Cory Weeds - Just Coolin' (December 2021 Cellar Live)

In the summer of 2021 Cory Weeds put together the quartet on this recording for a gig at Frankie’s Jazz Club in Vancouver, BC. It was one of those nights where everything came together in every aspect. Club was packed with an appreciative and enthusiastic audience, the band was fired up and ready to go and Cory's dear friend and supporter of jazz Yvonne DeTroye was at her usual perch taking in the festivities. When the band was packing up, she approached Cory to tell him how wonderful the band sounded AND that should he ever decide to record she would be more than happy to lend financial support. Around this time, Weeds had just taken the Presidents role at The Fraser MacPherson Jazz Fund and started thinking about how he could use this recording as a fundraiser. After 18 months of a pandemic the fund was basically depleted and needed to increase its fundraising efforts and create some awareness. Yvonne donated to the FMJF to produce this 8 track set and 100% of the proceeds from the sales (in all formats) benefit The Fraser MacPherson Jazz Fund.

Thank you to Will and Norah Johnston for opening up their beautiful home to record in, the FMJF Board of Directors for their patience and for understanding the vision and Sheldon Zaharko for capturing the sound of the band so brilliantly. Special thanks to Tilden, John and Jesse for the incredible musicianship that they always display. It’s such an incredible pleasure to make music with this group. Extra special thanks to Yvonne DeTroye as she continues to make jazz dreams come true for so many of us and there are not enough words to express appreciation for all that you do for the jazz community.

-Cory Weeds

Burnaby, BC

October, 2021

1. Just Coolin' 06:48

2. Beep Durple 06:20

3. Chicken N' Dumplin 06:08

4. Bitter Sweet 06:10

5. We Three 11:01

6. Street Scenes 06:03

7. Vendetta 05:41

8. Night Walk 06:16

Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone

Tilden Webb – piano

John Lee – bass

Jesse Cahill - drums

Executive Producer: Yvonne DeTroye and Cory Weeds

Produced by Cory Weeds and Tidlen Webb

Recorded at Will and Norah’s house in Vancouver, BC, on September 15th, 2021

Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Sheldon Zaharko

Photography by Cory Weeds, Photo of Cory Weeds by Jesse Cahill

Design and layout John Sellards

Cover art by Fujioka Takao

PRE ORDER

Cory Weeds - With Strings: What Is There To Say? (2021 Cellar Live)

What a perfect time for Cory to give us this album, What is There To Say?, his 18th record as a leader. It's his most ambitious project to date and, in my opinion, his most impressive. Ever since Charlie Parker recorded his iconic Bird with Strings album, the saxophone-with-strings format has become a sort of Mount Everest for those saxophonists brave enough to take on the challenge. Cory has been climbing to increasingly greater heights for years now and he is clearly ready for this ''Everestine'' expedition. Listening to him interpret this carefully curated set of compositions, we really get to know him for the musician he has become: an expressive saxophonist with a unique and personal voice on his instrument. A visceral strength to his delivery on the tenor, while at times exposing a beautifully honest vulnerability as well.

Cory, as he is known to do, has surrounded himself with only the best company. Phil Dwyer's crafty lush string arrangements inspire Cory to search for new and ever more lyrical melodic lines while also giving him ample space to get lost exploring the nooks and crevasses of the music. Cory has compiled some real musical gems here including the somewhat obscure chestnut 1906 Ballad At Dawning (I Love You) while also contributing an eclectic trio of original compositions to round out an extremely enjoyable musical program.

1. At Dawning 05:44

2. Waltz For Someone Special 04:46

3. Alana Marie 06:33

4. I Wish You Love 06:35

5. The Phantom / The In Crowd 06:12

6. Love Is Wild 06:06

7. What Is There To Say? 05:58

8. There's A Boat Leavin' Soon For New York 06:54

Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone

Phil Dwyer – piano

John Lee – bass

Jesse Cahill – drums

Cam Wilson – violin (lead)

