j-notes.com Artist Interview – Carla Cook
Jazz vocalist Carla Cook is sensational. Her music touches your heart in a special way. I met her at the Monterey Jazz Festival and she is so cool and super nice. If you do not have her latest MAXJAZZ release, Simply Natural, run out get it along with Dem Bones and It’s All About Love. [...]
A couple of evenings with a familiar friend…
The Shirley Horn Quartet Shirley Horn – vocals George Mesterhazy – piano Ed Howard – bass Steve Williams – drums It was few minutes before Shirley came onstage. The crowd was a bit more seasoned than usual. These were the true jazz lovers filled with many stories of years of great music. I often find [...]
Greatness…
Sometimes you see something so special, that all you can think of is the greatness of the moment. The birth of a child, falling in love, a perfect sunset, and of course, good music. I found this rare photo a while back and had been saving it for a special occasion and then I thought, [...]
From the archives…
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, [...]
Friday Flashback – Cannonball Adderley – Somethin’ Else
The Players Julian Edwin “Cannonball” Adderley – Alto Saxophone Miles Davis – Trumpet Hank Jones – Piano Sam Jones – Bass Art Blakey – Drums The Tracks 1. “Autumn Leaves” 2. “Love For Sale” 3. “Somethin’ Else” 4. “One For Daddy-O” 5. “Dancing In The Dark” 6. “Bangoon”* *Not on the original album. The Facts [...]
Carmen McRae – Sarah – Dedicated to You
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 [...]
The Best Blue Note Album in the World…Ever!
The Best Blue Note Album in the World…Ever! I found this superior compilation earlier this year while looking for the music of Stanley Turrentine on half.com. Now the title may sound a little lofty but there is definitely some fine music here from several of the great jazz legends and their contemporaries. If I were [...]
Jonathan Butler – The Ultimate Butler
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Jonathan Butler has been bringing us his mellow guitar and smooth voice for over 25 years. N-Coded-Music has put together a compilation of his music entitled The Ultimate Butler. It features previously released songs during his tenure on N-Coded plus two brand new songs. Vocalist Maysa joins Jonathan on the souful remake of the [...]
A Musical Journey with René Marie…
I had the pleasure of hearing singer/songwriter René Marie at the Monterey Jazz Festival last summer. She gave an outstanding performance so I knew we would be in for a treat this evening as she performed songs from her new MAXJAZZ album Live At Jazz Standard. René as wonderful stage presence and is very in [...]
Flashback Friday – Cassandra Wilson “Blue Skies”
I figured since I have been featuring some heavyweight jazz this week, I would stay in the same lane for our flashback. The year was 1989. I had moved out of my parent’s house and into my first apartment. It was Labor Day weekend and I had gone to the annual Chicago Jazz Festival and [...]
Patti Austin – “BeboperElla”
I admit that I am a Patti Austin groupie. My friends know this about me and will let me know, if I do not know already, when she is coming to town or has new music coming out. About 15 years ago, I met Patti for the first time. It was at the grand opening [...]
Jazz Legend Nina Simone Dies…
Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina. She was one of eight children and she began playing piano at age 3. By age 6, she was regular pianist at a local Methodist church. I have always felt I have not matured enough to fully appreciate the majesty of her [...]
Flashback Friday – Sarah Vaughan – “Live At Mister Kelly’s”
“Sometimes I’m happy | Sometimes I’m blue | My disposition depends on you | I never mind the rain from the skies |As long as I have the sun in your eyes | Sometimes I love you | Sometimes I hate you |When I hate you | It’s because I love you | That’s how [...]