Jacky Terrasson, Smile, Blue Note #40668

No trumpets, no saxes, no vocals, but this CD is full of contrasting rhythms and tones.  At 37 on his eighth Blue Note recording, Terrasson sounds secure in his strong and spirited voice on the piano.  His youthful energy is channeled into hypnotic ostinatos interwoven with beautiful melodies and splashes of rhythmic innovation. On the standard “Smile” he makes you comfortable in 5/4 time without you even noticing, he uses all the tools in his box when he solos on “Autumn Leaves” but it sounds soulful not showy.  Sean Smith on bass and Eric Harland on drums swing through the odd times, vamps and delightful variations that sweep you through familiar tunes. On “Mo Better Blues” and “Isn’t She Lovely” he adds electric bass to help create a solid form for the trio to shatter.  If you are a piano trio fan don’t miss this dynamic CD and if not this release could make you one.       

Mark O’Conner, In Full Swing, Odyssey/Sony #2SK-18063

Mark O’Conner is a violinist, a composer, a buegrass fiddler and a jazz player.  What makes him a phenomenon is that he does all these things well, and artists from symphony hall to Nashville want to play with him.  On this CD he works in the Hot Club of France style reminiscent of his mentor Stephane Grappelli.   Frank Vignola who taught for a while at ASU is in the guitar chair Jon Burr plays bass and the swing is solid without a drummer.  Joining the fun is Wynton Marsalis and the chops go over the top when trumpet and fiddle trade licks on “Tiger Rag”; you can hear these guys having a blast on the cutting contest.   Jane Monheit’s perfect pitch and smooth delivery will make you hold your breath on “Misty” and “As Time Goes By”.  This is a refreshingly different release brimming with charm, talent and good fun.

Benny Green & Russell Malone, Jazz at the Bistro, Telarc #83560

A duo always leaves more room for a player to shine on his instrument, and when Green and Malone do it, you think you’re in their living room and that they have always played together.  This is an eclectic mix with standards originals and a little pop!   Strayhorn’s “Intimacy of the blues” features Malone’s blues licks and Green’s stride, and Coltrane’s “Moments Notice” gives the guys a chance to hit the bebop groove.   Each does a tune solo, but the real star is how they blend their instruments and styles together with spirit and ease.  

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Tony Bennett
Playin’ with My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues
Sony/Columbia, CK 85833
I know he’s been around, so what could a 75-year old Tony Bennett do that he hasn’t done already? Well, let me tell you. He gets Cheryl Crow to sing Good Morning Heartache, and no one is embarrassed! He sings with Diana Krall, K.D. Lang, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, and B.B. King. Billy Joel and Bennett on New York State of Mind slip it into a jazzier feel than the original had. Hearing him with Natalie Cole on Stormy Monday is a delight! Her punch and his croon really work together on this old workhorse. You’ll even forget how many times you’ve heard Stormy Monday done when you hear them do it. The band is fine; with Ralph Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent playing guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums, everybody has room to shine. This is smooth and subtle the way Bennett always is, but with that spark of blues to keep things in the groove. Tony Bennett makes 75 sound like the perfect age to be a jazz singer.

Pat Metheny Group
Speaking of Now
Warner Bros. 9 48025-2
Remember Pat Metheny with Lyle Mays? Guitars, acoustic pianos, synthesizers, long solos, good grooves? They’re back! With Steve Rodby on bass, Richard Bona on vocals and percussion, and Antonio Sanchez on drums, it sounds like early Pat Metheny; only it’s better, because they are more experienced musicians. Lyle Mays keeps that cushion of keys driving under Metheny’s adventurous forays on guitar and synthesizer, and the bass and drums are always pushing, but never drive you away. The balance is good and that vocal “ahhh” paralleling Metheny’s guitar lines is back in all the right places. It isn’t exactly a flashback, it’s more like a visit with old friends that you haven’t seen in a while and had forgotten how much you missed.

Some Local Treats:

Tony Vacca
Three Point Landing: Chicago, New Orleans, Phoenix
Half Note Records 4207,
www.saxplayer.com
Besides being a teacher at Scottsdale Community College and a sax player around the valley, Tony Vacca is a talented composer and bandleader. This CD shows off his ability on the horn and his composing skills with six original tunes, plus three standards. He has Irvin Mayfield on Trumpet on his Shoe Suede Blues and it has a bluesy Jazz Messengers feel. This release has a lot of variety without being all over the place. There’s some samba, some swing, and some blues all rolled into a unified jazz field that is easy on the first listen and better each time around. Vacca produced and recorded this in New Orleans with Paul Martin playing piano, Roland Guerin on bass, and Jason Marsalis on drums. It’s easy to support your local jazz guy when he puts something this good together for you to listen to.

