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It is so easy just to want to call it a Randy Crawford album when it is actually a Randy & Joe album. He showcases vocalists so beautifully. Over the years, Joe has collaborated with Nancy Wilson, Lizz Wright, Phyllis Hyman, Lalah Hathaway and Dianne Reeves. It was in 1979 when Randy and Joe joined forces on the classic gem, “Streetlife.” Now 27 years later, Randy Crawford and Joe Sample have struck gold again with their new release, Feeling Good.

There is no secret combination. The magic in their pairing is very evident from the first song until the last. Randy and Joe bring new life and emotion to classic standards and pop songs on this release. The rich, playful opening title track “Feeling Good”, a classic Nina Simone gem, sets the mood. Randy’s vocals are effortless yet there is so much conviction in her voice that it feels like a personal mantra. She even scats a little near the close of the song and Joe’s piano is impeccable. “The End of the Line” is very breezy and has a light bossa nova feel. They take their time on “But Beautiful.” Joe’s opening notes let you know the romance is about to begin. It is poetry between the vocalist and the pianist. He is always so generous with his vocalists, giving Randy space to be romantic, lush, and smoldering without crowding her with notes. He punctuates as she delivers each beautiful phrase. Randy sings at the end “and that would be but beautiful, I know. I know.” The additional “I know” takes the beauty of this ballad to an even higher place. Randy originally recorded “Rio De Janiero Blue” on her Secret Combination album in 1981. There is something special about hearing an artist’s approach to one of their classics. Randy takes us back to Rio in grand style and the experience is even more powerful. Randy is sassy and sultry on “Lovetown”, a Peter Gabriel song. At a point in the song, Randy weaves a second layer of vocals into the chorus singing a couple of verses of the Eurhythmics’ “Sweet Dreams." Listen carefully and you will also hear a tip of the hat to “Streetlife.” The arrangement is incredible. “See Line Woman,” another Nina Simone classic is no less naughty than the original but a little more playful in this rendition. Randy lets you know with conviction that the “See Line Woman" is still wrecking hearts and Joe, in addition to his fine piano playing, provides the "See Line" vocal chants. “Tell Me More and More and Then Some” was written by Billie Holiday. Randy and Joe’s rendition of this classic is bluesy, smoky, and powerful. I especially like how the guitar responds to Randy’s vocals. “Everybody’s Talking” was the theme song from the movie “Midnight Cowboy.” This version has a breezy, island feel. You can imagine tropical beaches and sunny skies. Randy sounds wonderful and the organ adds a nice touch to the song. Randy makes “When I Need You” a testimonial to love. She takes this pop hit and makes it her own and Joe is right there laying the foundation with his piano. It is bluesy, soulful with a little bit of Sunday morning. “Save Your Love for Me,” made popular by Nancy Wilson, is beautifully done. Randy is warm and simmering on this ballad. The passion in her voice will make you save all your love for her. Joe co-wrote “Last Night at Danceland” with Wilton Felder for Randy’s Now We May Begin album in 1980, which The Crusaders produced. Just listening, you can tell that Randy and Joe were having great time remaking this tune. As she soars vocally, you can hear Joe having a scatting conversation with the piano. I first heard Shirley Horn sing Curtis Lewis’ “All Night Long” and fell in love with this song. It looks like I will have second love affair with Randy’s reading of this magnificent ballad. Randy brings to it the seasoning that only years of living can bring. I was driving the first time I heard her sing it and I had to pull over to listen to it again. When she belts her final “Now I’ve got to find the man who’s haunting me… all night long” it is riveting. It reaches to the depths of your soul. Joe’s phrasing and tinkling of the ivories during his solo is moving. The closing song on this spectacular album is “Mr. Ugly,” a lovely ballad in spite of its title. This song was originally done by Carmen McRae.

Feeling Good has been a long time coming. Randy Crawford and Joe Sample have brought us an album that will be cherished for years to come. I just hope we will not have to wait another 27 years for them to record together again.

