Republic of Jazz

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Eastern Boundary Quartet - Live at Jazzforum Bayreuth (2018)

Jazzforum Bayreuth, Germany is the location of this 2016 performance by the Eastern Boundary Quartet featuring Balazs Bagyi (drums), Mihaly Borbely (sax, tarogato), Joe Fonda (bass), and Michael Jefry Stevens (piano). All of the songs were originals – two compositions from each player. The tarogato is a woodwind instrument that visibly resembles a clarinet or sax and it gives some songs an Eastern flavor. The program is a step or so away from mainstream, straight ahead jazz but it is not difficult listening. There are some stretches and some wonderful moments as well.

1. Allegretto (Continuity Suite) 09:13

2. Tempo Rubato (Continuity Suite) 06:14

3. Turtle Waltz 04:57

4. GS#2 12:52

5. Be By Me Tonight 09:08

6. Fogoska (Tag) 09:01

7. First Thought 05:45

8. There's Too Much Sorrow Today 06:38

Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet - Red's Blues (2018)

Live quartet recording from 2017. Features Todd Wright on saxophones, Rick Dilling on drums, Zack Page on bass and Michael Jefry Stevens on piano and composition. All my original music. This is a more traditional, swinging CD. Not avant garde!

1. The Healing 08:45

2. Waltz for H 07:21

3. Neue Blues 06:29

4. Love's Song 08:20

5. Little Pete's Diner 07:48

6. Memphis Ramble 08:38

7. One for Suzie 06:58

8. Autumn 08:36

9. Red's Blues 08:02

Vin Venezia - Fifth and Adams (2018)

Guitarist Vincent Venezia is a talent on today’s contemporary music scene. He began playing guitar at age eight, studying with various instructors from his hometown of CliffsidePark, New Jersey. Accomplished in several styles of music, he is a veteran of Broadway and European tours and works steadily in the tri-state area as a leader, sideman and composer since graduating William Paterson College with a degree in Jazz Studies and Performance. Vincent was instructed by the best performers of our time: jazz guitarists Bob DeVos, Harry Leahey and classical guitarist Leonid Bolotin. The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Vincent two consecutive fellowships to study with modern jazz star Mike Stern. Some of the greats he has performed with include: Kermit Driscoll, Lincoln Goines, Tommy Igoe, Marvin Stamm, Cameron Brown, Steve Marcus, Steve Johns, Lew Soloff, Steve LaSpina, Gerry Niewood and Doug Weiss.

1. Watch Your Step (feat. Bob Magnuson, David Budway, Harvie S & Richie Morales) 5:16

2. The Longliner (feat. David Budway, Harvie S & Richie Morales) 6:49

3. Fifth and Adams (feat. Kermit Driscoll) 5:05

4. Song for Deb (feat. David Budway, Kermit Driscoll, Richie Morales & Manolo Badrena) 5:09

5. Ella (feat. David Budway, Harvie S & Richie Morales) 6:00

6. Odd Ogg (feat. Mike Stern) 3:48

7. Blues for Remus (feat. Bob Magnuson, David Budway, Harvie S & Richie Morales) 5:11

8. Didn't Want To 3:47

9. Coronation (feat. Manolo Badrena) 1:39

10. Two Squirrels (feat. David Budway, Kermit Driscoll, Richie Morales & Manolo Badrena) 3:22

Vin Venezia - Guitar

Fifth and Adams is presented with an all-star line-up including:

Mike Stern - Guitar

Harvie S and Kermit Driscoll - Bass

Richie Morales - Drums

David Budway - Piano/Hammond Organ

Bob Magnuson - Tenor Sax

Manolo Badrena - Percussion

Nuance Crusaders - Reflections

MARK R. BALDRIDGE has created the ensemble NUANCE CRUSADERS to realize his compositions, a unique fusion of jazz ranging from pop to World music. He has studied with legendary educator James Dutton, Willie Pickens, Frank Dawson, Mark O’Connor, and Chris Madsen, and Steve Hashimoto refining and arranging his growing body of compositions. In 2016, with Hashimoto co-producing, he released his first CD of original works, “Beginnings.” This was also the début of his project/group The Nuance Crusaders, a floating ensemble consisting of some of the finest players in Chicago, including Michael Levin, Leandro Lopez- Varady, Heath Chappell, Neal Alger, Diane Delin, Barry Winograd, Steve Koerner, Amy Yassinger and Darryl Boggs. This is the second CD “Reflections” released on the Blujazz label.