Phoenix Jazz Quartet
Phoenix Jazz Quartet PJQ
3370 N. Hayden Rd. #123-170, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
If you know the local jazz scene at all, you know these cats. They live and work and teach here, and play music at different venues in the valley and around the state. Armand Boatman, on piano, has played with and for…well, I can’t stand lists, so let’s just say everyone. He’s been around for decades and has experience, dynamics, and fat chords. Dom Moio, on drums, is the best and has also played with everyone. He has his own percussion ensemble and plays blues on some nights and serious jazz on others. He’s the drummer to compare to, as in “he can play like Dom Moio.” Warren “Noshow” Jones, on bass, is everybody’s bass man; he keeps the tempo strong and healthy. Jones is always in the right place, so you may not notice him all the time, but when you listen for the bass you will be impressed at what he’s doing. Bill Moio is Dom’s brother who lives in Las Vegas; he came to town for the recording and for some concerts; he keeps things smooth and subtle, and fits into the band like peanut butter on a jelly sandwich. Whenever I play this CD on K-Jazz, people call to tell me how good it sounds, and to ask where to buy it. Thanks guys, for a job well done, and thanks to Clark Rigsby who recorded it, for making the sound so perfectly acoustic.

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Singers

Diana Krall - The Look of Love
Verve 314-549-846
Kitty Margolis - Left Coast Life
Mad Kat Records
Diane Schuur/Maynard Ferguson - Swinging for Schuur
Concord Jazz, ccd 4982-2

Here are three different singers with three different styles, so you can choose according to your mood. First, of course, has to be Diana Krall. She has dominated the jazz charts for months now with her latest releases and this one has already gone gold with half a million sold. In jazz circles, this is like Moses parting the Red Sea. Diana is now in a class with Kenny G, except that she sings better and has played on the TV show, Friends. The CD has orchestral arrangements by Claus Ogerman played by the London Symphony Orchestra with Ogerman conducting. It is quite beautiful and romantic, although many jazz fans don’t think it’s really jazz. Well, according to Quincy Jones it isn’t, because a jazz record according to Quincy is one that sells under 10,000 units. If you haven’t heard this singer, she is smooth as silk, with a Peggy Lee kind of smoky sound that at least half a million people really dig.

Kitty Margolis is a little more improvisational and dynamic on her new release, Left Coast Life. She swings hard on “I Wanna be Happy,” then she gets sultry and exotic on Pink Floyd’s “Money,” and vamps Randy Newman’s “Lonely at the Top.” Steve Erquiaga lays down some very cool tracks on guitar, and there are some great harmonic lines from Paul Nagel on keys. This is a fine CD, and no one wonders if it’s really jazz.

Diane Schuur has sung with Basie and B.B. King and is definitely a hard hitter on this CD. Of course, she gets some help from Maynard Ferguson and his band. Be ready for the high notes, because there are plenty coming at you, with this trumpet-heavy band and this belting songstress. It’s a big band bonanza all the way; that’s where Diane Schuur really swings and her vocal prowess cannot be denied.

Two Beautiful Twos

Joe Beck and Ali Ryerson
Django, dmp cd530

Joe Beck invented and plays the alto guitar as a “a self contained instrument.” Then he heard Ali Ryerson play her alto flute and he knew he wanted that melodic voice in the mix. The duo has been playing together for four years now, and they call it “chamber jazz.” It’s a delightful combination of tones to enjoy. On this CD, they caress the ballads like “Laura” and “Tenderly” and play fast and furious parallel lines on Chick Corea’s “Spain.” Here’s a jazz album even your mom could love.

Stefon Harris and Jackie Terrasson - Kindred
Blue Note, 7343 5 31868

When Stefon Harris plays vibes or marimba, he is all over the instrument; sometimes with four mallets, sometimes with two. He focuses his frantic frontal energy into his instrument. His chops are amazing for someone so young. Then there’s the half-French, half-American piano player and arranger, Jackie Terrasson, who plays with power and passion and a delicate touch; and while his skill on the piano is phenomenal, he is so smooth you hardly notice it. These two, together, have created many moods on this CD, from the burnin’ “Little Niles” to the smoldering “Never Let me Go.” With only two instruments, they create the harmonic range of an orchestra, with no strings attached.

