Dave Liebman - John Coltrane’s Meditations (January 2022 Arkadia Records)

“…the music is simply terrific. Water is Liebman’s first recording with Metheny, and it’s a solid combination… if he just keeps making records as engaging as this one, that’ll be libation enough: a tall glass of water.”

– Downbeat Magazine

20-time Grammy Award winner Pat Metheny plays alongside saxophone virtuoso David Liebman as he leads this remarkable quartet, that includes Jazz architects Cecil McBee and Billy Hart, as they examine the expansive and elusive nature of the primordial element, Water. From impressionistic ballads to tsunamis of sound, David Liebman’s Arkadia Records album, The Elements: Water is probably the most ambitious project of Liebman’s career.

“Here’s a Jazz concept album that actually works quite well… The combination of Liebman and Metheny is particularly strong, ranging from soft, ethnic-sounding passages to roaring avant-garde explosiveness – a potent reminder that there is far more to Jazz in the ‘90s than the more frequently heard, retro examinations of the past.”

– Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times

“They produce a greater variety of timbres and textures than most quartets due to Liebman doubling on tenor and soprano sax and wood flute and Metheny employing several guitars: acoustic, electric, guitar synth, and Pikasso guitar. Each group member plays impressively. Liebman has a bright, attractive soprano sound and displays considerable rhythmic grace when playing the instrument. On tenor he’s powerful; his solid full lower register work deserves special attention. And what a nice, big flute sound he produces.”

– Harvey Pekar, JazzTimes Magazine

Teaming up with guitar prodigy Pat Metheny, reedist David Liebman, who plays tenor saxophone, soprano sax, and wood flute, explores through music the various aspects and facets of water, giver of life and refresher of souls. The combination of Liebman and Metheny on this album is stunning. While the Arkadia Records album, Dave Liebman: The Elements: Water, leans towards Jazz’s less traditional sensibilities, it also contains an earthy quality that connects it to the sounds of nature, and in doing so creates an organic yet contemporary album that’s both accessible and inventive. 

1. Introduction 00:52

2. The Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost 13:44

3. Compassion 10:55

4. Love 12:24

5. Consequences 07:35

6. Serenity 09:24

Composed by John Coltrane

Transcriptions by Caris Visentin

David Liebman: Tenor sax

Vic Juris: Guitar

Jamey Haddad: Drums and percussion

Phil Markowitz: Piano and synth

Tony Marino: Bass

With Special Guests:

Billy Hart: Drums

Cecil McBee: Bass

Tiger Okoshi: Trumpet

Caris Visentin: Oboe

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David Liebman Group - New Vista (December 2021 Arkadia Records)

“Critics’ Picks – Top 5 Recording of the year.” – JazzTimes, Chuck Berg and Bret Primack

Arkadia Records recording artist, jazz soprano sax virtuoso Dave Liebman, together with his group and the great Brazilian percussionist Café, breaks new ground in this inspired album, entitled “David Liebman: New Vista”. Mixing Brazilian rhythms with penetrating ballads such as “Estaté”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Zingaro (Portrait in Black and White)”, this recording is, in the innovative Liebman’s words, his “most upbeat release to date.”

“His effervescent “New Vista”… reflecting the music of Brazil, Liebman sounds unusually comfortable and relaxed, as his fluid, cleanly articulated soprano lines dart, weave and flutter through the shifting grooves… Liebman displays a marvelous lyrical facility, bringing a beautiful, somewhat breathy tone to the seductive rhythms and intoxicating melodies. He adds tremendous warmth and feeling to these tunes… It’s hard to recall a Liebman project as buoyant and immediately appealing as New Vista.” – Downbeat, Jon Andrews

David Liebman’s New Vista is an extraordinary adventure. That, though, is what we have come to expect from Liebman, one of contemporary music’s true innovators. Although having just passed the half century mark, Lieb is playing with an intensity pulsing with youthful energies.

“At the same time, his playing possesses a Solomon-like wisdom. On one level, there’s a brilliant reconfiguring of the past, of Dave’s own considerable legacy, as well as those of Miles (Davis) and Trane (John Coltrane). And yet the music springs from the immediacy of the moment. So while imbued with the spirits of the giants, Dave’s impassioned quests once again push past the present and into the future.

