique concert was an historical event and a musical triumph, thankfully captured here for posterity. Miles Davis was a giant of 20th century music and this concert is as much a tribute to him as it is to the late Gil Evans.
Bonus Features: Interviews with Claude Nobs, Charlie Haden, Stanley Clarke, Michel Petrucciani, Helen Merrill, Betty Carter, Monty Alexander, Jean-Luc Ponty
Tracklisting:
1) Introduction 2) Boplicity 3) Maids Of Cadiz 4) The Duke 5) My Ship 6) Miles Ahead 7) Blues For Pablo 8) Orgone 9) Gone, Gone, Gone 10) Summertime 11) Here Come De Honey Man 12) The Pan Piper 13) Solea

DVD of the Month - "Pat Metheny Group: We Live Here - Live in Japan"

DVD of the Month
Pat Metheny Group: "We Live Here - Live in Japan" (Eagle Vision)

Video Directed & Produced by Takayuki Watanabe
Music Produced by Pat Metheny
Recorded by Alec Head
Mixed by Rob Eaton

Filmed in 1995, reissued now on DVD on March 12, 2013. Six years after their previous studio album, the Pat Metheny Group regrouped in 1995 to release the album "We Live Here." This was to be the first of a set of three albums that the band refer to as the triptych, the others being "Quartet" (1996) and "Imaginary Day" (1997). Following the release of the album, the Pat Metheny Group embarked on a world tour during which this concert was filmed in Japan.

Many of the tracks from the "We Live Here" album are included along with others from their various eighties albums. There are short interview segments with the band members inserted between some of the songs which give an insight into the creation of the album and life on the tour.

Featuring: Pat Metheny (guitars, guitar synths), Lyle Mays (acoustic piano, keyboards), Steve Rodby (acoustic & electric bass), Paul Wertico (drums), David Blamires (vocal, miscellaneous instruments), Mark Ledford (vocals, trumpet, vibes, miscellaneous), Armando Marcal (percussion)
Tracklisting:
1) Have You Heard 2) And Then I Knew 3) Here To Stay 4) First Circle 5) Scrap Metal 6) Farmer's Trust 7) Episode D Azur 8) Third Wind 9) This Is Not America 10) Antonia 11) To The End Of The World 12) Minuano 13) Stranger In Town

CD/DVD Set of the Month - "Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny: Beyond the Missouri Sky"

CD/DVD Set of the Month
Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny: "Beyond The Missouri Sky" (Universal)

Featuring: Charlie Haden (acoustic bass) & Pat Metheny (acoustic & electric guitars)

DVD-Audio of the Month - "Pat Metheny Group: Imaginary Day"

DVD-Audio of the Month
Pat Metheny Group: "Imaginary Day" (WB)

Disk 1
1. Imaginary Day (5.1 Mix)
2. Follow Me (5.1 Mix)
3. Into The Dream (5.1 Mix)
4. A Story Within The Story (5.1 Mix)
5. The Heat Of The Day (5.1 Mix)
6. Across The Sky (5.1 Mix)
7. The Roots Of Coincidence (5.1 Mix)
8. Too Soon Tomorrow (5.1 Mix)
9. The Awakening (5.1 Mix)

Disk 2
1. Imaginary Day (Album Version)
2. Follow Me (Album Version)
3. Into The Dream (Album Version)
4. A Story Within The Story (Album Version)
5. The Heat Of The Day (Album Version)
6. Across The Sky (Album Version)
7. The Roots Of Coincidence (Extended Album Version)
8. Too Soon Tomorrow (Album Version)
9. The Awakening (Album Version)

CD Box Set of the Month - "Weather Report: The Columbia Albums 1971-1975"

CD Box Set of the Month
Weather Report: "The Columbia Albums 1971-1975" (Legacy)

Featuring: Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Miroslav Vitous, Alphonse Mouzon, Airto Moreira, Alphonso Johnson, Eric Gravatt, Dom Um Romão, Ralph Towner, Hubert Laws, Andrew White, Wilmer Wise et al.

For many, the story of Weather Report begins with the late 1970s albums that featured the addition of electric bassist Jaco Pastorius (as documented on 2011's box set, "Weather Report: The Columbia Albums 1976-1982," which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the band's formation). Yet what the six albums that make up this comprehensive collection prove beyond a shadow of a doubt is that the early to mid 1970s saw some of the most adventurous and satisfying work of Weather Report's entire lifespan.

In fact, it's these recordings "Weather Report," "I Sing the Body Electric," "Live In Tokyo," "Sweetnighter," "Mysterious Traveller" and "Tale Spinnin'" that established Weather Report as one of the seminal fusion ensembles of the era, alongside such brethren bands as the Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Headhunters, and Return To Forever. With remastered sound and authoritative liner notes by Bill Milkowski, Weather Report: The Columbia Albums 1971-1975, is also noteworthy for the inclusion of the complete Live In Tokyo, (a handful of whose tracks had appeared on I Sing the Body Electric) which captures the band at a peak performance in 1972.

CD Compilation of the Month - "João Gilberto: The Legend"

CD Compilation of the Month
João Gilberto: "The Legend" (Él/Cherry Red)

A precious 2-CD set including Gilberto's first three LPs to Odeon ("Chega de Saudade," "O Amor O Sorriso E A Flor" and "João Gilberto") on their entirety, plus several bonus tracks from the 50s: the EP with songs from "Black Orpheus," another EP with the tracks from the "Copacabana Palace Soundtrack," his first 78rpm as a solo singer ("Meia Luz" and "Quando Ela Sai," cut in 1952), two singles with Gilberto as a member of the Garotos da Lua vocal group, recordings as a sideman for Elizeth Cardoso, Jonas Silva and Os Cariocas, a rare session with his idol Luiz Bonfá, and a live version of Jobim's "Outra Vez" (backed only by Miton Banana's unobtrusive brushwork on the drums) performed at the famous Bossa Nova concert at Carnegie Hall in 1962. Essential item!

CD Reissue of the Month - "Masahiko Satoh & Soundbreakers: Amalgamation"

CD Reissue of the Month
Masahiko Satoh & Soundbreakers: "Amalgamation" (Phoenix)

Produced by Creed Taylor
Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder
Composed & Arranged by Masahiko Satoh

Part 1 recorded August 17, 1970 (1pm~7pm at Toshiba Records 1st studio, Tokyo, Japan)
Edited September 18, 1pm~7pm at Toshiba Records room A
Part 2 recorded August 22, 1970 (1pm~7pm @ Toshiba Records 1st studio)
Edited August 30, 10am~8pm at Toshiba Records 2nd studio & October 24, 10am~6pm at Toshiba Records 2nd studio.

