jazz2love

  New Release:  Vagabond from Royce Campbell and the Vosbein Magee Big Band Label: Max Frank Music Release Date: April 21, 2025 Label Website: maxfrankmusic.com/catalog/vagabond Guitarist Royce Campbell is joined by the Vosbein Magee Big Band, directed by Terry Vosbein on Vagabond .  The music is iconic big band jazz with all tracks composed by Royce Campbell, except for “Body and Soul,” which was composed by Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, John Green, and Robert Sour.   The arrangements are done by Carroll DeCamp, who is Royce Campbell's uncle.  The scores have a traditional bopping rhythm, sprinkled in blazing horns that swing and surge, as Matthew Billings's piano keys join with jaunty interludes and Campbell's guitar slides across with billowy riffs.  Having performed with such legendary artists as Gene Bertoncini, Bucky Pizzarelli, Mel Torme, Sarah Vaughn, Dave Brubeck, Jimmy Cobb, Rosemary Clooney, Henry Mancini, and Ken Poplowski, Royce Campbell tap...

Album:  The Sound of Love Artist:  Tania Grubbs Quintet Label:  Travlin Music Website:  Taniagrubbs.com Facebook.com/taniagrubbsjazzvocalist Taniagrubbsquintet.bandcamp.com/album/the-sound-of-love YouTube: @taniagrubbsjazzvocalist7356 Threads: @taniagrubbs IG: @taniagrubbs Soulful and expressive, vocalist Tania Grubbs serves audiences an engaging delivery of classic pop favorites, jazz standards, and a handful of original work on her 2024 release The Sound of Love .  The entire album was recorded in one day, supported by her band mates that includes pianist David Budway, guitarist Ron Affif, drummer James Johnson III, and her husband Jeff Grubbs on bass. The program opens with “But Not For Me," as Grubbs's nuanced vocals indulge in a playful interplay with the bopping drums and keys.  The cheerful mischief and frolicking exchanges will remind audiences of stage performances at lounge rooms across the Las Vegas strip.  The organic interactions are remin...

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 Title: Deviate from Standards Artist: David Larsen Label: DLP Website:  https://larsenjazz.com Deviate from Standards , a compilation of original compositions by saxophonist David Larsen, emerged during the shutdowns imposed on global communities through the COVID-19 pandemic, as a means for him to keep playing music. The concept for the tracks evolved over time as Larsen worked on them, tweaking the arrangements and grooming the melodic layers. The final product swings with a kinetic propulsion that lifts listeners off the ground and through passages of fun-loving soundscapes. Ken Peplowski's clarinet is the driving force on "Augmented Reality," honing the track into a delightful romp. His playful interaction with Larsen's saxophone pervades a spontaneous jostling that is reminiscent of vintage jazz combo jamming. The rapid pulse of Nick Isherwood's bass secures a bedding of tiny quivers along "Smoke Screen," setting the jet-skiing pace of the tra...

Album:  Mood Walk Artist:  Fred Randolph Label:  Creative Spirit Records Website:  https://fredrandolph.com Moon Walk , the fourth CD from bassist-composer Fred Randolph as a leader applies Big Band swing panache with bebop flare.  Inspired by the likes of Clifford Brown, Chick Corea, and John Coltrane, Randolph's team of players perform what one expects from a jazz outing with tunes that shuffle and waltz,  engage in quick steps and stargazing, the recording touches numerous precepts of the jazz repertoire. The honeyed wisps of Sheldon Brown's flute infuse "Strange Game" with a cushiony texture as Brian Rice's percussive chimes shower glittering sprinkles across the track.  The ethereal feel of the composition acts like a balmy salve on the aural senses, evoking a stargazing ambience.  The CD changes course on the title track, blowing out with vibrant Big Band hued shrapnel as the wailing toots of the horns give the composition depth and add ...