The Rain Dance Collective - The tempest (2019)

The Rain Dance Collective brings together five jazz musicians from France and Venezuela. In this project, the guitarist Francisco Garrido is joined by the quartet "two saxophones, bass, drums" of Nicolas Gegout, Quentin Thomas, Antoine Leonardon and Paul Lefevre. Inspired by the aesthetic universe of artists such as Kenny Wheeler, Ambrose Akinmusire, Ben Monder and Lage Lund, the band presents music with an spacious quality, sometimes mixed with Latin music, with a solid rhythm section supporting the melodic endeavors of each soloist. Melodic themes and improvisations rub shoulders in original compositions, offering each musician a wide space for expression and creativity.

1. The Tempest 04:14

2. Olympic Hide and Seek Final 07:33

3. Blues Dots in Space 05:38

4. Luna 05:18

Nicolas Gegout - Tenor Sax

Quentin Thomas - Alto Sax

Francisco Garrido - Guitar and Composition

Antoine Leonardon - Bass

Paul Lefevre - Drums

Adrien Legay- Production

Yacine Belmahi and Seba Selame- Production in "Luna"

Bob Meich- Drums on "Luna"

John Surman / John Warren - The Brass Project (ECM 2019)

The original conceptual idea for the Brass Project was to set John Surman’s improvising trio with bassist Chris Laurence and drummer John Marshall at the centre of a radiant brass choir of trumpets and trombones. With John Warren invited to contribute compositions and to conduct the group, the Brass Project quickly evolved into a more organic large ensemble, and by the time of this 1992 recording had become one of the most creative configurations in Britain. The elegant arrangements of Warren’s and Surman’s profoundly melodic music inspire many eloquent and touching solos.

John Surman   Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Piano

Henry Lowther   Trumpet

Steve Waterman   Trumpet

Stuart Brooks   Trumpet

Malcolm Griffiths   Trombone

Chris Pyne   Trombone

David Stewart   Bass Trombone

Richard Edwards   Bass Trombone

Chris Laurence   Bass

John Marshall   Drums, Percussion

John Warren   Conductor

1 THE RETURNING EXILE (John Surman) 07:41

2 COASTLINE (John Surman) 03:33

3 THE NEW ONE TWO PART 1 (John Warren) 06:39

4 THE NEW ONE TWO PART 2 (John Warren) 07:30

5 SPACIAL MOTIVE (John Warren) 04:51

6 WIDER VISION (John Surman) 08:26

7 SILENT LAKE (John Warren) 05:56

8 MELLSTOCK QUIRE / TANTRUM CLANGLEY (John Warren, John Surman) 11:13

9 ALL FOR A SHADOW (John Warren, John Surman) 05:49

Ralph Towner & Gary Burton - Matchbook (ECM 2019)

An album-of-the-year in US magazine High Fidelity and recipient of a 5-star review in Down Beat, Towner and Burton’s Matchbook stands up today as a timeless instance of the art of the duo, its vibrant spontaneity still alluring. The wide-ranging repertoire includes Ralph Towner’s classic tune ”Icarus”, Charles Mingus’s farewell to Lester Young, “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”, and Leonard Bernstein’s “Some Other Time” (“a meticulously plotted melody that spurs some of the record’s loveliest interaction.

– Down Beat

Ralph Towner   12-String Guitar, Classical Guitar

Gary Burton   Vibraharp

1 DRIFTING PETALS (Ralph Towner) 05:14

2 SOME OTHER TIME (Leonard Bernstein) 06:12

3 BROTHERHOOD (Gary Burton) 01:08

4 ICARUS (Ralph Towner) 05:48

5 SONG FOR A FRIEND (Ralph Towner) 05:05

6 MATCHBOOK (Ralph Towner) 04:29

7 1 X 6 (Ralph Towner) 00:52

8 AURORA (Ralph Towner) 05:07

9 GOODBYE PORK PIE HAT (Charles Mingus) 04:22

Chick Corea - Piano Improvisations Vol. 1 (ECM 2019)

Chick Corea’s first unaccompanied album initiated the solo piano idiom at ECM, and proved to be extremely influential. Alongside music created in the moment, some powerful melodies are explored here, not least that of “Sometime Ago”, soon to be a theme song for the Return To Forever band. “I found it quite easy to select what I felt was the single best disc [of 1971]. Chick Corea’s Piano Improvisations Volume One is a true masterpiece of music and a very important album” - Michael Cuscuna, Record World.