Featuring: Masahiko Satoh (Fender Rhodes electric piano, organ, percussion), Peter Davis & Jackie Heimann (trombones), Mototeru Takagi (tenor sax, soprano sax, bass clarinet), Masaoki Terakawa (bass), Louis Hayes (drums), Yoshisaburoh Toyozumi (percussion), Hideakira Sakurai (percussion, vocals), Kayoko Itoh (vocal effects), Kimio Mizutani (electric guitar), Hiro Yanagida (organ on Track 1) & Masaoki Terakawa (bass on Track 1)
Strings: Wehnne Strings Consort
Conductor: Daniel Lehmann

Vocal CD of the Month - "Molly Holm: Permission"

Vocal CD of the Month
Molly Holm: "Permission" (Rinny Zin)

Produced & Arranged by Frank Martin
Executive Producer: Molly Holm
Recording & Mixing Engineer: Kenny Evans @ Mesa Recording Studio (Sebastopol, Califirnia)
Mastered by Ken Lee
Album Design: Caryn Dickman (with special thx to Peggy Kiss)
Photos & Website by Irene Young
Liner Notes: Tarabu Betserai Kirkland

Featuring: Molly Holm (vocals), Frank Martin (piano), Jeff Chambers (bass), Famoudou Don Moye (drums), Deszon Claiborne (drums), Antonia Minnecola (North Indian vocal percussion) & Larry Schneider (soprano sax)

Special Guests: Bill Bell (piano), Marc van Wageningen (electric bass), Paul van Wageningen (drums), Eddie Marshall (drums), David Frazier (percussion) & Wayne Wallace (trombone)
**********
Molly Holm has been a visionary presence on the Bay Area music scene -- as an original member of Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra, as a featured singer with Terry Riley and Zakir Hussain, as a Mills College adjunct faculty member -- for more than three decades. Her far-ranging artistic pursuits, however, have not included recording an album of her own -- until now. Holm's overdue and highly anticipated debut, "Permission" (released on her own Rinny Zin imprint), showcases her unique, fully-formed jazz vocal artistry.

"It is a debut in the sense that it is her first official offering under her name," writes CD annotator Tarabu Betserai Kirkland, "but given her long and extensive career as a jazz vocalist, improviser, composer, ensemble director, arranger, and educator, 'Permission' is more of a continuum than a prologue."

"Permission" combines classic songs by Chick Corea ("Sea Journey"), Joe Zawinul ("Go There Now" aka "74 Miles Away"), Charles Mingus ("Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," with Rahsaan Roland Kirk's lyrics), Mongo Santamaria ("Afro Blue"), and Thelonious Monk ("Straight No Chaser") with six original compositions, some sporting her richly poetic lyrics. Holm's "The Bear" is a gorgeously harmonized a cappella piece performed by ten Bay Area singers, including Linda Tillery, Rhiannon, Raz Kennedy, and Nicolas Bearde, and was inspired by her former Mills instructors Pandit Pran Nath and Terry Riley. On the disc's opener, "Improvised Raga," Holm sings non-word syllables in the Kirana tradition of North Indian raga derived from Pran Nath, one of her major mentors.

"Instead of waking from a dream, I feel like a dream has awakened me!" says Holm. "I've had such wonderful opportunities throughout my performance career -- working with, and learning from, diverse and highly-acclaimed artists who know how to push the envelope. And now, to finally bring together my own musical ideas into a single recording, I have to say it does my soul good."

Besides members of Holm's own band -- pianist (and CD producer/arranger) Frank Martin, bassist Jeff Chambers, drummer Deszon Claiborne, and trombonist Wayne Wallace -- the participants include drummer Famoudou Don Moye, soprano and tenor saxophonist Larry Schneider (famous for his work on the Bill Evans/Toots Thielemans legendary "Affinity" album for Warner Bros.), vocal percussionist Antonia Minnecola, pianist Bill Bell, bassist Mark van Wageningen, percussionist David Frazier, the late drummers Paul van Wageningen and Eddie Marshall, and some of the key singers who, like Molly, sang in the original Voicestra. All, with the exception of Art Ensemble of Chicago member Moye, are based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Born in Salem, Oregon in 1954, Molly Holm grew up hearing Mingus, Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan around the house and impromptu singing with her jazz-fan mother and four siblings. Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro were important early vocal influences. "In high school," Holm recalls, "I learned to sing by listening to them. I didn't take voice lessons till I was 23."

Holm moved to the Bay Area at 18 to study at Mills, but followed a circuitous path of singing and study elsewhere before returning to complete her bachelor's degree in 1979 and a master's in composition in 1982. Her classes at Mills with Pandit Pran Nath, Terry Riley, and W.A. Mathieu had a lasting impact on her own music.

"One of the most important things I learned from Terry is that he's not afraid to just try anything," says Holm. "He doesn't seem to have any self-consciousness if he makes a mistake. I try to emulate that freedom, that lack of worry about making mistakes."

Bobby McFerrin first encountered Holm when she was directing a 14-member choir called Jazzmouth. He tapped her to run the yearlong auditions for an a cappella vocal ensemble he was putting together, and in 1986 she was one of ten singers handpicked to join him in that innovative new vocal orchestra, Voicestra.

"Bobby came up with the idea to use a group of singers by leading the improvising himself," she says. "He'd do the improvising and give the singers a repetitive part-circle singing or what we used to call 'add a part, change a part.' It was a huge thing to learn from him."

Holm subsequently used these lessons in various singing groups she's led, including her new women's group, Molly Holm and The Impermanent Ensemble; in classes she's taught at Folsom Prison, the California Medical Facility in Vacaville; and for the past 14 years as an adjunct faculty member at Mills.

In addition to her work with ensemble singing, Holm has self-produced concerts as a solo vocalist with rhythm-section support in years past, one of which led writer Fred Setterberg to describe her voice as "a fluid, birdsong alto, winding and lilting, with barely a hint of vibrato; a voice like the woody middle register of a clarinet." Her new CD gives her, well, permission to explore more deeply this aspect of her music.

Molly Holm will be performing a CD release show with her band (Frank Martin, Jeff Chambers, Deszon Claiborne, Wayne Wallace, Melecio Magdaluyo, Antonia Minnecola) on Sunday 4/21 at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley.

Instrumental CD of the Month - "Ronnie Cuber: Live at JazzFest Berlin"

Instrumental CD of the Month
Ronnie Cuber: "Live at JazzFest Berlin" (SteepleChase)

Produced by Roberta Arnold & Ronnie Cuber
Executive Producer: Nils Winther
Recording Engineers: Klaus Bischke & Namen Rauslassen
Mixed & Mastered by Jay Messina
Cover Photo: Dino Perrucci
Liner Photos: V. Morciglio III, Rinat Aldema & Paul Richardson
Liner Notes: Mark Gardner
Total Time 62:20

Featuring: Ronnie Cuber (baritone sax), Kenny Drew, Jr. (acoustic piano), Ruben Rodriguez (electric bass) & Ben Perowsky (drums)

"Hallelujah: A Celebration of Rebirth and Renewal" with Charmaine Clamor, tomorrow, Easter Sunday, in Hollywood

Come & celebrate Spiritual Renewal & Rebirth with singer Charmaine Clamor on Easter Sunday, March 31st, 7pm at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood.
Piano: Andy Langham
Bass: Dominic Thiroux
Drums: Abe Lagrimas Jr

RSVP: 323-466-2210
$20 Tickets & Info: www.catalinajazzclub.com  

"I haven't had a solo concert in Los Angeles in a couple of years," Charmaine says, "and I am thrilled to be making a Los Angeles debut of my special Easter Show at Catalina Bar & Grill."

