Dee Bell - Love for Sailin’ Over Seas: Then & Now (January 2022 Laser Records)

Indiana-born, San Francisco Bay Area vocalist-lyricist-performer Dee Bell, elicted notice for her mellifluous sound from the late Eddie Jefferson, who told her “that’s a fine sound mama, just keep on singin’.” Less than a year later, that same unique sound was championed by the late Eddie Duran and Stan Getz for Dee’s first album on the Concord Jazz label, followed by a second Concord album with Eddie, and with Tom Harrell. These were followed by four recordings on the Laser label, including this new release with two new “Now” songs, and 8 popular “Then” favorites from Dee’s previous Laser releases which include her lyrics for Ivan Lins By Chance, and Don Sebesky’s You Can’t Go Home Again, and her arrangement of You’re My Thrill.

Jazz critics have reviewed her sound as “warm with West Coast sophistication, husky, pure-voiced, haunting, jazzinflected, pure, tender, with supple phrasing that takes you inside the lyrics.” Influences of Chris Connor, June Christy, Peggy Lee, Irene Krahl, Anita O’Day, Cleo Laine, and more are present in her style.

Love for Sailin’ Over Seas: Then & Now kicks off with a joyful Marcos Silva samba arrangement of Abbey Lincoln’s I Got Thunder with Lubambo’s masterful and felicitous guitar solo, and I’ll String Along with You showcases Lubambo’s acoustic guitar deft elegance. The 8 re-releases, with 7 of the full 10, arrangements by Marcos Silva deserve new ears.

Bell has collaborated with Marcos Silva, Houston Person, Romero Lubambo, Erik Jekabson, John Stowell, Andy Narell, and Michael Spiro, to name just a notable few. She has performed domestically and internationally for many years.

Albums: Let There Be Love, One by One: Concord Jazz | Sagacious Grace, Silva.Bell.Elation, Lins, Lennox, & Life, and new release, Love for Sailin’ Over Seas: Then & Now: Laser Records.

Track Listing

“Now”

1. I Got Thunder [and it rings] 4:04

2. I’ll String Along with You 4:33

“Then”

3. Harvest Moon 4:16

4. Beijo Partido [Broken Kiss] 4:53

5. You’re My Thrill 5:42

6. By Chance [Acaso] 5:39

7. Boa Nova 5:13

8. You Can’t Go Home Again 5:39

9. Watch What Happens 5:39

10. The Face I Love 3:16

Dee Bell - VOCALS

Marcos Silva – Electric & Acoustic Pianos

the late Al Plank, Piano

Romero Lubambo – Electric & Acoustic Guitars

John Stowell – Electric Guitar

Scott Thompson – Electric Bass

Tyler Harlow – Electric & Acoustic Bass

John Wiitala, Acoustic Bass

Celso Alberti – Drums

Colin Bailey, Phil Thompson, Zack Mondlick – Drums

Erik Jekabson – Flugelhorn

Houston Person, Chris Sullivan – Saxophone

Michael Spiro – Congas, Percussion

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John Stowell & Dan Dean - Rain Painting (2021 Origin Records)

Master guitarist and improvisor, John Stowell, has spent the last five decades touring the world, most often immersed in the universal jazz repertoire improvising with artists from wherever he's visiting. Through his recordings with "Scenes," and his quartet with SF Bay Area saxophonist Michael Zilber over the last 20 years, Stowell has had the chance to perform and focus on his own compositions more than ever before. It was through the mastering of those recordings that engineer, bassist, vocalist, producer Dan Dean discovered the nuances of Stowell's writing. The idea of collaboration came when Stowell heard Dean's recent classical voice recording, "Songs Without Words," where he layered multiple tracks of himself in what writer Raul da Gama called "...music-making of the highest order, which plumbs the depths of all of the emotions from wonderful joys to abject lamentations." Taking 10 of Stowell's compositions, Dean & Stowell layered voices, bass, and guitars over the course of a year, discovering unique avenues into the music with the end result feeling spontaneous, joyous and in the moment. "Dan Dean will redefine what you think is possible to achieve with the human voice. Prepare to be astonished." - Melinda Bargreen, Author & Music Critic

1. Welcome to Nice 4:08

2. Nanti Glo 5:08

3. Rain Painting 5:33

4. Pretty Boy Floyd 4:32

5. Alora Andiamo! 3:53

6. Springfield Sonata 4:30

7. Tapioca Time 4:43

8. Always Sometimes 5:34

9. Schiffletting 5:43

10. The Mandy Walk 4:42

All compositions by John Stowell/BMI

John Stowell - Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Fretless Electric Guitar

Dan Dean - Vocals, Fretless Acoustic Bass Guitar, Electric & Fretless, Electric Basses, Percussion, Drum Programming

Produced by Dan Dean & John Stowell

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Dan Dean

at DDP Studio, Mercer Island, WA

Recorded September 29, 2018 to May 6, 2020

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David Liebman | John Stowell - Petite Fleur: The Music of Sidney Bechet (ORIGIN RECORDS 2018)

"...a conversation between masters of their craft...sensitive and sublime...a marvelous collection of melody, harmony and joie de vivre."

