Requisites

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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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

August Rosenbaum was born on April 30, 1987 in Copenhagen, Denmark into a family of artists. He has had an eclectic and passionate vision since he first started learning to play the piano. As the only one at elementary school recitals who would perform Thelonious Monk, Wu Tang Clan and Erik Satie, the piano prodigy shows  with equal conviction many sides of his talent.

Rosenbaum has won two Danish Music Awards for his composing, performed at the acclaimed Sónar Festival, and has been shortlisted for both the Nordic Music Prize and the National Danish Critics’ Award. He has wona Grammy for Best Alternative Album at the 2018 Danish Music Awards.

He is also known for collaborations with artists like Quadron, Rhye and MØ, Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and visual artist Jesper Just. He has been commissioned for works in film, theatre and performances at a.o. Palais De Tokyo, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Academy of Music and The Royal Danish Ballet.

Pianist, composer and record producer August Rosenbaum continues to explore and record music.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Roy Assaf was born on April 10, 1982 in Beersheba, Israel and studied at Tel Aviv Conservatory. Coming to America he continued his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and then migrated to New York City and while earning his  Master of Art at the Manhattan School of Music, he established his reputation as one of the most sought-after young pianists in the New York jazz scene.

After a meeting with legendary bassist and producer John Lee soon found Roy touring around the world and playing the most prestigious festivals, clubs, and concert halls with the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars, a band that included James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Paquito D’Rivera, Roy Hargrove, Lewis Nash, Randy Brecker, Antonio Hart, and other jazz masters.

Before long, Assaf was getting calls from some of the world’s most influential contemporary jazz bands that included the Slide Hampton Sextet, The Mingus Big Band, Steve Turre’s bands, Roberta Gambarini Quartet, David Sanborn Group, Claudio Roditi Quartet, and many others.

In 2012, he released his debut album, Respect, on Jazz Legacy Productions accompanied by bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Greg Hutchinson. The following year he formed a trio with Raviv Markovitz on bass and Jake Goldbas on drums and together they began to establish the unique voice of the Roy Assaf Trio.

Pianist and composer Roy Asssaf, who has released two albums and has won several awards including one from ASCAP, a Eubie Blake and  two from DownBeat and others, continues to perform across the globe.

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