The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

Songs Of An Unknown Tongue

With the ever-mutating virus now spreading the Omicron variation, I am watching the detection and rise of this more contagious variants in South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Israel, Denmark, Botswana, Italy, Canada, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. Suspecting that it is already in America, I am getting my booster as precaution, not necessarily to ward off, and continuing my vigilance in remaining socially distant and wearing my mask.

This week I have selected a talented British vocalist Zara Mcfarlane. Her fourth album, Songs Of An Unknown Tongue, was produced by Kwake Bass and Wu-lu, and released on July 17, 2020 on Brownswood Recordings. 

This album pushes the boundaries of jazz meshed with folk and spiritual traditions of ancestral Jamaica. Zara is a part of the British echelon that is converging young and older audiences still seeking the future of jazz.

Tracks | 48:27
   Side One

1. Everything Is Connected ~ 3:39
2. Black Treasure ~ 3:38
3. Broken Water ~ 3:54
4. Run Of Your Life ~ 3:11
5. Saltwater ~ 6:22

   Side Two

6. My Story ~ 6:37
7. Native Nomad ~ 6:07
8. State Of Mind ~ 4:52
9. Roots Of Freedom ~ 7:35
10. Future Echoes ~ 4:32

Players

• Zara Mcfarlane ~ Vocals
• Kwake Bass ~ Percussion, Drums, Drum Machine, Synths, Synth Bass, Guitar, Bass Guitar
• Wu~Lu ~ Percussion, Synths, Guitar, Bass Guitar
• Camilo Tirado ~ Percussion
• Lyle Barton: Rhodes, Biscuit Flute
• Idris Rahman ~ Tenor Saxophone
• Robin Hopcraft ~ Trumpet

 

 

 

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

In The Now is an album by the accomplished percussionist and drummer Cindy Blackman recorded on November 18, 1997 by engineer Rudy Van Gelder at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. It was released on the HighNote label on May 19, 1998.

The producer on the date was Don Sickler, the art direction performed by Wendi Horowitz with photography by Carl Posey. The liner notes were written by Chip Stern.

Track List | 63:23 All compositions by Cindy Blackman except where noted

1. In The Now ~ 6:45
2. A Banana for Ron ~ 3:22
3. Passage ~ 6:40
4. A King Among Men ~ 15:00
5. Sophia ~ 7:24
6. Prince of Darkness (Wayne Shorter) ~ 7:13
7. Happy House (Ornette Coleman) ~ 4:34
8. A Strawberry for Cindy ~ 4:30
9. Let Love Rule (Lenny Kravitz) ~ 7:55

The Players

• Cindy Blackman ~ Drums
• Ravi Coltrane ~ Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
• Jacky Terrasson ~ Piano, Fender Rhodes
• Ron Carter ~ Bass

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

As a nation of thinkers trepidly venture out to events, not out of fear but in caution, we continue to perform the safe practices of mask wearing and social distancing, this quarantined jazz voyager remains steadfast in protecting himself. Today I am playing one of my favorite genres, the big band, and this one is being led by a most wonderful woman. In 2020 Lenora Zenzalai Helm produced a fabulous record For The Love Of Big Band bringing to the fore the Tribe Jazz Orchestra and new arrangements to some of jazz’s classic compositions. There is something wonderful about listening to music that was created with love.

Track Listing | 1:16:00

1. Blues For Mama (Nina Simone) ~ 4:42
2. Bebop (Dizzy Gillespie, Deborah Brown) ~ 6:22
3. Chega De Saudade (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jessie Cavanuagh, Vinicius de Moraes, Jon Hendricks) ~ 6:39
4. It Could Happen To You (Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) ~ 5:26
5. Soul Eyes (Mal Waldron) ~ 5:24
6. Everything But You (Duke Ellington, Harry James) ~ 4:30
7. I Didn’t Know About You (Duke Ellington, Bob Russell) ~ 5:50
8. Sandu (Clifford Brown, Dupresha L. Townsend) ~ 9:00
9. But Not For Me (George & Ira Gershwin) ~ 5:26
10. A Conversation With God (Dear Lord) (John Coltrane, Lenora Zenzalai Helm) ~ 7:25
11. Mississippi Goddam (Nina Simone) ~ 6:06
12. Stella By Starlight (Victor Young,Ned Washington) ~ 8:23