Llowyn Ball - violin

Elyse Jacobson - violin

Molly MacKinnon - violin

Jiten Beairsto- violin

Madeline Hocking- violin

Meredith Bates - violin

Andrea Siradze - violin

John Kastelic – viola

Genevieve MacKay - viola

Finn Manniche - cello

Doug Gorkoff – cello

Maggie Hasspacher - bass

All arrangements by Phil Dwyer

Executive Producer: Cory Weeds

Produced by Phil Dwyer and Cory Weeds

Recorded at The Armoury Studios in Vancouver, BC on Feburary 13, 20 and 21, 2021

Engineered by Sheldon Zaharko, assisted by Spencer Bleasdale and Ricardo Germain

Mixed by Sheldon Zaharko

Mastered by João Carvalho

Cover Art by Lori Popadiuk

Photography by Cory Weeds

Design and layout by Perry Chua

PRE-ORDER

Steve Maddock - The Blues Project (September 2021 Cellar Live)

The velvety voice of one of Canada's most versatile vocalists, Steve Maddock shows a new side belting out the blues on 10 blues-drenched tunes!

The project began in 2018, when Cory Weeds pitched an idea to Steve for a Joe Williams tribute show at Frankie's Jazz Club in Vancouver. Williams is arguably one of the greatest jazz & blues singers we've ever had. In March 2019, they played two club dates, calling the show "Nothin' But the Blues: A Tribute to Joe Williams". It was so well received, that they immediately began planning a follow-up gig. The theme expanded , still travelling a blues path, but drawing material from other artists. Weeds was an invaluable source, hipping Maddock to such names as Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Jimmy Witherspoon, David Peaston, and Billie Poole. In September 2019, they played a second show at Frankie's: "Steve Maddock Sextet: The Blues Project". Cory suggested they make a record for the Cellar Music label, so they invited their friend Bill Coon, a wonderful musician & composer, to co-produce. After several challenges and delays due to the global pandemic, the band finally got into the studio in December, 2020 and now have "The Blues Project" album dropping on September 3.

1. Everyday I Have The Blues/All Blues 08:28

2. Turnaround (If You're With Me, Today Will Last Forever) 04:38

3. My Funny Valentine 04:10

4. Please, Send Me Someone To Love 06:49

5. Liars' Club 05:16

6. Backdoor Blues 04:14

7. Let Me Out 05:46

8. God Bless The Child 05:27

9. Au Privave 03:24

10. Alright, Ok, You Win 03:54

Steve Maddock – vocals

Chris Gestrin – piano

André Lachance – bass

Dave Robbins – drums

Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone

Brad Turner - trumpet

Executive Producer: Cory Weeds

Produced by Bill Coon

Recorded at The Armoury Studios in Vancouver, BC on December 1, 2020

Engineered by Sheldon Zaharko

Mixed and mastered by

Photography by

Design and layout by Perry Chua

PREORDER

Nightcrawlers - Do You Know A Good Thing? (2021 Cellar Live)

One of Vancouver's most beloved jazz groups of the past 10 years serve up heaps of grease playing the music of Eddie Harris, Shirley Scott, Hank Marr and other purveyors of greasy jazz! Usually a two horn front-line, this edition of the Nightcrawlers features only the tenor saxophone with Cory Weeds at the helm. Filling out the sound of the band is percussionist Jack Duncan with the all-star Vancouver band Dave Sikula on guitar, Chris Gestrin on Hammond B3 and Jesse Cahill on drums.

Here's what Cellar Music CEO, Cory Weeds had to say about the release:

Before recording this album, The Nightcrawlers were on what appeared to be a permanent hiatus. As a band they hadn’t gigged in several years, dating back to The Cellar. When the coronavirus put a stranglehold on the world, The Cellar Music Group was fortunate to have the support of organizations like FACTOR Canada and Creative BC who stepped up with relief funds for organizations in the music industry. The Cellar Music Group was one of the lucky recipients. So I wanted to do something fun and something that involved just local musicians, production and studio staff.

During the first two or three months of the pandemic, I was listening to a ton of organ music and I was inspired to make another organ record. The problem was that Day By Day was due out, O Sole Mio was in the can and I was set to record my album with strings, so the world did NOT need another record led by Cory Weeds.

I called Jesse Cahill and asked whether he would consider reuniting The Nightcrawlers for a recording. Although he didn’t say yes, it wasn’t no. Eventually, through some prodding, he came around and we started conceptualizing. Jesse was hearing something different for this record. He wanted one horn instead of two and wanted to add congas to the mix. We had done a few gigs at Frankie’s with that lineup under my leadership, and it was really fun and a great sound. It was fantastic to have percussionist Jack Duncan on board. He elevated the sound of the band.

