Jazz ♫ Music only | In the now, or recently, or that you love...

[MoreWatts]

Perusal of Grammy Award lists led to, the "Caribbean Jazz Project was a Latin jazz band that released 9 albums from 1993 to 2008. The original group featured Dave Samuels, Paquito D'Rivera, and Andy Narell. After their second album, D'Rivera and Narell left the group, although both returned as guest stars. Under Samuels' leadership, the group explored different genres of Latin jazz with a changing membership and numerous guest artists."

The band won Latin Jazz Album Grammy Awards in 2003 for The Gathering, and in 2008 for Afro Bop Alliance, along with nominations for Birds Of A Feather and Here and Now.

The videos are 2 hot tunes performed for their 1st, eponymous, 1995 album, well recorded. Please try their 2nd album, Island Stories also, both with Paquito and Andy. They're a joy. I mean the albums, too.

Caribbean Jazz Project, The Caribbean Jazz Project, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

Caribbean Jazz Project, Island Stories, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[melvinjames]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[DarrylG]

Loping, by In Common: Walter Smith III & Matthew Stevens

from the album In Common III

incommonwaltersmithiiimatthewstevens-whirlwind.bandcamp.com

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[BenjaminB]

with all due respect ... that is not readable

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[melvinjames]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[MoreWatts]

One of my favorite jazz artists is pianist Joanne Brackeen. From her website: "Two-time winner of Downbeat International Critics’ Poll for best pianist, and two-time NEA grant-winner, Ms. Brackeen has been described as a 'virtuoso pianist, one of jazz’s most prized possessions.'

She has performed and/or recorded [since the late 1950s] with Art Blakey [she was the first female Jazz Messenger], Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, Pharaoh Sanders, Freddie Hubbard," Dexter Gordon, and Ornette Coleman. Since 1977 she has led her own groups, with artists such as Eddie Gomez, Jack DeJohnette, Billy Hart, Michael Brecker, and Greg Osby. She has more than 25 recordings as a leader between 1975 and 2000, and is a long-time Berklee College educator.

Her 1999 album Pink Elephant Magic, is a nice place to start, with tenor saxophonist Chris Potter, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and bassist John Patitucci. Said Allmusic: "One of her best overall recordings due to the high-quality material, the variety, and the exciting and inventive solos by the pianist and her sidemen... All ten selections (7 originals) have their colorful moments... The music is quite unpredictable but joyful and ultimately logical. Highly recommended." Potter received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo on the tune 'In Vogue.'

For a piano trio album, Take A Chance with her 1994 album, with bassist Eddie Gomez. Allmusic wrote: "This is a delightful set, a program of eight Brazilian tunes and three of pianist Joanne Brackeen's originals. The pianist stretches the songs a bit in spots but never neglects their melodies or the original moods. Well worth several listens."

The 1st video is a solo tune, and the 2nd is a hot quartet number. Frustratingly, she apparently has 2 albums recorded, one with saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera, that just can't seem to get released... I saw her perform a duet show with saxophonist Greg Osby, that sadly was sparsely attended, but allowed me to sit so close it felt like the show was for me.

Her entire catalog 'stretches the songs a bit... but never neglects their melodies or the original moods.' Please take a chance with Joanne Brackeen.

Joanne Brackeen, Pink Elephant Magic, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

Joanne Brackeen, Take A Chance, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Joe Smith]

Three very good new ECM albums out this month from some "regulars" in their stable...I highly recommend!

Ralph Towner, At First Light
Bobo Stenson Trio, Sphere
Ralph Alessi Quartet, It's Always Now

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[MoreWatts]

From Allmusic: "Nova Scotian alto saxophonist Ally Fiola ... [released her 2nd album with] her octet The Next Quest, titled Interblaze. With a lot of low-end brass—baritone saxophone, trombone, sousaphone—the sound has a New Orleans brass band feel. It is also fun, celebratory music.

Like all high-energy brass workouts, Interblaze has a strong life-affirming quality, a forge ahead, take-no-bull-from-anyone attitude."

Saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones) guests, and adds a nice edge to the proceedings. BTW, Coffin's latest album, Between Dreaming and Joy, was Grammy nominated and recommended upthread here.

Bluenosers can see the album release party, with Jeff Coffin, for all of $5 (!) in Nova Scotia. Check out Ally's website for more info. Please enjoy a fun new jazz album.

Ally Fiola, Interblaze, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[melvinjames]