- Michael Cuscuna, Record World

Chick Corea   Piano

1 NOON SONG (Chick Corea) 04:04

2 SONG FOR SALLY (Chick Corea) 03:45

3 BALLAD FOR ANNA (Chick Corea) 02:27

4 SONG OF THE WIND (Chick Corea) 03:12

5 SOMETIME AGO (Chick Corea) 08:22

CHICK COREA - WHERE ARE YOU NOW? - A SUITE OF 8 PICTURES

6 Picture 1 04:53

7 Picture 2 02:04

8 Picture 3 02:31

9 Picture 4 02:44

10 Picture 5 00:34

11 Picture 6 03:55

12 Picture 7 02:00

13 Picture 8 01:36

Paul Bley - Ballads (2019)

First released in the spring of 1971, these historic recordings from March and July 1967 capture the sound of a genre being born in the free ballads of Annette Peacock, played with extraordinary sensitivity by Paul Bley’s trio. Annette Peacock: “Critics introduced new terms, describing this music as sparse, understated, minimal, radically lyrical. The free ballad captured the imagination of listeners for ECM and became requisite for the transformation of accomplished players.”

Paul Bley   Piano

Gary Peacock   Double-Bass

Mark Levinson   Double-Bass

Barry Altschul   Drums

1 ENDING (Annette Peacock) 17:20

2 CIRCLES (Annette Peacock) 02:59

3 SO HARD IT TURNS (Annette Peacock) 12:13

SKNAIL & YANNICK BARMAN - "Live In China" 中国现场 (2019)

NEW ALBUM / 新专辑上线 + NEW VIDEO

Swiss glitch jazz act SKNAIL and trumpet player Yannick Barman played 3 concerts in China in Summer 2018. In January 2019, they present the “Live In China” album with recordings from Yuyintang in Shanghai, Wuqiong Club in Xi’an and Dusk Dawn Club in Beijing, released on Beijing indie label Ran Music.

Listen to "Live In China" album, download and streaming:

Morten Ramsbøl - True North (CHALLENGE RECORDS 2019)

True North - Morten Ramsbøl's latest release and debut album on Challenge Records

True North - Morten Ramsbøl's latest release and debut album on Challenge Records - showcase new compositions by Morten in a stellar lineup with some of the finest jazz musicians in Europe: “Several listenings to this music, only solidify the obvious, that Morten Ramsbøl is clearly his own musical spirit. Highly original, a payer of homage to the totality of jazz performance and the unique position that the bass occupies within it…one foot firmly placed in that history, the other constantly exploring new directions within the path less traveled”. 

Whether soloing, grooving, or painting colors, Morten consistently displays a staggering command of the instrument. He constantly responds immediately to his colleagues. Bassist Dave Holland said: “the greatest musicians were the greatest listeners”, a truism that is proved repeatedly throughout this recording.

Morten Ramsbøl 
Morten has a BA teaching degree from the Royal Academy Of Music in Aarhus and a Pedagogical Diploma degree.  He has since 1998 played, toured and recorded with stellar artists such as Sinne Eeg, Niels Lan Doky, The Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, Kurt Elling, John Scofield, Claire Martin, Benny Golson, Kristian Leth, Kenneth Knudsen, Renato Chicco, Randy Brecker, Ulf Wakenius, Lars Jansson, and many more. Morten has composed music for television, commission work and numerous tours / projects. His first album “Short Stay feat. Joey Baron” (Music Mecca, 2002)  and secondly the first album with all original compositions “Same Story, Different Place” (Gateway Music, 2014) and thirdly “How Far Is The Moon” (Natango Music, 2016) have been praised in and outside of Denmark being called “a timeless masterpiece”. 