Jesse and I met in my backyard (socially distanced, of course) to talk through some material. We have very similar tastes in music and more specifically in organ music, so coming to a consensus about the material was pretty quick and easy.

The four key members of The Nightcrawlers – Jesse, Dave Sikula, Chris Gestrin and I – have shared the stage for many hours over many years in various configurations, and playing with them feels like playing with family. This recording came at a time when we all needed a bit of normalcy in our lives. We needed to forget about what was going on in the world, have some fun and make some joyous music.

I hope you enjoy gettin’ greasy with The Nightcrawlers.

1. 1974 Blues 06:23

2. Do You Know A Good Thing When You See One? 06:53

3. Devilette 06:10

4. These Foolish Things 06:16

5. Soulful Kitty 06:26

6. Movin’ Out 06:41

7. New Mango 05:08

8. Greasy Spoon 04:11

Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone

Dave Sikula – guitar

Chris Gestrin – organ

Jesse Cahill - drums

Jack Duncan – congas on tracks 1, 3,4,6, 7

Executive Producer: Cory Weeds

Produced by Jesse Cahill and Cory Weeds

Recorded at The Armoury Studios in Vancouver, BC on November 8, 2020

Engineered mixed and mastered by Sheldon Zaharko

Photography by Jesse Cahill (cover) and Cory Weeds

Design and layout by Perry Chua

PREORDER

Cory Weeds - O Sole Mio! Music From The Motherland (2021 Cellar Live)

Cory Weeds delivers a blistering set of Italian themed tunes backed up by one of the pre-eminent organs bands in jazz today!

The results speak for themselves: swinging bop lines executed by all, crackling rhythm section accompaniment and interaction, and an ensemble sound that underscores the values of swing, groove and participatory interaction over a carefully selected set of compositions--thanks to the support of Giulio Recchioni and the Italian Cultural Centre--that celebrate through reinvention and interpretation some great Italian music ("O Sole Mio," "Toma A Surriento"), as well as compositions taken from the rich history of contribution that Italian-Americans have brought to jazz and the American popular song (Marmarosa, Corea, Martino, Mancini).

Although to some, perhaps, the ideas presented here may appear on the surface to be disparate and tangentially connected: a jazz version of "O Sole Mio," a fifth instrumentalist added to a longstanding quartet or even the Hammond B3 organ in jazz (a relatively late addition to the music's instrumentarium with an unusual historical pedigree of roller rinks and makeshift churches), jazz has long been about thwarting normative conventions and looking for points of intersection that connect and unite players and sounds that span nationalities, race, language, gender and musical history.

1. O Sole Mio 07:14

2. Mr. Lucky 05:12

3. Speak Softly Love (Theme From The Godfather) 08:09

4. On The Stairs 05:55

5. Estate 07:22

6. Chick's Tune 06:11

7. Torna A Surriento 08:07

8. Moody Blues 06:01

9. Capricci di Camere (Whims OF Chambers) 06:22

Cory Weeds – alto saxophone

Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone

Mike LeDonne – Hammond B3 organ

Peter Bernstein – guitar

Joe Farnsworth - drums

Produced by Cory Weeds & Mike LeDonne

Recorded at Armoury Studios on October 6, 2019

Engineered, mixed and mastered by Chris Gestrin

Pre-order

Cory Weeds Little Big Band - Explosion (CELLAR LIVE July 6, 2018)

Vancouver jazz impresario Cory Weeds fronts a world class 11 piece "Little Big Band", in an ambitious recording at Bryan Adams' "Warehouse" studio in Vancouver's Gas Town neighbourhood.  

Weeds and his guests speak to the important collaboration between the visiting artists - Gary Smulyan, Joe Magnarelli, Steve Davis and PJ Perry - and the Vancouver players who host them.  

Weeds' prolific activity, in particular pairing top tier New York musicians with local Vancouver players, has helped build Vancouver into a vibrant jazz city, with a deep well of skill.  Although Weeds' live club The Jazz Cellar shuttered years ago, the associated label Cellar Live continues on with a vibrant and regular slate of recordings, and Weeds' work with the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society (managing Frankie's Jazz Club) keeps him at the nexus of all action.  

