Bill May "Bill Mays Sings"

In the brief notes to this collection, Bill Mays explains that over decades of working with many of our prominent singers, he himself has occasionally taken to vocalizing. Anyone who knows anything about jazz pianists is aware that Bill Mays is one of the most versatile and constantly brilliant pianists over a long period of time. Here he accompanies himself on a gathering of songs he has sung at various concerts. From Dave Frishberg's clever “Do You Miss New York” to Irving Berlin's “I Love A Piano”, Mays has a ball with both original lyrics and some additional ones that he contributed. Other tunes include a reimagining of “Have You Met Miss Jones” which becomes “Have You Heard Hank Jones”, “I'm Always Drunk In San Francisco” (check out the last line), the very funny “April In Fairbanks”, plus much loved standards like “Get Out Of Town”, “'Tis Autumn”, and “Let's Call The Whole Thing Off” among others. It was finally time for Bill Mays to do this album and he has done it with charm, humor, and Mays-like creativity. 

No Blooze Music Productions; 2024; times not indicated

Ben Paterson; Cookin' In The Cove

On his last couple of recordings Ben Paterson took a hiatus from the piano and turned his attention to the organ. As excellent as those efforts were, I'm glad to inform you that he has returned to the splendid Yamaha or the historic Steinway or whatever piano that makes him so great! With his fully communicative colleagues, Neal Miner on bass and Aaron Seeber on drums, Paterson is superbly on target on a menu of mostly original, sprightly swinging tunes. The rest of the good news is that the trio also shines on much admired fare such as “'Tis Autumn”, “This Here”, and a blues called “Chitlins Con Carne”. Paterson has a beautiful, resonant touch, and every selection portrays him as a distinguished artist. This is a piano jazz trio at its finest. No gimmickry, no excess, just pure piano pleasure. Ben Paterson is the real deal and you'd do yourself a favor by adding this one to your collection.

Cellar Music; 2024; appx. 50 min.

https://benpaterson.bandcamp.com/album/cookin-in-the-couve

ANSWERS TO “HAVE SOME FUN WITH GEORGE'S QUIZZES

1. How About You
2. How Are Things In Glocca Morra
3. How Do You Keep The Music Playing
4. How Much Is That Doggie In The Window
5. How About Me
6. How Are You Fixed For Love
7. How Little We Know
8. How Insensitive
9. How Deep Is The Ocean
10. How High The Moon
11. How Long Has This Been Going On

HAVE SOME FUN WITH GEORGE'S QUIZZES!

  How about some songs which all start with the word “how”. Given a sampling of the lyrics, can you identify the titles?

1. a Gershwin tune
2. Kilgary and Kildare
3. do you make it last
4. a parrot that talks
5. it's over, all over
6. like a glove
7. the world around us shatters
8. icy silence
9. I'll tell you no lie
10. if you'd come to me soon
11. I can't define

GEORGE'S BRIEFS:

Paula Maya; Rio De Janeiro

Paula Maya is the real deal, as she comfortably and impressively sings a menu of seven Brazilian songs, mostly new to my ears. Some vocal dubbing actually works quite well here, and it should be added that the singer's accompaniment is on target and highly spirited. It isn't exactly jazz and it's best described as world music, but it's really well performed and that's what counts.

Yellow House Records; 2024; appx. 28 min.

Livio Almeida; Brasilia Sessions

Livio Almeida, probably not related to the late acoustic guitar great Laurindo Almeida, shines on an all original session with a Brazilian emphasis, but with a lot of Jazz Yankee style as well. Everything is very creative and rhythmic and, I must say, even the electric piano sounded good in this context. Zoho Music has specialized in Latin sounds for years, and Almeida and friends serve them well.

Zoho; 2024; appx. 54 min.

Philip Webendoerfer; Tides

This formidable guitarist leads a quartet of saxophone, bass, and drums through a set of eleven original compositions and does so with a very warm and comfortable tone. The writing is accessible and creative, and the group displays an admirable cohesiveness. This is, however, not background music. It is artful material to be absorbed and appreciated.

Shifting Paradigm Records; 2024; appx. 59 min.

Omer Leshem; Play Space

Here is an east coast quintet that plays nine compositions by its leader, tenor sax man Omer Leshem. The emphasis is clearly on aggressive, challenging, and ripping tempos. Impressive solo work abounds here, featuring especially strong work from pianist Moshe Elmakias. Buckle up. This is not music for the feint of heart.

Ubuntu Music; 2024; appx. 54 min

Gunhild Carling Big Band With Strings; Jazz Is My Lifestyle!

Now and then the state of our world calls for some feel good, foot tapping music. And this is it! A trad big band with invigorating soloists, refreshing arrangements, and energetic vocals. It's a big barrel of fun and a day brightener for sure.

Label, year, and times not indicated; probably 2024

Tom Harrell; Alternate Summer

Trumpet maestro Tom Harrell continues to amaze us with ten captivating and often demanding original compositions. His playing mates are mostly present on some tracks while laying out on others. Harrell's brilliant tone remains on full display here and his supporting cast are equally ready for the gig.

High Note; 2024; appx. 60 min.

Matt Panayides; With Eyes Closed

Now here's a terrific guitarist who concentrates primarily on memorable “hits” from such major figures as Joe Henderson, Cedar Walton, Frank Foster, Woody Shaw, and Chick Corea. Into this impressive mix toss in a few standards like “I Fall In Love Too Easily”, “Darn That Dream”, and even “Moon River”. Panayides is true to the tradition featuring exquisite tone and a consistent flow of musicianship.

Pacific Coast Jazz; 2024; 57:02

Thom Rotella; Side Hustle

These “groove discs” must have a loyal following, and here is a good example of the guitar and organ thing. The leader and guitarist is Thom Rotella. Many of the proceedings are assigned to various funky blues items. Two high spirited guests enliven this session, Eric Alexander on tenor sax and Jeremy Pelt on trunpet. Too bad they're only on board for two tracks each. Organ fans, this is your main course!

High Note; 2024; appx, 61 min.

Jack Wood & Nichaud Fitzgibbon; Movie Magic

Do you remember when movies gave us beautiful melodies and grown up, literate lyrics? Well, here are a couple of singers who present an entire album (can we still call them “albums”?!) of memorable hits from the big screen. Jack Wood is a super good singer in the Jack Jones school, and Nichaud Fitzgibbon adds a brightness of her own. The two sing together on some titles and are featured individually on others. A few highlights include “Make Someone Happy”, “When I Look In Your Eyes”, “The Shadow Of Your Smile”, “That Old Feeling”, “The Shining Sea”, and lots more. Much to like here, and for young people, much to learn.

Jazz Hang Records; 2024; appx. 70 min.

Anne Burnell & Mark Burnell; This Could Be The Start Of Something Big

For twenty-eight years I had the privilege and pleasure of hosting a jazz radio program called High Standards. That title reflected my passion for the Great American Songbook.  Well, judging from this CD, it appears that Anne and Mark Burnell share that feeling. Just take a gander at some of the choices of this skilled singing team. In addition to the title tune we are treated to “I Could Have Danced All Night”, the rarely heard Camelot tune “The Lusty Month of May”, “Isn't This A Lovely Day”, and others. For me, the two nicest compositions were Clifford Brown's classic “Joy Spring”, and a little known gem from Dave Frishberg, “Let's Eat Home”. Clearly, the Burnells are having a very good time! I kinda think you will be too.

Spectrum Music & Video; 2024; appx. 53 min.