Tribe Jazz Orchestra  Brian Horton ~ orchestra conductor, saxophone, composer, arranger Ernest Turner, Lydia Salett Dudley, Ed Paolantonio ~ piano Baron Tymas ~ guitar Ginnae Koon ~ bass Thomas Taylor, Dorien Dotson ~ drums Saxophone James “Saxsmo” Gates ~ 1st alto, Sam King ~ 2nd alto, Brian Miller ~ 1st tenor, Matt York ~ 2nd tenor, Ariel Kopelove ~ 2nd tenor, Shaena Ryan Martin ~ baritone Trumpet Al Strong ~ 1st, Lynn Grissett ~ 2nd, Tyler Perske ~ 3rd, Zoe Smith ~ 4th Trombones Isrea Butler ~ 1st, Robert Trowers ~ 2nd, Tenay Harrell ~ 3rd, Reggie Greenlee ~ 3rd, Cameron MacManus ~ bass Tribe Jazz Orchestra Septet Lenora Zenzalai Helm ~ conductor/voice, Ed Paolantio ~ piano, Barontymas ~ guitar, Timothy Holley ~ cello, Serena Salome Wiley ~ tenor saxophone, Lance E. Scott Jr. ~ acoustic bass, Thomas Taylor ~ drums, NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble ~ guest artists Special Guest Instrumentalists Joey Calderazzo ~ piano, Ameen Saleem ~ acoustic bass, Kobie Watkins ~ drums, Ira Wiggins ~ flute Special Guest Vocal Soloist Maurice Myers ~ A Conversation With God Special Guest Vocals North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Vocal Jazz Ensemble Sopranos Dupresha Lache Townsend, Susie Cross, Tyra Scott Altos Najma Pettiford, Kadiatou Fofana, Karen Taylor Tenors Jawan Davidson, Tyquon Garrett Baritone~Bass Malik Denny, Jay Attys, Laurence Horn Production Rob “Wacko” Hunter ~ recording, mix & mastering engineer Jason Merritt ~ studio editing engineer Atiba Berkley ~ concert engineer Malachi Blanding ~ student concert assistant engineer Jay Attys, Malachi Blanding, Tyra Scott, Dupresha Townsend ~ concert production assistant Thembisa S. Mshaka for Mshaka Media ~ creative direction Charnelle Anderson ~ cd cover design/art direction Ewery Harvey-Smith for Mariposa Designs ~ cd back cover/d artwork direction Chi Brown ~ photography Najma Pettiford ~ stylist & makeup

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

The masking and social distancing continues as we are heading into another month of factions of society refusing the vaccination, putting themselves and others in harm’s way. Keeping myself safe with limited exposure to outside forces, this quarantined jazz voyager remains for the most part, secluded. So this week I am selecting an album by Tia Fuller that was released on May 25, 2018 titled Diamond Cut on the Mack Avenue label.

Having known her since she was a student at Spelman College, she has since worked with Beyonce, emerged to international acclaim on the jazz scene and landed as a professor on the faculty of Berklee College of Music, while still holding down a demanding career as a solo artist.

Track Listing | 62:24 All songs composed by Tia Fuller except where noted

1. In the Trenches ~ 6:18
2. Save Your Love for Me ~ 5:40
3. I Love You ~ 6:22
4. Queen Intuition ~ 6:01
5. Joe’n Around ~ 4:15
6. Crowns of Grey ~ 5:55
7. The Coming ~ 6:59
8. Soul Eyes ~ 5:40
9. Delight ~ 5:02
10. Fury of Da’mond ~ 4:00
11. Tears of Santa Barbara ~ 4:25
12. Joe’n Around (Alternate Take) ~ 3:07