"When I'm not singing I heal people as a physical therapist, I've been doing it for 13 years. My journey with healing begins with me. After many unsuccessful attempts with traditional medicine I decided to seek alternative care and took control of my own health. I changed my diet, decreased stress by meditating, and enlarged my yoga practice. I'm now on the path to full healing, never more aware of the utmost importance of being healthy in body, mind and spirit."

At the concert with her Killin' Sweethearts band -- Abe, Dominic and Andy --, Charmaine promises "to celebrate spiritual rebirth and renewal with you. I will offer uplifting songs to nourish the soul, songs like "His Eye is On the Sparrow," "Come Sunday," "Overjoyed," and, of course, the title song, Leonard Cohen's powerful anthem "Hallelujah."

"Hallelujah!" is a non-denominational celebration of being alive. So, "here's to life!"

Gina Saputo & Courtney Lemmon live in CA!

Come check out Gina Saputo/Courtney Lemmon show at Steamers on SATURDAY NIGHT, March 30th! Jazz and POP duets! Featuring: Matt Politano, Nate Light & Charles Ruggiero. Ph: (714) 871-8800 www.steamerscafe.com

Singer Songwriter needed

The person running this search is the kind of guy every artist hopes to meet - a true star maker! Our point? Easter is coming on Sunday. You're going to be busy with family. Use Saturday to find your best songs and make your pitch before this opportunity ends up in the old, "Crap, I missed it!" folder.

CONTEMPORARY SINGER SONGWRITERS in the general stylistic range of Christina Perri, Ed Sheeran, Colbie Calliet, etc., are needed by a Big-Time Industry Veteran looking for new acts to develop. This company needs artists who are "confident and ahead of the curve." A fresh sound and perspective, while sounding like you'd be heard on the same playlist as the referenced artists will help you stand out for this pitch. Top-notch songs with a UNIQUE vocal will go a long way!

Songwriting and production must be CURRENT! If you've got a growing fanbase and touring experience, you'll be even more appealing. So make sure those things are mentioned in your bio. MALE or FEMALE vocals are BOTH okay. ALL TEMPOS are OK for this pitch. Please submit two to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics, photo, and bio. All submissions will be screened on a Yes/No basis - no full critiques from TAXI - and must be received no later than Tuesday, March 2, 2013. Please visit www.taxi.com

Comin' Soon: JazzApril + UNESCO's Jazz Day!

Please help spread the word about JazzApril!

The Jazz Journalists Association's JazzApril campaign supports both Jazz Appreciation Month and International Jazz Day (April 30) We use JazzApril to refer to both and to stress that all of "April is Jazz Month."

For those of us who live and breathe jazz, dedicating a month to jazz may seem a bit redundant, or even silly-- but what JazzApril (the JJA's project to support the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month + UNESCO's Jazz Day on April 30) is really trying to do is to reach out beyond the cognoscenti, and build new audiences for jazz.  That can't help but be good for all of us. Cheers!

Poncho Sanchez live @ Steamers!

Tonight @ Steamers!

SUN MAR 24, 7PM-11PM

ALL AGES- $15 CALL 714-871-8800 FOR TIX  

GRAMMY AWARD WINNING PONCHO SANCHEZ!

 

Steamers Jazz Club and Cafe138 W. Commonwealth Ave
Fullerton, CA 92832
714-871-8800
jazz@steamersjazz.com
www.steamersjazz.com
As a percussionist, he's L.A.'s answer to Mongo Santamario; as a band leader, Poncho Sanchez' crisp arrangements, Cubop flair and informed jazz sensibility bear comparison to Machito's."

Afro-Cuban music and jazz have been among Sanchez's obsessions since his pre-teen years. Born in Laredo, Texas on October 30, 1951 but raised in L.A., he was the youngest of eleven kids - some of them hardcore jazz enthusiasts, and all of them devoted salseros.
For Sanchez, it wasn't hard to be exposed to such Latin greats as Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puente, Machito, Celia Cruz, and Ray Barretto (along with heavy doses of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown and Thelonious Monk) on a daily basis. Mambo, son, cha-cha, rhumba, guaracha - Sanchez quickly absorbed all of these Afro-Cuban styles (which fall under the umbrella term "salsa") as well as the art of jazz improvisation.
One of Sanchez's primary inspirations was the late vibist Cal Tjader, who did so much to popularize Latin jazz in the 1950s. After idolizing Tjader most of his life, a 23-year-old Sanchez ended up joining his band in 1975--and would remain with him until his death in Manila in the Philippines on May 5, 1982, at the age of 56.

Comin' soon: JazzApril + UNESCO's Jazz Day

Please help spread the word about JazzApril!

The Jazz Journalists Association's JazzApril campaign supports both Jazz Appreciation Month and International Jazz Day (April 30) We use JazzApril to refer to both and to stress that all of "April is Jazz Month."

For those of us who live and breathe jazz, dedicating a month to jazz may seem a bit redundant, or even silly-- but what JazzApril (the JJA's project to support the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month + UNESCO's Jazz Day on April 30) is really trying to do is to reach out beyond the cognoscenti, and build new audiences for jazz.  That can't help but be good for all of us. Cheers!

April! Jazz Appreciation Month!

April! Jazz Appreciation Month! Join' us in this celebration! And please visit: www.smithsonianjazz.org/

Scot Albertson & Billy Test live in NY

Friday 3/22 & 3/23 (Show time: 8:00pm-11:00pm)
JERRY SCOTS Open Mic at Parnells Restaurant, with guest host SCOT ALBERTSON!
The great singer will be performing in a vocal/piano duo with Billy Test. If you are in the NY area, don't miss these sets!
Parnells Restaurant
350 East 53rd Street, & 1st Ave.
NYC, NY 10022 -
Ph: (212) 753-1761

CD/DVD Set of the Month (New) - "The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion"

CD/DVD of The Month (New)
Randy Brecker: "The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion" (HalfNote)

Featuring: Randy Brecker (trumpet), David Sanborn (alto sax), Mike Stern (electric guitar), Will Lee (electric bass), Dave Weckl (drums), George Whitty (keyboards) & Ada Rovatti Brecker (tenor sax)

In the annals of jazz history, the Brecker Brothers wrote a chapter all their own. Though Michael Brecker died in 2007, the sound they created spawned generations of imitators. Now, Randy Brecker and former members of the Brothers’ studio and touring bands have reconvened to make new music.

Now, the story continues with David Sanborn, Mike Stern, Will Lee, Dave Weckl, George Whitty, Ada Rovatti Brecker et al featuring killer versions of “Some Skunk Funk” (previously revisited by Randy with the late Bob Berg when both took part of the CTI Superband "Chroma" on its live CD "Music on the Edge") and “Straphangin’,” as well as a host of Randy Brecker originals. Besides the new studio CD, this special set includes a 98-minute DVD filmed at NY's Blue Note.

