jazz2love

Album: Puppets, The Music Of Gregg Hill Artist: Randy Napoleon Label: Origin Arts/OA2 Website: randynapoleon.com A musical depiction of imaginary figures coursing along a continuous journey is expressed in Greg Hill's assortment of hot-bop, country folk and sonic pop fusions presented by guitarist Randy Napoleon on his 2022 release Puppets, The Music of Gregg Hill .  Accompanied by the stirring vocals of Aubrey Johnson and woodwind player Seth Ebersole, the recording has a rhythm section consisting of Rick Roe on piano, Rodney Whitake and Brandon Rose on bass, and drummers Quincey Davis and Will Crandell.  The outcome is a joyful ride, overflowing with uplifting sensations. Opening with “Andy’s Lament,” Johnson's soft vocal tones enhance the cheery mood created by the playful ringlets of Napoleon's guitar strings in conjunction with the bowing lines of Whitaker's bass.  “Fan-O-Gram” boasts a hot-bop frenzy that enlivens the recording with Aubrey's scatting, then rec...

Album:  Hangin' Out Artists:  Jim Self and John Chiodini Website:  https://www.bassethoundmusic.com Fluid and ambient, the music of tuba player Jim Self partnered with guitarist John Chiodini has a traditional jazz sonorous that flows seamlessly, advancing effortlessly through the sound passages. Their newest release Hangin' Out displays the sensitive playing of Self combined with the elegant strumming and chime-like fibrillations of Chiodini's guitar strings.  Joining the pair is trumpet player and flugelhornist Ron Stout, baritone saxophonist David Angel, tenor saxophonist Tom Peterson, and trombonist Scott Whitfield. The recording comprises of a mixture of straight-ahead jazz standards, samba romps, bossa nova ballads, and classic pop staples. Self and Chiodini each contributed one of their own original compositions with Peterson and Whitfield also contributing original material. The uncommon union of the tuba and guitar opens the jazz panoply to vibrant innovati...

Album:  The Shape of Strings Artist:  Wayne Alpern Label:  Henri Elkan Music Website: www.waynealpern.com Wayne Alpern's compilation The Shape of Strings leaves listeners with the impression that they are in the center of Louis XIV's court, hearing a recital performed by a symphony of strings.  There is something so 18th century French classicism about the recording that will make audiences feel like they have gone back in time to an age when beauty was common place and within everyone's grasp.  There is a majestic, royal-like pomp and ceremony quality about the scores that transcends the listener into a fantasy-like realm.  Alpern leads the renowned String Orchestra of New York City on his release, assembling a compilation of compositions that elevates the spirit and pacifies the mind.   Perceivably, influences of jazz ballads are integrated with classical dramatic phrasing on scores like "Serenade 1" and "Serenade 3," projecting an intensity th...

Album:  Findings Artist:  Jim Dedrick Label:  Self-Released Website:  https://jdedrick.wixsite.com/website Findings, the latest offering from a Baltimore-Washington, DC based jazz trio comprised of bassist Jim Dedrick, pianist Tom Reyes, and drummer Chuck Ferrell is an experiment in playing what comes to mind in the moment.  According to the press release, all three musicians were recorded live in one room with no charts, scripts or notations in front of them, and no rehearsals prior to the recording.  Working only from the ideas that enter into their minds as they perform whatever arises in their thoughts and concentration at any given moment. The instruments were recorded as close to their unamplified tones as possible to highlight their natural qualities with no additional electronic enhancements.  It's an experimental approach to creating harmonic forms and chord progressions with scores entirely comprised of improvisations.  The trio's commun...

Album:  If I Knew Then Artist:  Naama Gheber Website:  https://www.naamagheber.com Vocalist Naama Gheber illuminates a cache of swing era standards on her sophomore release If I Knew Then with her alluring timbres and smooth, tranquilizing glide.  Gheber's revamping of classic tunes like Cole Porter's jazz ballad "Dream Dancing," Frank Sinatra, Jack Wolf and Joel Herron's reflective serenade "I'm A Fool To Want You," and the title track written by Dick Jurgens and Eddy Howard, induces a succor effect on listeners.  She demonstrates a poise and elegance in her delivery that produces an intimacy with her audience, which heightens the listening experience. Her interpretation of Cole Porter's 1941 spellbinding melody "Dream Dancing" is adorned in shimmery percussive trimmings that wind around her charismatic vocal stride as she muses about a phantom partner, "So say you love me, dear / And let me make my career Dream dancing, dream d...

Album:  Jazzy Italian Artist:  Vanessa Racci Label: Zoho Music Website:  https://vanessaracci.com Jazz singer and lyricist Vanessa Racci displays a perkiness relatable to vocalist Allyson Briggs, an iridescent resonance reminiscent of Sarah Brightman, the soulful melodicism characteristic of R&B's Marilyn McCoo, and a vocal elasticity that vibrates with the fiery boldness of vintage pop star Brenda Lee.  Racci's vocals are modelesque while being flexible, easily fitting in with jazz, pop, R&B/soul, and musical theater melodies.  Her sophomore release Jazzy Italian shines the spotlight on contributions that Italian songwriters and performers have contributed to the cabaret jazz landscape with tunes like "Volare," penned by Domenico Modugno, Franco Migliacci, and Dean Martin, and "I’m a Fool To Want You," sung by Italian-American crooner Frank Sinatra, who co-wrote the song with Jack Wolf and Joel Herron.  From tender serenades like "A Sunday Kin...

Album:  Hodges: Front and Center, Vol. 1 Artist:  Owen Broder Label:  Outside In Music Website:  owenbroder.com outsideinmusic.com owenbroder.bandcamp.com outsideinmusic.bandcamp.com Hodges: Front and Center, Vol. 1 is Owen Broder's second album as a leader.  In its sonic passages, Broder pays tribute to iconic jazzman Johnny Hodges, who is best known for being a saxophonist for the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra.  Featuring Broder on saxophone and supported by Riley Mulherkar on trumpet, Carmen Staaf on piano, Barry Stephenson on bass, and Bryan Carter on drums, Broder explores Hodges' material in Ellington's band as well as his contributions outside the band.  Broder's interpretation of nine of Hodges' melodies highlight the smooth waltzing style of the swing-imbued motifs and the bold and lyrical bebop-gilded improvisations. He refines the arrangements to a classic jazz shine, displaying a genuine tenderness for the warm human touch that the sw...