Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Fabrizio Mocata was born on December 8, 1977 in Sicily, Italy. He established himself as a maestro in the music business thanks to his knowledge of the primary jazz genre and proficiency in the subgenre of smooth jazz.

His music seamlessly combines the rich traditions of jazz, classical music with smooth jazz. His creativity is distinguished by his combining complex melodies and harmonies.

Mocata is a well-known talent in the jazz world and has had an enduring impression on the jazz community.

Pianist, arranger and composer Fabrizio Mocata continues to create and perform.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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Requisites

That’s Where It’s At ~ Stanley Turrentine | By Eddie Carter

Stanley Turrentine was an exceptionally prolific tenor saxophonist who garnered numerous admirers throughout his career. He is widely recognized as a key contributor to the evolution of blues-inspired hard bop and soul jazz, as well as a trailblazer in smooth jazz. This morning’s featured album submitted for your approval is a 1962 release, That’s Where It’s At (Blue Note BLP 4096/BST 84096). This record was his second collaboration with pianist Les McCann and bassist Herbie Lewis, coming on the heels of their live performance at the Village Gate just a week prior. Drummer Otis Finch completes this dynamic quartet. The copy in my library is the 2020 Blue Note Tone Poet Series stereo reissue, which maintains the original catalog number.

The album opener, Smile, Stacey by Les McCann, begins with a brief dialogue between Stanley and Les that leads into the foursome’s theme. Stanley takes charge first, delivering a driving energy and brisk articulation. Les then swings in for the second interpretation. Herbie takes a short, sharply executed walk next, which Les finishes, then

Stanley and Les share a brief exchange with Otis before the ensemble’s soft fadeout. The quartet then cools down for Soft Pedal Blues by Stanley Turrentine, which starts with the trio’s slow-burning, soulful intro. Turrentine’s notes are placed with thoughtful precision during the melody and opening statement. McCann caresses each note of the second solo, and Turrentine delicately shapes a final comment into the theme’s restatement and slow fade.

Pia by Les McCann begins with the quartet easing into a mellow groove as the melody is introduced. Les initiates the solos with some good down-home cooking. Stanley steps in next, maintaining the calm atmosphere with a thoughtful message before the ensemble reunites for the closing chorus, which gently fades away. We’ll See Yaw’ll After While, Ya Heah by Les McCann is the pianist’s lively composition with a distinctly Southern flavor. After the quartet’s theme gets things off to a good start, Turrentine leads off the first solo, delivering each verse with precise articulation. McCann responds with a spirited interpretation that gets listeners tapping their feet and grinning along until the group’s return for the ending theme.

The tempo slows down again for Dorene, Don’t Cry, I, by Les McCann, a haunting ballad that begins with the ensemble’s beautiful melody. Stanley fully embraces the opening statement by gently attending to every note with careful lyricism and sensitivity. Les follows with something significant to say in a gorgeous performance preceding the tender reprise and close. Light Blue, by Stanley’s brother, Tommy Turrentine, brings this entertaining album to a close with a lightly swinging melody that invites listeners to sit back and enjoy the ride. McCann takes the lead with a loose, relaxed reading, then Lewis provides a few moments of pure joy. Turrentine offers the final memorable moment ahead of the group’s out chorus.

Alfred Lion produced the initial session of That’s Where It’s At, and Rudy Van Gelder was behind the dials of the recording. Joe Harley supervised the audiophile reissue, and Kevin Gray mastered the album from the original analog tapes at Cohearant Audio. The album’s sound quality is outstanding, with a stunning soundstage that transports the musicians to the sweet spot in your listening room with superb fidelity. The record was pressed on 180-gram Virgin Vinyl at RTI and is dead silent until the music begins. You’re also getting high-definition gatefold photos and superb cover packaging worthy of hanging on the wall. If you’re already a member of the Stanley Turrentine or Les McCann fan club, I highly recommend That’s Where It’s At on your next record hunt. If you aren’t already familiar with either musician, this record is an excellent introduction to their extensive discographies!

~ Les McCann Ltd. In New York (Pacific Jazz PJ-45/ST 45) – Source: Discogs.com © 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Rosemary Squires was born Joan Rosemary Yarrow on December 7, 1928 in Bristol, England. She took singing, guitar and piano lessons while at school at St Edmund’s Girls’ School in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. Initially she entertained troops by singing on nearby UK and US Army bases around Salisbury. While maintaining a job in an antique book shop and office work, she sang with various groups and a Polish military band

Becaming a professional singer in 1940 Rosemary’s introduction was on the BBC Home Service’s Children’s Hour. She performed with the big bands of Ted Heath, Geraldo and Cyril Stapleton. She sang with the smaller jazz bands of Max Harris, Kenny Baker and the Alan Clare band. Moving from Salisbury to London in 1948 when she was twenty, by the 1950s and Sixties, she became a regular on the BBC Light Programme such as Melody Time and Workers’ Playtime.

She worked in the United States with Danny Kaye and Sammy Davis Jr., as well as appearing on the Johnny Carson Show. She would go on to perform for Prince Edward, and toured twice countrywide during the 2012 Royal Diamond Jubilee.

Jazz, big band, cabaret and concert singer and recording artist Rosemary Squires, who was president of the Studio Theatre is Salisbury and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, died on August 8, 2023 at the age of 94.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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TAMMY MCCANN

Merry Christmas Baby

Celebrate the season with Chicago’s own Tammy McCann, as the powerhouse vocalist and bandleader returns to Dizzy’s Club for a soulful, hard-swinging holiday set. Known for her rich storytelling and unforgettable voice, McCann brings fresh spirit to seasonal favorites in a performance full of warmth, joy, and timeless swing. It’s a festive night that welcomes every listener.

The Band:
Tammy McCann,~ vocals
Arcoiris Sandoval ~ piano
John Sutton ~ bass
Corey Rawls ~ drums

Tickets: Sold Out

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JACKY TERRASSON

Jacky Terrasson, the most widely traveled of all jazz pianists, is the piano player of happiness, according to Telerama magazine in France. He is an exhilarating musician, one of those who play their public straight to euphoria.

Born in Berlin, of an American mother and a French father, he grew up in France, in Paris. He started to learn the piano when was 5 and after studying classical piano in school, he began to study jazz, in particular with Jeff Gardner. His encounter with Francis Paudras (whose movie, “Round Midnight”, tells the moving story of a lasting friendship with Bud Powell) will be an important part of his initiation in jazz. Jacky then leaves for the United States to attend the Berklee College of Music. In 1993, after he wins the prestigious Thelonious Monk Award, he begins touring with Betty Carter. He then decides to move to New York, where he still lives today.

Exactly one year after his triumph in the Thelonious Monk competition, Jacky Terrasson was introduced in the New York Times Magazine as one of the 30 under 30, that is to say one of the 30 artists most likely to change American culture in the next 30 years, and signed with the prestigious Blue Note label.

Tickets: $29.25 ~ $34.95

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