jazz2love

  Album:   Simply ‘S Wonderful-The Magic of Gershwin Artist:   Juliet Ewing Label:   HoneyDiva Music/Lexicon Classics Website: www.julietewing.com INSTAGRAM @thejulietset Facebook #thejulietset Juliet Ewing, a former Broadway theater performer, reveals her affinity for swing jazz in her 2025 release Simply 'S Wonderful, a collection of standard favorites written by George and Ira Gershwin.  From the sashaying samba beats of "Oh, Lady Be Good" to the sauntering stride of "But Not For Me" and the thoughtful mood of "The Man I Love," Ewing reminds audiences what makes the Gershwin tunes relatable to the human spirit and heart.   Her elongation of poignant notes along "The Man I Love" keeps the listener on tenterhooks, solicited to share in the hopeful aspirations expressed in the lyrics. "A Foggy Day" ensconces Ewing's upbeat vocals in a swinging rhythm while the candlelight ambience of "The Lorelei" kindles a ragtime rh...

Album:  Saxology Artist:  Wayne Alpern Label:  Henri Elkan Music Website:  www.waynealpern.com Saxology, the latest release from leader and arranger Wayne Alpern, showcases a quartet of saxophones performed by Steve Kenyon, Todd Groves, Dave Noland, and John Winder.  The recording features an array of jazz standards and classic pop novelties reworked with Alpern's acute sensibilities and finesse. The sassy twizzles accenting the saxophones phrasing and their fiery punctuations dotting "Fascinating Rhythm," written by George and Ira Gershwin, shows Alpern's confidence to take control of the reins and make moves along the track that are bold and daring.  Alpern's treatment of the Beatles pop hit "Hide Your Love Away" is envisioned with a torchlight ambience as the softly twirling saxophones evoke a reflective mood. Another pop hit for the Beatles, "When I'm Sixty-Four," is delivered with vaudeville-style pomp and joviality.  Contrastly, Rich...

Album:  Transitions Artist:  Yaron Gershovsky Label:  Dorron Music Website:  www.yaronmusic.com Transitions , the 2022 release from keyboardist, composer, arranger, and bandleader Yaron Gershovsky is an assortment of original music and cover tunes, stylistically moving between traditional straight ahead jazz and contemporary jazz, classic pop, Latin soul, and samba in the recording.  The album is comprised of a variety of combinations from solo piano to trios, quartets, and jazz vocals featuring Aubrey Johnson's engaging vocalese.  Gershovsky's endeavor is alight with melodious configurations and elevating phrasing that is pleasing to the aural senses. Gershovsky's original work "Awakening" shows his keys communicating briskly and freely with bassist Will Lee and drummer Clint de Ganon,  whipping up a jovial mood that turns reflective, driven by Gershovsky's ruminating keys in "I’ll Be Seeing You," penned by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal.  Gershovsk...

Album:  DIVA Swings Broadway Artist: The DIVA Jazz Orchestra Label: DIVA Jazz Website:  https://divajazz.com/ The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, a 15-piece all female ensemble, is comprised of versatile musicians seasoned in reed, woodwind and brass instruments as well as rhythmic and percussive tools.  The group's latest CD entitled DIVA Swings Broadway is an assortment of covers showcasing nostalgic Broadway musicals personalized by these innovative musicians.  Led by drummer Sherrie Maricle, the DIVA Jazz Orchestra are torchbearers of swing jazz and big band romps.  Bursting with merriment from start to finish, the recording leaves elation and mirth in its wake. Noriko Ueda's bass solo opening George and Ira Gershwin's ageless tune "The Man I Love" sets the momentum along a course of rolling crests and ebbs through the melodic progressions.  Horns take flight intermittently, catapulted by the knolls crafted by the bass line.  Turning reflective, the languid ...