KLAUS MUELLER BRAZILIAN QUARTET
A jazz pianist of diverse influences and abilities, Klaus Mueller, was born in Germany and raised in Japan, Chile, and Brazil. He began piano lessons in Japan at the age of six. After graduating from Stuttgart University of Music and Performing Arts in 1998, he was granted a full scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service to further complete his studies at the New School in New York.
He has been an integral part of the New York Jazz and Brazilian music scene, having performed and recorded with artists including Portinho, Ron Carter, New York Voices, Harry Allen, Leny Andrade, Paquito D’ Rivera, Steve LaSpina, Emilio Santiago, Marcos Valle, Toninho Horta, and Filó Machado. Tours and workshops have led him throughout the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the Caribbean.
Mueller is not only regarded as a fine keyboardist but also as an arranger, most notably for jazz piano legend Herbie Hancock, creating orchestral versions of songs from Hancock’s critically acclaimed “Gershwin’s World” album in collaboration with Robert Sadin in 2003. He also arranged music for the prestigious classical label Deutsche Grammophon, and worked as a musical director and accompanist for the opera singer and Tony Award-winner Paulo Szot.
On Mueller’s 2012 album release Far-Faraway, he performed with jazz bassist Ron Carter and Brazilian drummer Portinho. His latest album Village Samba, released in 2016, features mostly original compositions interpreted by some of today’s finest Brazilian and New York-based musicians.
Showtimes: 4:00pm & 6:00pm
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JOEY ALEXANDER TRIO
Josiah Alexander Sila, known professionally as Joey Alexander, is an Indonesian jazz pianist. He became the first Indonesian musician to chart on Billboard 200 when his album My Favorite Things debuted at number 174 and then peaked at 59.
Showtimes: 7:00pm & 9:30pm
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ELIANE ELIAS
A world-class pianist whose mastery of Jazz, Brazilian, Classical, Broadway and more has brought multiple awards, Eliane Elias celebrates the release of her new chart-topping album, “Quietude.” This all-Brazilian record follows her Grammy winning “Mirror Mirror.”
Jazz Weekly raves she is “not only one of the most adroit pianists in jazz, but with albums like this new one, has now entered the top tier of Brazilian vocalists.”
“Eliane Elias is of a generation of aggressive pianists who attack music like a lioness attacking its prey, at the same time expressing a tenderness within the core of her passion that at times has brought me to tears.”
– Herbie Hancock
December 9th & 10th Shows @ 7:00pm ~ SOLD OUT
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Sonny Phillips was born on December 7, 1936 in Mobile, Alabama. Phillips began playing jazz organ after hearing Jimmy Smith in his twenties. He studied under Ahmad Jamal, and played in the 1960s and 1970s with Lou Donaldson, Nicky Hill, Eddie Harris, Houston Person, and Gene Ammons.
His debut album Sure ‘Nuff was released on the Prestige Records label in 1969. He released several records as a leader in the Seventies before suffering a long illness in 1980. He also recorded twenty-three albums as a sideman with Harris, Person, Ammons, Rusty Bryant, Billy Butler, Willis Jackson, Etta Jones, Boogaloo Joe Jones and Bernard Purdie.
Electric organist and pianist Sonny Phillips went into semi-retirement after suffering a long illness. He moved to Los Angeles, California and has since performed and taught occasionally.
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Requisites
The Paris Concert, Edition One ~ Bill Evans | By Eddie Carter
Ever since I’ve been a jazz fan, the piano has always been one of my favorite instruments, and one of my favorite pianists is Bill Evans. My introduction to his playing began with Explorations (1961), Kind of Blue (1959), and Waltz For Debby (1962). Several of his originals have become jazz standards, and many of his albums still resonate with listeners and musicians today. Bill steps into the spotlight of this discussion with the first of two entertaining live dates. The Paris Concert, Edition One (Elektra Musician E1 60164) captures his trio’s performance at L’Espace Cardin on November 26, 1979. He’s joined on stage by Marc Johnson on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. My copy used in this report is the 1983 US Stereo album.
The concert opens with the ensemble’s touching rendition of I Do It For Your Love by Paul Simon. Bill begins with a delicately tender introduction segueing into a very pretty melody. Evans embodies a feeling and spirit of enduring love in the song’s only solo with an elegantly graceful interpretation. Marc and Joe supply the soft supplement ahead of the pianist ending the song sweetly. Quiet Now is a lovely tune by Denny Zeitlin. Evans takes the lead again in a hauntingly beautiful introduction ahead of the trio’s peaceful theme. Bill is provided with an excellent showcase to deliver a presentation of luxurious beauty with Johnson and LaBarbera complimenting him perfectly into the group’s affectionate finale.
Noelle’s Theme by Michel Legrand is a moving solo performance that Bill performs with heartfelt warmth and sensitivity in the melody and during his statement that not only touches the crowd but the listener as well. My Romance by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart begins with a lively introduction by Evans, then the pace picks up for the group’s main theme. The highlight is the skillful construction of the first two readings by LaBarbera and Johnson who take turns on their alternate verses with impeccable brushwork and splendid bass lines. Evans unlocks a rich variety of creative ideas next, then LaBarbera adds a few final comments into the pianist’s vivacious closing chorus which receives enthusiastic approval from the crowd at its conclusion.
Side Two gets underway with I Loves You Porgy by George and Ira Gershwin, and DuBose Heyward. It made its debut in the 1935 Broadway opera, Porgy and Bess, and later became a jazz standard. Bill has the stage to himself in a second solo showcase of melodic beauty that he performs with the greatest assurance and sensitive delicacy. Up With The Lark by Jerome Kern and Leo Robin is the first of two duets of piano and bass. Evans and Johnson operate in perfect communication during the opening chorus. Bill takes the lead and delivers an illustrious solo that’s pure magic. Marc provides the exclamation point in an exquisite performance preceding Bill’s ending theme and the audience’s appreciative applause.
The duo returns for All Mine (Minha) by Ruy Guerra and Francis Hime. Bill instills the melody and song’s only statement with expressive beauty, anchored by Marc’s subtle accompaniment into an ending of perfect tranquility. The ensemble returns to full form for Beautiful Love by Wayne King, Victor Young, Egbert Van Alstyne, and Haven Gillespie, which Bill first performed on Explorations. A brief introduction sets the tone for the group’s lively theme. Bill soars over the rhythm section with a vigorous romp on the opening solo. Marc cuts loose with some scintillating notes on the second statement. Bill and Joe unleash a dazzling exchange of infectious riffs and explosive brushwork before Bill swings into the climax. The album concludes with excerpts from a conversation between Bill and Harry Evans.
The Paris Concert, Edition One was produced by Helen Keane, and Yves Abiteboul produced the concert for radio broadcast. This concert was recorded by Radio France and the recording engineer was Stew Romaine. This is a first-rate recording with a superb soundstage that makes the listener feel like they’re in the audience as the trio is performing. If you’re a fan of Bill Evans and are in the mood for something soothing after a long day or week, I invite you to check out The Paris Concert, Edition One on your next vinyl shopping trip. It’s an enticing invitation to explore a remarkable live album by Bill Evans that’s an assortment of delights you’re sure to enjoy!
Explorations (Riverside RLP 351/RLP 9351), Kind of Blue (Columbia CL 1355/CS 8163), The Paris Concert, Edition Two (Elektra Musician E1-60311), Waltz For Debby (Riverside RLP 399/RLP 9399) – Source: Discogs.com
~ I Loves You Porgy, My Romance – Source: JazzStandards.com ~ Beautiful Love – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2022 by Edward Thomas Carter
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