In the aptly titled “New Vista”, arguably Dave’s most assessable project to date, the inspiration comes in large part from Brazil. This, though, is not the Bossa Nova of your father – or mother. Indeed, it’s an electro-Amazonian voyage into an exotic and rhythmically charged neo-musical hyperspace, a magical realm in which myth and dream dance with joyous abandon.

I have no doubt that New Vista will stand as a landmark in Liebman’s already distinguished career. Its appeals are many. Its impact is immediate. Indeed, it’s serious and joyous fun at the summit by one of our great contemporary artists, saxophone extrodinaire, Dave Liebman.” – Dr. Chuck Berg

“Liebman has evolved a persuasively personal voice and a spare approach that not only focuses on the choice notes but the choice timbre to set them off.” – Gary Giddins, The Village Voice

Most well known as a key member of the seminal Miles Davis Quintet in the 1970s, Dave Liebman, along with notable musicians Phil Markowitz, Tony Marino, Jamey Haddad, Vic Juris, and Brazilian percussion master Café, creates this thrilling CD, “David Liebman: New Vista” that fuses Jazz with Brazilian influences; culminating in an exhilarating recording of Dave Liebman’s individual musical vision. 

1. New Vista 06:47

2. Estaté 05:18

3. Real Dreams 07:06

4. So Far, So Close 05:23

5. Christmas Socks 06:03

6. Beauty and the Beast 05:29

7. Jungle Glide 07:00

8. Zingaro (Portrait in Black and White) 05:52

9. The Gross Man 05:58

David Liebman: Soprano sax and tenor sax

Vic Juris: Guitar

Phil Markowitz: Piano and synth

Tony Marino: Bass

Jamey Haddad: Drums and percussion

Café: Percussion

Produced by: Bob Karcy

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Carli Munoz - Follow Me (2018)

Carli Muñoz latest release "Follow Me" picks up where the landmark "Maverick" left off but with even more inspired nuance and influences. Whereas "Maverick" is a straight-ahead instrumental jazz CD described as “soaring” and “drop-dead gorgeous,” Follow Me adds a layer of world beats, blues, crisp production, seasoned playing, and a conscience. It makes bold musical and social statements without being heavy handed or sanctimonious. Instead, "Follow Me" does just that – inspires the listener to join a journey that feels friendly and familiar yet erudite, knowing full well where it’s been, and where we - as collective members of Carli’s musical universe - are going. Carli artfully blends a myriad of styles, from the friendly blues of "Stranger in A Strange Land" to the delightful playfulness of the "Tujunga Waltz." Both tracks, along with "Follow Me" feature Carli’s unabashed and unvarnished vocals, expertly shaken and stirred with soaring female accompaniment. These feel like mini movies; visual storytelling placed over deft playing and insanely solid, self-assured production.

The more jazz-leaning tracks "Tere" and "The Hummingbird" are the true essence of Carli Muñoz, punctuating the “joy” perceptively recognized by reviewers on Carli’s past work. Apart from being lovingly written and played, these tracks are the badly needed kick in the pants that jazz needs right now. Further, layered over top of "The Hummingbird’s" frenetic energy, Carli blends in an environmental call to action. This socially conscious invitation is neither overbearing nor preachy, simply asking the listener to enter the conversation. 

"Wangari Maathai" then takes that conversation and places it front and center. As the standout track on "Follow Me," Carli tells the story of Wangari Maathai, author and founder of the Green Belt Movement, and a 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. It is an expansive track - cinematic in scope – defiant yet hopeful, filled with intricacies that artists half Carli’s age could simply wish for. Further, it shines a light on the precarious nature our Earth finds itself in. Carli easily pivots from Wangari’s warning: “the generation that destroyed the environment is not the generation that pays the price.” - to a place of hope - “when we plant trees we plant seeds of hope.” It is this hope - and Carli's joyous playing - that gives Carli’s latest release "Follow Me," its desirous sheen. 

Note: "Follow Me" tells a story. Read and download this story on the liner notes at Carli's website: www.carlimunoz.com.

Brian Charette - Groovin' With Big G (SteepleChase Productions ApS 2018)

The legendary tenor saxophonist is the featured artist here on Brian Charette’s new album. George Coleman is the recipient of 2015 NEA (The National Endowment for the Arts) Jazz Masters Awards, the highest honor USA gives to jazz musician.