Big Names Deliver

Cyrus Chestnut - Soul Food
Atlantic/WB 83490-2

If you listen to the players born after 1950, you should know everyone on this release: Chris McBride, bass; Lewis Nash, drums; Marcus Printup, trumpet; Wycliffe Gordon, trombone; and, of course, Cyrus Chestnut at the piano. With his subtle but soulful style, Chestnut really creates a classic this time out. He is in the jazz groove like nobody else and we get to hear quite a few of his original pieces on this CD. It will remind you of the early Horace Silver-Art Blakey Jazz Messengers, and the message is sweet. This release is one of my favorites from the past year, Soul Food that only makes your brain get fat.

Roy Haynes - Birds of a Feather, a Tribute to Charlie Parker
Dreyfus Recording, fdm 36625-2

Drummer Roy Haynes has been a major player for 45 years and worked with Bird, Miles, Getz, Monk, Dizzy, Chick Corea, and Pat Metheny. He has been a bandleader for over 25 years, and has put together some dynamite bands. This is one of them: Dave Holland, bass; Roy Hargrove, trumpet; Dave Kikoski, piano; and Kenny Garrett, sax. With the jazz generation slipping away as time goes by, it’s great to hear Haynes, who has been there through it all, just playing solid jazz with the right touch of imagination. There’s a kinder, gentler “April in Paris,” a fun “Moose the Mooch” where Holland struts his stuff, and “Now’s the Time” with blended horn lines arranged in 7/4 time. Hey, with this talent, a band could play the Mickey Mouse theme and sound good; but with these tunes, Bird’s definitely given his props.

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KURT ELLING, Flirting With Twilight, Blue Note 72435-31113
Now here is a young Chicago vocalist in his thirties who has high drama and energy in his style. He has previously done a CD where he harmonizes with himself in three parts. He scats a la Mark Murphy, and creates philosophical dramas while twisting the melody from here to eternity. He is very hip, slick and cool. But not on this CD. Here is a whole other Kurt Elling, one who--while still using arrangements by his piano soul mate, Lawrence Hobgood--sings beautiful ballads. Hardly any scatting, just a little playing around with the melody and that enticing sound of his buzzy baritone…with notes that go on for so long that you find yourself holding your breath waiting for the resolution. Kurt Elling is a great singer, and he finally wants everyone to know that he can do it inside the box as well as out in the stratosphere where he usually travels. Plenty of standards like "Detour Ahead," "Lil Darlin," and "You Don´t Know What Love Is" keep you listening through all twelve tracks. There is plenty of imagination and talent on this CD, but it is subtle--more subtle than Elling has ever been before--and it only adds to the soulful intensity of his sound.

RUSSELL MALONE, Heartstrings, Verve 314549-786-2
I can´t say I´m much of a fan of strings on a jazz album. It usually feels a little too mushy to me, too "beautiful music" (and I haven´t once mentioned an elevator). Yet, here I am recommending a CD with a string section, because Russell Malone breaks the mold and makes a string section work with his bluesy tone. He doesn´t overdo it, although it is slow and pretty; his talent for smooth and sultry is what makes this more than a mood CD. Of course, piano player Kenny Barron adds his own dimension to the mix, and Chris McBride and Tain Watts keep a gentle resonant pulse. You may know Russell Malone from his other gig where he swings and pops backing up singer Diana Krall; he uses that as an undercurrent to the spirit of this work. This is a CD for a quiet night, for dreaming, or for smelling the rain on the desert…or maybe for letting someone special tug at your heartstrings.

STEVE TURRE, TNT, Telarc CD 83529
Steve Turre thinks there is a prejudice against the trombone; he says he would be famous if he played sax as well as he plays the trombone. So on this CD, he gets some famous sax players to join him on TNT (which stands for Trombone ´n Tenor) and it works just fine! Now, whether it will sell a couple of CDs for him is a whole other jazz mystery. He brings in James Carter, Dewey Redman, and David Sanchez on tenors to fatten up the band on different tunes, and as on his last release--he uses each sax man with a different band. David Sanchez gets some extra bounce from Giovanni Hidalgo at the congas on his cuts, and James Carter is swinging with Mulgrew Miller at the piano and Buster Williams on the bass. One of my favorites is Turre with Dewey Redman playing "Stompin at theSavoy." The incredibly expressive tones of Redman reach out and pull you into this old standard; he inspires Turre to some fun playing and that solid swing from young drummer Lewis Nash lifts the whole group up a few notches. Peter Washington on bass steps up for a bright moment in the spotlight on this one, and Stephen Scott adds some pizzicato piano harmony to the talkative tones of the horns. Of course, not everything is this sweet and lovely; everybody gets a little wild and outside on different cuts. If you like a good screamer, Turre gets his trombone to make that horsey whinny sound that trombone players think we like, and James Carter follows suit with some whinnies and squawks of his own on "Eric the Great," in case you thought they could just play really well. But, in spite of the horseplay this is a really musical CD with some great horn harmonies and conversations, and a nice variety of sound because of the different players. Turre holds it all together; he shows that when he plays the trombone it has as much finesse and beauty as any saxophone or trumpet…maybe he´s right about that prejudice. P.S. Really glad Turre decided to leave the seashells at home and play his horn on this one.

