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New Jazz Adds – 1/28/2020

Eric Alexander – Eric Alexander with Strings (HighTone): “Eric Alexander’s prowess on the tenor saxophone, his unimpeachable virtuosity and technical skill, is obvious to anyone who has paid attention to his fluent and stirring work over the past three decades. His reputation as a hard blowing jazz gladiator has stood him well with fellow musicians and loyal listeners. Admired and enjoyed for his exceptional powers, Alexander is a model of mainstream jazz expertise. However, on his latest HighNote recording, Eric is backed by three of his favorite colleagues and the lush sounds of a string orchestra, brings his lyrical side to the fore. “I wanted to get straight into the beauty of a song, always putting the melody first,” Alexander states about his expressed intentions for the album. “Improvisations are the icing on the cake.” With the fruition of this dream project Alexander has again succeeded in proving that his long obvious gifts as a player are equalled by his respect for the gift of song.” (https://www.isrbx.net/3137757880-eric-alexander-eric-alexander-with-strings-2019.html) In addition to Alexander on tenor sax, the players are David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) and an orchestra with a complement of 13 strings, and flute and French horn. Orchestral arrangements and conducting were provided by Dave Rivello. The performances are gorgeous! In addition to Alexander’s original song as an opener, the songs included two compositions by Henry Mancini, one by Leonard Bernstein and Horace Silver’s “Slow, Hot Wind”. The set closes with “The Thrill Is Gone”. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Aaron Diehl – The Vagabond (Mack Avenue): “The best way to describe Aaron Diehl’s new recording, The Vagabond, is that it is a quiet masterpiece. While this is thoroughly a jazz recording rooted in precedents set by Diehl’s forbearers such as Art Tatum, Mary Lou Williams, Ahmad Jamal, Roland Hanna and John Lewis, it will come as no surprise to fans of Diehl’s previous two Mack Avenue recordings that clear references are made to his background and simultaneous career as a classical music performer. The Vagabond also features Diehl’s interpretation of works “March from Ten Pieces for Piano, Op. 12” written by Russian great Sergei Prokofiev and “Piano Etude No. 16” by Philip Glass.” (https://www.mackavenue.com/store/mac1153) In addition to his classical side, Diehl also continues to explore his jazz interests, performing Sir Roland Hanna’s “A Story Often Told, Seldom Heard” and John Lewis’ “Milano”. Seven of the songs are Diehl’s compositions. Beautiful from beginning to end. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Kingsley Durant – point of reference (Zen Diagram): “A long-awaited set of electric guitar-based instrumental tunes from Kingsley Durant, featuring a top-notch band including keyboardist Steve Hunt [Allan Holdsworth; Stanley Clarke; Gregg Bendian; Billy Cobham; Elektrik Market; Randy Roos Band], bassist Baron Browne [Billy Cobham; Jean-Luc Ponty; Steve Smith & Vital Information; Walter Beasley; Randy Roos Band], and drummer Vinny Sabatino [Jon Durant; Burnt Belief], this record recalls classic 1970s jazz-funk-rock fusion such as Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters, Steely Dan, Jeff Beck, and Jan Hammer, with strong writing and excellent playing throughout.” (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/kingsleydurant12) The music is more often laid back than is suggested by these notes, but the set is really fine throughout. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Yelena Eckemoff – Nocturnal Animals (Self-produced): Yelena Eckemoff offers a new set of songs expressing the wonders of nature. Each of her releases have expressed her observations and appreciations of the many aspects of nature. This set is dedicated to nocturnal animals, including cicadas, bats, foxes, rattlesnakes, scorpions, fireflies and owls among others. Eckemoff also write poetry to express her observations, but she does not recite them. Rather, she offers these two manners of expression to honor each subject. The written pieces are available in the set’s booklet and the musical offerings are compositions which also add Arild Andersen (double bass) and Jon Christensen and Thomas Stronen (drums, percussion). The result is expressive and beautiful. “Eckemoff is fond of creating these sorts of sonic portrait galleries. Prior albums have explored such disparate subjects as the desert, the biblical psalms, and colors. Yet never before has she taken on such an array of wild beasts.” (https://www.isrbx.net/3137767068-yelena-eckemoff-nocturnal-animals-2020-hi-res.html) The result is intriguing and beautiful. Click here for an introduction.

Lafayette Harris Jr. – You Can’t Lose With The Blues (Savant): “Baltimorean pianist LAFAYETTE HARRIS JR. Is known for an energetic sense of rhythmic vitality, a tasty, full bodied musical approach to the keyboard, and a sensibility drenched in the blues. A staple at the Lenox Lounge in Harlem for a number of years as well as a member of various aggregations led by Max Roach, Harris’ new recording reflects this experience as well as a myriad of influences, from boogie-woogie legend Sammy Price to Kenny Barron and Barry Harris, all of whom encouraged Lafayette as an up-and-coming player. Bassist Peter Washington brings a forceful sense of rhythm and lyrically rounded solos to the date, and drummer Lewis Nash keeps the rhythms swinging strongly and as steady as a Swiss watch.” (https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Lose-Blues-Lafayette-Harris/dp/B07ZW8VV3J/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=77996671829701&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvqmt=p&keywords=lafayette+harris&qid=1579711154&s=music&sr=1-1) Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Sam Hirsh – Quite Frankly Introducing Sam Hirsh (Umadas Music): “Pianist, composer and educator Sam Hirsh has been an active and in demand  member of the Los Angeles jazz scene for a decade and is gaining recognition for his soulful, energetic sound. Described as “a seasoned artist with a preternaturally old soul”, he aims to carry on the tradition of his predecessors and simultaneously create his own voice in the music…. In 2009, Hirsh was awarded a considerable scholarship to Los Angeles’ University of Southern California Thornton School of Music where he was mentored by Russ Ferrante, Otmaro Ruiz and Alan Pasqua. He graduated in 2012 and has been performing all over southern California since….” (https://www.samhirsh.com/bio) Hirsh currently leads a trio with John Webber (bass) and Kevin Kanner (drums). Saxophonist Ralph Moore joins the group on four of the nine songs. Hirsh’s piano is completely engaging and the combination with Moore is terrific. All but one of the songs on offer are original compositions by Hirsh. I regret I am unable to find a sample of the disc which will not be officially released until February.