Enjoy your music!

I rarely get a chance to write when I am out on the road but I thought I would take a moment to check in since I have not posted here in a few weeks. I am at the 49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, California. This is the granddaddy of jazz festivals and so far it has been great. On Friday evening and Saturday, I got to hear great music from The Yellowjackets, Roy Hargrove & RH Factor, Babatunde Lea, Peter Apfelbaum, Hiromi, Robert Glasper, Kurt Elling, Robert Lowery & Virgil Thrasher, McCollough Sons of Thunder, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Hutcherson, and Dianne Reeves. Today, I am looking forward to seeing Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Hank Jones, and Aaron Goldberg. The Monterey Jazz Festival is like being at a banquet with more food than you could ever imagine eating. You know you can eat every dish or see every performer but it is great to get a small portion of as much as you can. Hmmmm...I must be getting if I am making food analogies.

One of my coolest moments during the festival was meeting Dianne Reeves after her wonderful set in the Main Arena last night. She is very gracious. The photo above is from that special moment. More photos and notes very soon.

Photo Highlights from the 49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival

In the meantime and as always, enjoy your music!

"I have been told by many about my influences: jazz, gospel, classical, rhythm and blues, etc... and have been encouraged to make recordings addressing these idioms individually. I have never been interested in making repertory driven or stereotypical recordings - it has been my choice to a take a different route." - Cyrus Chestnut

Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut is an innovator. His music is melting pot of all his musical influences, from his childhood playing in the Baptist church in his native Baltimore to playing for Betty Carter, Carla Cook, and Wynton Marsalis. I have been following his music since the mid 90's when I purchased his Revelation album on an afternoon of random music shopping. Over the years, he has grown and matured musically but there is always a constant theme in his music. You know when he sits down at his piano, he is going to take you on an adventure like never before and you know there will be at least one or two hymns or spirituals included on every album.

On his debut release for Warner Brothers Jazz, You Are My Sunshine, Cyrus raises the bar through the roof. He has taken songs that we have come to know, shaken them up, and given them new life and in between, he slips in his own bold compositions that make you stop and take notice.

He opens with the gospel hymn "God Has Smiled On Me." He starts into it in the traditional manner and then spices it up with a soulful groove. The groove gets a little funkier and swingin' on Cole Porter's "It's All Right With Me." "For The Saints" is aptly titled for this bluesy/gospel composition evokes visions of Sunday morning with church hats and big fans. He rolls his notes with extra care and makes you wanna wave your hand or pat your foot. I am sure Thomas A. Dorsey would have enjoyed Cyrus' reading of "Precious Lord" for he too was an innovator and loved the blues and jazz. For this take, Cyrus gives it a jazzy touch and it also features Michael Hawkins on bass and some nice brushwork on the drums from Neal Smith. The title track "You Are My Sunshine" is like no version you have ever experienced. He gives it a down home New Orleans swinging feel complete with a tambourine. His composition "Erroling" is a tribute to Erroll Garner. In his playing, I can hear a loosely woven rendition of "He Will Remember Me" and the organ of Jimmy Smith as Cyrus strides over the keys. Smallwood's "Total Praise" is solemn and reverent and features Cyrus on solo piano. He swings hard on his composition "Lighthearted Intelligence" and it features a great drum solo from Neal. "Sweet Hour of Prayer" gets interpreted as a mid-tempo jazz ballad. "Hope Song" is purely jazz filled with hope and love and he swings hard again on "Flipper" which features a call and response between Cyrus on piano and Neal on the drums with Michael keeping time on the bass. After taking us to church often throughout this album, he closes service by giving his own special treatments to "What A Fellowship" and "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior."