For B-3’s most adventurous and talented practitioner Brian Charette who has known the Coleman father and son for more than a couple of decades, this recording materialized as a musical homecoming.

“Both B-3 stylist and student, serious jazz scholar and glitzy entertainer, Charette is a burning soloist who understands the tradition of the Hammond B-3 as well its future—just as certainly as he understands his place in that lineage.” (Ken Micallef Downbeat Magazine)

1 Stella By Starlight (Victor Young) 8:18

2 Body And Soul (Johnny Green) 6:22

3 On A Misty Night (Tadd Dameron) 7:34

4 Alligator Boogaloo (Lou Donaldson) 8:31

5 Maiden Voyage (Herbie Hancock) 8:24

6 Father And Son (Brian Charette) 7.06

7 Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma)10:03

8 Never Let Me Go (Jay Livingston / Ray Evans) 8:49

9 Tenor Madness (Sonny Rollins) 4:32

Brian Charette Hammond B3 organ

George Coleman tenor saxophone

Vic Juris guitar

George Coleman Jr. drums

Vic Juris - Eye Contact (SteepleChase Productions ApS 2018)

Vic Juris has added another guitar trio masterpiece here on his ever-growing body of recorded works. He is joined by bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Adam Nussbaum. 

Since his SteepleChase debut album 'Night Tripper' (SCCD31353) of 1994, guitarist Vic Juris has been presenting unique musical universe of unassuming virtuosity and versatility, of which John Kelman of AllAboutJazz once pertinently described as "fresh, in-the-moment and connected to the broadest possible tradition."

"Vic Plays Victor Young is a sensitive melodically exploratory album of standards and rarely covered airs, as should be expected from a seasoned ensemble with a compatible repertoire." - Howard Mandel - DownBeat ****

1. UNITED (Wayne Shorter) 4:03

2. RUBY (Heinz Roemheld) 7:47

3. I FALL IN LOVE TOO EASILY (Jule Styne) 6:59

4. WEE SEE (Thelonious Monk) 7:21

5. SIM (Vic Juris) 5:02

6. PINOCCHIO (Wayne Shorter) 4:16

7. SWEET AND LOVELY (Gus Arnheim / Harry Tobias / Jules Lemare) 6:46

8. DOMO’S DELIGHT (Vic Juris) 3:41

9. TIME REMEMBERED (Bill Evans) 7:33

10. EYE CONTACT (Vic Juris) 7:29

11. TO LOVE AND BE LOVED (Jimmy Van Heusen) 6:29

Vic Juris (guitar)

Jay Anderson (bass)

Adam Nussbaum (drums)

Adam Niewood - Paradigm Shift Live at Lafayette Bar (2017)

Adam Niewood (Saxophones, various woodwinds, EWI / electronic wind instrument, Drums) is a jazz improviser and American composer living in Manhattan New York, USA.

Adam grew up in a musical household in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. His father Gerry: an improvising jazz musician and freelancing woodwind doubler. His mother Gurly: a classical clarinetist and pianist, with a full-roster of local piano students.

"Piano lessons on the first floor - Jazz on the 3rd floor - There was music floating around in the house every day!!!"

Read more...

1. Sandy's Dance (Live) 8:59

2. Joy (Live) 9:16

3. Mellow Drama (Live) 7:56

4. Vertigo (Live) 8:08

5. The Wrong Opinion (Live) 9:31

6. Not Quite Right (Live) 8:36

7. This Way to the Egress (Live) 5:53

Adam Niewood - Drums

Vic Juris - Guitar

Dick Oates - Alto Saxophone

Gene Perla - Bass

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Bob Hanlon & Mark Minchello - Camaraderie (SteepleChase Records 2017)

Camaraderie – a partnership of organist Mark Minchello and saxophonist Bob Hanlon – is a follow up to their first Steeplechase release Trinomial. This CD features the outstanding guitar work of Vic Juris and Bob Devos as well as newcomer Charlie Sigler and drummers Andy Watson and Pete McDonald.

