The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

As the Delta variant cases are increasing and vaccinations have leveled out masking and social distancing remain the modus operandi of the day. In my continuation of revisiting albums I have in my collection. So this week I turn to George Benson and his 1972 recording White Rabbit. It was recorded on November 23, 24 & 30, 1971 at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The album was produced by Creed Taylor, engineered by Rudy Van Gelder and Don Sebesky did all the arrangements. The album cover was designed by Bob Ciano and the cover photography was taken by Pete Turner. The original cover photo was of a Pondo tribe woman that he photographed in South Africa in 1970.

Don Sebesky brought the title track to Taylor and Benson’s attention as Benson had never heard of Jefferson Airplane or Grace Slick. However, Benson doesn’t read music, he just heard the song and automatically fell into the groove, proving that music doesn’t exist on the page, only in the air. White Rabbit was his second CTI Records project and his first Grammy Award nomination in the category of Best Jazz Performance by a Group. This continues to be one of my road trip albums.

1. White Rabbit (Grace Slick) ~ 6:55
2. Theme From Summer Of ‘42 ( Michel Legrand) ~ 5:08
3. Little Train | from Bachianas Brasileiras (Heitor Villa~Lobos) ~ 5:47
4. California Dreamin’ (John Phillips, MIchelle Phillips) ~ 7:22
5. El Mar | The Sea (George Benson) ~ 10:49

• George Benson ~ guitar
• Jay Berliner ~ Spanish guitar
• Earl Klugh ~ acoustic guitar (5)
• Herbie Hancock ~ electric piano
• Ron Carter ~ electric bass (1, 3), double bass (2, 4, 5)
• Billy Cobham ~ drums
• Airto Moreira ~ percussion, vocals
• Phil Kraus ~ vibraphone, percussion
• Gloria Agostini ~ harp

• Phil Bodner ~ flute, alto flute, oboe, english horn
• Hubert Laws ~ flute, alto flute, piccolo, flute solo (1)
• George Marge ~ flute, alto flute, clarinet, oboe, English horn
• Romeo Penque ~ english horn, oboe, alto flute, clarinet, bass clarinet
• Jane Taylor ~ bassoon

• Wayne Andre ~ trombone, baritone horn
• Jim Buffington ~ french horn
• John Frosk ~ trumpet, flugelhorn, trumpet solo (1, 5)
• Alan Rubin ~ rumpet, flugelhorn

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

Masking and social distancing are still my mantra in maintaining my health and this time has given me a steady flow of opportunities to sit and listen to albums I have in my collection. So this I am revisiting music that was recorded over a quarter of a century ago. This week I turn to tenor and soprano saxophonist Joshua Redman and his 1994 studio album by his quartet titled Moodswing. All compositions on this album are original and released on the Warner Bros. The album was re-released on vinyl in 2009.

1. Sweet Sorrow
2. Chill
3. Rejoice
4. Faith
5. Alone in the Morning
6. Mischief
7. Dialogue
8. The Oneness of Two (In Three)
9. Past in the Present
10. Obsession
11. Headin’ Home

• Joshua Redman ~ tenor, soprano saxophone
• Brad Mehldau ~ piano
• Christian McBride ~ bass
• Brian Blade ~ drums

Recorded on March 8~10, 1994 at the Power Station in New York City. The production team was led by producer Matt Pierson, Jennifer Zeitlin ~ production coordinator, James Farber was the recording/mixing engineer, Greg Calbi and Scott Hull ~ mastering engineers, and Rory Romano, Tony Black ~ engineer assistants. The art direction and design was by Jeri Heiden and Tom Recchion, Jim Merrill did the photography of the band and Marc Hom took the photographs of Joshua. Mary Ann Topper was responsible for management and booking.

1. Sweet Sorrow
2. Chill
3. Rejoice
4. Faith
5. Alone in the Morning
6. Mischief
7. Dialogue
8. The Oneness of Two (In Three)
9. Past in the Present
10. Obsession
11. Headin’ Home

• Joshua Redman ~ tenor, soprano saxophone
• Brad Mehldau ~ piano
• Christian McBride ~ bass
• Brian Blade ~ drums

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

Masking and social distancing are still my mantra in maintaining my health and this pandemic has given me a great opportunity to sit and listen to albums I have’nt in a long time. So as I revisit my music collection this week I place on the turntable the 1977 studio album by Sarah Vaughan titled I Love Brazil! If you love Vaughan’s voice and the music of Brazil, you will want this in your collection.

The session was recorded on October 31 ~ November 7, 1977 and was her first album released on Pablo Records. This was Vaughan’s first but not last foray into Brazilian music, bossa nova and mpb. It was followed by Copacabana in 1979, and Brazilian Romance in 1987.

1. If You Went Away | Preciso Aprender a Ser Só (Ray Gilbert, Marcos Valle, Paulo Sérgio Valle) ~ 4:25
2. Triste (Antônio Carlos Jobim) ~ 2:58
3. Roses and Roses | Das Rosas (Dorival Caymmi, Gilbert) ~ 3:23
4. Empty Faces | Vera Cruz (Lani Hall, Milton Nascimento) ~ 6:26
5. I Live to Love You | Morrer de Amor (Oscar Castro-Neves, Luverci Fiorini, Gilbert) ~ 3:54
6. The Face I Love | Seu Encanto (Gilbert, Carlos Pingarilho, M. Valle) ~ 3:29
7. Courage | Coragem (Nascimento, Cootie Williams) ~ 3:42
8. The Day It Rained | Chuva (Pedro Camargo, Durval Ferreira, Gilbert) ~ 4:40
9. A Little Tear | Razão de Viver (Deodato, Gilbert, P.S. Valle) ~ 4:07
10. Like a Lover | Cantador (Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Dori Caymmi, Nelson Motta) ~ 4:45
11. Bridges | Travessia (Nascimento, Fernando Brant, Gene Lees) ~ 4:12
12. Someone to Light Up My Life | Se Todos Fossem Iguais a Vocë (Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Lees) ~ 3:26