I had the pleasure hearing Cyrus live in concert earlier this year with his current trio of Michael Hawkins on bass and Neal Smith on drums. A few minutes before the concert, Cyrus was out greeting people in the audience and I got a chance to compliment him on the Soul Food album and his work with Carla Cook. He is soft spoken and his mannerisms remind you of an old soul very in touch with the past and able to use that wisdom for today. His concert was sensational. His set included Oscar Pettiford's "Blues in the Closet", "God Has Smiled On Me", "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "Body and Soul", "Duke's Place", and "I Can't Help It." His piano let out a thunderous roar as he intertwined through a variety of tempos. He brings all of his musical gifts together and result is just amazing.

I dedicate this review with love to my jazz mentor, my Dad, who would have been 84 years young today. Enjoy your music.

Additional Recordings:

Blessed Quietness: A Collection of Hymns, Spirituals, and Carols (1996)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (2000)

Midnight is the right time for love and good music. On her third release for Concord Records, Midnight, jazz vocalist Diane Schuur sets the mood for romance. For this album, she works with hitmaker Barry Manilow and his longtime collaborator, Eddie Arkin. The result is a beautifully crafted album of 13 songs that showcase Diane at her best.

She open the evening swinging on the title track "Midnight" complete with a big band. "When October Goes" is one of my favorite Nancy Wilson songs and Diane has given me reason to love this song even more. Each of her duets are exquisite. She pairs with jazz vocalist Karrin Allyson on the playfully naughty "Stay Away From Bill", teams with R&B crooner Brian McKnight on the Latin flavored mid-tempo "I'll Be There" and closes out the evening with Barry Manilow on the intimate ballad "Anytime." Diane has the ability to convey so much emotion in her songs. She glides effortless with her three and half octave range through her reading of "Consider The Point From Both Ends", floats on the cool bossa nova tunes "What Is Love?" and "Our Love Will Always Be There", and reflects poignantly on the well-orchestrated "He Loved Me", a beautiful tale of a love that has ended. Definitely a heart wrenching as is the powerful "Good-bye My Love." Diane lets go of her troubles as she catches the "Southwind" to take her away from the blues. "No Heartache Tonight" is another swinging tune as she shakes off the blues and soars vocally like an eagle in flight. Diane accompanies herself on solo piano as she sings the lush ballad "Life Is Good", which gives us a self-portrait of her wonderful life. This gem will definitely be in her repertoire for years to come.

Diane is joined on this wondeful musical journey by a host of spectacular musicians including Alan Broadbent, Randy Kerber, Anthony Wilson, Paulinho Da Costa, Peter Erskine, Bill Liston, Warren Luening, Andy Martin, Chuck Berghofer, Eddie Arkin, and Dan Higgins, and Harvey Mason. Midnight is sure to be a part of many of your evenings.

Every year during the holiday season, I look for new music to add to my holiday music collection. We only get to enjoy this music for a short time and then it is time to put it away until the next year. This season I am enjoying the second release in the MAXJAZZ Holiday Series: Merry Magic by Eric Reed. Eric brings fresh new approaches to these holiday classics and swings hard on piano on such favorites as "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" which features Steve Nelson on vibes and "Winter Wonderland." He sings excellently on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and contributes his own swinging composition "Angels in the Snow" which includes Barak Mori walking the bass and Rodney Green keeping time on the drums. Eric is also joined by upcoming MAXJAZZ vocalist Erin Bode on wonderful renditions of "I Wonder As I Wander" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" Popular jazz and cabaret singer Paula West sings a playful rendition of "Santa Baby" and the reflective "After The Holidays." His early roots of playing gospel music in his father's storefont Baptist church are evident on "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming" and "The Christmas Blues" which features Eric on solo piano and "Oh Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis)" with him on organ. "The Christmas Song" has a bit of a breezy and tropical feel but is very solid. Merry Magic will definitely make your spirits bright this holiday season and for years to come. Enjoy your music.

Someone to live for
Beg, steal, and die for
Eat humble pie for
Fly to the sun and the moon and the sky for
Someone to dance with
Laugh with and cry for
And that someone is you...

