Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Steve Melling was born on July 12, 1959 and brought up in Preston, Lancashire, UK and began classical piano lessons at age 9. Two years later he began teaching himself jazz at around 11 years old. His first introduction to professional jazz musicians was when he asked the members of the Stan Tracey Quartet to autograph one of their vinyl albums at a Preston gig when he was 17. This fortuitous encounter would eventually lead him back to playing with them, Stan, Art Themen, Bryan Spring and Dave Green later in his career and always learn from the experiences.

Steve went on to study at Goldsmiths’ College in London, joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra around that time and began playing professionally in the late Seventies, touring with Harry Beckett and Elton Dean. In 1986 received the first Pat Smythe Memorial Trust Award.

The Nineties had him playing regularly at Ronnie Scott’s with his trio and recording with Alan Skidmore, Claire Martin and Peter King. Melling recorded his own album Trio Duo Solo for Ronnie Scott’s Jazz House label. He was commissioned by the Appleby Jazz Festival and wrote and directed a set for an 11-piece group. He joined The New Couriers, worked with Georgie Fame and played with the European Jazz Ensemble.

Steve was commissioned by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra to arrange a piece by Stan Tracey for an album to mark their 50th Anniversary and the album was launched at Ronnie Scott’s in early 2016. The same year he moved to Derbyshire and has spent much time composing, working on his own original compositions. He is also teaching and working with local and national jazz musicians.

Pianist and composer Steve Melling remains in demand in Britain and Europe.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Alain Samba was born on July 10th in Pointe Noire, Congo Brazzaville. His early music experiences began with him playing different kinds of percussion native to the region such as sanza (kalimba), kikongui, marimba and drums. He was influenced by listening to both African and European music. At the age of 8 he moved to France where he studied saxophone and harmony at the American School of Modern Music in Paris.

His music is inspired mostly by the jazz of Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Charles Parker, Wes Montgomery, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Wayne Shorter, and the music of his native region of Congo such as bantous’ music, lari , téké , mbochi and of course the pygmies polyrhythms and polyphonies.

Since the 90’s he has performed in Paris, France clubs, and all around Europe. He created the Art Ensemble of Africa to illuminate the struggle of world citizenship with the same love of music and sharing. In Stockholm, Sweden he teaches saxophone, harmony and polyrhythms and has played with musicians from around the world based in Sweden. such as Rene Martinez, Celso Paco, Pepe Espinosa, Tropicana se, Marianne Fuglevaag, Derrick Walker, Emilio Estrada, and Jorge Arruda to name a few.

Saxophonist, composer, pianist and percussionist Alain Samba, whose main instruments are tenor and soprano saxophones, continues to mix modern jazz with traditional African music.

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TONY HIGHTOWER

Singer/Songwriter Tony Hightower is taking up the mantle to be a bridge that ushers R&B audiences into Jazz…Real Jazz. With years of experience as a musical performer and actor with familiar roots that place him firmly within the music’s firmament, the Atlanta native  is still just getting started on this benevolent turn in his journey. And he is bringing a lot of young people with him.

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Requisites

Pianism ~ The Michel Petrucciani Trio | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s record from the library is an overlooked gem by French pianist Michel Petrucciani. Pianism (Blue Note BT-85124) is his twelfth release as a leader, and it marks his debut with the prestigious label. Recorded just days before his twenty-third birthday, the album captures the trio’s energy they exhibited during a six-week, thirty-two concert tour from Munich to Martinique. Michel Petrucciani, on the Steinway grand piano, is joined by bandmates Palle Danielsson on bass and Eliot Zigmund on drums. Petrucciani composed four of the album’s tunes, and my copy is the 1986 U.S. Stereo release.

Side One of Pianism opens with The Prayer, a poignant tune that chronicles Michel’s and his sweetheart Eugenia’s transition from a lively house with friends to a single home owned by Eliot Zigmund that they lovingly maintained. The track commences with a mesmerizing solo introduction that seamlessly evolves into the trio’s comforting theme. Michel crafts a tapestry of hauntingly sensitive and lyrical notes. Palle follows with a delicately tender interpretation before they reunite to conclude the song softly. Our Tune, a composition that holds a special place in Michel’s heart, picks up the tempo for the threesome’s upbeat melody. He reveals his love and affection for Eugenia in the first solo. Palle takes over for an assertive interpretation. Eliot shares the finale with the pianist until the agile reprise dissolves.

Face’s Face is dedicated to the couple’s pure-blooded Afghan hound. The pianist’s introduction is playful, leading to the trio’s aggressive theme. Michel sets the tone with a brisk performance. Palle fuels the second reading with a dazzling display; then, Michel and Eliot exchange riffs preceding the theme’s restatement and close. The first of two standards, Night and Day by Cole Porter, gets Side Two underway with a breathtaking introduction by Michel that grows into the ensemble’s lively melody. Michel takes off like a rocket shooting skyward on the opening statement. Palle keeps things moving in the second presentation. Eliot gives his drums a vigorous workout before the spotlight returns to Michel for the climax.

Here’s That Rainy Day by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke opens with a gorgeous introduction by Michel. Palle and Eliot join him for a relaxed, easy-going theme. Michel starts the proceedings with a beautifully tender interpretation. Palle comes in next for a very pretty performance while Eliot cushions the gentle groove for Michel’s return to take the song out softly. The album’s final track is a catchy tune titled Regina. It’s named for the Brazilian singer, Elis Regina and the trio’s introduction sets the scene for an infectious, danceable melody. Michel opens the solos with a sincerely beautiful performance. Palle feeds off his energy with a compelling reading that flows to the pianist’s return for a few last thoughts preceding the theme’s restatement and fade out.

Mike Berniker produced Pianism, and Mike Moran was the recording engineer of this digital release. The album’s sound quality is outstanding, with a stunning soundstage that really shines on a quality audio system with excellent fidelity. The record is also quiet until the music begins. Despite suffering from a genetic spinal disease that caused brittle bones and resulted in his inability to grow tall, Michel Petrucciani was one of the most accomplished pianists in jazz. He performed live over one hundred times twice in two years despite being in constant pain, a testament to his passion and dedication to his craft. In addition to recording twenty-five albums as a leader, Petrucciani also recorded with Steve Grossman, Charles Lloyd, Joe Lovano, and The Manhattan Project.

He was interviewed regularly and appeared on television quite a few times. Michel died from a pulmonary infection on January 6, 1999, shortly after his thirty-sixth birthday. But his music continues to inspire and captivate jazz fans and is an absolute joy to listen to. If you’re in the mood for a musical journey, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring Pianism by The Michel Petrucciani Trio on your next record shopping trip. It’s not just a terrific addition to your jazz library but also a perfect gateway to his discography that can be enjoyed endlessly!

~ Here’s That Rainy Day, Night and Day – Source: JazzStandards.com

© 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter

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NICOLE YARLING & MARTIN BEJERANO

Tribute to Prince.

The music of Prince is iconic and timeless­. Latin Grammy-nominated pianist Martin Bejerano and renowned vocalist and violinist Nicole Yarling present a modern, funky jazz-fusion that reimagines Prince’s “golden period.”

After the concert is an open jam. Bring your instrument!

Students be sure to score one of the limited free student tickets!

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