Disc 1 (CD)
1. First Tune Of The Set 2. Stellina 3. The Dipshit 4. Merry Go Town 5. The Slag 6. Really In For It 7. Elegy For Mike 8. On The Rise 9. Adina 10. R N Bee 11. Musician’s Ol’Lady Dues Blues

Disc 2 (DVD: LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE)
1. First Tune Of The Set  2. The Slag  3. Adina 4. Really In For It 5. Straphangin’ 6. Stellina 7. Merry Go Town 8. Inside Out 9. Some Skunk Funk

SHM-CD (with DVD) of the Month - "Diana Krall: Glad Rag Doll"

SHM-CD of the Month (with bonus tracks + DVD)
Diana Krall: "Glad Rag Doll" (Verve/Universal Japan)

Features cardboard sleeve jacket and the high-fidelity SHM-CD format compatible with standard CD players. This limited edition includes many bonus tracks (17 songs in total) plus a bonus DVD -- with the "Glad Rag Doll" EPK -- encoded for region 2 (Japan, Europe, and Middle East), No subtitles are included.

SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) enables greater transparency, more open sound, lower distortion and better resolution that leads to more sound details. It achieves higher quality audio through the use of a polycarbonate plastic with improved transparency derived from LCD display manufacturing technologies.

Produced by T-Bone Burnett

Featuring: Diana Krall (vocals, piano), Marc Ribot (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, 6-String bass & banjo),T-Bone Burnett (guitars), Howard Coward (ukulele, mandola, tenor-guitar, harmony vocals), Jay Bellerose (drums),Dennis Crouch (bass), Bryan Sutton (guitars), Colin Linden (guitars, dobro), Keefus Green (keyboards, mellotron)

Vocal CD of the Month - "Introducing Letizia Gambi"

Vocal CD of the Month
"Introducing Letizia Gambi" (Jando Music)

Produced by Lenny White
Executive Producers: Giandomenico Ciaramella & Letizia Gambi

Special Guests (in alphabetical order): Gato Barbieri, Ron Carter, Chick Corea, Gil Goldstein, Wallace Rooney, Patrice Rushen & Lenny White
Also Featuring: Max Ionata, John Benitez, Antonio Farao, Hector Del Curto, Dave Finch, Vince Evans, Dario Rosciglione, Nick Moroch, Pete Levin, Axel Tosca, Carlos Franzetti, Jisso Ok, Nick Danielson et al

Artwork: Enzo Criscione
Photos: Alberto Borgonovo & Paolo Soriani
Recorded mostly @ Knoop Studios (New Jersey) by Manfred Knoop
Mixed by Manfred Knoop & Pablo Arraya
Mastered by Greg Calbi @ Sterling Sound (NYC)

The golden voice of Letizia Gambi debuts on this beautiful album produced by master Lenny White (of Return To Forever fame, not to mention his work on Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" and Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay," two seminal albums from the 70s.) Her strong and powerful singing shines throughout the CD, recorded with an all-star cast (see the list above) assembled by White, her teacher and mentor.

The repertoire ranges from the opening track "Una Furtiva Lagrima" (the famous aria from Donizetti's opera "L'Elisir D'Amore," a Caruso "hit" updated to the pop-jazz idiom by White's arrangement) to Bjork's trance tune "Bachelorette" to Prince's "The Question of U." The ecletic program, unified by White's production skills, also includes old ("'O Sole Mio," featuring Ron Carter; I only wish that the bass could have been recorded at Van Gelder's to sound fat & warm like only Rudy knows how to do) and new (Pino Danielle's "Appocundria," featuring Chick Corea on piano) Neapolitan melodies, tasteful pop/r&b originals, and a jazz standard (Duke Ellington's "In A Sentimental Mood") married to "Munasterio 'E Santachiara".

Like Gil Goldstein says on the 20-page CD booklet (wondrous artwork, by the way, full of seductive pics and liner notes by Ashley Kahn), "Lenny White and Letizia Gambi have created the hippest musical address in Naples, at the intersection of Neapolitan music and jazz." And, like Ron Carter adds on his statement, "It was soooo nice to play with a singer that can really sing." What else can we say? Well, we already said in our 34th Annual Jazz Station Poll. Check the Female Singers, New Talent and Best 10 Vocal Jazz CDs categories and see for yourself. Brindiamo!
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com.br/2012/12/the-best-jazz-of-2012-os-melhores-do.html

CD/DVD Set of the Month (Historical) - "Miles Davis: Live in Europe 1969"

CD/DVD Set of The Month (Historical)
Miles Davis Quintet: "Live in Europe 1969 - The Bootleg Series Vol.2" (Sony)

"Live in Europe 1969" lives up to the Miles Davis Bootleg Series mission of presenting live performances that are previously unreleased, have previously only been bootlegged, or are very rare. This new set is the first collection of Miles's Third Great Quintet, aka "The Lost Band" of 1968-1970 with Miles (trumpet), Wayne Shorter (soprano & tenor sax), Chick Corea (Fender Rhodes), Dave Holland (bass) & Jack DeJohnette (drums) at their peak; they were never recorded in the studio).

This long awaited 3CD + 1DVD release captures the short-lived freeheeling quintet in three separate concert settings, starting with two full-length (one hour-plus) sets at the Antibes Jazz Festival in France on June 25 & 26, 1969, in Stockholm as part of "The Newport Jazz Festival In Europe" five months later, and completed with a stunning NTSC DVD 46-minute performance at the Berlin Philharmonie, filmed in color.

Rhythms here are completely unbound – sometimes wilder even than the sounds on "Bitches Brew," and played with a similar intensity on the keyboard, trumpet, and sax solos – an unbridled power that really takes off over the space of the very long cuts on the collection! The whole thing's an essential addition to these very important years for Miles, and the tunes include "Miles Runs The Voodoo Down", "Sanctuary", "It's About That Time", "Footprints", "Paraphernalia", "Nefertiti", "No Blues," "Masqualero", "Spanish Key", "Directions", and "Bitches Brew". DVD also features a November 7, 1969 performance from the Berliner Jazztage – of titles that include "Directions", "Bitches Brew", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "It's About That Time", and "The Theme". Essential for all Miles' fans.

Gina Saputo live @ Steamers, tonight!

Gina Saputo @ Steamers (138 W. Commonwealth Blvd. - Fullerton, CA) tonight, March 8! $8 ALL AGES-! Call (714) 871-8800

Featuring Matt Politano (piano), Dave Miller (bass), Ramon Banda (drums) & Larry Salzman (sax).
Not to be missed!

SACD of the Month - "Freddie Hubbard: Red Clay"

SACD of the Month (Hybrid)
Freddie Hubbard: "Red Clay" (CTI/ORG)

Produced by Creed Taylor
Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder
Featuring: Herbie Hancock (Fender Rhodes & Hammond organ), Ron Carter (electric bass), Lenny White (drums) & Joe Henderson (tenor sax & flute)
Recorded January 27, 28 & 29, 1970, at Van Gelder Studios (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey)
Cover photo by Price Givens
Album design by Tony Lane

"Red Clay" is a jazz classic. Period. And now it becomes the second CTI album to be released on SACD (Hybrid issue, that plays on SACD and CD players, like had happened with the first CTI title on this format, Jim Hall's "Concierto," that came out on Mobile Fidelity in 2003.)

