Saturday, March 30, 2013

"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!"

Friday, March 29, 2013

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

Contemporary singers-songwriters 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

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

Sunday, March 24, 2013

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/

Friday, March 22, 2013

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

Sunday, March 17, 2013

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)

Thursday, March 14, 2013

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.

Friday, March 8, 2013

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 & sophisticated 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.

However, the classy program surprisingly opens with a subtle bossa reading of the famous bolero "Besame Mucho," composed in the 40s by the legendary Mexican composer Consuelo Velasquez, and later transformed in a bossa-nova by João Gilberto (one of Bertoncini's idols) on the "Amoroso" album (1977), for which Claus Ogerman created a lush orchestration that he adapted for Diana Krall's version on "The Look of Love" in 2001.

The impeccable repertoire also includes another Bertoncini favorite, Horace Silver's elegant blues "Strollin'" (Gene had previously recorded it as the song title for a duo album on Stash with Michael Moore in 1987), Mal Waldron's haunting ballad "Soul Eyes" (dedicated to John Coltrane and a song included in the first LP I ever produced, Yana Purim's self-titled debut for RCA in 1981), Leonard Bernstein's "Somewhere" (from "West Side Story"), Gershwin's "Embraceable You" (the best instrumental version since Roland Hanna's take for his CTI album "Gershwin Carmichael Cats"), Michael Moore's "The Lilter" and trombonist Jimmy Knepper's cult masterpiece "Bertha The Dragoness," previously covered by Bertoncini & Moore in a trio album with Roger Kellaway.

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 in concerts with Bill Evans and Gerry Mulligan as well as 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.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

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)

Thursday, January 31, 2013

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.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

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)

Vocal CD of the Month - "Denise Donatelli: Soul Shadows"

Vocal Jazz CD of the Month
Denise Donatelli: "Soul Shadows" (Savant) 2012

Produced by Geoffrey Keezer & Carlos Y. del Rosario
Musical Direction: Geoffrey Keezer
Executive Producers: Robbie Davis & Denise Donatelli
Recording Engineers: Carlos Y. del Rosario, Tim Garland, Talley Sherwood, Aaron Field & Sean Swinney
Mixed, Edited & Mastered by Carlos Y. del Rosario @ Visual Rhythm Recording Studios (Alhambra, CA)
Photos: Lori Stoll

Featuring: Denise Donatelli (vocals), Geoffrey Keezer (acoustic piano), Carlitos del Puerto (acoustic & electric bass), Alex Acuña, Walter Rodriguez & Nicholas Stoup (percussion), Peter Sprague (acoustic & electric guitars), Ramon Stagnaro (acoustic guitar), Steve Huffsteter (trumpet), Andy Martin (trombone), Tim Garland (soprano sax), Sarah Thornblade & Songa Lee (violins), Alma Lisa Fernandez & Matt Funes (violas), Susan Wulff (arco bass), Yutaka Yokokura (background vocals), Peter Eldridge (vocal arrangement of "Postcards and Messages")

Instrumental CD of the Month - "Till Brönner"

Instrumental Jazz CD of the Month
Till Brönner: "Till Brönner" (Verve) 2012

Till Brönner, the brilliant German jazz trumpeter who remains ignored by U.S. audiences and press despite a hugely successful career in Europe, has a new self-titled album coming out today in Europe. The project, inspired by Creed Taylor's legendary CTI label, including some lush string orchestrations a la Claus Ogerman/Don Sebesky by the brilliant LA-based arranger Nan Schwartz, is also a heartfelt tribute to Till's idol Freddie Hubbard, who reached the apex of his career at CTI. Curiously, since Till Brönner records for Verve Germany, the album cover includes the logo of that famous label, another company that Taylor popularized (during the '60s, before the CTI era).

The repertoire includes Brönner's "F.F.H. (For Freddie Hubbard)" and renditions of such Hubbard's tunes as "Little Sunflower" (which the late trumpeter recorded for CTI as a sideman on Milt Jackson's masterpiece, "Sunflower") and "Gibraltar" (originally recorded by tenor sax master Stanley Turrentine on "Salt Song," and later revisited by Hubbard himself on some live dates).

There are also hauting takes on the gorgeous ballads "Once Upon A Summertime" (the first tune ever composed by ever Michel Legrand, back in 1954, under the original title "La Valse des Lilas", and a definitive proof that the French maestro is a genius!) and "Lazy Afternoon," recorded for CTI by Jackie & Roy on "Time & Love", but covered by Hubbard, some years later, for the best album of his Columbia years, "The Love Connection."

Till always loved both songs, and previously recorded "Once Upon A Summertime" in another superb project, "Love Is What Stays," which he produced (and Nan Schwartz arranged) for Mark Murphy in 2007.

When I first saw the tracklist of Till's new album, I said to myself: "what do he and Nan think they can do once again with this ballad?" Now I know the answer and can assure you: the best vocal version ever of "Once Upon A Summertime" is on Mark Murphy's CD; and the best instrumental ever is on Till's new CD.

"Till Brönner" is available in three different issues: CD, vinyl LP, and in this highly recommended 2-set limited deluxe CD edition, with the following tracklist:

CD 1:
01:Will Of Nature (5:17)
02:F.F.H. (6:45)
03:Return To The Fold (6:18)
04:Gibraltar (4:01)
05:Pegasus (4:11)
06:Red Street (4:45)
07:Three Days of the Condor (6:13)
08:Lazy Afternoon (7:07)
09:Wacky Wes (5:27)
10:The Gate (6:13)
11:Half Story (5:51)
12:Once Upon A Summertime (5:33)
(all tracks by Till Brönner, except #4 by Freddie Hubbard, #5 by Larry Goldings, #7 by Dave Grusin, #8 by Jerome Moross/John Latouche, #12 by Michel Legrand/Eddie Barclay/Eddy Marnay/Johnny Mercer)

CD 2:
01:Till's Blues [Brönner](4:01)
02:Body & Soul [Green/Eyton/Heyman/Sour] (1:59)
03:Little Sunflower (Live) [Hubbard] (14:39)

Featuring:
CD 1
Till Brönner (trumpet & flugelhorn, brass and woodwind arrangements)
Magnus Lindgren (tenor saxophone, flute, bass clarinet, brass and woodwind arrangements)
Roberto Di Gioia (Fender Rhodes, analog synthesizers)
Jasper Soffers (Fender Rhodes - #8,12)
Bruno Müller (guitars - #7,9)
Albert Johnson (electric bass)
Christian von Kaphengst (electric bass - #8,12)
Matteo Scrimali (drums)
Wolfgang Haffner (drums - #8,12)
Roland Peil (percussion)
Liam Mario (percussion - #11)
Tilmann Dehnhard (flutes - #9-12)
Nan Schwartz (string arrangements, conductor - #2,3, 9-12)
Stefan Pintev, Rodrigo Reichel, Boris Bachmann, Rukandra Klein, Juliane Merse, Alexandra Psareva,Maja Hunziker, Veronika Passin & Alexander Affanasiev (violin)
Erik Wenbo Ku & Thomas Depen (viola)
Alexander Bagrintsev & Sebastian Gaede (cello)

CD 2
Till Brönner (all instruments - #1, flugelhorn -#2, trumpet - #3)
Jasper Soffers (keyboards - #3)
Johan Leijonhufvud (guitar - #3)
Dieter Ilg (acoustic bass - #3)
Martijn Vink (drums - #3)

Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Best Jazz of 2012

Os melhores do jazz em 2012 - The Best Jazz of 2012!
The results of the 34th Annual Jazz Station Poll conducted by jazz journalist, jazz historian & jazz educator Arnaldo DeSouteiro.
Chick Corea (pictured above), Stanley Clarke, Ron Carter, Toots Thielemans, Mike Longo, John McLaughlin, Al Jarreau, Jürgen Friedrich, Randy Brecker and Till Brönner are among the top artists of the year.

Only albums recorded or released in 2012 were eligible.
*****************
A seleção dos “melhores do jazz”, feita pelo historiador Arnaldo DeSouteiro, publicada pela primeira vez em 1979, chega ao 34º ano. Chick Corea com a turma do Return To Forever, Toots Thielemans, Ron Carter, John McLaughlin, Jürgen Friedrich, Mike Longo, Al Jarreau, Till Brönner e Randy Brecker estão entre os artistas que brilharam em 2012.

Esta é a lista dos que mais se destacaram, em 2012, no panorama jazzístico internacional. Atendendo aos pedidos dos leitores, que desde 1979 acompanham essa votação, incluímos – após os nomes de todos os colocados em cada categoria – os títulos dos trabalhos (CDs ou DVDs) pelo quais os artistas foram avaliados, com base apenas em lançamentos realizados no decorrer deste ano.

Para variar, foram necessárias várias semanas para a preparação de todas estas listas, reouvindo CDs, revendo DVDs, checando fichas técnicas e, às vezes, reavaliando opiniões. Tudo isso com o objetivo de fornecer o mais fiel possível retrato do cenário jazzístico em 2012, a partir de bases reais de análise.

O que significa, por exemplo, que artistas que não lançaram novos trabalhos este ano, seja como líderes ou sidemen, tornaram-se, por mais geniais que sejam, automaticamente inelegíveis. Tal critério explica a ausência de feras como Mark Murphy, Andy Bey, Jon Hendricks, Gene Bertoncini e Carla Bley que, apesar de terem realizado muitos shows, não lançaram novos trabalhos em 2012.

Vários discos premiados em 2012, com atraso, pelas revistas especializadas (“Road Shows Vol.2” de Sonny Rollins, por exemplo), não aparecem na nossa lista por uma simples razão: constaram da relação de 2011.

Aí estão os resultados completos:
Acoustic Piano: 1º Mike Longo (“A Celebration of Diz and Miles” – CAP); 2º Ahmad Jamal (“Blue Moon” – Jazz Village); 3º Marc Copland (“Some More Love Songs” – Pirouet); 4º Oriente Lopez (“Aguas Profundas” – OHL); 5º Pablo Held (“Trio Live” – Pirouet); 6º Gonzalo Rubalcaba (“XXI Century” – 5Passion); 7º Bill Carrothers (“Castaways” – Pirouet); 8º Harold Mabern (“Mr. Lucky” – High Note); 9º Hiromi (“Live in Marciac” DVD – Telarc); 10º George Cables (“My Muse” – High Note); 11º Fred Hersch (“Alive at the Village Vanguard” - Palmetto)
Electric Piano: 1º José Roberto Bertrami (“Aurora” w/ Azymuth – Far Out); 2º Bob James (“These Are The CTI Years” - WildLife); 3º Roberto Di Gioia (“Till Brönner” w/ T. Brönner – Verve); 4º Jasper Soffers (“Till Brönner” w/ T. Bronner – Verve); 5º Nerio Poggi ("Music Inside" w/ Papik - Irma); 6º Gary Versace (“Wah Wah” w/ Torben Waldorff - ArtistShare); 7º Art Hirahara (“Tell Me” w/ Russ Nolan – Rhinoceruss); 8º Fabio Torres (“O Universo Musical de Raul de Souza” DVD – SESC); 9º Robert Glasper (“Heritage” w/ Lionel Louke – Blue Note); 10º Jeff Lorber (“Galaxy” – Heads Up); 11º Tom Wetmore (“The Desired Effect” – Crosstown)
Organ: 1º Joey DeFrancesco (“Wonderful! Wonderful!” – High Note); 2º Dr. Lonnie Smith (“The Healer” – Pilgrimage); 3º Francesco Gazzara (“Another Steppin’ Soul” w/ Hammond Express – Irma); 4º Tony Monaco (“Celebration: Life Love Music” – Chicken Coup); 5º Gary Versace (“Wah-Wah” w/ Torben Waldorff – Artist Share); 6º Florent Gac (“Colombe” w/ David Reinhardt Trio – Cristal); 7º Will Blades (“Shimmy” w/ Billy Martin – The Royal Potato Family); 8º Jared Gold (“Total Eclipse” w/ Ralph Bowen – Posi-Tone); 9º Brian Charette (“Music for Organ Sextette” – Steeplechase)
Keyboards: 1° Chick Corea (“The Mothership Returns” w/ Return To Forever – Eagle); 2º José Roberto Bertrami (“Aurora” w/ Azymuth – Far Out); 3º Hans-Peter Pfammatter (“Rotten Magic” w/ Scope – Vote); 4º Gary Husband (“Now Here This” w/ John McLaughlin); 5º Jason Lindner (“Casting for Gravity” w/ Donny McCaslin – Greenleaf); 6º Francesco Gazzara (“Another Steppin’ Soul” w/ Hammond Express – Irma); 7º Oriente Lopez (“Aguas Profundas” – OHL)
Acoustic Bass: 1º Ron Carter (“San Sebastian” – In+Out); 2º Georg Breinschmid (“Fire” – Preiser); 3º Stanley Clarke (“The Mothership Returns” w/ Return To Forever – Eagle) ; 4º Eddie Gomez (“Per Sempre” – BFM); 5º Arild Andersen (“Celebration” – ECM); 6º Drew Gress (“Castaways” w/ Bill Carrothers – Pirouet); 7º Henning Sieverts (“Symmethree” – Pirouet); 8º Charlie Haden (“Come Sunday” – EmArcy); 9º Andrea Veneziani (“OltreOceano” – Veneziani)
Electric Bass: 1º Stanley Clarke (“The Mothership Returns” w/ Return To Forever – Eagle); 2º Anthony Jackson (“Live in Marciac” w/ Hiromi – Telarc); 3º Marcus Miller (“Renaissance” - Concord); 4º Will Lee (“These Are The CTI Years” w/ Bob James Quintet - WildLife); 5º Mark Egan ("Time Together" w/ Michael Franks - Shanachie); 6º Etienne M’Bappe (“Now Here This” w/ John McLaughlin – Abstract Logix); 7º Itaiguara Brandão (“Aguas Profundas” w/ Oriente Lopez – OHL); 8º Albert Johnson ("Till Brönner" w/ T. Brönner - Verve)
Drums: 1º Steve Gadd (“These Are The CTI Years” w/ Bob James Quintet - WildLife); 2º Lenny White (“The Mothership Returns” w/ Return To Forever – Eagle); 3º Mauricio Zottarelli (“Aguas Profundas” w/ Oriente Lopez Trio – OHL); 4º Jack DeJohnette (“Sound Travels” – eONE); 5º Paul Wertico (“Breaking The Cycle” w/ Marbin – MoonJune); 6º Dré Pallemaerts (“Castaways” w/ Bill Carrothers – Pirouet); 7º Billy Hart (“All Our Reasons” – ECM); 8º Ranjit Barot (“Now Here This” w/ John McLaughlin – Abstract Logix)
Percussion: 1º Airto Moreira (“Azul” w/ Anne Sajdera – Bijuri); 2º Pete Escovedo (“Live from Stern Grove Festival” – Concord Picante); 3º Manolo Badrena (“Blue Moon” w/ Ahmad Jamal – Jazz Village); 4º Roland Peil ("Till Brönner" w/ T. Brönner - Verve); 5º Poncho Sanchez (“Live in Hollywood” – Concord Picante); 6º Lenny Castro (“Galaxy” w/ Jeff Lorber Fusion – Heads Up); 7º Simone Talone ("Music Inside" w/ Papik - Irma); 8º Raffaele Pizzzonia ("Music Inside" w/ Papik - Irma); 9º Dan Weiss (“Rayuela” w/ Miguel Zenón & Laurent Coq – Sunnyside)
