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New Jazz Adds – 2/2/2021

David Angel Jazz Ensemble – Out On The Coast (Basset Hound Music): “David Angel is a Los Angeles composer and arranger. He has had a rehearsal band for over 50 years. David spent many years composing and arranging for the Hollywood Film and TV world and later spent many years as a composition professor in Europe. His unique music is described as Gil Evans meets J.S. Bach. Over the years dozens of the greatest jazz musicians on the west coast have been members.The David Angel Jazz Ensemble is a Los Angeles based 13 piece jazz band, “Out on the Coast” is a  TRIPLE CD set and all of the music is composed or arranged by David Angel. The style is described as “Gil Evans meets J.S.Bach” with all 13 musicians playing polyphonic lines. The band members are among the finest jazz musicians on the west coast. It is swing and Latin music reminiscent of the 60′ west coast jazz scene with impressionistic classical elements.” (https://www.bassethoundmusic.com/product/out-on-the-coast-david-angel-band/) Current band members are David Angel (tenor sax, conducting), Phil Feather (alto sax,  sop. sax, piccolo, flute, alto flute), Gene Cipriano “Cip” (alto sax. sop. sax, clarinet), Jim Quam (tenor sax, clarinet), Tom Peterson (tenor sax, flute, alto flute), Bob Carr (baritone sax, bass clarinet), Jonathan Dane (trumpet, flugelhorn), Ron Stout (trumpet, flugelhorn), Stephanie O’Keefe (horn), Scott Whitfield (trombone), Jim Self (tuba, bass trombone), John Chiodini (jazz guitar), Susan Quam (string bass) and Paul Kreibich (drums). I regret I am unable to find a sample from this release.

Quincy Davis – Q Vision (QOER):  “QUINCY DAVIS, born in Grand Rapids, MI, comes from a very musical family. He began taking piano and drum lessons at age 6 and often would play with his brother Xavier Davis (piano) in their basement. In his elementary and middle school bands, he also played trumpet and tuba. Both of his parents are musicians who exposed him to all different styles of music including instrumental jazz, vocal jazz, European classical, gospel, opera, R&B and jazz-fusion…. In the summer of 2000, Davis moved to New York City. He quickly became one of the sought after “young cats” on the New York jazz scene. In New York, Davis played with many great musicians such as Russell Malone, Paquito D’Rivera, Kurt Elling, Christian McBride, Buster Williams, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, Harold Mabern, Roy Hargrove and Houston Person, among others…. After seven years teaching at the University of Manitoba, Davis began teaching at the highly regarded University of North Texas as the Assistant Professor of jazz drum set….Quincy can be heard on over 50 albums playing with many notable jazz artists including Tom Harrell, Bobby Watson, Benny Golson, Dave Stryker, and Bobby Watson, among others.” (https://www.isrbx.net/3137833299-quincy-davis-q-vision-2020.html) The variety on this disc is truly fine. Of course, Davis is the leader on each song with support from Xavier Davis (piano) and Ugonna Okegwo (bass) forming a trio onto songs, Dayna Stephens (tenor sax, EWi) and Warren Wolf (vibes), Adam Birnbaum (piano) and Vicente Archer (bass) forming a quintet and Davis, Richie Goods (bass), Adam Birnbaum (piano) and Myron Walden (alto sax, bass clarinet) with Philip Dizack (trumpet 5 songs), J.D. Allen ((tenor sax 5 songs) and Peter Bernstein (guitar on 4 songs). Terrific from beginning to end! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this release!

Santi Debriano – Flash Of The Spirit (Truth Revolution): “The Truth Revolution Recording Collective is proud to announce the release of Flash of the Spirit, a new album from bassist, guitarist, and composer Santi Debriano. Much like his native Panama, which straddles the continental divide and facilitates the union of Pacific and Atlantic, Santi Debriano has become comfortable occupying several worlds at once. But, like the Panama Canal, it’s taken some work-extracurricular work, in Debriano’s case. As an ethnomusicology graduate student at Wesleyan University Debriano read Robert Farris Thompson’s “Flash of the Spirit”. For Debriano, a Black Panamanian American who’d grown up in New York City after his family emigrated from Panama when he was four, Thompson’s book proved revelatory, asking questions like: To what extent have African traditions and customs been retained by contemporary Black cultures throughout the Americas? “That book describes my ancestral struggle to stay present in the many worlds I live in,” says Debriano, “but also to never forget where I came from.” It’s a tight rope that Debriano walks, but on his version of Flash of the Spirit, the always intellectually curious bandleader strikes the balance of a Wallenda in his prime. And he’s got plenty of help; his rhythm section’s rounded out by drummer Tommy Campbell, whom Debriano’s known since both were college students in Boston, playing in Stan Strickland’s band, Sundance, and pianist Bill O’Connell, who, like Debriano, performs with consummate fluency regardless of whether the gig’s led by Sonny Rollins or Mongo Santamaria. A small but powerful woodwind section includes alto saxophonist Justin Robinson and flutist Andrea Brachfeld. And complimenting the core quintet are Francisco Mela, a Cuban-born, raised and educated drummer known for collaborations with saxophonist Joe Lovano and pianist Chucho Valdés, Brazilian percussionist Valtinho Anastacio, a veteran of the genre-defying, Debriano-led ensemble Circlechant, and Tim Porter, an indispensable scholar and practitioner of the contemporary jazz mandolin. There’s a lot here. It’s easy to get distracted-and understandable, because everything that does glitter here is, indeed, gold, from a listening standpoint. Between the reimagined- and sometimes totally reinvented- takes on tunes from Kenny Barron, Kenny Dorham, and Ornette Coleman, as well Debriano’s solo bass take on a standard popularized by Billie Holiday, the temptation might be to overlook Flash of the Spirit’s original compositions; doing so would be a mistake.” (https://www.jazzcorner.com/news/display.php?news=9518) The players are Santi Debriano (bass), Andrea Brachfeld (flute), Justin Robinson (alto sax), Bill O’Connell (piano), Valtunho Anastacio (percusion), Tommy Campbell (drums), Francisco Mela (drums) and Tim Porter (mandolin). This is a terrific set with terrific variety. Click here to listen to the songs on this release.

Miles Donahue – Just Passing Thru (Whaling City Sound): “New Englander Miles Donahue is a veteran horn player who knows his way around the trumpet as well as the tenor and soprano saxophone. The hard bop/post-bop musician has also played the piano, although he seems to prefer wind instruments. On both trumpet and sax, Donahue projects a quiet strength; he swings, but often in an introspective, reflective, lyrical fashion. For a long time, the Boston resident put his jazz career on hold due to family obligations, but since the late ‘80s, he has been making up for lost time by playing jazz almost constantly.” (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/miles-donahue-mn0000423830/biography) “Grammy award winning and Boston Globe jazz critic Bob Blumenthal says “Discover a jazz treasure. Miles Donahue is one of the best-kept jazz secrets. Equally adept on trumpet and various saxophones and a composer of grace and originality….” Miles Donahue’s jazz career did not begin in earnest until the age of 45, although in the 60’s he performed at many venues with his own group that featured Harvey Swartz, Jerry Bergonzi, Charlie Banacos, Nick Goumas and Jack Diefendorf. One of these concerts in 1972, performed with Charile Banacos and Jerry Bergonzi, became known as the famous Arlington Street Church Concert….. Saxophone Journal said: “Very few musicians today have the diversity of hidden talents Miles Donahue posssesses. The harmonic sophistication he plays with and his ability to swing with incredible beauty all led to a master musician.” (http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/music/faculty/node/76111) I regret I am not able to find a sample from this release.

Leon Lee Dorsey – Thank You Mr. Mabern (Jazz Avenue): “Recorded in July 2019, just two months before the passing of great pianist and composer Harold Mabern, Thank You, Mr. Mabern! features the leader, bassist Leon Lee Dorsey, and drummer Mike Clark in a trio. This posthumous release is not only Dorsey’s personal farewell to the beloved Mabern, but marks six decades of music from the pianist often associated with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and the pivotal force behind many great Blue Note albums, especially for Lee Morgan. The late Memphis-born, hard-bop pianist Harold Mabern was a revered elder figure on the scene when he died on September 17, 2019, at the age of 83. His authentic soul-infused jazz and deep blues swing inherent in his Memphis roots, coupled with a profound command of the Great American Songbook, amassed the admiration of generations of musicians, including bassist-producer Leon Lee Dorsey. “I had been working with Harold in George Coleman’s octet and we did some quartet gigs together,” said Dorsey. “But, I just had not really done a recording with him. And we were kind of kicking it around last year about doing just that.”  While the set contains only one Mabern original, the idea was basically to just let loose and have some fun. Dorsey explains, “I had everything mapped out on the production side with my list of tunes and notes on each one. But I really wanted Harold to come in, have a good time, and not have to think about anything. No reading, no nothing. We just hit — it was a tremendous experience. I feel like I got the best from both these legends in this session.” As heard in the live quintet album Mabern Plays Mabern and here in this trio setting, Mabern retained his spirited, soulful form right to the end, passing at age 83. (https://glidemagazine.com/252547/bassist-leon-lee-dorsey-issues-the-final-recording-of-pianist-composer-harold-mabern-on-thank-you-mr-mabern-album-review/) If you haven’t checked out “Mabern Plays Mabern “, you should certainly do this as well, but don’t pass over this wonderful performance by and dedicated to Mr. Maborn! Click here to listen to John Coltrane’s “Moments Notice”, the final song on this amazing tribute to Harold Mabern.

