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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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

Remaining vigilant as the city and country are open to unmasking and an honor system that I don’t trust, this week I’m pulling out the seventh album by pianist Mulgrew Miller titled From Day To Day.

The trio album was recorded on March 14~15, 1990 at BMG Studios in New York City. It was released the same year on Landmark Records. It was produced by Orrin Keepnews and engineered by Paul Goodman.

1. La Chambre ~ 7:35
2. What A Diff’rence A Day Made ~ 8:08
3. Four ~ 7:53
4. From Day To Day ~ 7:26
5. Playthang ~ 7:01
6. Farewell To Dogma ~ 5:06
7. One Notch Up ~ 4:50
8. More Than You Know ~ 6:15

• Mulgrew Miller ~ piano
• Robert Hurst ~ double bass
• Kenny Washington ~ drums

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

I REMEMBER MILES 6.10.21

As I continue to be vigilant in my social distancing, masking, and avoiding the unasked that no one is checking I take down off the shelf a favorite vocalist who I used to see perform at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington, DC. This week the album I have selected is the 1998 studio album I Remember Miles by Shirley Horn. It was recorded in tribute to Miles Davis and covers songs that showed the sensitive side of the musicians..

The album’s cover art is a drawing Davis had once done of them both. The album design and artwork was by Chika Azuma, and Ira Gitler wrote the liner notes. Horn’s performance on this album won her the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance at the 41st Grammy Awards.

The production team was composed of producer Richard Seidel, assistant producer Sheila Mathis, production coordination by  Camille Tominaro, Dave Baker engineered and mixed the album, and mastering was performed by Duncan Stanbury.

Track List | 52:54

1. My Funny Valentine (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) ~ 5:33
2. I Fall in Love Too Easily (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) ~ 5:39
3. Summertime (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward) – 4:59
4. Baby Won’t You Please Come Home (Charles Warfield, Clarence Williams) ~ 7:21
5. This Hotel (Johnny Keating, Richard Quine) ~ 3:37
6. I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’ (Gershwin, Gershwin, Heyward) – 3:39
7. Basin Street Blues (Williams) ~ 5:28
8. My Man’s Gone Now (Gershwin, Gershwin, Heyward) ~ 10:39
9. Blue in Green (Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Al Jarreau) ~ 5:59

• Shirley Horn ~ piano, vocals, producer
• Ron Carter ~ bass guitar
• Roy Hargrove ~ flugelhorn, trumpet
• Toots Thielemans ~ harmonica
• Buck Hill ~ tenor saxophone
• Charles Ables ~ double bass
• Steve Williams ~ drums, percussion
• Al Foster ~ drums

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

Politics, unfortunately, are an integral ingredient in getting their idea of bringing financial stability back to America. Let us continue to practice the use of common sense when it comes to the future of society. As I observe, public companies are following the suggestions of governors to allow entry without masks and without checking. I can’t get with the honor system.

So in maintaining social distancing, this week I have selected the 1998 album Pure Imagination by pianist and composer Eric Reed, released through Impulse! Records. The album contains reinterpretations of traditional songs from classic Broadway and Hollywood productions.

Reed recorded the album on July 28~29, 1997 and was produced by Tommy LiPuma. The musicals from which the songs were taken are (2) West Side Story, (3) The King & I, (4) Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, (5) 42nd Street, (6) A Little Night Music, (7) Porgy & Bess, and (9) Carousel.

It peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Top Jazz Album charts. All songs are written by famous songwriters of said productions except for the opening and closing tracks that were composed by Reed.

Track Listing | 49:52

1. Overture ~ 2:02
2. Maria (Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers, & Stephen Sondheim) ~ 6:35
3. Hello, Young Lovers (Rodgers and Hammerstein) ~ 5:16
4. Pure Imagination (Leslie Bricusse, & Anthony Newley) ~ 4:04
5. 42nd Street (Harry Warren & Al Dubin) ~ 4:07
6. Send in the Clowns (Stephen Sondheim) ~ 4:54
7. My Man’s Gone Now/Gone, Gone, Gone (DuBose Heyward, George & Ira Gershwin) ~ 8:15
8. Nice Work If You Can Get It (George & Ira Gershwin) ~ 3:58
9. You’ll Never Walk Alone (Rodgers and Hammerstein) ~ 2:18
10. I Got Rhythm (George & Ira Gershwin) ~ 5:05
11. Finale (Last Trip) ~ 3:40

• Eric Reed – Piano
• Brian Bromberg – Bass
• Reginald Veal – Bass
• Gregory Hutchinson – Drums

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

Politics, business and society are taking another foreboding step towards the past normal by allowing people who have been vaccinated to move unmasked. Ther are, however, no checks and balances as no one is checking these people as they come into stores. Thinking this is too early, I remain safe and comfortable in my home.

On that note, this week I am listening to another favorite of mine, male baritone vocalist by the name of Andy Bey and I have chosen his 2001 Tuesdays In Chinatown release. The horns were arranged by Geri Allen, engineered and mixed by Dave Kowalski, mastered by Ron McMaster, and produced by Herb Jordan. The photography was taken by Frank Stewart.

1. Tuesdays In Chinatown ~ 6:52
2. Fragile (Sting) ~ 4:50
3. Bridges (Milton Nascimento) ~ 4:58
4. Saidas E. Bandeiras (Fernando Brant / Milton Nascimento) ~ 5:36
5. In A Mist (Bix Beiderbecke) ~ 7:06
6. I’ll Remeber April (Gene DePaul / Pat Johnston / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye) ~ 5:35
7. Invitation (Bronislaw Kaper / Paul Francis Webster) ~ 7:01
8. Little Girl Blue (Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers) ~ 6:17
9. Just Friends (John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis) ~ 2:40
10. Feelin’ Lowdown (Big Bill Broonzy) ~ 6:18

• Andy Bey ~ piano, vocal
• Peter Washington, Ron Carter ~ Bass
• Peter Sanders ~ Cello (2)
• Marty Ehrlich ~ Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute
• Victor Lewis ~ Drums
• Earl Gardner, John Sneider ~ Flugelhorn, Trumpet
• Paul Meyers ~ Guitar
• Mino Cinelu ~ Percussion
• Steve Turre ~ Trombone
• Barry Finclair ~ Viola
• Andy Stein ~ Violin, String Arrangements
• Laura Seaton ~ Violin

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