Hearing Into The Future
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2024
O's Notes: Composer Jessica Jones plays tenor sax, piano. Her husband Tony Jones also writes and plays tenor sax. They represent half of the Jessica Jones Quartet and together they play a series of duets, sax/piano and sax/sax. We enjoyed the entangled saxy “Bird’s Word”, and the romantic “I Thought About You” & “Oliver’s Leftovers”. While there is some creative improvisation as on “Loose Talk, Part 2”, the duo plays more modern jazz than the quartet on Hearing Into the Future.
Tempo Bom
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2024
O's Notes: Brazilian pianist Marta Karassawa leads a quintet with Teco Cardoso (fl, t-sax), Sidmar Vieta (t, flugelhorn), Frank Herzberg (b), and Eduardo Nazário (d). There are several guest artists as well, like baritone saxophonist Chico Macedo on “When I’m 58”. We liked the opener “Cama de Gato”, and “Mantra” with vocalizations by Cindy Borgani and Stephanie Borgani. We also enjoyed “Good Vibes” with excellent horn harmonies, the Latin vibe on “Vento Sul”, and “Simple As That” featuring Herzberg.
No Dahiss
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2024
O's Notes: Julien Stella (cl) and Bastien Weeger (sax, cl) present their latest collaboration No Dåhïss with Paul Weeger (trompette). We are continuously, excited and impressed by this duo who manages to impart percussion rhythms and gentle melodies across their entire repertoire. It’s musical and pleasurable for enriching listening.
To Chegando (Almost There)
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2024
O's Notes: Los Angeles based choro violinist Ted Falcon is at the center of this Latin jazz project including both American and Brazilian musicians on Tô Chegando. Ted spent 8 years in Brazil and the music stuck with him. There is a strong group of accompanying musicians over the fourteen selections. Douglas Lora (g) is featured on “Eaton Canyon”, and Wesley Amorim stars on “Dance of The Fadolin”. “Sadie’s Waltz” and the title track are other highlights in this drummer-less set.
Voices
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2024
O's Notes: Trumpeter Danny Jonokuchi leads a big band featuring eleven different vocalists out front. They soften the attack of the powerful large ensemble and add lots of variety to the mix. Sirintip sounds wonderful on “So Many Stars”, as does Tahira Clayton “All Of Me”, and Brianna Thomas on “Summertime”, while Martina DaSilva soars on “All Or Nothing At All”. Charles Turner is the lone male vocalist singing “Blame It On My Youth”. Brass reigns supreme with strong harmonies, precision, and excellent tone.
Without You
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2024
O's Notes: Australian singer, pianist, composer, and arranger Sarah McKenzie made a trip to Rio de Janeiro to perform at the opening of the Blue Note in 2017. She fell in love with the sights, the views, the warm vibe, and the local musicians. Without You is dedicated to the Brazilians who embraced her! Romero Lubambo (g), Peter Erskine (d), Rogerio Boccato (perc), and Bob Sheppard (fl, sax) are among the talented musicians appearing here. The music is rich and relaxing throughout, as on “Corcovado”, “Dindi”, “The Girl From Ipanema”, “Wave”, and “Quoi, Quoi, Quoi”. Gentle Brazilian rhythms and Sarah’s soft vocals make this easily embraceable. Most of the lyrics are in English but McKenzie weaves in some Brazilian Portuguese as well.