In this film, we hear some sincere testimony on what Weeds does best - producing a swinging, exciting project that enriches the scene around him.  The symbiosis between artist and producer survives in Weeds' world, with an appreciative nod in both directions.

01 Minor Mishap

02 Soon

03 East Of The Village

04 Park Avenue Petite

05 My Girl Is Just Enough Woman For Me

06 Canadian Sunset

07 KD's Motion

08 Please Send Me Someone To Love

09 Ready And Able

Cory Weeds tenor saxophone

GARY SMULYAN baritone saxophone

STEVE KALDESTAD tenor saxophone

PJ PERRY alto saxophone

JOE MAGNARELLI trumpet

CHRIS DAVIS trumpet

STEVE DAVIS trombon

ROD MURRAY trombone

CHRIS GESTRIN piano

PAUL RUSHKA bass

JESSE CAHLL drums

Cory Weeds - Let's Groove: The Music Of Earth Wind & Fire (CELLAR LIVE 2017)

Exploring the upbeat, soulful melodies of Earth Wind and Fire, Let's Groove is a sizzling fresh take on this classic music for lovers of jazz, soul, and R&B music alike. NYC organist Mike Ledonne returns to the Cellar Live fold for his third collaboration with saxophonist Cory Weeds, with a stellar BC/New York band including Steve Kaldestad (BC), Dave Sikula (BC), and Jason Tieman (NYC).

Let’s Groove

Getaway

Devotion

You and I

The Way of the World

Imagination

Shining Star

Kalimba

After the Love Is Gone

Cory Weeds: alto saxophone

Steve Kaldestad: tenor saxophone

Mike LeDonne: Hammond B3 organ

Dave Sikula: guitar

Jason Tiemann: drums

Liam MacDonald: percussion (2, 5, 6, 8)

Cory Weeds & The Jeff Hamilton Trio - Dreamsville (CELLAR LIVE RECORDS 2017)

Dreamsville album for sale by Jeff Hamilton Drums / Cory Weeds is scheduled to be released Apr 21, 2017 on the Cellar Live label. Tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds and the Jeff Hamilton Trio are at it again with a followup release to their critically acclaimed This Happy Madness recording. Dreamsville, a decidedly more melancholy recording features some lesser known gems such as Michael Franks' Lady Wants To Know, Henri Mancini's Nothing To Lose and a beautiful ballad by Anthony Newly called Love Is A Now And Then Thing. Dreamsville CD music contains a single disc.

1. Who Can I Turn To 7:26

2. Lady Wants To Know 5:44

3. How Do You Like Them Apples 3:11

4. Blue Daniel 5:35

5. Dreamsville 5:40

6. Hammer's Tones 4:16

7. Nothing To Lose 7:19

8. Bennissimio 5:06

9. Love Is A Now And Then Thing 5:58

10. Robbin's Nest 6:20

11. She Walks This Earth 5:14

Cory Weeds: Tenor Saxophone

Jeff Hamilton: Drums

Tamir Hendelman: Piano

Christoph Luty: Bass

Cory Weeds Quintet featuring David Hazeltine - It's Easy To Remember (CELLAR LIVE 2016)

Join tenor saxophonist and jazz impresario Cory Weeds celebrates the release of his 11th CD as a leader. It’s Easy To Remember was recorded at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City in March. A saxophonist with an expressive sound rooted in Jazz tradition, Weeds has released 11 records as a leader on Cellar Live, the label that he founded in 2000. 

His last release This Happy Madness, recorded with The Jeff Hamilton Trio reached #1 on the Jazz Week Chart and stayed there for 2 weeks. Weeds fulfills a long time dream of collaborating with New York City pianist David Hazeltine. He is one of a handful of young pianists who has successfully forged his own distinctive style and musical voice out of the accumulated greatness and weight of a modern piano tradition. David's influences extend from Art Tatum and Bud Powell to such great living masters as Buddy Montgomery, Barry Harris and Cedar Walton.

01. With Prestige

02. Emily

03. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

04. Expose

05. Candy Man

06. It’s Easy To Remember

07. Bossa For All

08. Kelp

09. The Mabe

Cory Weeds - tenor saxophone

Joe Magnarelli - trumpet

David Hazeltine - piano

Paul Gill - bass

Jason Tiemann - drums

Recorded at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City by Jimmy Katz