“I congratulate these musicians on such a splendid effort. I wholeheartedly endorse that effort with absolutely no hesitation. Morten Ramsbøl lends credence to that time spun adage of, “Talent deserving wider recognition”. Throughout this project, his magnificent talent, diligence in craft and scrutiny in selecting accompanying sidemen to enhance his aesthetic vision, he has subsequently raised the bar in musical achievership. 

Listen? Yes, definitely. But HEAR him!”

– Thomas Howard Curtis III

Morten Ramsbøl (double bass)

Julian Arguelles (saxophone)

Jacob Karlzon (piano)

Reini Schmolzer (drums)

Igmar Jenner (violin)

Andreas Semlitsch (violin)

Delphine Krenn-Viard (viola)

Katja Finsel (cello)

1 As Seen From Above  04:24

2 Marianne  01:29

3 Brothers  01:19

4 Keith  04:10

5 True North  07:22

6 Naymenhay  03:12

7 Le Grand  05:48

8 Signal Me  07:08

9 Brothers II  03:11

10 Surface  04:11

© 2019 - NewArts International / Challenge Records Int.

Peter Beets & Stochelo Rosenberg - Beets meets Rosenberg: Django Tribute (CHALLENGE RECORDS 2019)

Peter Beets meets Stochelo Rosenberg: true musical chemistry

There is true musical chemistry between these four artists, two leading figures from the world of gypsy jazz and two internationally recognized giants of mainstream jazz. The music on this album is the result of long-time friendships between all four of the players. It’s a fantastic encounter and amalgamation of two worlds, both characterized by improvisation, interaction, musical dedication, true feeling and pure joy!

Peter Beets
As one of the most sought-after jazz artists of our time, Peter Beets has attracted a devoted international audience, performing regularly at major jazz festivals and venues throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. He has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, “Toots” Thielemans, Elvin Jones, George Coleman, Johnny Griffin, Benny Golson and Kurt Rosenwinkel. One of his earliest recordings, "First Date" (1996), featured the great Jeff Hamilton on drums. In 2001 the Criss Cross label invited Peter for a series of CDs with his "New York Trio", inviting artists like Willie Jones III, Larry Grenadier and Greg Hutchinson, earning him international acclaim.

"Straight ahead excellence. A world class jazz act." - Down Beat

"Outstanding compositions. Fantastic timing. Brilliant." - Jazzreview

Stochelo Rosenberg
Stochelo started playing guitar at the age of ten: quite late for a boy from a family of gypsy musicians. Stochelo developed from a talented but shy boy to a guitarist and world-class composer. He has written several beautiful pieces of music. Stochelo Rosenberg is considered one of the best guitarists, with his impeccable technique, great elegance and very personal vibrato, a combination of virtuosity and emotion. Like many of his contemporaries, Stochelo loves improvising, and like many of his predecessors, he is looking for new challenges. He likes to try out new ways of playing, but always with the solid foundation of his first love: the music of Django Reinhardt. 

Stochelo Rosenberg – guitar 

Peter Beets – piano

Martin Limberger – guitar 

Frans van Geest – double bass

1 Douce Ambiance  07:17

2 Tears  08:16

3 Django's Tiger  05:31

4 Nuages  06:13

5 You Look Good To Me  06:46

6 In A Sentimental Mood  07:08

7 Djangology  05:06

8 Minor Swing  06:33

Tour:

9-2-2019 De Doelen Rotterdam 20:15

24-3-2019 TivoliVredenburg Utrecht 16:00

© 2019 - NewArts International / Challenge Records Int.

Beat The Winter Blues: Toots Thielemans European Quartet - 90 yrs (1CD 1DVD) CHALLENGE RECORDS 2019

“I feel best in that little space between a smile and a tear”

Last spring one of the world's famous jazz icons turned 90 years old!

His anniversary is honored in a very special manner: with the cd 90yrs and a special bonus DVD with a selection of unique material of his last concert in Japan

This live CD, 90 yrs, contains unique and previously never issued recordings.

The tracks are recorded during the his latest tours around the globe.

Pianist Karel Boehlee, drummer Hans van Oosterhout and double-bass player Hein Van de Geyn support Toots in the passion which is for him like breathing: making music!

To play music the audience is the only thing Toots Thielemans want in his life.

