Shades

Superb bassist, songwriter and vocalist Jack Prather has assembled a fine, mellow group of musicians and vocalists for this wonderful CD.  The ensemble is made up of vocalists Beth Wood, Stephanie Haynes,  Dewey Erney, Steve Wood and Jack Prather (also acoustic bass).  Additional instrumentalists include Leonard Thompson (piano), Ron Stout (trumpet), Keith Bishop (woodwinds), Jerry Kalaf (drums) and Sam Shepherd (guitar). This CD represents some blues, conditions of life and some happiness.  All tunes are distinctively done and delightful as well.   

All the compositions here are by Prather, whose lyrics and the music are quite entertaining.  The CD opens with the title tune, “Shades,” which Prather sings.  Haynes and Prather sing a groovy number, “Don’t Look Now,” one of the best of this CD, in my opinion. Trumpet great Ron Stout is also featured in this classy song.  Haynes sings a beautiful tune, “Suddenly It’s Summer,” in her mellow, smooth, identifiable voice.  

Off the Cuff

A unique sense of harmony, movement and drama has characterized the music of pianist Rick Germanson since his first recording, Heights (Fresh Sounds/New Talent, 2003). Noted Bill Donaldson (Cadence), “Without ostentation and with clearly conceived logic… Germanson makes clear to his listeners the narratives of his music. Indeed, one of Germanson's trademarks seems to be his transitioning between tempos to add interest to his arrangements.” Named “Best New Talent New York” for 2004 by All About Jazz New York, the Milwaukee native and winner of the 1996 Grand Prize in the American Pianist Association Jazz Piano Competition followed in 2005 with You Tell Me, again on Fresh Sound/New Talent. This set of mostly original compositions further highlighted the richly textured ideas of an ever-evolving pianist. Germanson’s more recent itinerary has included extended tours with Pat Metheny and Louis Hayes’ Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band, and finally he found time to record with Hayes and fellow Milwaukeean, bassist Gerald Cannon. Off the Cuff (2009, Owl Studios) is his strongest effort yet.

Mighty Long Way

In a bit of 52nd Street scene (NYC) tabula rasa, Alvin Queen seemed destined to have his life entwined with jazz in some way. Growing up in the Levister Projects (New York) during the fifties, Alvin's father was a jazz devotee, taking him to shows at The Apollo. The familial enthusiasm for jazz combined with the numerous clubs, which dotted the landscape where one could go to see jazz live, made Alvin an early convert.  

His artistic naissance included playing in the school marching band and playing at the age of eleven as a stand-in drummer for altoist Jimmy Hill which, because of his age, required him to be accompanied by an adult. Alvin also needed a chaperone for his next baptism of fire, the annual Gretsch Drum Night held at the original Birdland. Here was where he garnered enthusiastic responses from what now reads like some of jazz percussion's royal court (Elvin Jones, Charlie Persip, Max Roach and Mel Lewis). It was at this event that Alvin would be introduced to Elvin Jones, who initiated the next event in the artistic evolution of Alvin's life, which could definitely be seen as a “consecration” of sorts.  

Benny and Bucky at the Dakota©Andrea Canter

Green on piano and Pizzarelli on guitar offer their interpretations of classics from The Great American Songbook, featuring compositions by Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer and John Green, among others.  The album opens with Green’s introduction of “These Foolish Things” and Pizzarelli, on his seven-string Benedetto guitar, joins the chorus at the absolutely perfect moment.  The beauty of their conversations on the album is in evidence with this opening arrangement--they take turns making statements that elicit responses in support of what was just said, expand the dialogue in a new direction, engage in point/counterpoint, summarize the discussion, and then bring the discourse to a satisfying close. 

Jay Epstein©Andrea Canter

Long Ago was the first recording from drummer Jay Epstein, with pianist Bill Carrothers and bassist Anthony Cox.In describing the effort, Jazz Times noted “energetic, sometimes dark and eerie, peak musical moments abound with seasoned artistry.” But that was long ago (1997)—we’ve waited more than a decade for lightning to strike twice for this magical trio. Finally Epstein, Carrothers and Cox come back with Easy Company (GoneJazz). These artists are not new to the Twin Cities or national jazz scene or to each other; each has established his reputation through countless recordings, tours, and performance at diverse venues.

Frankhouse

The Twins Cities jazz scene boasts some very fine brass ensembles. There’s Snowblind, the CC Septet, Jack Brass, Hornheads, X-Tet, and now Frankhouse. Led by trumpeter Dan Frankowski, this quintet has released its debut recording, Thought Versus Emotion. And don’t let that title fool you, there’s plenty of thought and emotion throughout these sixteen tracks.