jazz2love

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:  The Joy of Playing Artist:  Benjamin Schnake Label:  BSG Website:  https://benjaminschnake.com A whirlwind of graceful instrumentation, The Joy of Playing from guitarist-composer-arranger Benjamin Schnake's ensemble amasses a collaborative collective that showcases the vitality of pianist Santiago Leibson, the expressive doodling of saxophonists Dave Pietro, Sunhyun Yoo, and Tim Struven, the soulful eloquence of trumpet player John Blevins, the billowy flutters of trombonists Eric Quinn and Jennifer Wharton, and the fluid traipsing of Ammon Swinbank's flute, all companioned by the pulsing beats of bassist Gui Duvignau and drummer Paul Shaw.  At the helm is Benjamin Schnake whose guitar augments the melodic passages, adding texture, movement and dimension to the tracks. The suave strumming of Schnake's guitar cruising along "Aju" boasts a cha-cha vibration encircling Liebson's keys bouncing joyfully then ebbing as Shaw's drums pounce and plume. The...

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...