Vibes/Marimba: 1º Bobby Hutcherson (“Somewhere in the Night” – Kind of Blue); 2º Mark Sherman (“The LA Sessions” – Miles High); 3º Gary Burton (“Hot House” w/ Chick Corea – ECM); 4º Steve Nelson (“Three Things of Beauty” w/ Bruce Barth – High Note); 5º Stefon Harris (“Live at Cubadisco” w/ Ninety Miles – Concord Picante); 6º Roger Svedberg (“A Tribute to Milt Jackson” (RS); 7º Jason Adasiewciz (“Spacer” – Delmark); 8º Joe Locke (“Signing” w/ Geoffrey Keezer Group – Motéma); 9º Charles Xavier (“Xmas Vibe” – Happy Note);
Miscellaneous Instruments: 1° Toots Thielemans - harmonica (“Toots 90 - Challenge); 2º Béla Fleck - banjo (“Across the Imaginary Divide” – Rounder); 3º Henning Sieverts – cello (“Symmethree” – Pirouet); 4º Eugene Friesen – cello (“Being in Love” w/ Amikaeyla – RootsJazz); 5º Edmar Castaneda – Colombian harp (“Double Portion” – Arpa y Voz); 6º Hank Roberts – cello (“Everything is Alive” – Winter & Winter); 7º Giovanna Pessi – baroque harp (“If Grief Could Wait” – ECM); 8º Hendrik Meurkens – harmonica (“Aguas Profundas” w/ Oriente Lopez – OHL); 9º Guy Klucevsek – accordion (“The Multiple Personality Reunion Tour” – Innova); 10º Grégoire Maret - harmonica (“Grégoire Maret” – eOne)
Acoustic Guitar: 1º Al DiMeola (“Morocco Fantasia” DVD – Inakustik); 2º Frank Gambale (“The Mothership Returns” w/ The Return to Forever – Eagle); 4º Grant Geissman (“Bop! Bang! Boom!” – Futurism); 5º Romero Lubambo (“Aguas Profundas” w/ Oriente Lopez – OHL)
Electric Guitar: 1º John McLaughlin (“Now Here This” – Abstract Logix); 2º Pat Metheny (“Unit Band” - Nonesuch); 3º Larry Coryell (“Wonderful! Wonderful!” w/ Joey DeFrancesco – High Note); 4º Torben Waldorff (“Wah-Wah” – Artist Share); 5º Frank Gambale (“The Mothership Returns” w/ Return To Forever – Eagle); 6º Russell Malone (“San Sebastian” w/ Ron Carter – In+Out); 7º Bobby Broom (“Upper West Side Story” – Origin); 8º John Abercrombie (“Within A Song” – ECM); 9º Mike Stern (“All Over The Place”)
Violin: 1º Jean-Luc Ponty (“The Mothership Returns” w/ Return To Forever – Eagle Rock); 2º Jenny Scheinman (“Mischief & Mayhem – JSM); 3º Zach Brock (“Tell Me” w/ Russ Nolan – Rhinoceruss); 4º Guilhermo Rubino (“Tongos” w/ Diego Schissi Quinteto – Sunnyside)
Flute: 1° Andrea Brachfeld (“Lady of the Island” – Zoho); 2º Dave McMurray (“These Are The CTI Years” w/ Bob James Quintet – WildLife); 3º Nicole Mitchell (“Arc of O” – RogueArt); 4º Dan Pratt (“A Portrait of Brooklyn” w/ Brooklyn Jazz Underground – BJU); 5º Magnus Lindgren ("Till Brönner" w/ T. Brönner - Verve)
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet: 1º Rolf Kühn (“Lifeline” w/ Joachim Kühn – Impulse); 2º Lucien Dubuis (“Rotten Magic” w/ Scope – Veto); 3º Louis Sclavis (“Sources” – ECM); 4º Anat Cohen (“Chiaroscuro” – Anzic); 5º Frank Brown (“Live at Zankel” w/ Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play – Blue Forest); 6º Aaron Novik (“Secrets of Secrets” – Tzadik); 7º Nico Gori (“Da Vinci” w/ Fred Hersch – Bee Jazz); 8º François Houle (“Genera” – Songlines); 9º Victor Goines (“Twilight” – Rosemary Joseph Rec.); 10º Magnus Lindgren ("Till Brönner" w/ T. Brönner - Verve)
Trumpet: 1º Randy Brecker (“Better Get Hit In Your Soul” DVD w/ Metropole Orkest – ZYX); 2º Till Brönner (“Till Brönner” – Verve); 3º Allen Vizzutti (“Ritzville” – Village Place); 4º Lew Soloff (“Sweet Chicago Suite” w/ Ray Anderson Pocket Brass Band); 5º Brian Lynch (“Unsung Heroes” – Holistic); 6º Tom Harrell (“The Time of the Sun” – High Note); 7º Pharez Whitted (“For The People” – Origin); 8º Arturo Sandoval (“Dear Diz” – Concord); 9º Joel Behrman (“Stepping Back” – Killer Kat); 10º Christian Scott (“Live at Cubadisco” – Concord Picante); 11º Dave Douglas (“Be Still” – Greenleaf)
Flugelhorn: 1º Till Brönner ("Till Brönner" - Verve); 2º Allen Vizzutti ("Ritzville" - Village Place); 3º Kenny Wheeler ("The Long Waiting" - CAM Jazz)
Trombone: 1º Raul de Souza (“O Universo Musical de Raul de Souza” DVD – SESC); 2º Conrad Herwig (“Better Get Hit In Your Soul” DVD w/ Metropole Orkest – ZYX); 3º Nils Wogram (“Symmethree” w/ Henning Sieverts – Pirouet); 4º Curtis Fuller (“Down Home” – Capri); 5º Chris Brubeck (“LifeTimes” w/ Brubeck Brothers – Blue Forest); 6º Ray Anderson (“Sweet Chicago Suite” – Intuition); 7º Steve Turre (“Woody’s Delight” – High Note); 8º Vincent Gardner (“The Book of Bebop” – Steeplechase); 9º SteveDavis (“Gettin’ It Done” – Posi-Tone)
Soprano Sax: 1º Branford Marsalis (“Four MFs Playin’ Tunes” – Marsalis); 2º Ravi Voltrane (“Spirit Fiction” – Blue Note); 3º Dave Liebman (“Surreality” – Enja); 4º Tia Fuller (“Angelic Warrior” – Mack Avenue); 5º Kirk Whalum (“Romance Language” – Rendezvous); 6º John Surman (“Saltash Bells” – ECM); 7º Chris Potter (“Unity Band” w/ Pat Methenhy – Nonesuch); 8º Ernesto Vega (“Sounds of Space” w/ Alfredo Rodriguez – Mack Avenue); 9º Marco Pignataro (“Per Sempre” w/ Eddie Gomez – BFM);
Alto Sax: 1º Kenny Garrett (“Seeds from the Underground” – Mack Avenue); 2º Christian Weidner (“Dream Boogie” – Pirouet); 3º Hailey Niswanger (“The Keeper” – Calmit); 4º Vincent Herring (“Friendly Fire” w/ Eric Alexander – High Note); 5º Jorge Sylvester (“Spirit Driven” – Lizoka); 5º Caroline Davis (“Live Work & Play” – Ears & Eyes); 6º Tia Fuller (“Angelic Warrior” – Mack Avenue); 7º Miguel Zenón (“Rayuela” w/ Laurent Coq – Sunnyside); 8º Tim Berne (“Snakeoil” – ECM)
Tenor Sax: 1º Michael Pedicin (“Live @ The Loft” – The Jazz Hut); 2º Houston Person (“Naturally” – High Note) ; 3º Russ Nolan (“Tell Me” – Rhinoceruss); 4º David S. Ware (“Live at Jazzfestival Saalfelden” – AUM Fidelity); 5º Eric Alexander (“Friendly Fire” w/ Vincent Herring – High Note); 6º Dave McMurray (“These Are The CTI Years” w/ Bob James Quintet – WildLife); 7º Magnus Lindgren ("Till Brönner" w/ T. Brönner - Verve); 8º Donny McCaslin (“Casting for Gravity” – Greenleaf); 9º Joe Lovano (“Within A Song” w/ John Abercrombie” – ECM)
Baritone Sax: 1º Ronnie Cuber (“Better Get Hit In Your Soul” DVD w/ Metropole Orkest – ZYX); 2º Gary Smulyan (“Smul’s Paradise” – Capri); 3º John Surman (“Saltash Bells” – ECM); 4º Brian Landrus (“Traverse” – BlueLand)
Male Singer: 1º Al Jarreau (“Live” - Concord); 2º Kurt Elling (“1619 Broadway” – Concord) ; 3º Chris Conway (“Time Traveller” – Oblong); 4º Fred Buccini (“Unusual Nat” – Irma); 5º Gregory Porter (“Be Good” – Motéma); 6º Curtis Stigers (“Let’s Go Out Tonight” – Concord)
Female Singer: 1º Sandy Patton (“Painting Jazz Vol. II” – Unit); 2º Denise Donatelli (“Soul Shadows” – Savant); 3º Amikaeyla (“Being in Love” – RootsJazz); 4º Cassandra Wilson (“Another Country” – eOne); 5º Cristina Morrison (“I Love” – Baronesa); 6º Cheryl Bentyne (“Let’s Misbehave” – Summit); 7º Rebecca Sullivan (“This Way, This Time” – Rhyme or Reason); 8º Nora McCarthy (“A Small Dream in Red” w/ Jorge Sylvester – Red Zen); 9º Elina Duni (“Matane Malit” – ECM); 10º Letizia Gambi (“Introducing Letizia Gambi” – Jando Music)
Instrumental Group: 1º Return To Forever (“The Mothership Returns” – Eagle); 2º Bob James Quintet (“These Are The CTI Years” – WildLife); 3º John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension (“Now Here This” – Abstract Logix); 4º Rolf & Joachim Kühn Quartet (“Lifeline” – Impulse); 5º Marbin (“Breaking The Cycle” – MoonJune); 6º Oriente Lopez Trio (“Aguas Profundas” – OHL); 7º Ligro (“Dictionary 2” – MoonJune); 8º Scope (“Rotten Magic” – Veto); 9º Caroline Davis Quartet (“Live Work & Play” – Ears & Eyes); 10º Fourplay (“Esprit De Four”)
Vocal Group: 1º Sugarpie and The Candymen (“Swing’n’Roll” – Irma);
Big Band/Jazz Orchestra: 1º Metropole Orkest (“Better Get Hit In Your Soul” DVD – ZYX); 2º Bob Mintzer Big Band (“For The Moment” – MCG); 3º Igor Butman Orchestra (“Scheherazade’s Tales” (Butman Music); 4º Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (“Celebration” w/ Arild Andresen – ECM); 5º WDR Big Band (“Soul Classics” w/ Maceo Parker – Razor and Tie); 6º Florencia Gonzalez Big Band (“Woman Dreaming of Escape” - FG); 7º Kenny Wheeler Big Band (“The Long Waiting” – CAM Jazz); 8º Bobby Sanabria Big Band (“Multiverse” – Jazzheads)

Composer: 1º Jürgen Friedrich (“Monosuite” – Pirouet); 2º Chick Corea (“The Continents” – Deutsche Grammophon); 3º Carlos Franzetti (“Pierrot et Colombine” – Sunnyside); 4º Oriente Lopez (“Aguas Profundas” – OHL); 5º Pharez Whitted (“For The People” – Origin); 6º Henning Sieverts (“Symmethree” – Pirouet);
Arranger: 1º Jürgen Friedrich (“Monosuite” – Pirouet); 2º Michel Legrand (“Legrand Jazz” DVD – Arthaus); 3º Nan Schwartz (“Till Brönner” – Verve); 4º Vince Mendonza (“Live” w/ Al Jarreau – Concord);
Artist of the Year: 1º Chick Corea (“The Mothership Returns” / “The Continents” / “Hot House” / “Further Explorations”); 2º Till Brönner ("Till Brönner); 3º Jürgen Friedrich ("Monosuite")
Engineer: 1º Rudy Van Gelder (“Naturally” w/ Houston Person – High Note); 2º Bernie Kirsh/Mick Guzauski (“The Mothership Returns” w/ Return To Forever – Eagle); 3º Dick Overeem/Paul Pouwer (“Better Get Hit In Your Soul” DVD w/ Metropole Orkest – ZYX); 4º Arne Schumann ("Till Brönner" w/ T. Bronner - Verve); 5º Ron Kurz ("Painting Jazz Vol. II" w/ Sandy Patton & Thomas Dürst - Unit); 6º Patrick MacDougall ("Ritzville" w/ Allen Vizzutti -Village Place); 7º Carlos Y. del Rosario ("Soul Shadows" w/ Denise Donatelli - Savant)
New Talent: 1º Caroline Davis – alto sax (“Live Work & Play” – Ears & Eyes); 2º Alfredo Rodriguez - acoustic piano (“Sounds of Space” – Mack Avenue); 3º Letizia Gambi – female vocal (“Introducing Letizia Gambi” – Jando Music); 4º Andrea Veneziani - acoustic bass ("Oltreoceano" - Veneziani); 5º Anne Sajdera - acoustic piano ("Azul" - Bijuri); 6º EricDiVito - electric guitar ("Breaking the Ice" - Pioneer Jazz Collective)

The Best 15 Jazz Instrumental CDs
Return To Forever: “The Mothership Returns” (Eagle)
Jürgen Friedrich: “Monosuite” (Pirouet)
Chick Corea: “The Continents” (Deutsche Grammophon)
Hailey Niswanger: “The Keeper” (Calmit Prod.)
Dan Cray: “Meridies” (Origin)
Marc Copland: “Some More Love Songs” (Pirouet)
Till Brönner: “Till Brönner” (Verve)
Brubeck Brothers Quartet: “LifeTimes” (Blue Forest)
Chris Brubeck's Triple Play: "Live at Arthur Zankel Music Center" (Blue Forest Records)
Bob James Quintet: “These Are The CTI Years” (WildLife)
Russ Nolan: “Tell Me” (Rhinoceruss)
Michael Pedicin: Live @ The Loft (The Jazz Hut)
Oriente Lopez: "Aguas Profundas" (OHL)
Mike Longo: "A Celebration of Diz and Miles" (CAP)
Henning Sieverts: “Symmethree” (Pirouet)

The Best 10 Vocal Jazz CDs


Al Jarreau: “Live” w/ Metropole Orkest (Concord)
Kurt Elling: “1619 Brodaway – The Brill Building Project” (Concord)
Denise Donatelli: “Soul Shadows” (Savant)
Sandy Patton & Thomas Dürst: “Painting Jazz Vol. II” (Unit)
Amikaeyla: “Being in Love” (RootsJazz)
Nora McCarthy & Jorge Sylvester: “A Small Dream in Red” (RedZen)
Letizia Gambi: “Introducing Letizia Gambi” (Jando Music)
Cristina Morrison: “I Love” (Baronesa)
Chris Conway: "Time Traveller" (Oblong)
Rebecca Sullivan: "This Way, This Time" (Rhyme or Reason)

The Best 10 Jazz DVDs/Blu-rays
Pat Metheny: “The Orchestrion Project” (Eagle Vision)
Chick Corea & Friedrich Gulda: “The Meeting” (Arthaus)
Metropole Orkest: “Better Get Hit In Your Soul – A Tribute to the Music of Charles Mingus” (Zyx)
Freddie Hubbard: “Live in France 1973” (Mosaic)
Mahavishnu Orchestra: “Live in France 1972” (Headliner)
Michael Brecker Quindectet: “Angel of Repose/Live in Japan” (JazzDoor)
Chick Corea: “That Old Feeling/Live in LA” (JazzDoor)
Michel Legrand: “Legrand Jazz” (Arthaus)
Various Artists: “Sounds and Silence” (ECM/Arsenal)
Various Artists: “Down The Rhodes – The Fender Rhodes Story” (DoingArt/Triads)
Raul de Souza: “O Universo Musical de Raul de Souza” (SESC)
João Donato: “MPB Especial 1975” (Discobertas)

Special Projects/Reissues
Moacir Santos: “The Maestro” (Blue Note/EMI Japan)
Moacir Santos: “Carnival of The Spirits” (Blue Note/EMI Japan)
Duke Pearson: “It Could Only Happen With You” (Blue Note/EMI Japan)
Michel Legrand: “Legrand and Friends” (RCA/Sony Japan)
Michel Legrand: “Live at Jimmy’s” (RCA/Sony Japan)
Allan Holdsworth: “None Too Soon” (MoonJune)
Michael Franks: “Passion Fruit” (Warner Bros./Warner Music Japan)
Freddie Hubbard: “Gleam” (Sony/Wounded Bird)
Manfredo Fest: “Brazilian Dorian Dream” (T&M/P-Vine)
Caldera: “Sky Islands” (Capitol/EMI Japan)
Bill Evans: “Live at Art D’Lugoff’s Top of The Gate” (Resonance) – previously unreleased
The Dave Brubeck Quartet: “Their Last Time Out” (Legacy) – previously unreleased
Freddie Hubbard: “Pinnacle” (Resonance) – previously unreleased
Wes Montgomery: “Echoes of Indiana Avenue” (Resonance) – previously unreleased

Box Sets


The Dave Brubeck Quartet: “The Columbia Studio Albums Collection 1955-1966” (Legacy)
Charles Mingus: “The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-1965” (Mosaic)
Charles Mingus: “The Complete Columbia & RCA Albums Collection” (Legacy)
Lalo Schifrin: “My Life in Music” (Aleph)
Weather Report: “The Columbia Albums 1971-1975”

To check the results of some of the previous Jazz Station Polls, please visit:

The Best Jazz of 2011
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com.br/2011/12/dec.html

The Best Jazz of 2010
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-jazz-of-2010.html

The Best Jazz of 2009
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-jazz-of-2009.html

The Best Jazz of 2008
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com/2008/12/29th-annual-jazz-station-poll-best-jazz.html