Erik Jekabson Sextet III – One Note At A Time (Wide Hive): “Erik Jekabson is a freelance trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.  He is equally busy playing and composing for different bands, leading his own groups, (the Erik Jekabson Sextet, the String-tet and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra) teaching a wide variety of students and running the Young Musicians Program at the California Jazz Conservatory.” (http://www.erikjekabson.com/bio/) This is his eighth release as a leader and is accompanied by Dave Ellis (tenor & soprano sax), Dave Mac Nab (guitar), John Wiitala (bass), David Flores (drums) and John Santos (congas, percussion) with a guest appearance by Avotcja (vocal, poetry) and Mads Tolling and Alisa Rose (violins) on the title song, “One Note At A Time”. I regret I am unable to find a sample from this release.

Wynton Marsalis & The Lincoln Center Orchestra – The Music Of Wayne Shorter (Blue Engine): “He’s at the highest level of our music—you can’t get any higher than him.” So says Wynton Marsalis of the legendary saxophonist, composer, and band leader Wayne Shorter. With a legendary career spanning over 60 years, the 11-time GRAMMY award winner (including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy) has released countless classic records and amassed a canon of lyrical, introspective music that stands up to the greatest jazz composers. In 2015, the formidable 81-year-old joined the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis onstage for three unforgettable nights; the result is The Music of Wayne Shorter, out Jan. 31 on CD and digital formats. For the record, JLCO members arranged beautiful, intricate versions of some of his most classic songs, including “Armageddon” (from 1964’s Night Dreamer), “Endangered Species” (from 1985’s Atlantis), and a very tender, Marsalis-penned take on “Teru” (from 1966’s Adam’s Apple). From Art Blakey to Miles Davis, from Weather Report to his own fabled Quartet, Shorter has done perhaps more than anyone to expand the known universe of jazz. Now, The Music of Wayne Shorter takes Shorter to places he’s never been before, giving his beloved compositions and hauntingly lush saxophone sound the big band backdrop they’ve long deserved. As Marsalis says, “Everybody strives to have a personal sound: his sound is definitive.” (http://news.theurbanmusicscene.com/2019/12/the-music-of-wayne-shorter-feat-jazz-at-lincoln-center-orchestra-with-wynton-marsalis-and-wayne-shorter/) I confess that large orchestra jazz is one of my least favorite formats, but this set is fantastic from end to end! Click here for an introduction by Wayne Shorter and a sample of the program.

Senri Oe – Hmmm (Self-produced): Composer/pianist Senri Oe offers his fifth jazz release sense his arrival in the U.S. in 2012. He is a versatile and exciting player who is also full of surprises. The nine songs on offer are all originals. Ari Hoenig (drums) and Matt Clohesy (bass) accompany Oe throughout and their performances are tight and inviting. The songs are update and engaging throughout. Click here and scroll down to the title “Hmmm” so listen to samples from three songs on this disc.

Brian Scanlon – Brain Scan (Self-produced): Tenor and alto sax player takes the lead and the other musicians immediately provide back up so that the man can give his intense role as the lead and center of the music. His musical support comes from Tom Ranier and Ed Czach (alternating on piano), Trey Henry (bass), Peter Erskine (drums) and Andrew Synowiec, Larry Koonse and Avery Scanlon rotating on guitar across the set and Joey De Leon adding percussion. It is Scanlon at the top of the mountain throughout, however. Best for listeners who prefer to face off with the blast of the tenor. It’s mostly straight-away, but really at the peak of the blast. Click here and scroll way down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Jason Tiemann – T-Mann (Self-produced): “Jason Tiemann is a New York City based jazz drummer, where he maintains a busy schedule as a freelance performer and educator. Admittedly drawing influence from the great(s) Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones and Billy Higgins, Tiemann is quickly forging his musical voice on the New York scene by fusing his depth of historical foundation with crisp technique and propulsive, intuitive swing. Tiemann is currently on the jazz faculty of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the university of Hartford.” (http://jasontiemann.com/) Tiemann is accompanied by Ed Cherry (guitar) and Kyle Koehler (B-3). Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Warren Wolf – Reincarnation (Mack Avenue): “On his latest album, Warren Wolf reveals an entirely different side to his multi-faceted talents. As the title implies, Reincarnation represents a rebirth of sorts for the Baltimore vibesman. In part, it frees Wolf to indulge his love for the R&B and soul hits that served as the soundtrack to his formative years in the 1990s. It’s also a celebration of a new lease on life, a happiness and contentment that he’s discovered through a new marriage and his five beloved children.” (https://www.mackavenue.com/store/mac1169) Over the course of  this release, Wolf is accompanied by Brett Williams (Fender Rhodes, piano), Richie Goods (electric and acoustic bass), Mark Whitfield (guitar on two songs), Carroll “CV” Dashiell III (drums, percussion) and Imani-Grace Cooper and Marcellus “Bassman” Shepard backing vocals on four songs. The music is groovy and hip and offers a wonderful warmth. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop