Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Sara Jacovino was born on July 9, 1983 and earned both a Bahelors and Masters  degree in music from the University of North Texas. While there she studied composition with Neil Slater and Paris Rutherford and trombone with Steve Wiest and Tony Baker.

Since leaving Texas for New York City, she has entrenched herself in the jazz scene as a trombonist, composer, and arranger. who has drawn the recognition of many of her peers nationwide. She has received awards from the BMI Foundation, Downbeat Magazine, the Airmen of Note, The International Trombone Association and among others.

Sara leads her own quartet and is a member of The Birdland Big Band, The Diva Jazz Orchestra, David Berger and the Sultans of Swing, Band of Bones, The Manhattan Bridges Orchestra, and The Afro-Bop Alliance. She is an active musician in the Broadway scene performing in numerous musical productions and currently holds the tenor/bass trombone chair in “Tina, The Tina Turner Musical” at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

A sought after session musician as both a lead/section trombonist and soloist. Her writing and playing is often featured by the Birdland Big Band, The Diva Jazz Orchestra, and can be heard on numerous albums by the University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band including: “Lab 2008,” “Lab 2007,” “Lab 2006” and “Live at Blues Alley, and by the award winning UTubes Jazz ensemble.

She enjoys working as a guest artist and clinician for University and High school jazz programs. Sara will be a guest performer and clinician at both the International Trombone Festival in 2021 and IWBC Festival in 2022.

Trombonist Sara Jacovino continues to perform, compose, arrange and continues to accept commissioned works.

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Requisites

Pianism ~ The Michel Petrucciani Trio | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s record from the library is an overlooked gem by French pianist Michel Petrucciani. Pianism (Blue Note BT-85124) is his twelfth release as a leader, and it marks his debut with the prestigious label. Recorded just days before his twenty-third birthday, the album captures the trio’s energy they exhibited during a six-week, thirty-two concert tour from Munich to Martinique. Michel Petrucciani, on the Steinway grand piano, is joined by bandmates Palle Danielsson on bass and Eliot Zigmund on drums. Petrucciani composed four of the album’s tunes, and my copy is the 1986 U.S. Stereo release.

Side One of Pianism opens with The Prayer, a poignant tune that chronicles Michel’s and his sweetheart Eugenia’s transition from a lively house with friends to a single home owned by Eliot Zigmund that they lovingly maintained. The track commences with a mesmerizing solo introduction that seamlessly evolves into the trio’s comforting theme. Michel crafts a tapestry of hauntingly sensitive and lyrical notes. Palle follows with a delicately tender interpretation before they reunite to conclude the song softly. Our Tune, a composition that holds a special place in Michel’s heart, picks up the tempo for the threesome’s upbeat melody. He reveals his love and affection for Eugenia in the first solo. Palle takes over for an assertive interpretation. Eliot shares the finale with the pianist until the agile reprise dissolves.

Face’s Face is dedicated to the couple’s pure-blooded Afghan hound. The pianist’s introduction is playful, leading to the trio’s aggressive theme. Michel sets the tone with a brisk performance. Palle fuels the second reading with a dazzling display; then, Michel and Eliot exchange riffs preceding the theme’s restatement and close. The first of two standards, Night and Day by Cole Porter, gets Side Two underway with a breathtaking introduction by Michel that grows into the ensemble’s lively melody. Michel takes off like a rocket shooting skyward on the opening statement. Palle keeps things moving in the second presentation. Eliot gives his drums a vigorous workout before the spotlight returns to Michel for the climax.

Here’s That Rainy Day by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke opens with a gorgeous introduction by Michel. Palle and Eliot join him for a relaxed, easy-going theme. Michel starts the proceedings with a beautifully tender interpretation. Palle comes in next for a very pretty performance while Eliot cushions the gentle groove for Michel’s return to take the song out softly. The album’s final track is a catchy tune titled Regina. It’s named for the Brazilian singer, Elis Regina and the trio’s introduction sets the scene for an infectious, danceable melody. Michel opens the solos with a sincerely beautiful performance. Palle feeds off his energy with a compelling reading that flows to the pianist’s return for a few last thoughts preceding the theme’s restatement and fade out.

Mike Berniker produced Pianism, and Mike Moran was the recording engineer of this digital release. The album’s sound quality is outstanding, with a stunning soundstage that really shines on a quality audio system with excellent fidelity. The record is also quiet until the music begins. Despite suffering from a genetic spinal disease that caused brittle bones and resulted in his inability to grow tall, Michel Petrucciani was one of the most accomplished pianists in jazz. He performed live over one hundred times twice in two years despite being in constant pain, a testament to his passion and dedication to his craft. In addition to recording twenty-five albums as a leader, Petrucciani also recorded with Steve Grossman, Charles Lloyd, Joe Lovano, and The Manhattan Project.

He was interviewed regularly and appeared on television quite a few times. Michel died from a pulmonary infection on January 6, 1999, shortly after his thirty-sixth birthday. But his music continues to inspire and captivate jazz fans and is an absolute joy to listen to. If you’re in the mood for a musical journey, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring Pianism by The Michel Petrucciani Trio on your next record shopping trip. It’s not just a terrific addition to your jazz library but also a perfect gateway to his discography that can be enjoyed endlessly!

~ Here’s That Rainy Day, Night and Day – Source: JazzStandards.com

© 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter

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The Griffith Park Collection ~ Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Lenny White | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s record from the library unveils a unique jazz collaboration. The Griffith Park Collection (Elektra Musician E1-60025) is the second of two studio albums recorded over four days with an all-star ensemble: Freddie Hubbard on flugelhorn (tracks: A3, B3) and trumpet (A1, A2, B1), Joe Henderson on tenor sax (A1 to A3, B1, B3), Chick Corea on piano, Stanley Clarke on upright bass, and Lenny White on drums. Their first record was Echoes of An Era, an album of jazz standards with Chaka Khan. This was a rare reunion for Corea, Clarke, and White, who had not played together since they were members of Return to Forever. My copy is the 1982 U.S. Stereo release.

The opener is L’s Bop by Lenny White. The quintet’s lively theme takes off at a brisk pace, leading to Joe’s swinging opening solo. Freddie maintains the vigorous intensity in the second reading; then Chick skillfully navigates the third statement into a short exchange with Lenny until the theme’s reprise and fade out. The pace slows down slightly for Why Wait by Stanley Clarke, a medium-tempo blues that opens with the ensemble’s theme. Joe gets this grooving affair going in the first solo. Freddie answers him with an exceptional performance; then Chick provides the exclamation point preceding the group’s return for the closing chorus and exit.

October Ballade by Chick Corea begins with the pianist’s soothing introduction ahead of Freddie’s tender melody. Joe has the first solo and builds each chorus gently with deep emotion until Chick takes over for a brief, lovely interpretation. The quintet wraps up things with a poignantly touching reprise and finale. Side Two gets underway with Happy Times by Freddie Hubbard, a cheerful tune that the group takes to heart in the theme. Joe greets the opening statement joyfully, and then Freddie comes in for a bright and bubbly solo. Chick adds to the festive atmosphere in the second interpretation. Lenny delivers a finale that is quite enjoyable before the close.

Remember, by Steve Swallow is a beautiful waltz that opens with the trio’s thoughtfully polite introduction and theme. Chick carefully cultivates the lead solo with delicate notes. Stanley’s reply is an affectionately warm interpretation as Lenny’s drums softly compliment him until the ensemble’s theme restatement. Guernica by Lenny White is a musical portrait of Pablo Picasso’s Spanish Civil War painting. It is a haunting song and the album’s most adventurous tune with a melancholy theme. Joe begins the opening solo with an airy, nostalgic tone. Freddie emerges next with a breathtaking reading; then Chick delivers an enthusiastic statement preceding the group’s return for the climax.

Lenny White produced The Griffith Park Collection and Bernie Kirsh was the recording engineer. The album’s sound quality is good, with a softer soundstage in the highs, midrange, and bass. At just under forty minutes, it is a hidden gem that flows with a beat and does not disappoint. If you are in the mood for an excellent album with remarkable chemistry and exceptional performances. In that case, I invite you to check out The Griffith Park Collection by Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, and Lenny White on your next record shopping trip. It is a wonderful album that I highly recommend for your library, and I am sure it will reward your purchase for years to come!

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Yuko Okamoto was born in Miyagi, Japan on May 21, 1984 and started playing piano at age 5 but changed to Electone, a synth organ, at age 7. When she was in junior high school she won the Miyagi Prefecture first prize of the Yamaha Junior Electone Festival. She was chosen as a semifinalist of the Interntational Yamaha Electone Competition at Akasaka Britz in 2002 and Shibuya AX in 2004. In 2003 she won first prize of ‘Yamaha Electone Competition Expert Division and she earned a high evaluation on her performance and charm.

At age 18, she started studying jazz piano and composition under Kiminori Atsuta and Masa Matsuda. She also played in various jazz clubs, restaurants and bars with great bands and popular artists. In 2006 she entered Berklee College Of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied composition, arranging, and performance under George Russell Jr, Walter Besely, John Arcaro, and Bill Eliott among others.

In 2008 she played her original music at Carnegie Hall in NewYork City and performed at Boston City Hall with different bands. She co-stared with One Voice Children’s Choir lead by Masa Fukuda. She has composed for film music and short image video music,

Pianist Yoko Okamoto Now she moved to New York City and is fully engaged as a composer, arranger, and performer.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Leah Souza was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts on May 8, 1982 and began singing at a very early age. She started performing at functions and outdoor concerts when she was thirteen. At 16, she was the lead vocalist of a seven piece band that was selected in a national talent search to perform in California. In high school she was the jazz band’s featured vocalist and played the tenor saxophone in multiple bands. She got her big break nationally singing on a song with her flugelhornist father, appropriately titled A Song for My Father.

Leah studied with jazz singer and vocal coach Rebecca Parris while in high school. For several years she regularly attended a Jazz All-Stars show at “Ricky T’s Jazz Club” on the South Shore. There she listened to the top jazz musicians in New England on a weekly basis and eventually began sitting in with the different All-Star bands. Studying these musicians helped her develop as a musician herself, as well as, the opportunity to meet and perform with many wonderful and often legendary performers.

She crafts her duo, trio, quartet or quintet to the venue she is playing with performances that may be lively and exciting, or romantic and full of standard ballads. Souza has performed at the cream-of-the- crop venues in Boston, Massachusetts and throughout New England.

Vocalist Leah Souza continues to pursue her burgeoning career as she expands her reach.

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