#janis mann

[madman-of-amargosa]

Kristen gave birth to her and Junior’s second child,  A girl they names Janis.

[thejazzbakery]

JANIS MANN: Artist's Choice

To hear Janis’s music mix, follow the page jump and click the Play icon; full playlist and musician credits follow.  For the music portion only, click here.

“I really feel like it’s adventurous, edgy music,” says piano legend/jazz guru Kenny Werner, “and she was real gutsy to record it that way.”  He’s talking about vocalist Janis Mann and the CD they’re about to release together called CELESTIAL ANOMALY [Pancake Records].  As with most vocal jazz records, it’s stacked with classics (“With a Song In My Heart”), standards (“You Must Believe In Spring”), ballads (“Once I Loved”) and a brief flirtation with pop (even tapping Elton John’s songbook).  But you rarely hear these chestnuts performed in a manner quite so bold – neophytes simply wouldn’t go there.  “Letting go and allowing the joy and creativity to come through is what I live for,” Janis responds.

To celebrate the record’s release, Janis and Kenny are performing at our Movable Feast on Sunday afternoon, September 15, at the Barnsdall Art Park Theatre in Hollywood.  Bassist Hamilton Price and drummer Roy McCurdy reprise their roles from the recording session.  Advance tickets are advised.

Janis jumped right into our Artist’s Choice challenge.  There was some momentary hesitation about the inclusion of one track (because it also turned up on Stefon Harris’s recent mix), as well as some debate between multiple live recordings of another.  Wisely, and unsurprisingly, Janis went with her gut.  Not only does her playlist stand on its own as a heartfelt mixtape, it’s practically a companion piece to CELESTIAL ANOMALY.  Once you’ve heard both, you’ll note all kinds of connections.  And that’s the whole point of this series.  To quote Kenny Werner, “Bravo, Janis!”

The Rules: List at least ten favorite record tracks, any musical genres.  No more than one track from the same album and no more than two tracks by the same recording artist.  One track MUST come from your own discography … 

Click the PLAY> button above to listen.

JANIS MANN’S GUTCHECK GROOVES

  • “Return to Paradise” (Tiomkin-Washington) – Shirley Horn from HERE’S TO LIFE (1992)  [Verve]  Shirley Horn: vox+piano, Charles Ables + Chuck Domanico: bass, Steve Williams: drums, Steve Kujala + James Walker: flute solo, Luis Comte: percussion+bird sounds, Johnny Mandel: arranger, add’l musicians: unspecified

• “Uncovered Heart” (Werner) – Kenny Werner from LAWN CHAIR SOCIETY (2007)  [Blue Note]  Kenny Werner: piano+keys, Dave Douglas: cornet, Chris Potter: tenox sax, Scott Colley: bass, Brian Blade: drums

• “Shades of Scarlet Conquering” (Mitchell) – Joni Mitchell from THE HISSING OF SUMMER LAWNS (1975)  [Asylum]  Joni Mitchell: vox+piano, Larry Carlton: guitar, Victor Feldman: electric piano+vibes, Max Bennett: bass, John Guerin: drums, Dale Oehler: string arrangement, add’l musicians: unspecified

• “Someone to Light Up My Life” (Jobim-de Moraes-Lees) – Janis Mann from A PERFECT TIME: DRUMMERS AND OTHER FRIENDS (2007)  [Pancake Records]  Janis Mann: vox, Tamir Hendelman: piano, John Clayton: bass, Peter Erskine: drums

• “You Don’t Know What Love Is” (Raye-DePaul) – Keith Jarrett from AT THE DEER HEAD INN (1994)  [ECM]  Keith Jarrett: piano, Gary Peacock: bass, Paul Motian: drums

• “Summer Night” (Dubin-Warren) – Roy Haynes from FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH (2004)  [Dreyfus Records]  Roy Haynes: drums, Martin Bejerano: piano, Marcus Strickland: sax, John Sullivan: bass

• “Stolen Moments (You Belong to Her)” (Nelson)(Fischer) – Carmen McRae & Betty Carter from THE CARMEN McRAE - BETTY CARTER DUETS (1987)  [Great American Music Hall]  Carmen McRae + Betty Carter: vox, Eric Gunnison: piano, Jim Hughart: bass, Winard Harper: drums

• “Edith and the Kingpin” (Mitchell) – Herbie Hancock from RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS (2007)  [Verve]  Herbie Hancock: piano, Tina Turner: vox, Wayne Shorter: tenor sax, Dave Holland: bass, Lionel Loueke: guitar, Vinnie Colaiuta: drums

• “You Won’t Forget Me” (Goell-Spielman) – Shirley Horn from YOU WON’T FORGET ME (1991)  [Verve]  Shirley Horn: vox+piano, Miles Davis: trumpet, Charles Ables: bass, Steve Williams: drums

• “I Loves You, Porgy” (Gershwin-Heyward-Gershwin) – Keith Jarrett from THE MELODY AT NIGHT, WITH YOU (1999)  [ECM]  Keith Jarrett: piano

  Because social media allows us to stream music legally, the Jazz Bakery is publishing this series of artist-curated ‘mix tapes’ for our followers and fans of jazz everywhere.  By sharing their favorite music with us, these artists are allowing us  glimpses into their creative DNA.  Follow their example:  Share music, don’t steal it.