Includes four great tunes composed by Hubbard: Besides the title track, which became a contemporary jazz standard, includes three other great compositions by Hubbard: "Delphia" (a gorgeous ballad dedicated to his mother, with Herbie moving to organ and Henderson playing flute), "Suite Sioux" and the explosive hard-bop "The Intrepid Fox."

For more details and to order (because it's a limited issue and soon will be sold-out...), please check:
http://www.base.com/buy/product/freddie-hubbard-red-clay-sacd-music-cd/dgc-orgm1085sacd.htm

Box Set of the Month - "The Brecker Bros. The Complete Arista Albums Collection"

Box Set of the Month (8-CD set)
The Brecker Bros.: "The Complete Arista Albums Collection" (Sony)

Available in the U.S. through DustyGroove:
http://www.dustygroove.com/browse.php?kwfilter=brecker+albums&incl_oos=1&incl_cs=1

And that's what they say:
"Seminal work from The Brecker Brothers – 6 of the group's best albums, plus the two "Blue Montreux" live albums – packaged together in one very cool set, in tiny LP-like sleeves! The self-titled "Brecker Brothers" album is the first super effort from the team of Randy & Michael Brecker, whose twin-horn frontline forged a very popular sound in the mid 70s – some really well-crafted numbers, done with a strong smooth approach that still sits well after all these years!

"Back To Back" features the twin horns of Randy & Michael Brecker, along with alto by David Sanborn, keyboards by Don Grolnick, and guitar by Steve Khan – but one of the things that really makes the album great is the vocal arrangements, which were handled by Luther Vandross, who also sung on the album along with Patti Austin. The set's got a great soulful feel – with some wonderful mellow groovers that have a sweet 70s sound!

"Don't Stop The Music" is a stone classic from The Brecker Brothers – working with touches of club and disco grooves to give an even smoother edge to the jazz funk of the pair. And thanks to some solid soloing that's not afraid to go for the easy spots, the album's a lot more solid than an number of sound-a-like copycat LPs to come out at the time!

"Heavy Metal Be Bop" is tight and funky jamming, with a bit more guitar here than on some of their other records – hence, possibly, the title! Keyboards and guitar jam strongly, but Randy and Michael still get in plenty of space for their solos – pushing their jazz licks with the jamming intensity that might normally be relegated to guitar heroes in the rock world.

On "Detente," the Brecker's are still rooted in jazz, but definitely step out with plenty of soul in the mix too – vocals from DJ Rogers, Carl Carlwell, Luther Vandross, and others – all of whom really add a lot to the set! On "Straphangin," the BBs manage to groove with a sharpness and depth that most of their smoother fusion contemporaries just weren't hitting – an edge that reminds us of the deeper roots these guys had before they started hitting the mainstream!

Last up are the live fusion classics Blue Montreux Vols 1 & 2 – both recorded as a unique live all-star outing by a group of Arista's best jazz players at the time! The group's an octet, but plays together in differing formations throughout the record – with Warren Bernhardt on keyboards, Michael Brecker on saxes, Randy Brecker on trumpet, Steve Jordan on drums, Steve Khan and Larry Coryell on guitars, Tony Levin on bass, and Mike Maineri on vibes – the last of which really make for some of the best numbers on the album!

DVD of the Month - "Hermeto Pascoal: Hermeto Brincando de Corpo e Alma"

DVD of the Month
Hermeto Pascoal: "Hermeto Brincando de Corpo e Alma" (HPAM)

The Brazilian-born genius of the universal music presents another astonishing release: solo performances played on (and through) his body, but coming directly from his blessed soul, with the use of no "traditional" instruments at all. All tracks filmed live at the spur-of-the-moment during the studio sessions in Curitiba, where he currently lives with his adored wife and musical partner Aline Morena, who co-produced the DVD. Instead of a bass, heartbeats. Instead of drums, body percussion. Instead of flutes, lots of whistlings. Reeds? No, just the sounds from Hermeto's beard. Unbelievable! Essential for all Hermeto fans as well as for anyone interested in the evolution of contemporary music.

NTSC, Digital Surround 5.1
All tracks composed & performed by Hermeto Pascoal
Artistic Direction & Executive Producer: Aline Morena
Technical Director: Dirceu Saggin
Engineer: Beto Japa @ Trilhas Urbanas Studio (Curitiba, PR, Brazil)
Assistant Engineer: Mauricio Bernardo
Mixed & Mastered by Beto Japa, Hermeto Pascoal & Aline Morena

Video Director: João Marcelo Gomes
Director of Photography: Mauricio Baggio
Sync: Solano Trento
Still Photography: Mauricio Baggio & João Marcelo Gomes
Graphic Project: Adriana Alegria
Cover Design: Ruy Pereira
Image Treatment: Defendi Machado

CD of the Month (Historical) - "Unreleased Art Pepper Vol. II @ Sankei Hall"

CD of The Month (Historical) 2-CD Set
Art Pepper: "Unreleased Art Pepper Vol. II @ Sankei Hall, Osaka, Japan" (Widow's Taste)

Recorded live in November 18, 1980
Produced for Release by Laurie Pepper
Mastered by Wayne Peet @ Newzone Studio
Photos, Album Design & Liner Notes: Laurie Pepper
Artwork asst. by K.C. Kyle, J. Rasfeld & T. Carnasale

Featuring: Art Pepper (alto sax & clarinet), George Cables (acoustic piano), Tony Dumas (acoustic bass) & Carl Burnett (drums)

"An Art Pepper Banquet"

Laurie Pepper founded Widow's Taste Records in 2006 to "introduce unreleased and unheard Art to people who love him as well as to people who don't yet know him, so they can fill their lives with soulful beauty." Since then, the label has been releasing prime Pepper recordings on an annual basis. Widow's Taste's latest offering, "Unreleased Art Pepper, Vol. VII," is a two-CD set recorded in November 1980 in Osaka, Japan. Its release coincided with that of "Neon Art: Volume One," the first of three Art Pepper vinyl singles scheduled for 2012 release by Omnivore Recordings.

The Osaka session is a happy one, swinging and melodic. It reunites the alto saxophonist with pianist George Cables, and "Art's mood was sunny throughout this trip," recalls Laurie, "because he loved being on the road with George and loved working with him every night."

Other reasons for Art's cheer (he mentions them onstage): The acclaim accorded his just-published book "Straight Life," co-authored with Laurie, and the satisfaction he felt after completing his ballad album with strings, "Winter Moon" (Galaxy). Art's inspired live performance of "Winter Moon" at this Osaka concert is, as far as Laurie knows, the only one extant and one good reason for releasing this material.