The Players

• Tia Fuller ~ saxophones
• Adam Rogers ~ guitar
• James Genus ~ bass
• Bill Stewart ~ drums
• Terri Lyne Carrington ~ percussion 7,8
• Sam Yahel ~ organ 2,7
• Jack DeJohnette ~ drums 4,5,7-9
• Dave Holland ~ bass 4,5,7-9,11

Production Team

• Terri Lyne Carrington ~ producer 
• Gretchen Valade ~ executive producer
• Sharon Green (4) ~ product manager
• Will Wakefield ~ production manager
• Margo M. Davis ~ production manager (for EP/LPG) 
• Paul Antonell ~ recording engineer
• Paul Blakemore (3) ~ mastering
• Jeremy Loucas ~ mixing engineer
• Dean David Albak ~ editor
• Maria Ehrenreich ~ creative director
• Al Pryor ~ a&r (evp of a&r)
• Raj Naik ~ art direction, design
• Samantha Reese ~ makeup
• Steven Blank ~ photography, set designer
• Jerris Madison ~ photography, wardrobe stylist

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

In our ongoing practice of social distancing and wearing our masks, this week’s selection comes the very talented interpreter and vocalist Nnenna Freelon who has delivered her latest Time Traveler. The songs for the album were recorded over a span of two years on March 13~15, 2018, October 24, 2018, August 20, 2020 and September 3, 2020. It was released on May 21, 2021 on the Origin Records label.

The album was recorded at Manifold  Records in Pittsboro, North Carolina, Overdub Lane, Durham, North Carolina and Tedesco Studios in Paramus, New Jersey. It was produced by Nnenna Freelon, with musical direction by Miki Hayama. The engineers were Jason Richmond (1~6, 8~11), Ian Schreier (1,3~5,7,9) Tom Tedesco (1~3,8) and John Plymale (2,8).

The cover design and layout was by John Bishop, photography by Chris Charles, clothing stylist ~ Katina Bryson, makeup ~ Sharon Davis, hairstylist ~ Anes El and henna and face artist Shemora Sheik made up the production team.

She draws from her life story the songs of her youth and has helped her navigate the process of loss and healing and steps through an imagined doorway where past, present and future collide. She reminds us of a time when grace and elegance were a standard and that is timeless. There is a reverence in the lyrics that was lost in my youth but has been captured with age.

Tracks | 55:03

1. I Say A Little Prayer For You (Burt Bachrach/Hall David) ~ 5:07
2. Marvin Medley: If This World Were Mine/Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing/Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ( Marvin Gaye, Ashford & Simpson) ~ 6:05
3. Just You (Nnenna Freelon) ~ 5:32
4. Betcha By Golly Wow (Thom Bell, Linda Creed) ~ 4:54
5. Time In A Bottle (Jim Croce) ~ 6:59
6. You Make Me Feel Brand New (Thom Bell, Linda Creed) ~ 5:06
7. Moon River (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) ~ 5:57
8. Time After Time (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne ~ 4:58
9. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) ~ 5:55
10. Time Traveler (Freelon,Curry,Robinson, Scott) ~ 4:30

Players

• Nnenna Freelon ~ Vocals
• Miki Hayama ~ Piano 1,3,5,7,8 Rhodes 2,4,9 Synth 2,8
• Chuckey Robinson ~ Keyboards 10,11
• Brandon McCune ~ Hammond Organ 1,3
• Keith Ganz ~ Guitar 2~6,8~11
• Noah Jackson ~ Acoustic Bass 1,3~5,7,9
• Gerald Veasley ~ Electric Bass 2,8
• Lance Scott ~ Electric Bass 10,11
• E. J. Strickland ~ Drums 1,3~5,7,9
• Adonis Rose ~ Drums 2,8
• Jon Curry ~ Drums 10,11
• Beverly Botsford ~ Percussion 2,4,8
• Trineice Robinson-Martin ~ Background Vocal
• Kirk Whalum ~ Tenor Saxophone, Flute 4
• Shana Tucker ~ Cello 5

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