The cd 90 yrs. is a brilliant registration of how Toots still plays for his fans.

The albums opens with the track 'Waltz for Sonny', a bow to Sonny Rollins, is somehow a musical brother of Toots’ most famous tune: Bluesette.

Next track “The Dragon” was written by Toots for the Japanese movie Yasha (1985), a nice, open and mysterious tune. Together with Mitsuhiko Saito he wrote the original soundtrack for that movie.

'Sno' Peas' is originally written by Phil Markowitz and made famous by the legendary pianist Bill Evans. Toots has played and recorded with Bill Evans in the time that he lived in the USA. 'Sno' Peas' has been on Toots’ list of favorites for a long time. An intricate harmonic set of changes, always a challenge.

'One Note Samba' and 'Wave' composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim are great examples of very intelligent, yet accesible writing. Obvious and singable to the superficial ear, and full of hidden details for the specialist. No wonder Toots loves playing these songs, they leave so much space for creativity and personal interpretation, yet remain always very clear in their own identity at the same time.

'Dat Mistige Rooie Beest' (That Misty Red Animal) was composed by the famous conductor Rogier van Otterloo for the dutch movie Turks Fruit (Turkish Fruit).

For the original movie sound track, Toots played his harmonica with the clearly recognizable sound.

Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way” often kicked off the concerts they played over the years. A wonderful vehicle for improvisation with the 8-bar interlude always opening doors to new interpretations. 

Toots often mentions his admiration for the greatest jazz musician ever: Louis Armstrong.

When the old harmonica player was just a young boy and heard the voice of Louis Armstrong he completely was infected by the jazz virus.

“What A Wonderful World” is in fact a dedication to this personification of jazz.

Another very challenging harmonic, yet such lovely melodic song was written by Brazilian Luiz Eça: “The Dolphin”. 

Toots not only worked with a lot of big jazz artists but also with pop musicians: In the seventies Toots was invited to join Paul Simon on a long tour. His feature was on the wonderful song, written by Paul: “I Do It For Your Love”. Toots kept it on his repertoire since then.

'Old Friend', the last song on this CD is a very special one. Toots wrote this when he was young; almost like an harmonic exercise, yet so full of feeling. With adding strings by the Shinozaki Strings from Tokio, this is a heartfelt rendition of this special composition that Toots dedicated to his father.

Toots Thielemans: harmonica

Karel Boehlee: piano, synthesizer

Hein Van de Geyn: double bass

Hans van Oosterhout: drums

1 Waltz for Sonny  05:28

2 The Dragon  04:32

3 Sno Peas  06:13

4 Wave  04:36

5 Dat Mistige Rooie Beest  05:08

6 In Your Own Sweet Way  06:08

7 What A Wonderful World  03:41

8 One Note Samba  04:04

9 The Dolphin  04:09

10 I Do It For Your Love  06:22

11 Old Friend  05:19

© 2019 - NewArts International / Challenge Records Int.

Dave Young (feat. Renee Rosnes) - Lotus Blossom (MODICA MUSIC February 15, 2019)

“To my way of thinking, Dave Young is one of the

most talented bassists on the jazz scene. His

harmonic sympatico and unerring sense of time have

kept him in the foreground of the jazz picture.”

- Oscar Peterson

Dave Young (Alex Heidbuechel)

Fresh off the heels of his 2018 JUNO-nominated album, “One Way Up” (Modica Music), Dr. Dave Young, C.M. returns with a collection of diverse jazz tunes, with an all-star selection of Canadian musicians. Recorded in Toronto on the second day of the 2016 “One Way Up” sessions at the suggestion of producer, Roberto Occhipinti, a majority of the songs on “Lotus Blossom” were selected in passing during recording breaks. 

The title track was a joint favourite of Rosnes and Young and the first to be laid down. An on-the-spot arrangement for Modinha was put together in-between takes, and that marked the first time that long-time friends Rosnes and Schwager recorded together. Both Red Cross and Fried Bananas are tunes you can often hear Dave perform live in his tributes to Charlie Parker and Dexter Gordon, but this is the first time these songs have been recorded with his long-time collaborators. Cedar Walton’s Bolivia welcomes the addition of Bernie Senensky on piano and that leads to the trio of Young, Senensky, and Clarke laying down a swinging version of Jimmy Van Heusen’s classic, I Thought About You. “Lotus Blossom” ends with the unmistakable tones of Kevin Turcotte and Perry White on another jazz classic, Softly As In A Morning Sunrise. 

