#projazznet

[projazznet]

Charles McPherson — Bebop Revisited! 

Bebop Revisited! is the debut album led by saxophonist Charles McPherson recorded in 1964 and released on the Prestige label.

AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4.5 stras out of 5 and stated:”Bebop is the thing on this excellent outing as altoist Charles McPherson and pianist Barry Harris do their interpretations of Charlie Parker and Bud Powell. With trumpeter Carmell Jones, bassist Nelson Boyd and drummer Al “Tootie” Heath completing the quintet, the band romps through such bop classics as “Hot House,” “Nostalgia,” “Wail” and “Si Si” along with an original blues and “Embraceable You.” A previously unissued “If I Love You” is added to the CD reissue. McPherson and Jones make for a potent frontline on these spirited performances, easily recommended to fans of straightahead jazz.”

Personnel: Charles McPherson – alto saxophone Carmell Jones – trumpet Barry Harris – piano Nelson Boyd – bass Albert Heath – drums

[projazznet]

Frank Rosolino – Free for all

Reception

AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars:”This CD reissue expands upon the original eight-song program by adding three alternate takes. The fine bop trombonist Frank Rosolino teams up with tenor saxophonist Harold Land and a West Coast rhythm section (pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Stan Levey) for a set of standards and melodic group originals. Originally cut for Specialty, the formerly rare session has its strong moments although it is not really all that essential but fans of Rosolino and Land will want to get it.”

Personnel:

Harold Land – tenor saxophone Frank Rosolino – trombone Leroy Vinnegar – bass Stan Levey – drums Victor Feldman – piano

[projazznet]

Steve Lacy – Soprano Sax

Soprano Sax(also released as Soprano Today) is the debut album by Steve Lacy which was released on the Prestige label in 1958. It features performances by Lacy, Wynton Kelly, Buell Neidlinger and Dennis Charles.

Reception

AllMusic review by Bob Rusch awarded the album 4 stars and stated:”This was the first of three recordings soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy made for Prestige and this 11/1/57 session was his first as a leader…There was a controlled tension to this date, like everybody’s trying to play, carefully, to a common goal. It’s almost as if someone were present to make sure everybody stayed within obvious perimeters.”

Personnel: Steve Lacy – soprano saxophone Wynton Kelly – piano Buell Neidlinger – bass Dennis Charles – drums

[projazznet]

Mel Torme – Yesterday When I Was Young

“Yesterday When I Was Young” (Vannier, Mercer, Gerard)

Album: “Mel Tormé ‎– Plays It Cool“, 2004

Mel Tormé ‎– Plays It Cool

Chris Gunning – conductor Mel Tormé – vocals

[projazznet]

"Improvisation is the ability to create something very personal in a moment of spontaneous inspiration."

~ Bill Evans

Photo by Brian McMillen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

[projazznet]

Al Di Meola – Scenario

Scenariois an album by jazz guitarist Al Di Meola, released in 1983. Musicians include keyboardist Jan Hammer, bassist Tony Levin and drummers Bill Bruford and Phil Collins.

Reception

“Certainly a turning point in di Meola’s career, but hardly at the level of his later output.” – AllMusic.

Personnel Al Di Meola – guitars, Roland guitar synthesizer Will Alexander – Fairlight CMI programming Tony Levin – stick bass Phil Collins – drums Bill Bruford – Simmons electronic drums

[projazznet]

“You’ve got to find your own way to say it.”

~ Stan Getz

📷Stan Getz by SAS Scandinavian Airlines, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

[projazznet]

Helen Merrill – Dream of You 

Dream of You is a studio album by Helen Merrill, which was arranged and conducted by Gil Evans.

Reception

AllMusic review by Stephen Cook awarded the album 4 stars stating “Even though her collaborations with Clifford Brown and others are great recordings, this one with Gil Evans shows off more of Merrill’s expressive vocal talents, due in no small part to the sympathetic and urbane arrangements.”

Personnel Helen Merrill – vocals Gil Evans – arranger, conductor John LaPorta – clarinet, alto saxophone Jerome Richardson – flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone Danny Bank – baritone saxophone Art Farmer, Louis Mucci – trumpet Jimmy Cleveland, Joe Bennett – trombone Hank Jones – piano Janet Putnam – harp Barry Galbraith – guitar Oscar Pettiford – double bass Joe Morello – drums