“MANNY KELLOUGH AND FRIENDS SPEAKING OF JAZZ
(EAST TO WEST COAST)”
Legendary drummer Manny Kellough and his musical friends perform a joyful set of standards and two originals.
With boppish solos from altoist Antonio Parker and trumpeter Michael Thomas, and vocals by Julian Hipkins, Ashley Kellough and Azure McCall, Kellough presents a set full of variety and happy vibrations.
Manny Kellough has had a wide-ranging career, playing drums with such notables as Billy Preston, Ray Charles, Freddie Hubbard and even the Rolling Stones. A bandleader since 2002, Kellough enjoys performing fresh versions of standards, music that makes audiences feel good.
On Speaking Of Jazz, Kellough gathered together some of his favorite instrumentalists and singers for a set of music that will make listeners smile. For the first eight numbers, he is joined by pianist William Knowles, bassist Wes “Suga” Biles, and (on most selections) altoist Antonio Parker and trumpeter-flugelhornist Michael Thomas.
The set begins with Knowles’ original “Generosity,” a joyful and relaxed piece that puts the spotlight on the beautiful tone of altoist Parker. “Secret Love,” which is modernized a bit, has boppish solos from Parker and trumpeter Thomas. Billy Preston’s goodtime “Nothing From Nothing” has a particularly effective arrangement that alternates between Parker’s alto and the singing of Julian Hipkins. Michael Thomas’ trumpet is showcased on Woody Shaw’s melodic jazz waltz ‘Katrina Ballerina.” Julian Hipkins returns for a version of “I Thought About You” that is taken uptempo in 5/4 time before switching to a 4/4 strut, and the singer is also heard at his most expressive on an optimistic version of “Smile.” The quintet performs “Happy Swing In ‘F,’” an original that lives up to its name before Ashley Kellough takes a heartfelt vocal on a memorable rendition of “When I Fall In Love.” The daughter of Manny, this is the first time that Ashley Kellough has worked with her father and her first time singing jazz; she starts off her career in jazz in fine form.
The last three numbers have Manny Kellough joined by pianist Matt Clark, bassist Gary Brown, and singer Azure McCall. “How High The Moon,” which includes some fine singing and a spot for Clark’s piano, also has the only drum solo of the project, a melodic chorus from the supportive leader. Azure McCall, who sometimes recalls Etta Jones in her sound and relaxed phrasing, is in excellent form on a slower-than-usual version of “East Of The Sun” and an upbeat “A Foggy Day,” also displaying some fine scat-singing.
Manny Kellough was born and raised in Los Angeles, started playing drums when he was eight and, by the time he was 13, was playing professionally. When he was 17, he worked with Ray Charles but most notable among his associations was 25 years spent as the original drummer with Billy Preston. Along the way he also toured with the Rolling Stones (1973) and worked with such greats as Barry White, Carmen McRae, Larry Graham (of Graham Central Station), Freddie Hubbard, and Quincy Jones just to name a few.
Manny Kellough, who has led his own band during the past 20 years, is always enthusiastic about uplifting the playing of his sidemen and being an integral part of the music rather than feeling compelled to feature himself excessively. His unselfish approach to music and the consistent joy that he displays can be heard throughout the enjoyable and always-swinging Speaking Of Jazz (East To West Coast).
1. Generosity (William H. Knowles, Manny Kellough) 5:16
2. Secret Love (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster) 4:12)
3. Nothing from Nothing (Billy Preston, Bruce Fisher) 3:55
4. Katrina Ballerina (Cute and Pretty Ballerina) (Woody Shaw) 4:25
5. I Thought about You (Johnny Mercer) 2:41
6. Smile (John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons, Charlie Chaplin) 3:21
7. Happy Swing In “F” (William H. Knowles, Manny Kellough) 4:12
8. When I Fall in Love (Edward Heyman, Victor Young) 3:04
9. How High the Moon (Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton) 4:22
10. East of the Sun (Brooks Bowman) 5:37
11. Foggy Day (George Gershwin) 5:35
Manny Kellough - Percussion/Producer (all tracks)
with East Coast Musicians:
William Knowles - Piano (tracks 1-8) & Co-Producer
Wes “Suga” Biles - Bass (tracks 1-8)
Antonio Parker - Alto Sax (tracks 1-8)
Michael Thomas - Trumpet, Flugel Horn (tracks 1-8)
Julian Hipkins - Vocalist (tracks 3, 5, 6)
West Coast Musicians:
Matt Clark - Piano (tracks 9-11)
Gary Brown - Bass (tracks 9-11)
Azure McCall - Vocalist (tracks 9-11)
Ashley Kellough - Vocalist (track 8)