• Sarah Vaughan ~ vocals
• Dorival Caymmi – vocals (3)
• Milton Nascimento – acoustic guitar, vocals (4,7,11)
• Dori Caymmi – acoustic guitar, vocals (10)
• Nelson Angelo – electric guitar (4,7,11)
• Hélio Delmiro – electric guitar (1-3,6,8-9,12)
• Danilo Caymmi – flute (4,7,11)
• Paulo Jobim – flute (4,7,11)
• Mauricio Einhorn – harmonica (8)
• Antônio Carlos Jobim – piano (2,12)
• José Roberto Bertrami – electric piano (1-3,6,8-9), organ (4,7,11)
• Edson Frederico – orchestration (1-3,5-6,8-9,12), piano (5)
• Sergio Barroso – acoustic bass (1-2,6,9,12)
• Claudio Bertrami – acoustic bass (3,8)
• Novelli – electric bass (4,7,11)
• Wilson das Neves – drums (1-3,6,8-9,12)
• Robertinho Silva – (4,7,11)
• Ariovaldo – percussion (1-4,6-7,9,11-12)
• Chico Batera – percussion (1-4,6-7,9,11-12)
• Luna – percussion (12)
• Marçal – percussion (12)

• Durval Ferreira – creative director
• Sheldon Marks – design, layout design
• Norman Granz – design, layout design, liner notes
• Mário Jorge Bruno – engineer
• Tamaki Beck – mastering
• Aloísio de Oliveira – producer

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

Social distancing and masking are still forefront in the pursuit of health and this time has given me a steady flow of opportunities to sit and listen to albums I played songs from during my tenure at WCLK. This is one of those times that I am rediscovering music that has fed my soul for years. This week I turn to a 1965 album whose title is so appropriate for these times, Lucky Strikes by tenor and soprano saxophonist Lucky Thompson.

Recorded on September 15, 1964 at the Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, it was released on the Prestige record label the following year. The album was produced by Don Schlitten, engineered by Rudy Van Gelder, and the liner notes were written by David A. Himmelstein.

This was his sixth studio recording and of the eight compositions on this date, six are originals by Thompson, and two songs selected by the saxophonist are In A Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington/Irving Mills, and the Bronisław Kaper composition Invitation.

Track Listing | 39:25

1. In a Sentimental Mood ~ 5:49
2. Fly With the Wind ~ 4:01
3. Mid-Nite Oil ~ 5:08
4. Reminiscent ~ 4:04
5. Mumba Neua ~ 4:47
6. I Forgot to Remember ~ 6:36
7. Prey-Loot ~ 4:05
8. Invitation ~ 4:55

• Lucky Thompson – tenor, soprano saxophone
• Hank Jones – piano
• Richard Davis – bass
• Connie Kay – drums

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

It amazes me how many people want to get back to the old normal so quickly that they are walking around without any protection. Honor is rare in America, so that system is flawed. However, I remain vigilant with my safety and health as governors across the country are removing mandatory masking and social distancing.

So in light of those decisions, I have chosen from my collection the 1993 Concord Records album by one of the industry’s most seasoned musicians. The album Scott Hamilton With Strings paired the tenor saxophonist with pianist Alan Broadbent, who served as musical director, conductor, and arranger for the session. Throw in a 20-piece string orchestra and you have the makings of an enjoyable listening experience.

The recording sessions were done October 5, 1992 & October 6, 1992 at Group IV Recording Studios, Hollywood, California. The photography was taken by David Lubarsky, the art direction by Kent Judkins, and the liner notes were written by Peter Straub. The recording and remix engineer was Phil Edwards, and the assistant recording engineer was Dann Thompson. The album was mastered by George Horn. The producer on the recording dates was Carl E. Jefferson along with his assistant producers, Elizabeth Bell and Nick Phillips.

1. My Foolish Heart (Ned Washington, Victor Young) ~ 5:28
2. Goodbye Mr. Evans (Phil Woods) ~ 7:29
3. The Shining Sea (Peggy Lee, Johnny Mandel) ~ 6:07
4. Angel Eyes (Ned Brent, Matt Dennis) ~ 6:09
5. Heart’s Desire (Alan Broadbent, Dave Frishberg) ~ 5:27
6. The Look Of Love (Burt Bacharach, Hall David) ~ 5:15
7. Nancy(With The Laughing Face) (James Van Heusen, Phil Silvers) ~ 4:21
8. Young And Foolish (Albert Hague, Arnold B. Horwitt) ~ 5:26
9. I Concentrate On You (Cole Porter) ~ 6:48
10. Tonight I Shall Sleep (With A Smile On My Face) (Duke Ellington, Mercer Ellington, Irving Gordon) ~ 5:24

• Scott Hamilton ~ tenor saxophone
• Alan Broadbent ~ piano,
• Bob Maize ~ bass
• Roy McCurdy ~ drums
• Cello ~ Dennis Karmazyn, Fred Seykora, Jodi Burnett, Paula Hochhalter, Ray Kramer*
• Viola ~ Carole Mukogawa, Dan Neufeld, Harry Shirinian, Maria Newman, Pamela Goldsmith
• Violin ~ Bonnie Douglas, Darius Campo, Endre Granat, Gordon Marron, Haim Shtrum, Harris Goldman, Henry Ferber, Israel Baker, James Getzoff, John Wittenberg, Juliann French, Ken Yerke*, Mari Tsumura-Botnick, Paul Shure, Robert Brosseau
• Violin, Concertmaster ~ Murray Adler

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