PHOENIX JAZZ QUARTET, Phoenix Jazz Quartet, Tempest
Sometimes I forget how remarkably talented some of our fellow Phoenicians are and here is a CD to remind us of their ability. This is a self-produced endeavor from a local quartet that will wow you. Clark Rigsby--the producer and sound engineering part of the team-gets just the right balance in the studio and then the group takes off, flying low in a tight formation, with plenty of swoops and dives to impress you and a simple beauty that makes every tune something special. Armand Boatman plays piano and can slip from delicate comping to a front-and-center sound on an arpeggio. His use of harmony and dynamics keeps the whole group flowing from soft to solid throughout, and drummer Dom Moio is right in the pocket with Boatman. When they play "Alice in Wonderland" you feel as though you have stepped into the rabbit hole and you just don´t want to come back. On "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise," Boatman and guitarist Bill Moio weave through each others´ chords like Herb Ellis and Oscar Peterson in a modern dance. Warren Jones on bass and Dom Moio on drums keep this tune grooving hard, which makes you think that this is how this one-time ballad should always be done. "In Your Own Sweet Way" is played with a light touch that camouflages the intensity of the changes and movement that the quartet uses on this tune. The most amazing part of this CD is that it is over an hour long, but it is like a good book: when you´re finished, you can´t believe you went through the whole thing. Only, instead of being done with it, you can listen again and again. Part of the intrigue is the talent of each player, but part of it is the relationship between all of them. Drummer Dom and guitarist Bill Moio (as brothers) have worked together quite a bit in their playing careers, and Armand Boatman and the rhythm section have played plenty of engagements here in the valley, from backing up singers and horn players to being the main act as a trio. This is a genuine Jazz ensemble, so intertwined musically that sometimes on "Solar" you forget that there are four of them and only hear one, the PJQ. It´s a Zen approach to music: no ego, just the integration of sounds. These guys will inspire you with their ability to balance talent with beauty, perfectly. You can buy this CD at Stinkweeds in Tempe, and they are trying to get it into other stores on our local market.

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Jimmy Smith dot com blues
It leans more to the blues side than usual, even for Jimmy Smith but this time he's brought blues stars like B.B. King, Dr. John and Etta James along for the ride. Russell Malone plays guitar and shows a whole funkier side to his style here than with Diana Krall. Now if I have to tell you how good Jimmy Smith is , I don't know where to start; try this, the best chops, the most flavors the best grrrr-oove a B-3 man can get. Listening to this record, you will get the dishes done in half the time! It would be one third of the time, but I took time out for the dance steps.

Rob McConnell Tentet Justin Time Records Just150-2
First of all, they are not camping out. It's a full ten piece band, just one step up from a Nonet. So with the rhythm section, piano bass and drums, you've got two trombones, three saxes, a flugelhorn, and a trumpet. It might sound like a lot, but it's half the size of The Boss Brass, Rob's previous band, and it has twice the room for jamming. You get a couple of standards, a couple of tunes by Dizzy, and some bossa novas. This group can burn and they can do a slow simmer. It's the best of both worlds because you get some dynamite solos, and some full fat charts. A good direction for the big band sound of the 21st century.

Nnenna Freelon Soul Call Concord CCD-4896-2
Sing, sing, sing, Nnenna tries it all. If you like scat, she does it, if you like R & B smooth, she does it, if you like a little harmony in your jazz, she brings in the a-capella boy group, Take Six who usually only do gospel music, on "Straighten Up and Fly Right". Freelon likes trying new things on old songs and she has the chops and the imagination to pull it off. On this CD you get a lot of variety with Spirituals, Burt Bacharach, Stevie Wonder and Rogers and Hart tunes. She is a dynamic singer and her voice is strong and sure, so if you are a fan of Peggy Lee or Diana Krall, this may not be your girl, but if you like a singer with some kick, try Nnenna.

Margo Reed Margo Live! MP2000
OK, she wasn't born here, but she has been singing in Arizona for years and we consider her a hometown girl. Now finally, thanks to Pat Myers and friends we have Margo on CD to listen to at home whenever we want to. Everyone is good on this; Armand Boatman at the piano is his usual amazing self, Dwight Killian is a young phenom bass player, and Dom Moio kicks butt in his unique and subtle way. Clark Rigsby gets the sound just right to capture that joyful spirit and energy that only Margo can make happen. It's a variety of classic standards and a little blues, and it comes together just right on this release. Good work all around.