Order of Canada recipient, Dr. Dave Young, is one of Canada’s most celebrated and valued bassists, composers, arrangers, and educators. Originally from Winnipeg, Dave has made his name known on both the Canadian and international stages in both jazz and classical music for the last five decades, and along the way has worked with some of the world’s top artists in various fields. Known for his elegant tone, impeccable time, and immense knowledge of musical history, Dave has been a first-call bassist for the likes of Oscar Peterson, Lenny Breau, Oliver Jones, Cedar Walton, and countless others.

The Dave Young will be releasing Lotus Blossom internationally on Modica Records on Friday, February 15th, 2019. 

Dave Young (Tracey Nolan Studios)

Dave Young - Acoustic Bass

Renee Rosnes - Piano

Reg Schwager - Guitar

Terry Clarke - Drums

Bernie Senensky - Piano

Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet

Perry White - Tenor Saxophone

1. Lotus Blossom 5:25

2. Modinha 7:33

3. Red Cross 5:49

4. Fried Bananas 5:32

5. Bolivia 5:57

6. I Thought About You 6:09

7. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 4:51

Angela Verbrugge - The Night We Couldn't Say Good Night (GUT STRING RECORDS February 1, 2019)

The Night We Couldn’t Say Good Night is the witty and joyful debut release from Vancouver-based vocalist Angela Verbrugge.

Verbrugge’s sound finds its home somewhere between vocal jazz, traditional pop and American Songbook/Broadway/Cabaret.

Some real-life stories are so remarkable, they take on a cinematic quality. In the case of  Verbrugge, her personal journey is filled with not one, not two, but three near-death experiences that have shaped her path, and have provided the fuel for her burgeoning music career:  “I was in a head-on collision, almost drowned, and then, when I had three kids under five, I got a very serious kind of cancer that had spread. I decided that if I could get through the treatments and survive it, and get my life back together, I would pursue my dream.” 

That dream is music.  Pursuit of this dream took her to the Vermont Jazz Centre to work with legendary jazz vocalist, Sheila Jordan.  It was there that she met Jordan's long-time bassist Cameron Brown, and when she was invited to go to New York to record with him, she jumped at the chance.  

Highlights abound on the album: on ‘I’m Running Late’, Verbrugge’s super-fast-paced vocals match the rushed theme of her witty lyrics...it’s a delightfully smart track with modern references listeners can instantly relate to.  ‘Speak Softly Love’ is elegant...a reverent reimagining of the beloved ‘Godfather’ melody.  The original ‘You’re Almost Perfect’ is another centrepiece, where intelligence and humour come together, with clever lyrics such as “you’re almost perfect, I want to change you!” 

In addition to the standout songwriting, Verbrugge at times incorporates her background as an actress into her vocal performances, elevating the songs and bringing her characters to life.

The Night We Couldn’t Say Good Night will be released on Gut String Records (NYC) on Friday, February 1st, 2019.

Angela Verbrugge - Vocals

Ray Gallon - Piano

Cameron Brown - Bass

Anthony Pinciotti - Drums

1. I’m Running Late (That’s The Question)* 4:34

2. The Night We Couldn’t Say Good Night* 3:52

3. Love Walked In 4:39

4. All Too Soon 5:14

5. You’re Almost Perfect* 3:27

6. This Could Be the Start of Something Big 3:00

7. Interlude (A Night in Tunisia) 3:12

8. Cool Baby 4:18

9. Si Tu Pudieras Quereme 3:41

10. Speak Softly, Love 3:53

11. Plus Je T’Embrasse 3:01

12. The Moon Was Yellow 3:06

13. How Did I Know This Was the End?* 3:18

(Asterisk denotes compositions written/co-written by Angela Verbrugge)

Jim Brenan 11 (feat. Chris Andrew) - 50/50 (February 8, 2019)

Spending half his life in Edmonton and half in Calgary, Jim Brenan knows well the wealth of talent harbored within their city limits. The Jim Brenan 11 is a union of the most versatile and talented Alberta-based jazz musicians you can find.

Brenan was raised in Edmonton and now lives and works in Calgary. Playing regularly in both cities, he wanted to capture the talent and creativity of the musicians from both communities. As the eleventh member of the group, Brenan serves as the composer, arranger, tenor saxophonist and peacekeeper between Oilers and Flames fans.

The creation of this music began with Brenan’s desire to unify two communities but also to express an identity focused on inclusivity. “I had a desire to create a large, acoustic band that brought a powerful, groove based sound - just rhythm section and horns. While thinking of the instrumentation, I knew that I wanted to showcase a wide variety of musical minds. It’s the guys in the band that collectively come together to make up the unique sound”. Jim Brenan’s sound is infused with a soul and energy that bursts through the seams of its songs.

Tiger’s Milk is a tribute to the Tied and Tickled trio’s blend of jazz and world music; an uncompromising power-to-the-people anthem that changes gears mid-way through it’s loping melody. Jocasta plays like a cop show car chase while Empress and Hiding Place, impossible to define by genre, ease into the more soulful side of the band.

Jim Brenan

Featuring Chris Andrew was a “no brainer” for this project. Chris, originally from BC has come to represent the best-of-the-best in his adopted province - quite simply every project is better with Chris. Having worked together for many decades, Brenan knew this collaboration was a natural fit and one that paid off spectacularly. Check out Chris on any of the tracks, but especially his space time warp on Fant-O-Max, reminiscent of the greatest explorations of Bitches Brew.

The soloistic firepower is evident, with the likes of Craig Brenan, Sean Craig, Mike Gardner, Sergio Rodriguez, Jamie Cooper and Rubim de Toledo featured throughout. The gritty loose funk is an undeniably catchy blend that punches above its small ensemble weight.

The results of blending 11 of Alberta’s finest musicians creates a true 50/50 collaboration of talent and skill, proving we can come together to focus on what’s important; the music.

The Jim Brenan 11 will be releasing 50/50 on Friday, February 8th, 2019.

Musicians

Jim Brenan: saxophones / clarinets

Sean Craig: alto saxophone

Mike Gardner: alto saxophone

Sarah Matheson-Nadeau: baritone saxophone / flute

Craig Brenan: trombone

Carsten Rubeling: trombone

Jim Murray: trumpet

Sergio Rodriguez: trumpet

Chris Andrew: Rhodes / clavinet

Rubim De Toledo: bass

Jamie Cooper: drums

Raul Tabera: percussion

Hary Vetro's NORTHERN RANGER

In 2017, as Canada celebrated 150 years of confederation, 23 year old Hamilton drummer Harry Vetro took to the road. He traveled coast to coast, visiting communities in Canada's six indigenous cultural areas (Arctic, Subarctic, Northwest Coast, Plateau, Plains, and Eastern Woodlands) in an effort to connect with musicians and artists from different cultural backgrounds, and to better understand the land's long cultural history.

Northern Ranger - Vetro's debut album - tells the story of his travels. A jazz musician by training, Harry melded his own style of improvised music with folk and classical influences to create a deeply personal statement, one that speaks to the country as a whole. 

A recent graduate of the University of Toronto Jazz program, Vetro leads an active performing career, Past performances include the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival and Orillia Jazz Festival. 

Proceeds from this album will assist in starting an outreach initiative for youth with limited access to music education. The program will be titled "Northern Ranger Outreach" and Vetro will be partnering with his father, who is an educator and musician with connections in the school system. 

Northern Ranger will be released on Friday, October 19th on T.Sound Records.

Harry Vetro - Drums

Lina Allemano - Trumpet

Harrison Argatoff - Saxophone

Dan Pitt - Guitar

Ian McGimpsey - Guitar

Noah Franche-Nolan - Piano

Jacob Thompson - Piano

Andrew Downing - Bass

Phil Albert - Bass

Jessica Deutsch - Violin

Aline Homzy - Violin

Anna Atkinson - Viola

Andrew Downing - Cello