Just the words from "I'm All Smiles" sets the mood for romance but add to that Dianne Reeves passionately singing and scatting this tune and it raises the romance to another level. This is my favorite track from her new Blue Note release, A Little Moonlight, which contains 10 songs drenched in love. Dianne brings warmth, beauty, and grace to each lush note of these classic gems. I first heard the opening track "Loads of Love" on an early Shirley Horn album. "I want my dinner, some smart conversation, and loads of lovely love." Now those are words to live by and Dianne delivers them quite well. Her fervent reading of "I Concentrate on You" has a bossa nova flavor. She is full of wise on "Reflections"as she poignantly reflects on her life and the lessons she has learned along the way. She calls on the "Skylark" to lead her heart to the love it has lost. Her beautiful phrasing tugs at your heart. She brings the tempo up and scats in her playful rendition of the title track, "What A Little Moonlight Can Do" and then simmers down with "Darn That Dream" which features Romero Lubambo on solo acoustic guitar caressing her every note. He also joins her on the sweet "Lullaby of Broadway." She lovingly smolders on the wistful "You Go to My Head" as trumpeter Nicholas Payton adds just the right touches to this romantic melody. She closes out with a promise to return on "We'll Be Together Again" and that is enough to keep us enchanted forever. Carefully crafting their notes and rhythms to accompany to her to perfection are Peter Martin on piano, Reuben Rogers on bass, and Gregory Hutchinson on drums.

Continuing to smile....

I have had the pleasure of seeing Dianne Reeves three times in concert but this night was extra special. The lights were low, the mood was just right, romance was in the air, and the couples were cozy as Dianne looked radiant and crooned majestically throughout the evening. She opened with the "12th of Never" and moved to her scatting tribute to Sarah Vaughan, "I Remember Sarah" which featured some great rhythms from her drummer, Gregory Hutchinson. She scatted note for note with pianist Peter Martin on this wonderful tune. Dianne used a Joan Armatrading song line to describe her new album, A Little Moonlight. "I'm not in love, but I am open to persuasion." She continued to woo us with a lush, warm, passionate rendition of "Skylark." The acoustics were perfect so every note was clear and crisp. She held you on the edge of your seat with every word. I heard the opening bass notes from Reuben Rogers on "I'm All Smiles" and I thought I would either melt or elevate from her playful, magnificent delivery of this song. Dianne shared childhood stories of her singing songs that did not know the meaning of at family gatherings and how the adults would just laugh in enjoyment. Accompanied by a down home, bluesy solo piano, she took us back to the early days with "I've Got Rock In My Bed" where she told us of having the "blues from roof to ground" and a naughty little twist on the end where she sang "I've got Rocks Johnson in my bed" which indicates she may have found a cure for those old blues. She reflected a bit more on childhood with the jazzy, breezy "I Remember Nine" and made us starry-eyed once again as she sang the first couple of verses of "You Go To My Head" acappella. It was definitely a highlight of the evening. "Blue Prelude" opened with Reuben's bass solo and Dianne gave a serious moan on the end of the song. She closed with "Show Me Your Heart" filled with chants and Latin rhythms. As she bid us goodnight, she reminded us to "tell our stories." I felt so good after the concert that I had to sit there for a few minutes, as the crowd cleared, just to soak it all in and reflect on this powerful musical experience. Thank you Dianne!

Tradition is defined as the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. Jazz is an ever evolving journey with new roads being explored every day. Jeremy Pelt is a gatekeeper of the straight-ahead jazz tradition while adding his own nuances which will merely broaden and widen the road. At 27, he plays like an old soul who draws his musical being from the ancestors. He grew up in Southern California listening to Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington and his musical influences include Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Wayne Shorter, and Terence Blanchard.

