Review: Lenora Zenzalai Helm | For The Love Of Big Band
For those of you who aspire to greatness, who challenge your status quo, and who dare to create something majestic, one must dig deep inside for the temerity. Whether you question the audacity of the idea, it takes confidence to even dare the monumental task of bringing nearly four dozen men and women together, producing a unique and innovative big band sound.
Under the auspicious name of The Tribe Jazz Orchestra, vocalist and bandleader Lenora Zenzalai Helm joins the ranks of Lil Hardin Armstrong, Kit McClure, Blanche Calloway, Valaida Smith, Lovie Austin, Sherrie Maracle, and In Ray Hutton among others.
Helm’s debut orchestra project, For The Love Of Big Band, was recorded live in concert over a two day period on March 26~27, 2019 and released on her own label, Zenzalai Music. This album brings new arrangements showcasing legendary composers and big band leaders ~ Nina Simone, Abbey Lincoln, Mal Waldron, Victor Young, John Coltrane, George & Ira Gershwin, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Clifford Brown, and Duke Ellington to name a few.
This twelve composition compendium of classics illuminates the musical genius of those who charted the big band course, laid the foundation and set the standard for this talented vocalist and bandleader to follow in their footsteps. Choosing Blues For Mama, Bebop, Chega de Saudade/No More Blues, It Could Happen To You, Soul Eyes, Everything But You, I Didn’t Know About You, Sandu, But Not For Me, A Conversation With God (Dear Lord), Mississippi Goddam, and Stella By Starlight, she spans several decades, from the Thirties to the Sixties. The music is a mix of jazz standards, brought swingingly to life at the live concert. Helm guided the band through the new arrangements by Stanley Cowell, Cecil Bridgewater, Maurice Myers and Brian Horton
Lenora’s Tribe Jazz Orchestra is composed of twenty-four musicians that include her voice, piano, guitar, bass,drums, reeds, trumpets,trombones and saxophone and orchestra conductor. Her Tribe Jazz Orchestra Septet, pulls three from the orchestra, adds conductor to her voice, along with cello, tenor saxophone, acoustic bass and the NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble as guest artists. Other special guests are pianist Joey Calderazzo, Acoustic bassist Ameen Saleem, and Maurice Myers ~ Vocal Soloist on A Conversation With God.
This is a well thought out and produced program of music that will introduce the novice to big band jazz and delight the aficionado who is seeking to expand his/her horizons and include one more big bandleader to their arsenal, who just so happens to be a vocalist, conductor, bandleader, and educator and all woman. I charge you to engage and listen carefully to the maturity of expression that Lenora Zenzalai Helm has put into and extracted from herself and the talented musicians under her purview. This is a wonderful and soulful performance by all accounts and something you will enjoy for years to come.
carl anthony | notorious jazz | february 15, 2020
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is flying down to the southwest corner of South Africa to Cape Town for a few days to investigate the goings on a little known jazz spot called Asoka. Located at 8 Kloof Street, Gardens, it should prove to be good times as I will be mingling with fellow explorers and locals on this new adventure.
The restaurant and lounge serves up two days of jazz on Sunday from 8:00pm – 10:00pm with vocals every third week. On Tuesday live jazz starts at 8:30pm followed by deep house at 10:00pm.
The menu sports selections of fish, duck, beef, chicken and ostrich along with an assortment of vegetables and salads. I think I will dine on a few select delectables and the music will be a discovered surprise without advance notice. All part of the adventure of a jazz voyager.
For more info or to make reservations the number is +27 21 422 0909.
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Requisites
The Amazing Shoichi Yui is a compilation album of songs recorded on the Blue Note label that was released in 1985.
There are only two tracks on the album with Side One being The Golden Age Of Modern Jazz with 25 songs and Side Two Jazz In Transition with 18 songs. Included is commentary by Shoichi Oilai and numerous performances of songs like Night Dreamer, Maiden Voyage, Old Devil Moon and Moanin for example.
Some of the musicians on this 42 song compilation include Sonny Rollins, Hank Mobley, Horace Silver, Cecil Taylor, John Coltrane, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Eric Dolphy, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Kenny Drew, among others.
Commentary is in Japanese but to listen to excerpts of the music copy and paste this link in browser: https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm19249586
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is enroute once again Down Under for some scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and a bit of jazz at Bird’s Basement at 11 Singers Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. The first location established outside New York City by Birdland, the city and the nightspot has hosted both local and international talent.
Closed this week on Monday and Tuesday for the holiday, the doors open at 6:00pm with the first set starting at 8:00pm. The house is cleared and the second set doors are at 10:00pm and the set begins at 10:30.
The Cookers with Billy Harper on tenor sax, trumpeters Eddie Henderson and David Weiss, pianist Stephen Scott, bassist Santi Debriano and Billy Hart on drums is all for a ticket price of $35.00 + booking fee. The menu has an array of selections for the vegetarian, pescatarian and carnivore. However, this outing is not for the faint hearted of pocketbook or wallet, as the club has a $15.00 beverage minimum per seated patrons.
Reservations are highly recommended for birdsbasement.com or by calling +61 1300 225 299.
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is in the air heading to the city by the bay to be in attendance for tonight’s SFJazz Gala honoring Chucho Valdés . The destination is the SFJAZZ Center located at 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Not to diminish the tribute’s stellar glory but the after party is equally impressive with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Corinne Bailey Rae and Jesús Diaz y su QBA. my evening begins with VIP reception and dinner at 5:30pm followed by the Luminary Party and Gala Reception at 7:00pm, then the gala concert at 8:30pm.
Unfortunately, for you Johnny-Come-Lately’s the gala is sold out, however, the after party is still open for $145 for members and $170 to the public. You will be privy to raucous performances and dancing, premium open bar and plentiful late night fare from favorite neighborhood spots. Looking forward to a great night of music. For more information the number is 415.283.0342.
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