The vinyl singles owe their existence to Omnivore Recordings' Cheryl Pawelski, who happened to hear the burning version of Art's deeply funky tune "Red Car" posted by Widow's Taste last year as a free listen for the fans. Cheryl immediately called Laurie to ask if they could make a deal for a vinyl release. They did. Between them they chose that "Red Car" and, for the flip side, an effervescent "Blues for Blanche." "Art hated the idea that people put jazz in a pigeonhole," says Laurie. "He said he wanted to make people forget the categories. 'I want to make them open up and listen.'" Omnivore, with its comedy, pop, rock, and what-is-it catalog, is a vehicle that's made to carry absolutely everything.

"When I first heard the live version of 'Red Car' from Parnell's [1981]," says Pawelski, "I instantly wanted to share it with everyone I know, and that's when I knew we had a project. Omnivore, by design, aims to share outstanding previously unissued music, and rarely is it as good and as much fun as these Art Pepper recordings. Omnivore is grateful to be working with Laurie Pepper to bring Art's music to a new audience." To which Laurie says, "Amen!"

Volumes Two and Three of "Neon Art" offer greatest hits: Volume Two includes "Mambo Koyama," "Over the Rainbow," "Allen's Alley"; Volume Three, "Make a List," "Everything Happens to Me," and "Arthur's Blues." For more information about these singles, please visit www.omnivorerecordings.com.

Widow's Taste's seventh Unreleased Art Pepper is all about the music, especially the soulful "Winter Moon" and blazing "Make a List" performances. It was recorded by an anonymous audience member on cassette. The crowd was absolutely silent, Laurie recalls, "but the room is a presence; let's just say it's very live. So this particular album plants you firmly in the audience beside that sneaky fellow on that night at Sankei Hall." It's been remastered by Wayne Peet, as have all six preceding Widow's Taste releases, and he revivifies this show. The album also includes a 32-page booklet, packed with photos of the tour and, as usual, Laurie's gossipy reminiscences of life on the front lines.

By the time of this recording, Art had settled on his favorite drummer, Carl Burnett, who appears on almost every recording Art made during his last years. Tony Dumas was the youngest, shyest member of the band, but he's impressive, and Art says so. With Tony, Art made "Landscape" and "Besame Mucho" (Galaxy). And Tony is the bassist on last year's best-seller for Widow's Taste, "Blues for the Fisherman," the four-disc set from Ronnie Scott's in London. George Cables is on the historic "Art Pepper Live at the Village Vanguard" set, "The Trip," and "No Limit" (Contemporary) plus all the Galaxy "Maiden Voyage" albums, "Tête-à-Tête," and "Goin' Home." He's also featured with Carl on "Unreleased Art Pepper, Vol. I: Abashiri" (Widow's Taste) and on upcoming "Neon Art: Volumes Two and Three" (Omnivore).

George Cables will be heard on more releases in the years to come. In fact, a treasure trove of hitherto unheard material has quite recently been unearthed, much of it recorded directly from the sound boards at great concerts in Japan, where Art returned repeatedly. While much of the material is the same from gig to gig, each version stands alone and fresh as Art engages with it. In store are not-to-be-missed performances -- and some surprise unique tracks like this "Winter Moon."
***********
Previous Widow's Taste releases:
Art Pepper: Unreleased Art, Vol. I: Abashiri
If the sound is surprisingly good, the playing is often astonishing. The great altoist could pack so much raw emotion into his work that he made most others seem like dilettantes. --Ray Comisky, The Irish Times

Art Pepper: Unreleased Art, Vol. II: The Last Concert
[A] privilege to listen to the final concert of the master, Art Pepper. . . soulful, with a strong swing feel, lyrical, edgy. --Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition

Art Pepper: Unreleased Art, Vol. III: The Croydon Concert
Pepper throws down the gauntlet, throwing caution to the wind, and plays with an urgency not heard since his Village Vanguard performances in 1977. The sound is crisp and potent. --C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

Art Pepper: The Art History Project (Vol. IV)
The remastering by Wayne Peet is superb. It's a delight to have Laurie Pepper's choices here. Just knowing that she finds these tracks meaningful and in this order makes them special. --Marc Myers, JazzWax

Art Pepper: Unreleased Art, Vol. V: Stuttgart
[A] miraculous double disc. This is Pepper's triumph. Listen to it once and you'll want to immediately go out and score the first four volumes. Bravo! --Brian McCoy, Examiner.com

Blues for the Fisherman: Unreleased Art Pepper, Vol. VI
Pepper is simply on fire. It's one of those perfect musical statements that could never have been captured in any studio. The immediacy and emotion of the moment are so boldly displayed that it could only have been possible through the energy of a live crowd. --Greg Simmons, All About Jazz

CD of the Month (New) - "Gene Bertoncini & Mike Mainieri: Reunion"

CD of the Month (New)
Gene Bertoncini, Mike Mainieri, Michael Moore & Joe Corsello: "Reunion" (Ambient)

Rating:
***** (musical performance & sonic quality)

Produced & Engineered by Mark Conese
Executive Producer: Michael Stamm
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered @ Ambient Recording Co.
Art Direction & Photography: Michael G. Stewart
Design Assistant: Christa McInturff
Liner Photos: James Burns III
Liner Notes: Gene Bertoncini

Featuring: Gene Bertoncini (acoustic nylon string and electric hollow body guitars), Mike Mainieri (vibes), Michael Moore (acoustic bass) and Joe Corsello (drums)

This sublime CD combines the talents of four of today’s most well respected musicians recorded with audiophile recording techniques. The tonal combination of guitar and vibes paired with acoustic bass and traditional jazz drum set makes this recording a sonic delight. “Reunion” is comprised of classic standards and original compositions. The CD title “Reunion” comes from Gene Bertoncini’s long association with Mike Mainieri, Michael Moore and Joe Corsello all of whom have played with Gene at one point or another over the past 50 years. The title song “Reunion” is an original composition by Michael Mainieri. This quartet has performed to sold out crowds at The Jazz Standard in NYC and has received the highest critical acclaim. “Reunion” will let you hear some of today’s most prolific musicians recorded in an optimized studio environment, practically transporting them directly into your listening room.

Gene is simply the best "acoustic guitarist" in the world. Nobody plays jazz on acoustic guitar like him! He was Luiz Bonfa's favorite guitarist, and that's why Bonfá recorded many albums with Bertoncini as his rhythm guitarist (in such gems from the early 70s as "Sanctuary" and "The New Face of Bonfá") or special guest on CDs like "Non-Stop To Brazil" (1989, for Chesky) and "The Bonfá Magic", which I had the honor to produce back in 1991 for Caju/Milestone. The day Gene arrived to record @ Duplex Sound Studio in NY, in May 1991, was one of the most special moments in my life.

A dream come true happened there, after years of huge admiration for Bertoncini's artistry since I was a child and, when I was just 10 years old, I got copies of his albums for CTI with Hubert Laws ("Rite of Spring," "Afro-Classic," "In The Beginning"), followed by many more great projects with Lalo Schifrin ("Marquis de Sade"), Michel Legrand ("Twenty Songs of the Century," "After The Rain"), Paul Desmond ("Skylark"). Not to mention other outstanding sessions with Wayne Shorter, Ronnie Foster et al.