On his MAXJAZZ Horn Series debut album, Close To My Heart, Jeremy celebrates the emotional ballads. Each of the eleven selections is filled with the lush and rich sounds of his horns. He is quite capable on trumpet and flugelhorn. His notes are well crafted and their rounded tones are perfect. Several of his selections are accompanied by violins, cello, and viola which frame his wondrous horn so beautifully. On the opening Mingus ballad, "Weird Nightmare", the strings rush in like a gentle breeze as he flows in with his mellow trumpet. He swings brightly on "Excerent" (Pepper Adams) and "Take Me In Your Arms" (Suisse & Norman) which features some great drum work from Lewis Nash. Jeremy plays solo flugelhorn on the Ellington & David ballad "Don't You Know I Care." The piece is solemn, reflective and has a certain longing as it tugs at the heart. Pianist Eric Reed contributed the mid-tempo ballad "Piogga Di Perugia" which features Mulgrew Miller on a very nice opening piano solo and Jeremy brings in a certain brightness that gives the tune a reminiscent feel of the Coltrane classic "Giant Steps." His sensuous horn continues on the Jimmy Rowles ballad "502 Blues (Drinkin' & Drivin') which features Peter Washington on bass solo. His horn rings like a bell as he opens "All My Life" (Mitchell & Stept) which is punctuated with lush strings. The cornerstone of this album is the Wayne & Rasch ballad "It's A Beautiful Evening." After a string intro, Jeremy comes in mellifluously on the flugelhorn with Mulgrew framing his every note. You can imagine yourself on an evening stroll on the beach with the sun just about to set as you hear Mulgrew tip-toe on the piano and the strings wash upon the shore. It is magnificent. "This Is The Moment" (Hollaender & Robin) features Jeremy on trumpet and David O'Rourke on solo guitar. David also arranged and conducted all the string selections for the album. The album closes out with the beautiful ballads "Why Try To Change Me Now?" (Coleman & McCarthy) and "In Your Eyes" (Loesser). Jeremy also serves as co-producer and arranger on the album.

Jeremy can play anything well, from standards to straight-ahead classic jazz to the more contemporary and avant-garde. He has played with Jimmy Heath, Wayne Shorter, Soulive, Bobby Short, Lewis Nash, Bobby "Blue" Bland, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, Ravi Coltrane, Cassandra Wilson, and bands honoring Cannonball Adderley and Duke Ellington. He has toured the U.S., Europe, France, Spain, Japan, and Brazil with his trumpet. He topped the 2003 DownBeat Magazine Annual Critics Poll awards for Rising Star on Trumpet, and the Jazz Journalist Association selected him as one of the Best Emerging Stars in Jazz.

After the first listen, this album will touch your heart and with continued listening, it will be close to your heart. Years from now, we will look back on this album as just one of the many bright moments in the formidable career of this brilliant trumpeter.

The talent and skills of violinist/bandleader Regina Carter are limitless. She has been a dynamic force on the violin since her early days with the Detroit band Straight Ahead. Her solo projects have been impeccable, each taking her to a higher level of musicianship and artistry. Her current project, Paganini: After a Dream sores to unimaginable heights.

The vision for this project began in September 2001 when pianist Werner "Vana" Gierig played a rehearsal CD of her quintet for his longtime friend Andrea Liberovici, an Italian composer and theatre director. This inspired the idea of Regina playing a jazz concert with the Paganini violin. "The Cannon" (II Cannone) - nicknamed for its enormous natural sound, was built in 1743 by Guarneri del Gesu and belonged to the great baroque violinist and improviser, Nicolo Paganini. She would become the first non-classical violinist and the first African-American to play this illustrious instrument.

"But many people had to be convinced that playing jazz on "The Cannon" would not debase the instrument's artistic legacy or hurt its physical well-being..."

Through faith, determination, and perseverance, Regina, Vana and Andrea worked diligently to make the vision of playing "The Cannon" a reality. In December 2001, their vision came to life with a spectacular concert in Genoa, Italy for which Regina received several standing ovations. After the success of the concert and additional negotiations with the Italian officials, they came back to Genoa in November 2002 to record an album on this magnificent instrument.