Larry Coryell Inner Urge MCD 7064
You might remember him doing jazz fusion back in the 60's or playing with Sonny Rollins or Mingus in the 70's. It's hard to pin him down to one style; he has done so many different things, but he is always versatile and imaginative. This release is the smooth groove of the flashy guitarist, it's got his usual amazing chops, with just enough blues to make it fun. John Hicks at the piano builds a solid but spacious room for Coryell to play in, and they weave together a fine sound straight down the middle of genuine jazz.

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Billy Taylor Ten Fingers One Voice Arkadia Jazz 71602
Besides his playing, Taylor is known for his dedication to music education, his radio show, and his jazz commentary. This CD is full of commentary. You’ll hear plenty of Basie, Tatum, and Taylor rolled up into this solo piano work. It’s joyful swing with that Billy Taylor clarity.

Milt Jackson Meets the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra Explosive! Qwest/WB 9-47286-2
Milt Jackson has been around a long time, but his new CD is fresh and dynamic. The big band arrangements swing with Jeff Hamilton’s drive, and Bags is up to his usual good form. The band will wake you up and have you groovin’. You could use Explosive! to jump start your work week. Long live Milt Jackson!

Diane Schuur Music is My Life Atlantic 83150-2
From the soulful “Good Morning Heartache”, to the swinging “You’d be so Nice to Come Home To”, Diane sings and belts her way into your heart. Never a crooner, she achieves her best balance of intimacy and power on this release, with help from Nino Tempo on sax and Marcus Printup on trumpet.

Mimi Fox Kicks, Monarch Mona 1020
You might not have heard of this San Francisco guitarist, bandleader and composer but you will now. She studied with Joe Pass and continues in the tradition of Pass and Wes Montgomery. She’s played with Bobby McFerrin and the Turtle Island String Quartet, but on this CD she hits her stride. With Joey de Francesco and Charlie Hunter helping out on this mostly original project, you’ll dig her serious blues chops. This is an artist who has a great history ahead of her, get in on the fun now.

Diana Krall When I Look in Your Eyes Verve IMPD-304 Phones are already ringing at K-JAZZ for the new Diana Krall CD. It has everything her first releases have, plus seven tunes orchestrated by Johnny Mandel. Diana has been touring hard for the past four years in support of her chart-topping releases, All for You and Love Scenes, and her confidence shines on this release. If you haven’t already discovered this singer with a cool romantic sound, you’ll be enchanted by her delivery on this release. If you already love Diana Krall, this CD is even better than the rest.

Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, w/ Wynton Marsalis Live in Swing City Sony
When one of the finest jazz orchestras in the world plays the music of Duke Ellington, under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, it’s hard to go wrong. More than just a tribute, it is a development of the Ellington ideal, with imaginative orchestrations and smokin’ solos from Marcus Printup, Cyrus Chestnut, Wessell Anderson and Marsalis. The combination of blues grooves, ballads, and swing is just right, and it is fine to hear the Ellington repertoire played with such clarity and musicianship. The only thing wrong with this album is that it is too short.

Jim Hall and Pat Metheny Jim Hall & Pat Metheny Telarc,CD-83442
Although they didn’t spend any imagination on the title, this CD is full of surprises and beauty. It doesn’t swing in the traditional Joe Pass way; it has more of that easy flow that Pat Metheny often generates. Jim Hall stays on his jazz guitar and keeps Metheny more anchored than usual. Metheny plays his acoustic guitar, multi-stringed harp-guitar, and his electric. Most of the tunes are original pieces by the guitarists, and the two standards are given a whole new feel. It’s a great cross-generational sound that’s enriched by the unique styles of Hall and Metheny. About half the tunes are recorded before a live audience and the other half in the studio to add another dimension to a guitar fan’s dream duo.

Shelly Berg The Will: A Tribute to Oscar Peterson Cars Productions
With Shelly Berg at the piano, Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpin at the drums, the groove is solid and swinging. With special guests like Eddie Daniels on clarinet and Bill Watrous on trombone, you know the sound will be dynamic and dynamite. This release is a lot of fun, and although Shelly shows his virtuosity on several tunes, I prefer when he lets himself be lyrical. It’s mostly standards with new arrangements, like Tenderly done uptempo with a big band, and Sweet Georgia Brown played as a ballad. There are some trio pieces and solo piano, as well as the big band sound, and Shelly Berg captures the spirit of his hero, Oscar Peterson.

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