Album review: Lizzie Thomas - Duo Encounters

Lizzie Thomas (vocals) with, individually, Helio Alves, John Do Martino, Rossano Sportiello (piano); Ron Carter, Dezron Douglas, Noriko Uedo (bass); Café da Silva (percussion); Russell Malone, Ron Affif, Guilherme Monteiro (guitar); Wayne Escoffery (tenor sax); Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf (cello)

Duo albums can often become tedious with the format frequently lacking in variety because of the limitations that come with the set up.

Thomas overcomes these obstacles by laying down twelve duo tracks with twelve different instrumentalists on six different instruments.

And not just any twelve musicians but, as the details listed above reveal, the cream of NYC and beyond.

Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (repeat Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm)

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen/

Playlist 26/03/23. (Repeated Tuesday 28/03/23)

Spring: Fats Waller, Ella Fitzgerald, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Glenn Zaleski and Lauren Henderson, Stan Getz Quintet, Ramsey Lewis,

New Releases: Helena Kay, Wayne Alpern.

 EFG London Jazz Festival: Abdullah Ibrahim.

Scott Dunn, Claire Martin & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates ...

Back in February  I reviewed this beautiful album and this YouTube clip gives an insight into what must surely be, come NYE, among the front runners for the vocal album of the year. If it isn't then there's something rotten in the state of Denmark St.

Lance 

More... 

Album Review: Sharon Sable & Joe Holt - Once Upon a Summertime: The Music Of Blossom Dearie

Sharon Sable (voice); Joe Holt (piano) + Amy Shook (acoustic bass tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11)

I remember listening to Blossom Dearie before I knew about jazz, and being fascinated by her naïve and lovely sound. Readers of BSH don't need me to outline her work of six decades, performing in jazz clubs, cabaret, in Paris, London, NYC, and covering the GASbook and her own material.

These two performers developed this project during the lull of lockdown, twelve tracks including two written by Ms Dearie, Inside a Silent Tear  and I Like You, You're Nice. 

Roberto Cassani and Fraser A Campbell - Goodness Of The Human Heart

An interesting preview of a debut album by two musicians - one born in Perth and one who moved there from Italy, possibly having heard how fair the maids are up there north of the border which, for the geographically illiterate, means Scotland. They came together during the Covid thing when Roberto Cassani decided that the Williamsburg Bridge was a bit of hike to jet off to with his bass, what with the respect that baggage handlers don't always show to musical instruments and the lack of a decent haggis, so he opted for a park bench in Perth instead.

Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - March 23

Pianist Merlin Roxby is making a habit of this, getting a gig that is, down on Pink Lane. This evening, playing for himself and anyone who cared to listen, Merlin sat at Prohibition Bar's upright to knock out a few ragtime numbers. Some were there to listen, although the upstairs counter attraction of a medium spinning yarns perhaps won out in terms of numbers in attendance. No matter, Merlin's ever-growing repertoire is well worth hearing.

Julia Hülsmann and Sunna Gunnlaugs @ Sage Gateshead -March 23

(© Ken Drew)

Julia Hülsmann, Sunna Gunnlaugs (pianos)

The young(ish) blonde lady sitting nearby wondered if this two piano session would be like the Fabulous Baker Boys? I replied with a yes and a no and a maybe.

They weren't boys but, were they fabulous? No. However, they were pretty damn good which is as close to an accolade as this reviewer has ever bestowed upon anyone apart from Daryl Sherman who once kissed me (on the cheek!).

Album review: Shirley Scott - Queen Talk: Live at the Left Bank

Shirley Scott (Hammond B3); George Coleman (tenor sax); Bobby Durham (drums) + Ernie Andrews (vocals on 3 tks).

Another belter from Baltimore's Famous Ballroom! It's 1972, organ trios were still very much in vogue and they don't come any better than this glorious triumvirate. 

"Scotty", as she was known by her fellow musicians, could out-swing most of her male contemporaries on both keyboard and pedals and is in top form here providing the foundation for some wild, funky tenor playing from Coleman on the 12 minutes long blast on Coltrane's Impressions the whole caboodle driven aggressively along by Bobby Durham.

Info wanted on The Tonics

Stephen Carmichael, son of the late Tyneside sax, flute and clarinet player Charlie Carmichael, sent me some photos of Charlie playing with a local band called The Tonics. Can anyone recall the band and the names of the other members? Lance

Photo link (more to follow).

Album review: Walter Bishop Jr. - Bish at the Bank. Live in Baltimore

Walter Bishop Jr. (piano); Harold Vick (tenor/sop sax, flute); Lou McIntosh (bass); Dick Berk (drums)

A truly eye-opening double album. I'd only heard Bishop on early bop recordings with Bird, Getz and Mobley where his role was primarily that of accompanist with only the odd 32 bar solo here and there. Just enough to let you know he was up for the gig and, let's face it, if he wasn't able to cut it he wouldn't have been moving in such exalted company although they did have other things in common...