Regina chose music from the French Impressionist period for this album. Many of the impressionists hung out with jazz musicians during that time which lends to the rich quality and beauty of the music presented in this recording. Each piece is filled with passion beyond compare. Included are Ravel's "Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte", Bonfa's "Black Orpheus", Faure's "Pavane", on which Regina melodically chants like rain falling on a desert, and "Apres Un Reve", Piazzolla's "Oblivion", and Debussy's "Reverie" which is based on an arrangement performed by Ella Fitzgerald. It is punctuated gracefully with the piano and cymbals. Pianist Werner "Vana" Gierig contributed "Healing in Foreign Lands" and there is an excerpt from "Alexandra" which Regina composed. This piece was originally commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The album closes with Morricone's "Cinema Paradiso" which opens like the beginning of a fairy tale and flows into playful bossa nova with a hint of Jobim toward the end.

Joining Regina on this musical pilgrimage of a lifetime are Werner "Vana" Gierig on piano, Chris Lightcap on bass, Alvester Garnett on drums, and Mayra Casales on percussion with special guest Borislav Strulev on cello and orchestra conducted by Ettore Stratta. They compliment each other well and the result is this fine recording that is a delightful addition to your music collection.

Below are my very first music reviews written in 2001. I recently found them and wanted to share them because these are both great albums.

Shirley Horn - You?re My Thrill

It has been written ?songs are happy when Shirley sings them? and that is certainly true on You?re My Thrill. Over eight years ago, jazz pianist/vocalist Shirley Horn and producer/composer Johnny Mandel joined forces on the award-winning album, Here?s To Life, which has become a jazz standard. This wonderful tradition has continued in their pairing on this recording. Included on this set are ?The Best Is Yet to Come?, ?The Very Thought of You?, ?I Got Lost In His Arms? and "You?d Better Love Me (While You May)". The highlights of this album are the lush title track, ?You?re My Thrill? and the romantic ?My Heart Stood Still? which rises and swells into a wonderful climax where time literally stands still. In the tradition of Here?s To Life, Shirley and her trio laid down the tracks in advance on all but one of the songs. Johnny created lush orchestrations, which harmonically fill, embellish, and caress each of the songs. Shirley?s vocals are economical yet effective on the ballads and she really swings on the mid-tempos numbers. You?re My Thrill shall truly be a thrill to your heart.

Dianne Reeves ? The Calling Celebrating Sarah Vaughan

On the heels of her Grammy Award Winning Album, In The Moment/Live In Concert, jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves presents, The Calling Celebrating Sarah Vaughan, a musically moving tribute to her mentor, ?The Divine One?, Sarah Vaughan. Backed by a 42-piece orchestra, Dianne takes us on a musical journey than spans over the vast body of Sarah?s music. She has chosen songs that capture Sarah?s musical versatility and Dianne breathes her own unique African, Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms into every note. Included are beautiful renditions of Sarah standards, ?Send In The Clowns?, ?Embraceable You?, ?Fascinating Rhythm?, ?Speak Low? and a bluesy, playful ?I Hadn?t Anyone ?Til You? featuring Clark Terry on ad-lib vocals and trumpet solo. ?I Remember Sarah? pays tribute to Sassy?s bluesy scatting and ?A Chamada? (The Call) homage to the special voice inside of each of us. Pianist/Composer Billy Childs provided the orchestral arrangements and producer/arranger/musician George Duke presided over the production of these timeless treasures. Whether for a long drive or a quiet evening alone, you are sure to hear the calling inside your soul.

This could have easily been a Friday Flashback but it was just too good to wait for a Friday. A few months after Sarah Vaughan's death in 1990, Carmen McRae?s recorded Sarah?Dedicated to You. I had this album on cassette until I finally found it on CD last year. Bluebird First Editions recently reissued this classic album with four bonus tracks including "If You Could See Me Now", "Wave", "Embraceable You", and an alternate version of "Sarah." Carmen was lovingly and masterfully backed by the Shirley Horn Trio. Ironically, this wonderful tribute was Carmen's last album.

Bluebird's Release Notes for Sarah Dedicated to You