1 Soon We Will Be Together (feat. Michael Levin, Leandro Lopez-Varady, Heath Chappell & Steven Hashimoto) 4:00

2 Our Love (feat. Michael Levin, Heath Chappell, Leandro Lopez-Varady, Steven Hashimoto, Neal Alger, Steve Koerner & Barry Winograd) 5:30

3 Jelly (feat. Steven Hashimoto, Heath Chappell, Michael Levin, Neal Alger & Diane Delin) 4:37

4 Swinging in the Wind (feat. Heath Chappell, Steven Hashimoto, Steve Koerner, Barry Winograd, Michael Levin & Leandro Lopez-Varady) 3:38

5 Parents' grace (feat. Michael Levin, Heath Chappell, Steven Hashimoto & Leandro Lopez-Varady) 4:50

6 It Does Not Matter (feat. Diane Delin, Neal Alger, Leandro Lopez-Varady, Steven Hashimoto & Heath Chappell) 4:38

7 I Know It Will Be Better (feat. Michael Levin, Heath Chappell, Leandro Lopez-Varady & Steven Hashimoto) 7:18

8 Reflections in a Mirror (feat. Michael Levin, Steven Hashimoto, Heath Chappell & Leandro Lopez-Varady) 4:04

9 Brazilian Fantasy (feat. Darryl Boggs, Steven Hashimoto, Heath Chappell, Michael Levin & Leandro Lopez-Varady) 3:50

10 Giving (feat. Leandro Lopez-Varady, Steven Hashimoto, Michael Levin & Heath Chappell) 9:03

11 I Know It Will Be Better / Big Band Version (feat. Swing City Express Big Band) 3:05

MJO Brothers - Hip Devotions

Hip Devotions is the dream record of two brothers, Saxophonist Curt Hanrahan and Drummer Warren Hanrahan. Both are the founders of the Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra (501c3 org) with Curt also the creator of the Peck School of Music Jazz Dept at the Univ of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Warren a graduate from North Texas State and alumni of the Woody Herman Band. This record is a tribute to their spiritual faith and belief in the power of music. With the addition of Curt’s son on bass Tim Hanrahan it is truly family affair. This recording portrays a historical and spiritual journey embracing jazz standards and sacred hymns in the effort to evoke the story of the human/divine struggle. By infusing meditations/prayers, we hope to aid in achieving a soulful victory! The eternal warfare between good and evil is answered victoriously through musical manifestations of Mercy. The storyline has the potential to change hearts, transform lives and impact souls for eternity!!!

1 Resolution 3:55

2 Footprints / Equinox 9:47

3 Come Sunday 7:07

4 Hail Mary / Gentle Woman 5:12

5 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today 7:21

6 Our Lady of Fatima 7:38

℗ 2017 MJO Brothers

Curt Hanrahan - tenor saxophone

Warren Hanrahan – drums

Tim Hanrahan – bass

Jay Mollerskov – guitar

Mitch Shiner – vibraphone

Bill Hart Band - Live at Red Clay Theatre (2018)

Atlanta based Guitarist Bill Hart, attended the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood,. Bill studied under master guitarists, Gary Starling, Mike Stern, Don Mock, Steve Khan, Wayne Krantz and Scott Henderson. Bill's true joy comes from playing his original compositions. Bill Hart has shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Lou Rawls, Yellow Jackets, Acoustic Alchemy, Joey Defrancesco, Norman Brown, Rippingtons and Mike Stern. Hart has been the head of the guitar department at the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media for over twenty-five years, teaching and mentoring over 4000 students. Bill Hart has participated in numerous music clinics with seminar partners such as Scott Ambush and Joel Rosenblatt (Spy Alfredo Golino, an exceptional session man, worldly renowned (Mina, Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini, Renato Zero, Samuele Bersani ro Gyra), Mike Stern (Miles Davis Band), Adam Nitti (Steven Curtis Chapman), Shane Theriot (Neville Brothers, Hall, and Oates) and Jimmy Herring (The Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic). Bill Hart has released five albums: "Watch the Sky", "Think About It", "Subject To Change," "This Is Why" and his most recent 2016 release “Touch Of Blue.”

Bill Hart – Guitar

Pat Strawser – Keyboards

Dwayne Wallace – Bass

Steven Walker – Drums

Alex McGuiess – Saxophone

Emrah Kotan Percussion

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Ron Di Salvio & Bart Platteau - The Puglia Suite (2018)

Born in Brooklyn, New York Ron Di Salvio at age sixteen, after hearing Dave Brubeck play live at Carnegie Hall, discovered his passion for jazz piano. He studied improvisation with the legendary Lennie Tristano. A self-taught composer, Ron formed a trio and played jazz clubs in New York’s Greenwich Village in the late sixties. During this period he performed with Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Enrico Rava, Renee McClean, Roland Kirk and Art Farmer. Ron currently serves on the adjunct faculty of Kalamazoo College teaching jazz piano, composition and theory. Ron continues to tour and give clinics. Rons previous two CDs charted on the Jazz Week Chart and received top reviews in trades like Jazz Times.

