jazz2love

Album:  Boptism Christmas Artist:  Rich Willey Label: Boptism Music Website: https://tinyurl.com/BopXmas https://boptism.com Call it old fashion, call it nostalgic but whatever people call holiday tunes garbed in traditional swing fixings and classic jazz decor, it is just what the soul needs.  Trumpet player Rich Willey tweaks an assortment of Christmas fan favorites with his own handcrafted stylizing and signature champagne-imbued cheer on his release Boptism Christmas .  Willey shines a spotlight on everything good about swing jazz.  He is endearingly the Lawrence Welk of his day. Willey's bubbly trumpet toots flutter and furl smoothly across "Silver Bells" as the smoky fumes of Alex Taub's organ embellish the liveliness surging along the melodic progression.  The fluid motion of Taub's keys cruising languidly along "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is accentuated by the soft undulations of Andy Page's guitar, creating a tranquil atmosphere...

Album:  Gotham Artist:  Wayne Alpern Label:  Henri Elkan Music Website:  https://www.waynealpern.com Arranger, composer and bandleader Wayne Alpern has made substantial and meaningful contributions to the jazz emporium, and he continues go strong.  His 2024 release Gotham brings together elements of R&B, classic jazz, and sultry Latin swing to enhance a selection of classic standards.  Combined with his melodic sensibilities, the recording pulls the listener into Alpern's world of merrymaking and solemn reflection. The playful interaction of the horns cleated by a swinging Latin beat along "Desafinado," authored by Antonio Carlos Jobim, filament a lively mood and produce an elevating experience.  Turning reflective and amorous, Wayne's reimagination of "Norwegian Wood," written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, opens with breathy guitar strings punctuated by the balmy riffs of the horns.  The smooth waltzing motion of the rhythmic beats are ...

Album:  Sing A Song of Bird Artist:  Roseanna Vitro Label:  Skyline Records Website:  https://roseannavitrojazz.squarespace.com/skyline-records-1 Sing A Song of Bird is the 15th recording from Grammy-nominated vocalist Roseanna Vitro, who shares vocal leads with some of her mentors including the late bebop jazz legend Bob Dorough, Sheila Jordan, and Marion Cowings each of whom take solo turns, imprinting their own unique and soulful interpretations on several compositions by Charlie "Bird" Parker.  The recording is a celebration of Bird’s music, conceived and guided by Vitro.  Produced by Paul Wickliffe, the release relishes the fancyfree spirit that enabled Parker to take flight. The buoyant scatting along "The Scatter" infuses a percolating thrust into the melody, giving the tune a catchy vibe.  Moreover, the elevating flights made by Mark Gross on alto sax propping up "Bird's Song" stir up merriment from start to finish.  The recording cools t...

  Album:   BASSic Instinct Artist:   David Finck Label:   Burton Avenue Music Website:   burtonavenuemusic.com   Jazz bassist and bandleader David Finck presents a new collection of contemporary jazz tunes and original compositions entitled BASSic Instinct .   Accompanying Finck is a bevy of talented collaborators that include saxophonist Andy Snitzer, keyboardist Quinn Johnson, guitarist Bob Mann, trombonist Mike Davis, and pianist Meg Ruby, to name a handful.   Vocalists featured on the recording are Melissa Errico, Kelly Mittleman, Téka Penteriche and Trist Curless.   Together, Finck leads a big band orchestra through a cavalcade of playful tunes combining American swing and Latin jazz flavors. For starters, "Dearly Beloved" is adorned in the swirling toots of Snitzer's saxophone as the rhythm section layers the track in frothy ruffles and splashing effects.   The exuberance in the music shimmers with a multi-dimensional q...

Album:   Clique Artist:   Patricia Barber   Label:   Impex Records   Website:   https://www.patriciabarber.com   Pianist-vocalist-composer Patricia Barber emerges with her latest CD Clique , a bluesy smooth jazz endeavor groomed in smokey, cabaret-esque atmospherics.   Barber creates an intimacy with her audience that projects a personalized listening experience.   Produced by Barber and Jim Anderson, the release has a mix of jazz standards and a single original number written by Barber.   She travels from emoting brooding feelings to soaring on heavenly wings with lyrics describing sensations of sheer elation.   Like voyaging around the world, Barber journeys through a wide array of human emotions with the acumen of a seasoned traveler. The funky beats of Patrick Mulcahy's bass garb the track "The In Crowd," penned by Billy Page with jolts of electric streaks, putting a thrust in the lyrics as Barber shines light on the ego, ...