Marty Elkins & Mike Richmond – ’Tis Autumn (Jazzheads): “Vocals, bass and Golden Age jazz standards. That’s all that’s here and it’s all that’s needed. Working their way through ten classics penned between 1926 and 1947, vocalist Marty Elkins and bassist Mike Richmond get right to the heart of jazz history. Their music has an easy draw to it, but there’s absolutely no drama behind that magnetism—no too-clever-by-half rewrites, outside antics or fancying of futurism in interpretation(s). Grounded with a sense of respect for the material, this duo delights in the opportunity to place it in good light. With Richmond’s rounded sound, Elkins’ easygoing delivery, a patient approach to elaboration and a focus on milder tempos, a calculus of cool underscores this entire production.” (https://www.allaboutjazz.com/tis-autumn-marty-elkins-and-mike-richmond-jazzheads?width=1440) Mellow and inviting songs from the the twenties to the forties from the hip performances by Elkins and Richmond. Click here to listen to Elkins and Richmond’s performance of “Honeysuckle Rose” from this disc.

Staci Griesbach – My Shania Twain Songbook (Self-produced): “Staci Griesbach (pronounced “STAY-cee GREECE bahk” / “Greece” “Bach”) is a Los Angeles-based vocalist brings together her passion for jazz and country music as she interprets songs from country music’s “Great American Songbook” in the style of jazz…. In 2015, Staci started gigging locally in Los Angeles with a trio, and quickly realized she wanted to create a unique project where she could connect with audiences in an authentic way.  While thinking about a recording, Staci wanted something authentic that she could perform and share with audiences, so she went back to her roots in Classic Country music.   While the Great American Songbook is a treasure trove for jazz artists, Staci wanted to connect her background and upbringing in rural America with her current musical interests.  One morning after yoga, Staci dropped the needle on her Patsy Cline “Greatest Hits” vinyl record, and knew this is what she was being called to create…. In the fall of 2015, Staci started working on arrangements with Michele Weir, studying with Brazilian artist and arranger Celia Vaz in Rio De Janeiro in February of 2016 bringing both “I Fall to Pieces” and “Sweet Dreams” alive in a bossa nova vibe.” (https://www.stacigriesbach.com/about-staci.html) This time around Griesbach offers seven songs performed and or written by Shania Twain. Interesting arrangements that creates a nice blend between country and jazz. Click here for an introduction by Staci Griesbach.

Allan Harris – Kates Soulfood (Self-produced): “Allan Harris is a Brooklyn-born, Harlem-based soul and jazz vocalist/guitarist/bandleader/composer who made his recording debut way back in 1994 with ‘Setting The Standard’. Since then, he’s released over a dozen acclaimed long players, shared stages with people like Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick, Diana Krall, Abbey Lincoln, Natalie Cole, Al Jarreau, Al Green, Lee Ritenour, Michael Feinstein, Cassandra Wilson, and Wynton Marsalis and performed all over the world.” (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/allan-harris-mn0000001732/biography) Harris has a smooth and mellow approach that might be described as an uptown club style soul blues singer. He wrote or co-composed all of the songs on this disc. Nice soul jazz backing by Shirazette Tinnin (drums), Nimrod Speaks (bass), Arcoiris Sandoval (piano), Gregoire Maret (harmonica), David Castaneda (percussion), Curtis Taylor (trumpet), Alex Budman (alto sax), Keith Fiddmont (tenor sax), and Andre J Pivec (organ), with Tonga Ross-M’au (guitar on 1 song)  and backing by Tonga Ross-M’au on one song and Marty Kenney (bass), Jhair Sala (percussion) and Carolyn Leonhart backing vocal on “Run Through America”. The key word is mellow. Click here for an introduction to this recording by Allan Harris.