During my trips to NY in the 80s, I attended many of Bertoncini's fascinating duo performances with Michael Moore @ Zino, a fantastic Italian restaurant. Besides their great LPs as a duo and the outstanding "O Grande Amor" trio album with Edson Machado ("O Grande Amor," the final session by the legendary Brazilian drummer), I had became a big Moore fan through his impeccable playing and gorgeous bass sound on Art Farmer/Jim Hall's "Big Blues," a terrific piano-less CTI album that also featured... Mike Mainieri on vibes!!! And also find out that Mainieri's performance on Joe Zawinul's "Young and Fine" hit for Weather Report ("Mr. Gone"), covered by Art Farmer & Joe Henderson on their sensational (although underrated) fusion session "Yama," included one of the best solos ever performed on a vibraphone! Some years later, during my first trip to Paris, in 1989, I got all the Japanese issues available @ Fnac of such Steps (Ahead) albums as "Step By Step" and the fiery 2-CD live set "Smokin' in the Pit." I must confess I'm being introduced to Joe Corsello's talents right now, and it's being love at first sight. The art of subtlety on drums.

For this CD, a hybrid digital/analog recording technique was employed exploiting the best of the two technologies. 176.4-kHz 24-bit A/D conversion was used to make this recording. It was mixed in the digital domain with 32-bit floating point precision to a Playback Designs up-sampling D/A converter to 5.6 MegaHertz 1-bit DSD. This high fidelity analog output was processed thru an early 1970’s vintage Neve compressor to a custom all tube ½” two track analog tape machine running at 15ips. The resultant analog recording was used as the source for the CD master. The result captures all the detail of high resolution digital with the warm analog sound of transformers and vacuum tubes for an ultra-musical sonic presentation.

One of the best albums of the year. Period.

Gina Saputo live @ Steamers, Feb 22

DVD of the Month - "Legrand Jazz"

DVD of the Month
Michel Legrand: "Legrand Jazz" (ArtHaus Musik)

Featuring: Alison Moyet, Sylvain Luc & The London Big Band Orchestra

R&B CD Reissue of the Month - "Juicy: Spread The Love"

R&B CD Reissue of the Month
Juicy: "Spread The Love" (Epic/Sony) 1987

Produced by Eumir Deodato for Kenya Music
Featuring: Jerry Barnes, Katreese Barnes, Chaka Khan, Lenny White et al

Jazz CD Reissue of the Month - "Moacir Santos: Maestro"

Jazz CD Reissue of the Month
Moacir Santos: "Maestro" (Blue Note/EMI Japan) 1972

Produced by Reggie Andrews
Executive Producer: Dr. George Butler

Featuring: Moacir Santos (arranger, conductor, baritone sax, percussion, congas, vocals), Clare Fischer (organ), Chaim Lewak (acoustic piano), Bill Henderson (Fender Rhodes electric piano), John Heard (electric bass), Harvey Mason (drums), Mayuto Correa (percussion), Joe Pass (electric guitar), Oscar Brashear (trumpet), Frank Rosolino (trombone), Don Menza (flute, tenor sax), Ray Pizzi (soprano sax, alto sax), Sheila Wilkinson (vocals) et al.

Box Set of the Month - "Balance"

Box Set of the Month (12-CD box set)
"Balance - Lounge Music For Well-Being And Harmony" (CTI/Membran) 2013

Featuring: Jim Beard, Charles Fambrough, Jim Hall, Larry Coryell, Donald Harrison, Gilberto Gil, Chroma, Mythos, Peter Blake, Kenia, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Dennis Chambers, Mark Egan, Mark-Almond, James Perry, Ted Rosenthal, Steve Laury, Bill O'Connell, Jack Wilkins, Phil Woods, Duke Jones, Thus Spoke Z, Portinho, Romero Lubambo, Doris Decker, René Marie et al.

Vocal CD of the Month - "Antoinette: Chains"

Vocal CD of the Month
Antoinette: "Chains" (Bluescat Music) 2013

Produced by Roger Hatfield

Instrumental CD of the Month - "douBT: Mercy Pity Peace & Love"

Instrumental CD of the Month
douBT: "Mercy Pity Peace & Love" (MoonJune) 2013

Featuring: Alex Maguire (keyboards, sequencer), Michael Delville (guitar, Roland GR09, samples) & Tony Bianco (drums, sequencer)

Seth Greenberg Quartet & Gina Saputo live @ the Nakano Theater, in Torrance, CA

The Seth Greenberg Quartet will be performing a special two-night tribute (Friday and Saturday February 8th and 9th) to the music of Billie Holiday, featuring one of our favorite jazz vocalists, Gina Saputo. The quartet includes saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree, bassist Eric Sittner and drummer Ramon Banda.

Both performances begin at 7:30pm @ the Nakano Theater (3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA, 90503); dinner is available at the theater prior to the concert at 6:30pm. Tickets have been selling quickly, so purchasing them sooner than later is high recommended. Call either 310-781-7171 or visit TorranceArts.org for tickets and more information. Hope to se u there!

Live CD of the Month - "CTI All Stars: Sky Dive 1973"

Live CD of the Month
CTI All Stars: "Sky Dive 1973" (CTI) 2012

Featuring: Johnny Hammond (Fender Rhodes electric piano, Hammond B-3 organ), Ron Carter (acoustic bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums), Airto Moreira (percussion & vocals), George Benson (electric guitar), Hubert Laws (flute & piccolo), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet & flugelhorn) and Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax). Although listed on the front cover, Bob James didn't play at that concert.

EP of the Month - "Bob James: Westchester Lady / Night Crawler"

12" EP of the Month Bob James:
"Westchester Lady / Night Crawler" (CTI/Juno) 2013

What a repress! Bob James is, without argument, one of the most sampled gents in the game. It's so easy to see why... He's one of the most adored musicians in the acid-jazz/dancefloor jazz scene, revered by rappers and producers of the hip-hop generation. His deft ability to compose and arrange groove anthems leaves him in a league of his own. "Westchester Lady" is immediately recognised as the spring board for Adam F's "Circles" and its lush orchestral crescendo and sudden switch in phrase and key. Having been plundered by the likes of Supernatural, Demigodz, Guru and many more, "Night Crawler" is equally as distinguished. A jazz boogie anthem for the heads, if you've not got this in your collection now is your chance!

Arranged & Conducted by Bob James
Produced by Creed Taylor & Bob James (although the label of Side B credits Creed Taylor as producer, "Night Crawler" was produced by Bob James for the Tappan Zee album "Heads" and recorded on September 8th, 1977)
Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder & Joe Jorgensen ("Night Crawler")

"Westchester Lady" (newly edited version): Bob James (Fender Rhodes electric piano, synths), Will Lee (electric bass), Harvey Mason (drums), Ralph MacDonald (percussion), Eric Gale & Hugh McCracken (guitars), Jon Faddis, John Frosk, Lew Soloff & Marvin Stamm (trumpet), Wayne Andre (trombone), Dave Bargeron (bass trombone & tuba), Dave Taylor (bass trombone), Grover Washington, Jr. (tenor sax), Eddie Daniels (tenor sax, flute), Jerry Dodgion & Hubert Laws (flute), Frederick Buldrini, Harry Cykman, Lewis Eley, Max Ellen, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, David Nadien & Matthew Raimondi (violin), Alfred Brown & Manny Vardi (viola), Charles McCracken & Alan Shulman (cello)

"Night Crawler": Bob James (Fender Rhodes electric piano, Oberheim Polyphonic synthesizer), Ed Walsh (synth programming), Gary King (electric bass), Andy Newmark (drums), Ralph MacDonald (percussion), David Sanborn (alto sax), Eric Gale (electric guitar), Randy Brecker, Marvin Stamm, Lew Soloff, Jon Faddis & John Frosk (trumpet & flugel), Wayne Andre & Tom Mitchell (trombone), David Taylor (bass trombone), Jim Buffington, Brooks Tillotson & Peter Gordon (French horns)

Box Set of the Month - "Charles Mingus: The Complete Columbia & RCA Albums"

Jazz Box Set of the Month (10-CD set) 
Charles Mingus: "The Complete Columbia & RCA Albums" (Sony) 2012 

Compilation of the Month - "Patti Austin: End Of A Rainbow - The CTI Masters"

Compilation of the Month
Patti Austin: "End Of A Rainbow - The CTI Masters" (CTI/SoulMusic) 2013

Although reissued on CD format nothing less than seven times in Japan, between 1987 and 2010, this is the first time that "End Of A Rainbow" appears on CD outside Asia. This European issue includes all tracks from Patti's debut solo album for CTI, "End Of A Rainbow" (arranged by David Matthews), plus eight more tracks from Patti's other albums for Creed Taylor: "Havana Candy", "I Just Want To Know", "We're In Love", "I Need Somebody", "Lost In The Stars", "Body Language", "Another Nail For My Heart", and "I Want You Tonight".

Sessions from the original "End Of A Rainbow" album were produced by Creed Taylor for CTI Records (original catalog # CTI 5001), and recorded @ Mediasound Studios (NYC, NY) by Joe Jorgensen & Alan Varner, and @ Van Gelder Studios (Englewood Cliffs, NJ) by Rudy Van Gelder between April and June, 1976. All vocals recorded @ Van Gelder Studio by Rudy Van Gelder (June, 1976)

Cover Photo: Pete Turner
Bonus tracks produced by Creed Taylor and Dave Grusin

Personnel on the "End Of A Rainbow" album: Richard Tee (acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, clavinet), Barry Miles (synths), Mike Abene (ac. piano), Eric Gale (electric guitar), Steve Khan (acoustic guitar with steel strings), Will Lee, Chuck Rainey & Jeff Berlin (electric bass), Steve Gadd & Andy Newmark (drums), Ralph MacDonald (percussion), Joe Farrell & Michael Brecker (tenor sax), Ronnie Cuber (baritone sax), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Vivian Cherry, Frank Floyd, Gwen Guthrie, Zachary Sanders (background vocals), Gloria Agostini (harp), Harry Cykman, Max Ellen, Barry Finclair, Paul Gershman, Harry Glickman, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Guy Lumia, Joe Malin, David Nadien, Max Pollikoff, Matthew Raimondi & Richard Sortomme (violin), Alfred Brown, Ted Israel & Manny Vardi (viola), Charles McCracken & Alan Shulman (cello), Chuck Israels (arco bass)

DVD of the Month - "Raul de Souza"

DVD of the Month
Raul de Souza: "O Universo Musical de Raul de Souza" (Sesc) 2012

Special Guests: Altamiro Carrilho (flute, unfortunately on his last live performance), João Donato (acoustic piano) & Hector Costita (tenor sax)

Twofer CD of the Month - "Keith Jarrett: Mysteries/Shades"

Twofer CD Reissue of the Month
Keith Jarrett: "Mysteries/Shades" (Impulse!) 1976

Original albums produced by Esmond Edwards
"Impulse! 2-on-1" series produced by Matthias Künnecke & Douglas Payne

Featuring: Keith Jarrett (acoustic piano, Pakistani flute, wood drums, percussion), Charlie Haden (acoustic bass), Paul Motian (drums, percussion), Guilherme Franco (percussion) and Dewey Redman (tenor sax, tambourine, maracas, Chinese musette)

R&B CD Reissue of the Month - "Juicy: It Takes Two"

R&B CD Reissue of the Month
Juicy: "It Takes Two" (Private I/Funkytown Grooves) 1985/2012

Produced by Eumir Deodato for Kenya Music
Engineered by Mallory Earl @ Duplex Sound Studios (Tribeca, NY)
Featuring: Jerry Barnes & Katreese Barnes (all instruments)

This first CD reissue in the U.S. of "It Takes Two" -- Juicy's second album for Joe Isgro's Private I label, then distributed by Columbia and now owned by Sony Music -- comes out by the independent company Funkytown Grooves, under license from Sony.

It's a terrific expanded edition which includes, besides the eight tracks from the original LP version, five remixes previously available only on EPs. They are: "Sugar Free" (Deo/Super Dance Mix), "Nobody But You" (Deo-Remix), "Bad Boy" (Dub-Mix), "Sugar Free" (Deo/Radio Remix) and "Nobody But You" (Deo-Dub). The latter was remixed by Eumir Deodato's longtime collaborator (and a former member of the Platinum Hook group) Kevin Jasper, using the nickname DJ KJ.

"Sugar Free" peaked at #13 on the Billboard "Black Singles" chart and #45 on the UK Pop chart, while "Nobody But You" reached #59 on the "R&B" chart.

"Spread The Love," the "It Takes Two" follow-up album, is also being reissued by Funkytown Grooves.

Jazz CD Reissue of the Month - "Duke Pearson: It Could Only Happen With You"

Jazz CD Reissue of the Month
Duke Pearson: "It Could Only Happen With You" (Blue Note/EMI Toshiba) 1970/2012

Produced, Arranged & Conducted by Duke Pearson
Recorded & Mixed by Rudy Van Gelder @ Van Gelder Studio (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey) on April 10, 1970, except "Emily," recorded on March 13, 1970
Cover Art: Bob Cato
Photos: Allen Matthews

Featuring: Duke Pearson (acoustic piano & Fender Rhodes electric piano), Flora Purim (vocals on "Gira, Girou", "Stormy" and "Só Tinha de Ser Com Você"), Hermeto Pascoal (all C-flute solos, acoustic guitar on "Stormy" & acoustic bass on "Lost in the Stars"), Theo de Barros (acoustic guitar on all tunes, except "Hermeto," on which he plays acoustic bass), Bob Cranshaw (acoustic & electric bass in the other songs), Mickey Roker (drums), Jerry Dodgion (C-flute on "Emily"), Al Gibbons (alto flute & alto sax), Burt Collins & Joe Shepley (trumpets) and Kenny Rupp (trombone)