My Shining Hour
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com October 1, 2024
O's Notes: Baritone saxophonist Paul Kendall leads a quartet with George Grund (p), Roy Cumming (b), and drummer Rudy Petschauer. They play fourteen standards written between 1940 and 1960, Paul’s favorites for My Shining Hour. Their arrangements take us back in time. “Invitation”, “Desifinado”, and “You Stepped Out Of A Dream” are highlights.
Movin’
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com October 1, 2024
O's Notes: Trumpeter, composer John Lamkin II leads a quintet playing swinging, straight ahead jazz. He’s been on the jazz scene for decades as a performer, teacher, and keeper of tradition. Yet Movin’ is just his third recording as a leader. Bob Butta (p), Mike Graham (b), Michael Hairston (sax), and Jessie Moody III (d) join Lamkin in a unit with ten years of work together. It shows on their seamless interactions on “The Avenue”, “Homage”, and the spiritually moving “Ode To George Floyd”. Drummer John Lamkin III makes a guest appearance on three selections, notably “Baker’s Closet”.
Sous le Vent
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com October 1, 2024
O's Notes: Pianist, composer Hector Martignon presents his Foreign Affair Trio with Eduardo Dudú Penz (b) and Rafael Nick (d). The play nine lively songs including 5 Martignon originals like “One Step Behind”. Other highlights are “In A NY Minute” featuring guest trombonist Luis Bonilla, “Johnny Come Lately” with guest vibraphonist Jean-Lou Treboux, and “Amazonas”. Treboux plays in tandem with Martignon on “Pasilleando”, our favorite!
Feelin’ Groovy
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com October 1, 2024
O's Notes: Nicki Parrott is back with her gentle, inviting vocal tones placed front and center while she anchors the rhythm section on bass, with Steve Russell (p), Dave Sanders (d), and special guests Jim Kelly (g) & Nanny Assis (perc). Feeling Groovy, starts with the title track, also known as “The 59th Street Bridge Song”. That sets the retro mood for the set, a soulful collection that includes “He Called Me Baby”, “Mas Que Nada” (in Portuguese), and “Pure Imagination”. The horn accents from Shane Hannan (tb), Todd Hardy (t, flugelhorn), and Martha Baartz (sax, fl) are crisp. Parrott shows her instrumental prowess on “These Boots Were Made For Walkin’”.
Long As You’re Living
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com October 1, 2024
O's Notes: Veteran vocalist Lisa Rich has had a roller coaster career, one that was interrupted with vocal atrophy but not ended, as she worked diligently to regain her singing voice. Long As You’re Living is a testament to her success and an inspiration for us all, to stay the course, despite countless obstacles we may encounter in our lives. Lisa performs mostly in a trio with pianist Marc Copland and bassist Drew Gress. Trumpeter Dave Ballou plays on half of the dozen selections notably “Isotope” and “Haperchance/Drifting Dreaming”. We also enjoyed “Throw It Away”, “A Timeless Place”, and “Jitterbug Waltz” featuring fine solos by Copland and Gress. The diamond is Lisa’s wonderful voice, up front and center!