JAZZ WEEKLY

Though a legendary figure from his monumental contributions to the clarinet and soprano saxophone's role in jazz, it was the compositions of Sidney Bechet that inspired master saxophonist David Liebman and guitarist John Stowell to dig deep into his catalog to compile and explore this set of rarely heard gems. Each possessing singular voices themselves that have inspired generations of other performers, Liebman & Stowell have created a very personal and intimate duo project celebrating another giant's work, their conversations making for compelling listening. "Guitarist Stowell and saxophonist Liebman find simple ways to express their expansive lexicon, and raise the intensity without shattering the resultant peaceful ambiance." - EMUSIC.

1 Petite Fleur (Duo) 2:33

2 Daniel 5:09

3 When the Sun Sets Down South 5:24

4 Premier Bal 5:46

5 What a Dream 4:09

6 Petite Fleur (John Solo) 3:50

7 Passport 5:56

8 Creole Blues 5:49

9 Nous Deux 5:19

10 Si Tu Vois Ma Mere 5 57

11 Summertime 6:44

12 Petite Fleur (Dave Solo) 2:36

David Liebman - Soprano Saxophone, Wood Flute, Piano

John Stowell - Steel and Nylon-string Guitars, Fretless Baritone Guitar

Produced by John Stowell

Recorded by Kent Heckman at

Red Rock Studio, Saylorsburg, PA

Recorded in April 2017

Mixed by Mike Doolin at

House of Doolescu, Portland OR

Mastered by Dan Dean at

DDP Productions, Mercer Island, WA

Photography by Melvin Bishop

Cover design & layout by John Bishop

John Stowell / Ulf Bandgren Quartet - Night Visitor (ORIGIN RECORDS 2018)

Roaming the world with his guitar over the last 40 years, John Stowell has developed significant musical relationships with numerous artists along the way, including Swedish guitarist Ulf Bandgren who has been a consistent and inspired partner for ten years. Last heard together on their 2012 duo recording, "Throop," they gathered in Boston in the spring of 2016 to record this quartet set with the accomplished rhythm section of bassist Bruno Raberg and drummer Austin McMahon. The band's easy chemistry, engaging original compositions and rhythmic vitality make for a compelling and entertaining listen. "John Stowell plays jazz, but he doesn't use any of the cliches; he has an incredible originality. John is a master creator." - Larry Coryell.

1 Skiss - Ulf Bandgren 8:36

2 When Jasper Grows Up - John Stowell 7:07

3 Reunited - Bruno Raberg 8:10

4 Night Visitor - Bruno Raberg 5:44

5 Ode to Spring - Bruno Raberg 3:33

6 Taughannock Falls - Ulf Bandgren 6:23

7 Ghost in the Corner - John Stowell 5:42

8 Another Story - Ulf Bandgren 7:00

9 Tapioca Time - John Stowell 4:15

10 Early Five - Bruno Raberg 7:00

John Stowell - guitars

Ulf Bandgren - guitars

Bruno Raberg - bass

Austin McMahon - drums

Produced by John Stowell & Ulf Bandgren

Recorded by Bruno Raberg

at Soundsphere II Studio, Boston, MA

Recorded May, 2016

Mixed by Mike Doolin at House of Doolescu, Portland, OR

Mastered by Dan Dean at DDP Productions, Mercer Island, WA

Cover design & layout by John Bishop

Scenes - Destinations (ORIGIN RECORDS 2017)

"After 15 years of performing together, the rapport between the legendary Portland guitarist John Stowell, and Seattlites, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop, has reached such a level of intimacy and connectedness, they transcend the traditional concept of a "guitar trio." Whether performing their intriguing originals or the thoughtful reimaginings of less-done classics, each piece is a ticket to somewhere unique, like a travelogue of where the trio's members have been and where they would like to go. Documented on five albums for Origin Records, their music continually inspires comments from reviewers bordering on the poetic: "Whispers of intelligent messages." Jazz Weekly 

"A long standing guitar trio of Portland/Seattle cross pollination, their sound and vibe only deepens with each outing. A solidly burnished set that stands toe to toe with any modern genre highlight, this is sitting down jazz that gets you standing up and cheering. Smart, angular stuff that'll more than bring out the high tone, up market listener in you." CHRIS SPECTOR, MIDWEST RECORD

