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Cécile McLorin Salvant – Dreams And Daggers – Mack Avenue Records

by Audiophile Audition | Dec 20, 2017 | Jazz CD Reviews

Cécile McLorin Salvant – Dreams And Daggers – Mack Avenue Records MAC1120 – 2CDs 112:05**** It is hard to imagine a more satisfying outcome from this ambitious project ( Aaron Diehl – piano; Paul Sikivie – double bass; Lawrence Leathers – drums; guests – The Catalyst Quartet; Sullivan Fortner – piano) Those iconic female jazz singers who are known singularly by their first names, Ella, Billie, and Sarah are not about to be dislodged easily from their lofty perch. However Cécile McLorin Salvant is certainly giving them a nudge, as her latest 2-CD set Dreams And Daggers will attest. Combining two New York City sessions, one recorded at the Village Vanguard in September 2016, with a studio outing at Di Menna Center for Classical Music in December 2016, Salvant has delivered a disparate selection of original and other material that tell stories that may be released in dreams and guarded in life. This high-concept release is filled with interesting interpretations of the material by Salvant backed by her usual trio of sharp instrumentalists namely pianist Aaron Diehl, bassist Paul Sikivie and drummer Lawrence Leathers. On the studio tracks, the classical string ensemble The Catalyst Quartet adds a fascinating new dynamic […]

Jazz Haunts & Magic Vaults : The New Lost Classics Of Resonance Vol. 1

by Audiophile Audition | Jan 15, 2017 | Jazz CD Reviews

Jazz Haunts & Magic Vaults : The New Lost Classics Of Resonance Vol. 1 HCD-2026, 77:37 ****: A number of tasty offerings designed to entice the most discriminating listeners. (Jaki Byard; Dennis Coffey; Bill Evans; Tommy Flanagan; Stan Getz; João Gilberto; Gene Harris; Shirley Horn; Freddie Hubbard; Thad Jones; Scott LaFaro; Mel Lewis; Charles LLoyd; Wes Montgomery; Sarah Vaughan; Larry Young) In the January 2017 (Issue #171) of The New York City Jazz Record, Resonance Records was chosen as one of the Best Labels of the Year 2016 in the non-profit category. While being a non-profit jazz label might be somewhat of an oxymoron, the owners of the label are to be commended as they have done a yeoman job of unearthing recordings of historical interest and bringing them to the listening public. This compilation Jazz Haunts & Magic Vaults (back in day of LPs, such releases were called samplers) showcases a variety of tracks from either projects that the label already has on the market, or that would be forthcoming. There are a number of tasty offerings that should clearly entice listeners to purchase the entire album, depending on their musical proclivities. The bold-face names who are represented on […]

Ray Charles – Swiss Radio Days Vol. 41/ Zurich 1961 – TCB

by Audiophile Audition | Nov 17, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

The jazzy side of Brother Ray… Ray Charles – Swiss Radio Days Vol. 41/ Zurich 1961 – TCB 02412, 78:43 [Distr. by Naxos] (11/11/16) ****: (Ray Charles – piano, vocals; Marcus Belgrave, Wallace Davenport, Phil Guilbeau, John Hunt – trumpets; Henderson Chambers, Dickie Wells, Keg Johnson – trombones; Rudy Powell – alto sax; Hank Crawford – alto sax, band leader; David “Fathead” Newman – tenor sax and flute; Don Wilkerson – tenor sax; Leroy Cooper – baritone sax; Elbert Forriest – guitar; Edgar Willis – bass; Bruno Carr – drums; Quincy Jones – arranger {#1, 2, 9-11, 17}. With the Raelettes: Pat Lyles, Margie Hendricks, Gwen Berry, and Darlene McCrea – vocals) Although Ray Charles had been recording for Atlantic Records since 1957, his impact had primarily been in the United States as a rhythm-and-blues artist. In October, 1961, Ray took his full orchestra to Europe in order to expand his stature worldwide. At the beginning of the tour he played in Zurich on Oct. 18, 1961. As part of the Swiss Radio Days Series (now 41 volumes strong), TCB is releasing this date in great digitally-remastered sound. Ray brought an outstanding orchestra to Europe. Four trumpets, three trombones, and […]

Sarah Vaughan – Live At Rosy’s – Resonance

by Audiophile Audition | May 8, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Sarah Vaughan – Live At Rosy’s – Resonance HCD-2017 86:50 (2 CDs) ****: A consummate jazz vocalist in peak form. (Sarah Vaughan – vocals; Carl Schroeder – piano; Walter Booker – bass; Jimmy Cobb – drums) Patricia Willard, in writing for The Oxford Companion To Jazz Edited by Bill Kirchner, said the following about Sarah Vaughan: “ her voice had the richness, range, power, and control to project operatic arias”. The full panoply of the majesty of Vaughan’s voice is on display in this two-CD release on Resonance Records Sarah Vaughan – Live At Rosy’s. Recorded originally in 1978 at Rosy’s Jazz Club in New Orleans for the NPR Radio weekly syndicated program Jazz Alive! the tapes have never been commercially released. Vaughan, at the time, was 54 years old, and while possibly not in her prime, she still had a commanding voice that could fill a room. Backed by her long-standing trio that included pianist Carl Schroeder, bassist Walter Booker, and the inimitable tasteful drummer Jimmy Cobb, Vaughan’s set of popular and jazz standards were artfully crafted to bring out her vocal range and stylistic artistry. The opening number is a swinging version of “I’ll Remember April” which after […]