“AH! The Hammond B3 trio with sax and drums, and Hammond hitter Mark Minchello makes the team wheeze, groove and fog up an interesting and well thought collection of tunes. They keep away from the blues and instead venture into uncharted waters by doing tunes not usually associated with this genre.” (George W. Harris – Jazz Weekly on Trinomial SCCD33117)

01 WILL YOU STILL BE MINE (Matt Dennis) 7:38

02 LOVESSENCE (Bob Hanlon) 6:50

03 SAMBESQUE (Mark Minchello) 7:09

04 JAZZ ORBITS (Bob Hanlon) 6:33

05 CLOSE YOUR EYES (Bernice Petkere) 8:49

06 EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME (Matt Dennis) 11:41

07 A SOUND FOR SORE EARS (Jimmy Heath) 6:49

08 YOUNG AND FOOLISH (Albert Hague) 6:01

09 FLAT TIRE BLUES (Bob Hanlon) 5:40

MARK MINCHELLO Hammond B3 organ

BOB HANLON tenor saxophone

PETE MACDONALD drums (track 7, 8 & 9)

ANDY WATSON drums (track 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6)

VIC JURIS guitar (track 1, 2 & 3)

BOB DEVOS guitar (track 4, 5 & 6)

CHARLIE SIEGLER guitar (track 7 & 8)

ANTON DENNER alto saxophone (track 9)

Vic Juris - Vic Juris plays Victor Young (SteepleChase Productions ApS 2016)

Stella By Starlight, My Foolish Heart, Johnny Guitar, Beautiful Love – just a few of the iconic American Songbook titles by Victor Young, whose music has been an important part of the repertoire of guitarist Vic Juris for many years. Juris dedicates the whole album here to the undisputed giant of the American film music composer of the last century.

“Two outstanding qualities characterize Vic Juris’ playing. One is his embodiment of the jazz tradition, while always stretching his scope and reaching for new possibilities and concepts. The other is his almost uncanny ability to hear and communicate the totality of the music he is playing, from beginning to end, including what is going on around him in the group and his many references to the jazz legacy.”

(Victor L. Schermer – Interview AAJ)

01. LOVE LETTERS 7:20

02. STREET OF DREAMS 5:44

03. STELLA BY STARLIGHT 6:19

04. JOHNNY GUITAR 7:58

05. A WEAVER OF DREAMS 6:05

06. MY FOOLISH HEART* 6:27

07. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE 8:55

08. GOLDEN EARRINGS 5:04

09. BEAUTIFUL LOVE 6:37

10. GHOST OF A CHANCE 7:33

VIC JURIS guitar

JAY ANDERSON bass

ANTHONY PINCIOTTI drums

KATE BAKER vocal*

Karl Latham - Living Standards (2016)

karllatham.com

Karl Latham’s latest release, Living Standards features bassist Mark Egan and guitarist Vic Juris performing iconic pop standards from the ’60s and ’70s. The trio, led by world renown drummer Latham, takes you on an adventurous jam band/jazz journey, exploring smash pop, rock and soul hits that have become modern standards, overlapping generations of listeners.

Karl’s latest trio follows the critically acclaimed Egan/Latham/Hart Unit1 and Latham/Carniaux/Egan Constellations. With the inclusion of virtuosic guitarist Vic Juris, Living Standards clearly draws from the interpretive spirit of Unit1 and Constellations providing a rhythmic and harmonic adventure in a vehicle of iconic pop standards.

Featured tracks include The Beatles “Day Tripper”, “Tax Man” and “Tomorrow Never Knows”, Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl”, stirring ballads “White Rabbit” and “Us and Them” and extended improvisations on the Doors “Riders on the Storm”, and the War classic “Low Rider”.

Karl Latham Group – with Mark Egan and Vic Juris

The Karl Latham Group “Living Standards” is a culmination of both Latham’s protean imagination for transformative musical projects which unite sophisticated musicianship with themes that embrace a wider listenership and his musical and personal relationship with preeminent bassist Mark Egan and Master guitarist Vic Juris.

The album concept provides high level collective group playing, improvisation with rhythmic and harmonic adventure traveling in a vehicle of iconic popular music standards from the 60’s and 70’s. Karl is fond of referring to this project as Living Standards aka “Jazz for Everyone”.

Karl Latham, drums

Vic Juris, guitar

Mark Egan, bass

01. Day Tripper

02. Low Rider

03. Cinnamon Girl

04. Tax Man

05. Us and Them

06. It's Your Thing

07. White Rabbit

08. Tomorrow Never Knows

09. Had to Cry Today

10. Riders on the Storm

11. White Room

Domi