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My friend and superb pianist, Walter Davis, Jr., led relatively few recording sessions throughout his career — despite scores of dates with jazz giants Bird, Dizzy, and countless others more... |
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Larry’s on-fire piano leads a world-class quintet in a soaring,
swinging exploration of matters of the soul and spirit. Slide Hampton
says, “Man, Larry’s playin’ like he’s on a mission!”
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Playing the New York jazz scene together for over a decade, Paul
and Santi have grown into one of jazz’s great duos. Paul’s
flawlessly warm guitar sound blends Wes Montgomery’s bluesy
soulfulness with Jobim’s Brazilian sensuality. more... |
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Quietly cooking melodic jazz and swing favs led by the rock-solid
bassist who also ably anchored our Joe Stanley and John Cocuzzi
sessions. Previti made history for 18 years backing up guitar giant
Danny Gatton. more... |
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Just back from a little Jimmy Scott recording date, Larry Willis
raved about this gorgeous sounding tenor player he’d found.
Wow, was he on the money! Right from the start of their session,
I was startled by Kindred’s amazing down-home blues power.
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In the wee hours of a Clifford Jordan session, Andy first caught
my ear with a down-in-the-gutter blues solo. Then and now, Andy
can play some blues. Even better, he’s a hell of a composer.
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Give a listen to the blues-soaked groove on Bookie’s tune “Pete’s
Rock”–you’ll understand why Monk, Cannonball, Sarah
Vaughan and Sonny Rollins loved playing with Walter. more... |
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I love the real deal, the old Fats Waller, Benny Goodman and Artie
Shaw 78s from the swing era. This clarinet-vibes combo came burning
to play—you hear it in the foot-tapping bounce of “Cheek
to Cheek,” in the bluesy pain that permeates “Black and
Blue.” more... |
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Hey Ellington and Ben Webster fans, check out Ashby’s blues-drenched,
melodic tenor sax. You just know that jaw-dropping sound came from
a lifetime of paying dues. In 1950, Ash moved to Chicago to become
Ben Webster’s protégé and record with those Chess
blues legends. more... |
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Jamming together in the early ’60s, trombone virtuoso Thurman
Green and bari sax giant Hamiet Bluiett swore they’d make a
great album someday. That promise bore soulful fruit here—30
years later. more... |
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Over the past 3 years, I’ve watched Sunny mature into one of
the East Coast’s most soulful ballad singers. So much so that
I jumped at the chance to record this CD, her second. Larry Willis’
soulful piano chops bought out Sunny’s most gorgeous interpretations
of Sarah, Billie and Stevie Wonder songs.
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Think of the delicate percussive subtlety of a Jobim samba. Think
of a quiet but irresistibly-swinging Wes Montgomery guitar solo.
Put them together: that’s Euforia, the mellow, stunningly original
bass-guitar-drums Brazilian trio. more... |
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If you like your jazz uptempo and overflowing with vitality, look
no farther. Patience is a cooking, muscular-toned tenorman somewhere
between Coleman Hawkins and Sonny Rollins—a musician great
enough to have toured with Ellington, David Murray and Stevie Wonder.
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Hamiet Bluiett’s heartfelt tribute to the Nat King Cole Trio—by
far the most original I’ve ever heard. Bluiett describes his
inspiration: “I wanted to focus on Nat as a pianist, not as
a vocalist. He was a formidable pianist, ‘anointed’ as
they say in the church.
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C.I.’s alto sound is warm and intimate. He combines the huge
sweet tone of Johnny Hodges with Benny Carter’s edge and Charlie
Parker’s raw speed and bluesiness. more... |
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Andy’s feel-it-in-the-floor bass propels the gorgeously natural-sounding
horns and the warm electric guitar. Billy Kilson’s drums are
excitingly splashy and dynamic The originals by McKee are irresistible.
Their rhythmic twists and turns, their surprising changes in mood
keep me riveted. more... |
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If both Larry Willis and trombone legend Slide Hampton think this
guy is good, you know he can play. The session was elegant: Slide’s
gutty, swinging ’bone contrasted gorgeously with Avi’s
super-warm, super-mellow tone. The two interweaving ’bones
soar over Jimmy Cobb’s shimmering cymbals and Larry’s
richer-than-Godiva piano chords. more... |
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If you’re a fan of blues-steeped jazz with an unstoppable groove,
you have to hear this CD. The line-up is stellar: Bluiett on bari
sax; ex-Mingus star Jack Walrath on trumpet; young lion Mark Shim
on tenor and a peerless rhythm section—Larry Willis, Keter
Betts and Jimmy Cobb. more... |
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When Larry Willis was hot to do a reunion with his old trombonist
pal from Blood, Sweat & Tears days, I didn't hesitate. If you've
heard Barge's burning solos on BS&T hits, you understand. For
this CD, Larry and Barge laid down an intimate, set of pure, uncommercial
jazz—and Mapleshade set a new standard for 'bone sonics. more... |
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Our historic recording of the ballads and blues of an alto player
whose sound I can't forget, the man the Duke found to replace Johnny
Hodges. more... |
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This is my idea of an intimate, straight-to-the-heart jazz ballad
singer. She’s somewhat in the vein of Diana Krall, but maybe
a little more passionate. Shirley Horn brought Kendra to Mapleshade,
a singer-guitarist she discovered while on tour in Seattle. more... |
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Fans of Coltrane’s Giant Steps will especially dig Ted’s
powerful tenor sound. This burning set of modern jazz is one of
my very best live recordings.
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Here’s a rare chance to hear David Murray in a relaxed setting,
caressing his big, lush, tenor sax sound. That’s just what
Bobby’s shimmering drums bring out here, ably abetted by Larry
Willis’ mellow, soulful piano and Santi DeBriano’s unshakable
bass line.
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Nothing I’ve recorded is closer to my heart than this, my first
collaboration with Clifford. We recorded live at a posh jazz club
in Baltimore for three great nights. Fresh off the New York jazz
circuit, Clifford’s quartet was locked-in, relaxed and happily
inspired by a house full of enthusiastic fans.
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I have a hell of a time finding quiet, mellow, introspective piano
that’s not elevator music. Thank goodness Shirley Horn dropped
this Trio off right at my door step. She told me Frank’s slow
and passionate ballads could make her cry. more... |
