Mike Richmond - Tones For Joan’s Bones (SteepleChase Productions ApS 2018)

As some of the critics have predicted, Richmond put together another quality cello album here again.

Mike Richmond the Philadelphia-born award-winning bass player with vast experience including playing with Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Horace Silver, to mention a few is also a dedicated educator receiving a Teacher of the Year Award from New York University (1994). After the release of his previous album “The Pendulum” SCCD 31826 Richmond has been frequently performing cello as his main instrument.

“Mike Richmond’s beautiful new recording – his 11th as a leader – is the first on which he plays cello exclusively .… Richmond and his quartet of seasoned players give the music a ‘singing’ quality something Richmond seeks in all his playing.” (Donald Elfman – New York City Jazz Record on The Pendulum SCCD 31826)

MIKE RICHMOND cello

PETER ZAK piano

JAY ANDERSON bass

BILLY DRUMMOND drums

1 BE MY LOVE (Nicolas Brodzsky) 7:43

2 BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP (Donald Kahn) 7:16

3 DOLPHIN DANCE (Herbie Hancock) 9:02

4 SOUL EYES (Mal Waldron) 5:48

5 I’VE NEVER BEEN IN LOVE BEFORE (Frank Loesser) 7:40

6 I LOVE PARIS (Cole Porter) 7:24

7 BREA’S LULLABY (Luciano Salvatore) 7:31

8 TONES FOR JOAN’S BONES (Chick Corea) 6:56

Reggie PIttman / Loren Daniels Quartet - Smilessence (January 2018)

The greatly anticipated second release from a group described as  “…a swinging, tight and vibrant band, rooted deeply in the bop tradition.”

— Ken Franckling, Jazz Notes

“Smilessence” is a deeply grooving session from beginning to end! Each member of the quartet (Reggie Pittman – trumpet/flugelhorn, Loren Daniels – piano/elec. piano/organ, Mike Richmond – bass, Jonathon Peretz – drums) shines throughout this recording. This “working band” of seasoned jazz performers digs in and delivers the “goods” on the great variety of rhythmic feels that comprise “Smilessence”. From up tempo burners to funk, reggae, calypso and ballads, the 11 original compositions and arrangements by Daniels and Pittman grab your ears and never let go! “Smilessence” is here put on the box and feel your smile begin!

1. Knee Hi to a Bee (Bop!) 6:13

2. Sco-Ho-Ho 8:04

3. Consternation 4:45

4. There is No Greater Love 6:47

5. You Better Say Alice 7:53

6. Smilessence 6:02

7. Change 6:49

8. 2 Hip 2B 6:16

9. Straight Up 5:18

10. Shaky Leg (Pt. 2) 6:34

11. And It Goes…On 10:06

Reggie Pittman - trumpet / flugelhorn

Loren Daniels - piano / elec. piano / organ

Mike Richmond - bass

Jonathon Peretz - drums

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Mike Richmond Cello Quartet - The Pendulum (SteepleChase Records 2017)

Mike Richmond, Grammy Award-winning bassist with vast experience with leaders such as Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Horace Silver, Jack DeJohnette, Gil Evans, Chet Baker to mention a few, leads here his own group with cello as his instrument for the first time. Cello as a jazz instrument is still a rarity but its history goes back to the 50s when Oscar Pettiford broke new ground. Richmond put together this all-Pettiford-composition album to honor the pioneer.

“…Dance for Andy is one of those rare CDs that sustain interest through a 70-minute-plus duration.” (Richard Cook & Brian Morton – The Penguin Guide on SCCD 31267)

“Richmond is as nimble fingered and resourceful a bassist we have heard in some time.” (New York Daily News)

01 THE PENDULUM AT FALCON’S LAIR 6:43

02 CELLO AGAIN 6:21

03 TWO LITTLE PEARLS 8:59

04 LAVERNE WALK 6:18

05 WHY NOT? THAT’S WHAT? 7:29

06 TRICOTISM 7:01

07 TAMALPAIS LOVE SONG TO THE WINDS 7:33

08 MY LITTLE CELLO 6:39

09 OSCALYPSO 8:53

MIKE RICHMOND cello

PETER ZAK piano

JAY ANDERSON bass

BILLY DRUMMOND drums