Bart Platteau studied classical percussion, harmony, chambermusic and flute at the Brussels Conservatory, and jazz at the Rotterdam Conservatory, where he pursued his master in Jazz Performance in 1993. During his studies at the Rotterdam Conservatory he went for one semester as an exchange student to the Berklee College of Music in 1992. Recorded together with his wife Amina Figarova their first CD “ Attraction” in 1995. Bart is a member of the Amina Figarova Sextet, and also doing the business management for the sextet. Bart Platteau moved to New York at the beginning of 2012 and has continued to play concerts all over Europe, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brasil, Dutch Antilles, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Tunesia, United Arabs Emirates.

www.rondisalvio.com

Lili Añel - Another Place, Another Time

“Another Place, Another Time” is an EP of 6 songs, 4 penned by Añel and 2 covers. One cover, “Traffic Jam In A One Horse Town” was written by her friend Philadelphia guitarist Jef Lee Johnson who passed in 2012. “I decided when Jef left us that I would always include one of his songs on my records. I know he felt he wasn’t heard while he was still here. His music is so amazing and has had such an effect on me, I want to share it with the world. My hope is that people will seek his music out after hearing my renditions.” The second cover, “It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine” which Lili first heard on a Nina Simone recording, is a gospel hymn about deliverance, written by Blind Willie Johnson. Anel’s take includes a bridge she added which includes the line “…if I sing my heart is rejoicing…” putting a positive spin on the mostly fundamental lyric, along with her uplifting vocal delivery.

Another Place, Another Time’s songs were recorded live with minimal overdubs. They lend themselves to being more open, having space” says Lili. Despite a more trimmed down approach, the songs seem to reach further than on recent recordings. One of the ways she achieved this was by not over-thinking her approach vocally and allowing the music to come more easily. But she did stretch herself, singing in her falsetto on Jef Lee Johnson’s Traffic Jam… and improvises at the end of “I’ll Never Forget You”, both approaches she has not done before. On I’ll Never Forget You she states “I sang what I heard in my head, except it didn’t have any words; I was singing a feeling, my feeling about Jef and how he and his music affected me.”

The CD’s title song, “Another Place, Another Time” is a samba, featuring Philadelphia’s renowned Tenor Saxophone Player, Larry McKenna. It is a story of a past love past and a star-crossed lover’s hope for one last rendezvous. “My sister Barbara and I co-wrote the lyric. I began writing this song 3 years ago. The entire song was complete, the melody and phrasing were very strong and made it difficult for me to come up with a lyric, a story. Barbara came up with this story of two ex-lovers who meet again by chance, when attending a party with their new partners. The memories flood and the thought of a possible interlude between them presents when their eyes meet. Its quite cinematic”.

“Forgotten” is a ballad one could imagine performed on a Broadway stage. A play on words, “Forgotten” goes back and forth between the main character’s refusal to forget a hurtful incident, and her subsequently feeling “forgotten” by her partner.

“I Don’t Care (Groucho’s Blues)” another lyric co-written with Lili’s sister, is light-hearted and whimsical, a Jazz-shuffle that moves between the singer not caring about most things (even the loss of a baseball game by a favorite team) as long as the caring is returned by the one she loves.

“I’ll Never Forget You” is Añel’s moving tribute to her friend Jef Lee Johnson. “I began writing this song in hopes to sing it at his inurnment, but I could not finish it, it was too close to me.” Jef left a large catalogue of music, I listen to his songs and feel like he is still here.”

Personnel on this recording includes Dale Melton, once again joining Añel as co-producer, engineer and piano/b3 player. Philadelphia’s premiere bassist, Chico Huff, and Delaware’s Jonathan Whitney on drums and percussion. “I am very lucky to work with these musicians. They truly help bring out the heart of these songs”.

This collection of songs sound like scenes out of a film or collection of short stories. Extremely visual and descriptive, embodying tales of love, both ill-fated and light hearted, cherishing the love of a departed friend, self-affirmation and the difference in perception from what appears to what is. Lili Añel once again delivers both as a songwriter and a singer, expanding her own boundaries both vocally and as a songwriter as she continues to fulfill her audience as well as attract new fans.