Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Mike Melito - New York Connections (2016)


Label: Weebop Records
Source: Cdbaby
Genre: Hard Bop
GAB's Rating: ★★★★★


 A hard hitting swingin affair of New York's best.

While visiting New York City and having a couple days off, drummer Mike Melito figured it would be a good idea to get some of his musical friends from the city to do a recording session. Everyone made the trip into Paramus NJ to Tom Tedesco's recording studio and this date was done in two incredibly smooth days. No more than three takes were needed on each tune and many are first takes.
The band consists of the great Peter Bernstein on guitar who Mike has played a bunch of gigs with over the years. Peter's best known for his work in Larry Goldings Trio but has also worked with Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Cobb's Mob, Diana Krall, Joshua Redman and countless others. One of the most working musicians in jazz today.
On tenor saxophone is a veteran of the New York jazz scene, Jerry Weldon. Weldon tours with Harry Connick Jr and often can be found playing at Showman's in New York as well as other clubs such as Smalls. Jerry has also worked with Lionel Hampton and Jack McDuff.


Jeb Patton is on piano. Jeb has been the Heath Brothers pianist for many years now. He has toured the world with many others too. He also appears regularly at various clubs in the city and leads his own trio. Jeb gets a lot of sound out of the piano on burners while maintaining a great touch.
Bassist Neal Miner appears on four of Melito's recordings. Neal tours regularly with Jane Monheit and can be seen around town at Smalls, Mezzrow with artists such as Michael Kanan and David Hazeltine. Neal has it all. Great sound, time, swing and is a great soloist. You can hear Neal clearly without the use of an amp.


1. Jet Stream
2. Theme for Ernie
3. Wives and Lovers
4. Five Will Get You Ten
5. Up over and Out
6. I Wished I Knew
7. If Ever I Would Leave You
8. Indian Summer
9. Bolivia
10. The Knife
11. Blues Okura
 

Mike Melito - drums
Peter Bernstein - guitar
Jerry Weldon - saxophone
Jeb Patton - piano
Neal Miner - bass 


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http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mikemelito2