1. The Mandy Walk (4:40)

2. Long Prairie (5:18)

3. Solar (6:27)

4. Für Heide (5:25)

5. Pretty Boy Floyd (5:03)

6. T.I.O. (6:34)

7. Psalm (7:15)

8. You And The Night And The Music (6:48)

9. Simple Pleasures (5:55)

10. Tapioca Time (4:27)

John Stowell - guitar 

Jeff Johnson - bass 

John Bishop - drums

Produced by Scenes 

Recorded & mixed by Floyd Reitsma at Studio Litho, Seattle, WA 

on September 8, 2016 & March 9, 2017 

Mastered by Dan Dean at DDP Studio, Mercer Island, WA 

Cover Art by Rudy Bagozzi 

Photography by Eric Malfait, Carlos Pinto 

Cover design & layout by John Bishop

John Stowell & Michael Zilber Quartet - Basement Blues (2016) ORIGIN RECORDS

present

John Stowell & Michael Zilber Quartet - Basement Blues (2016)

"The music here is beautiful, lyrical and thoughtful. Two pros taking care of business!!"

- DAVID LIEBMAN

After a decade of collaboration, master guitarist John Stowell and Bay­Area saxophonist Michael Zilber along with the dynamic bass/drum duo of John Shifflet and Jason Lewis, have developed a sound widely hailed as empathetic, intuitive and conversational. For their third Origin release, they offer another set of melodic and reflective modern jazz, drawing equally from modern swing, post-bop and their deep life experiences. "...an intimate quartet affair, marked by the kind of soulful, instinctual interplay that fans have come to expect." ­ JazzTimes

1 Basement Blues 5:19 (Michael Zilber/BMI) 

2 Nobody Else But Me 5:49 (Jerome Kern) 

3 Stowell in Heart 5:11 (Michael Zilber/BMI) 

4 Stay Right There 5:09 (John Stowell/BMI) 

5 Violin Memory 4:45 (John Stowell/BMI) 

6 Later That Night 5:54 (Lewis­Shifflett­Stowell­Zilber/BMI) 

7 I Wish 4:36 (John Stowell/BMI) 

8 Have Yourself a Vince Guaraldi Xmas 9:41 (Michael Zilber/BMI) 

9 Stowell Mates 8:31 (Michael Zilber/BMI) 

10 Very Early 4:24 (Bill Evans)

John Stowell - Guitars 

Michael Zilber - Saxophones 

John Shifflett - Bass 

Jason Lewis - Drums

Produced by John Stowell & Michael Zilber 

Recorded by Dan Feiszli at Trilogy, San Francisco, and John Schimpf at 25th Street, Oakland, CA 

March, 2012 & March, 2015 

Mixed by Dan Fesizli at What's For Lunch? Recording, El Cerrito, CA 

Cover photos by Eugene Sergeev 

Artist photos by Andy Nozaka 

Cover design & layout by John Bishop

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Basement Blues

John Stowell & Michael Zilber Quartet - Live Beauty (2015)

Anyone who has enjoyed previous collaborations by guitarist John Stowell and saxophonist Michael Zilber will be delighted to discover that nothing gets lost in the transition from studio to stage on this 2012 concert recording. It’s an intimate quartet affair, marked by the kind of soulful, instinctual interplay that fans have come to expect.

In the album’s liner notes, Stowell and Zilber briefly discuss their creative relationship, the yin and yang of opposing musical temperaments. And as the performances unfold, it’s easy to understand why they think their compatibility is as special as it is unlikely. Stowell’s probing lyricism and Zilber’s innate passion are clearly evident, especially when the reedman plays soprano, but so, too, is the desire to find common ground. Certainly the kinetic “Quantum Theory,” the noir-ish “In the Park” and a multifaceted cover of “My Funny Valentine” are proof of that.

Drummer Jason Lewis and bassist John Shifflett have integral roles throughout, shining as both players and composers. When Lewis isn’t contributing rhythmic lift with his tumbling rolls, or generating waves of second-line funk on John Scofield’s “Wabash III,” he light-handedly creates a scrim of tinted accents. Shifflett’s solos, sleek and sinuous, are particularly well aligned with Stowell’s ruminative streak, though the bassist is more often heard supporting the bandleaders with a resonant yet never intrusive sound. So even when the focus is squarely on Stowell or Zilber, the performances reveal another artful dimension that consistently heightens the album’s appeal.

Michael Zilber - Saxes

John Stowell - Guitars

John Shifflett - Bass

Jason Lewis - Drums

01. In The Park (11:54)

02. Shot Through With Beauty (11:34)

03. Quantum Theory ( 7:12)

04. Stowell What ( 7:58)

05. Cookie Monster Blue ( 9:02)

06. My Funny Valentine ( 6:21)

07. Wabash III ( 7:46)

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