Lisa Hilton – More Than Another Day (Self-produced): “More Than Anther Day is the latest instrumental jazz release from composer/pianist/producer, Lisa Kristine Hilton. Hilton and her band mates: Rudy Royston on drums, and Luques Curtis on bass, had just finished the first half of their tour for their 2020 album, Chalkboard Destiny, when the corona virus forced a shut – down of the tour, and of course a lock down in the U.S. Grounded and worried for a relative stuck and sick in Italy, Hilton did what she said she’s always done: I have always turned to my creativity in difficult times. I think it is how I process what is happening in our world. For artists, creative projects flourish in down times – I think quiet propels creativity. More Than Another Day opens up with the title track showcasing the creative range of Hilton and her trio. Seamlessly moving through different rhythmic ideas, genres and eras, Royston and Curtis provide stellar additions to Hiltons nine compositions and one cover tune…. Hilton s music draws on classical traditions, and twentieth century modernists as well as classic American jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Horace Silver, as well as blues heroes Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. A prolific and passionate composer as well as an accomplished producer, Hilton has recorded about 300 tracks.” (https://www.isrbx.net/3137842582-lisa-hilton-more-than-another-day-2020.html) Click here to listen to the title song on this disc.

Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine – Mazel Tov Kocktail! (Tall Man): “Ever since the early 1970’s, Ira was destined in life to be a band leader.  A drum major/saxophonist at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, California, he was voted most valuable band member his senior year. In the local, regional and national scenes, Ira acquired extensive experiences in all phases of the music and entertainment industry…. Ira B. Liss, at 6 feet 7 inches tall, is Southern California’s most imminently watchable bandleader of San Diego’s favorite Big Band: The Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine, his 18-piece jazz orchestra which he started in 1979. His performance credits include work with such world renowned artists as: Harry Connick, Sr., Barney Kessel, Stan Kenton, George Shearing, Bob Mintzer, Charles McPherson, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Thad Jones, Blue Mitchell…” and many others. (https://www.bigbandjazzmachine.com/irabliss) Click here to listen to a session by this band.

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra – Bernstein Reimagined (mcg jazz): The liner notes on this disc pose the question “Was Leonard Bernstein a jazz musician?” He certainly considered the form to be a legitimate art and described it as such. “Jazz is the ultimate common denominator of the American musical style.” The space between the two is explained as follows: “… Jazz is almost completely a player’s art, depending on improvisation rather than composition. This is the key to the whole problem, It is the player who, by improvising makes jazz. He uses the popular song as a kind of “dummy” to hang his notes on. He dresses it up in his own way, and it comes out as an original, so the pop tune, in acquiring a new dress, changes its personality completely, like many people who behave one way in blues jeans and a wholly different way in dinner clothes. There are those who conclude that here, in the new jazz, is the real beginning of serious American music, and, at last, the American composer has his own expression…. At any rate, we can be sure of one thing: the line between serious music and jazz grows less and less clear. We have serious composers writing in the jazz idiom, and we have jazz musicians becoming serious composers.” (Liner notes) And you have the opportunity of listening to several of Leonard Bernstein’s compositions “Reimagined”.  Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Amanda Tosoff – Earth Voices (EMG): “With Amanda’s sixth release as a leader, Earth Voices, she continues to pursue the creative and stylistic leap she began on Words, once again drawing on poetry with a deep personal and emotional connection. Along with strings and guest saxophonists Allison Au and Kelly Jefferson, she invites Alex Goodman, fellow Canadian and now one of New York’s most vital young guitarists, to work wonders and broaden her ensemble texture. She also enlists a sterling and versatile cast of singers — Emilie-Claire Barlow, Robin Dann, Michelle Willis, Alex Samaras, Laila Biali, Lydia Persaud and Felicity Williams — to give new life to words by Edgar Allan-Poe, Pablo Neruda, Rumi, Marjorie Pickthall and Walt Whitman, among other original material and inventive arrangements of songs by Joni Mitchell, Luciana Souza, Chris Thile and Mike Ross of Soulpepper Theatre. With a “calm demeanor and complete confidence….” (Cadence) Click here to listen to “A Dream Within A Dream” from this disc.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop