Andy LaVerne Quartet - Modern Days & Nights: Music Of Cole Porter (1996)

Cole Porter wrote some of the most enduring songs of this century. So, when it came time to choose material for this collection, the problem was not a matter of inclusion, rather a matter of selection. Along with the intrinsic beauty of his compositions, Porter infused his songs with a malleability to absorb countless interpretations. While playing jazz is more expressive than interpretive, the arranging and harmonization of familiar melodies opens the way to interpretation. The expressive side of this project was covered by the musicians. The chemistry between Bill, John, Steve, and myself proved most gratifying. The result of having the Porter tunes as vehicles for self-expression, is the four of us coalescing into a strong, yet flexible unit. Of course, the gentle, genial, and generous guidance of Jamey D. Aebersold certainly helped complete the package. We really had fun playing, so have fun listening! ~ Andy LaVerne, February, 1997. 

Double-Time Records, DTRCD-120, 1997
Recorded 23rd November, 1996 at the Steve Davis Studio, Yonkers, New York 

Musicians:
Andy LaVerne - Piano, Arranger
Bill Evans - Soprano Sax (#1,2,4,8), Tenor Sax (#3,5,7,9)
John Patitucci - Acoustic Bass (#1-7,9)
Steve Davis - Drums (#1-7,9) 

Tracks:
1. A Cole Porter Flat {Andy LaVerne} (8:13)
2. I Love You {Cole Porter} (7:30)
3. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (8:35)
4. What Is This Thing Called Love {Cole Porter} (8:11)
5. Everytime We Say Goodbye {Cole Porter} (7:24)
6. I've Got You Under My Skin {Cole Porter} (6:19)
7. Just One Of Those Things {Cole Porter} (8:42)
8. Everything I Love {Cole Porter} (4:06)
9. Night And Day {Cole Porter} (7:08) 

Total Time: 66:08 

Credits:
Producer - Jamey D. Aebersold
Mixing Engineer - Steve Davis
Photography - Andy Tommasi
Liner Notes - Andy LaVerne, Zan Stewart

Jim Snidero - MD66 (2016)

From the title MD66 it highlights the aesthetic lines of this project by Jim Snidero, which intends to pay homage to the second Davisian quintet of the 1960s. The original compositions feature short melodic cells as they fly for a solid rhythmic texture, crossed by an excellent interplay. It is not a record that redefines the future of jazz, but transmits its most genuine meaning thanks to a sincere communication and highly enjoyable musical textures. Starting from the first track, high school solos are imposed with great assertive strength in terms of technique and executive imagination. The leader's non-derivative style does the rest, giving the listener a convincing and far-reaching work. The executive intelligence has allowed the quintet to project tradition into a rich creative bed, where the various rivers of jazz contemporaneity coexist. The result is a particularly successful record, which far from rigid virtuosity of manner, stands out for its structural balance and stylistic coherence. ~ by Maurizo Zerbo, AAJ. [Translated from Italian] 

Savant Records, SCD 2156, 2016
Recorded 22nd April, 2016 at Acoustic Recording Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Jim Snidero - Alto Saxophone
Alex Sipiagin - Trumpet
Andy LaVerne - Piano
Ugonna Okegwo - Bass
Rudy Royston - Drums 

Tracks:
1. MD66 {Jim Snidero} (7:15)
2. Recursion {Jim Snidero} (9:38)
3. Free Beauty {Jim Snidero} (5:47)
4. Unified {Jim Snidero} (6:08)
5. Who We’ve Known {Jim Snidero} (6:27)
6. Un4Scene {Andy Laverne} (6:40)
7. Blue In Green {Miles Davis} (4:33)
8. Purge {Jim Snidero} (6:02) 

Total Time: 52:32

Credits:
Producer - Jim Snidero
Executive Producer - Joe Fields
Recording Engineer - Michael Brorby
Mixing & Mastering - Dave Darlington [Bass Hit, New York]
Photography [Booklet] - Earl & Sedor Photography
Photography [Front] - Christopher Drukker
Photography [Back] - Michael Brorby
Graphic Design - Christopher Drukker
Liner Notes - Dan Bilawsky 

“Miles is a muse more inspirational than technical”. ~ Jim Snidero.

Andy LaVerne, Dave Samuels - Fountainhead (1989)

Andy LaVerne has developed into a top-notch pianist, particularly during his tenure on Steeplechase. This duo date with Dave Samuels, who switches between vibes and marimba on this date, has the energy of Chick Corea's duets with Gary Burton. The innovative descending vamp that resonates repeatedly in "All the Things You Are" and hard-swinging rendition of "How Deep Is the Ocean" help these familiar standards seem like new. LaVerne and Samuels each brought four originals to the session: the pianist's lively "ATB" and the mysterious title track stand out, while Samuels' compositions aren't quite as memorable. ~ Ken Dryden, AMG. 

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31261, 1990
Recorded 28th June, 1989 

Musicians:
Andy LaVerne - Piano
Dave Samuels - Vibraphone, Marimba 

Tracks:
01. All The Things You Are {Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II} (6:01)
02. Severe Clear {Andy LaVerne} (7:56)
03. ATB {Andy LaVerne} (4:40)
04. Come To Me {Andy LaVerne} (4:41)
05. My Asian Land {Dave Samuels} (5:08)
06. ECB {Dave Samuels} (4:53)
07. Fountainhead {Andy LaVerne} (3:51)
08. Round Corners {Dave Samuels} (7:12)
09. Summernight {Harry Warren, Al Dubin} (6:53)
10. Waiting For You {Dave Samuels} (3:15)
11. How Deep Is The Ocean? {Irving Berlin} (4:55) 

Total Time: 59:25

Credits:
Producer, Photo - Nils Winther
Recording Engineer - Jim Anderson

Andy LaVerne - Liquid Silver (1984)

A Tribute to Bill Evans
===================
The CD under review here was recorded 30 October - 3 November 1984 for DMP. In 1984 LaVerne received an NAE grant to organize a Carnegie Hall tribute to his mentor Bill Evans. This CD is a studio version of that concert. The musicians are LaVerne (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Peter Erskine (drums), John Abercrombie (guitar), and the Essex String Quartet. All in all, the music on this CD is a nice tribute to Bill Evans, except the last track. The music is not for everyone as it often seems more like an intellectual exercise rather than an emotional outlet. The music does not swing, especial the string quartet tracks. If you are looking for Andy LaVerne jazz, look elsewhere. If you are looking for "chamber jazz" or a cross between classical music and jazz, this may be for you. ~ Extract by D.R.L., Amazon.com.

DMP Records, CD-449, 1984
Recorded 30th-31st October At A&R Studios and
3rd November At Clinton Recording Studio, 1984

Musicians:
Andy LaVerne - Piano
John Abercrombie - Guitar (#2,3,7,8)
Eddie Gomez - Bass (#1,3,4,6-8)
Peter Erskine - Drums (#1,3,4,6-8)

The Essex Quartet (#5,9):
Patricia Smith - Cello
Amy Dulsky - Viola
Sebu Sirinian - Violin [I]
Jennifer Cowles - Violin [II]

Tracks:
1. IRS [It's Really Something] {Andy LaVerne} (7:18)
2. Liquid Silver {Andy LaVerne} (6:00)
3. One Page Waltz {John Abercrombie} (5:19)
4. Laurie {Bill Evans} (9:02)
5. Letter To Evan {Bill Evans} (7:05)
6. How My Heart Sings {Earl Zindars} (5:37)
7. Turn Out The Stars {Bill Evans} (6:33)
8. Alpha Blue {Andy LaVerne} (6:20)
9. King's House One {Andy LaVerne} (17:18)

Total Time: 70:32

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Andy LaVerne
Producer, Engineer - Tom Jung
Engineer [Assistant] - Jean Jung, Rebecca Everett
Editing - Greg Squires
Design - Jim Henderson
Illustration - Lee Christiansen
Photography - Dave Horner, Richard Laird

Conrad Herwig, Andy LaVerne - Shades Of Light (2002)

It is without taking away anything from the founding fathers of this music to suggest that some of today's practitioners might be the most technically gifted lot to come along. Of course, they now have the entire rich history of jazz at their fingertips and slews of recordings for inspiration, yet there's no denying the talent at hand. Such is the case with 43-year-old trombonist Conrad Herwig. Hardly a Johnny Come Lately, Herwig has been on the scene for some 20 years playing in the bands of such legends as Buddy Rich and Eddie Palmieri, but has to be considered one of the most innovative players to come along since the days of J.J. Johnson and Curtis Fuller. Herwig's fourth and most recent date for the Dutch Criss Cross label, Hieroglyphica is a no holds barred quartet set of all originals that finds everyone working at full throttle. Without other horns to get in the way, this is the best place to experience Herwig at his most incendiary. Starting with a low moan and then breaking into wild glissandos through the upper register, Herwig kicks off the title track with a dazzling display that then builds to a frenetic climax with drums wailing and the rest of the ensemble participating in the collective frenzy. It's time for a quick cool down with the Latin-tinged 'The Orange Dove,' a breathy melody that is supported beautifully by pianist Bill Charlap's comping. And speaking of Charlap, for those of you only familiar with his demure and most recent trio dates, you'll be surprised at how much the pianist seems to step outside of the box here. In fact, some reckless abandon breaks forth on 'Island of the Day Before' as Herwig builds the tension before giving way to Charlap, who ushers in the calm before the storm and then hits with some heavy stuff of his own. And to get an idea of Herwig's range and the full complement of devices, look no further than a bluesy 'The Intruder.' Technically accomplished and still filled with communicative appeal, Hieroglyphica just may be Herwig's most brilliant recital to date. A bit more reserved, the trombonist's duo recital with pianist Andy LaVerne, Shades of Light, doesn't quite catch the fire that the quartet session does, but there's still plenty to savor. An impressive display of flutter tonguing comes just at the conclusion of 'Three Flowers,' a McCoy Tyner line that has to be among his most striking. Two Chick Corea gems, 'Tones For Joan's Bones' and 'Crystal Silence' seem especially attractive in this duo setting and Herwig's trombone carries both melodies quite well. You can gather some insight as to influences too, with Herwig sagaciously working in a quote from Wayne Shorter's 'Witch hunt' during his solo on 'African Flower.' ~ by C. Andrew Hovan, AAJ. 

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31520, 2002
Recorded April, 2000 

Musicians:
Conrad Herwig - Trombone
Andy LaVerne - Piano 

Tracks:
01. Three Flowers {McCoy Tyner} (7:37)
02. Tones For Joan's Bones {Chick Corea} (5:43)
03. Crystal Silence {Chick Corea, Neville Potter} (6:13)
04. Bessie's Blues {John Coltrane} (8:22)
05. If You Never Come To Me {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (4:28)
06. Shades Of Light {Hubert Laws} (6:04)
07. Black Narcissus {Joe Henderson} (5:30)
08. Think On Me {George Cables} (5:22)
09. African Flower {Duke Ellington} (5:16)
10. In Your Own Sweet Way {Dave Brubeck} (7:22) 

Total Time: 71:57 

Credits:
Producer, Photography - Nils Winther
Recording Engineer - Keiichi Goto
Liner Notes - Mark Gardner

The Cutting Edge feat. Tim Hagans - The Cutting Edge (1998)

Brilliant Post-Bop Giants

This release features some of the finest current players on the jazz scene, Tim Hagans is in my mind the most fluent trumpet player out there. His lyrical Miles-like sparseness is totally his own. Walt Weiskopf is out of Trane and no tenor has more technique at their disposal. Conrad Herwig is a breathtaking bone player, blasting through mind blowing changes on every solo. The ensemble work is swinging and seamless. Very hip rhythm section as well. Cannot Go Wrong With This One! ~ Robert Ricketts, Amazon.com.

Double-Time Records, DTRCD-141, 1999

Recorded January, 1998 At Steve Davis Studios, Yonkers, New York

Musicians:

Tim Hagans - Trumpet

Conrad Herwig - Trombone

Walt Weiskopf - Tenor Saxophone

Andy Laverne - Piano, Arranger

Jay Anderson - Bass

Steve Davis - Drums

Tracks:

1. Footprints {Wayne Shorter} (8:03)

2. Yesterdays {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (5:57)

3. Code Bleu {Andy Laverne} (10:10)

4. Cantaloupe Island {Herbie Hancock} (6:41)

5. Cutting Edge {Andy Laverne} (8:01)

6. Secret Of The Andes {Andy Laverne} (7:24)

7. Space Dozen {Tim Hagans} (5:20)

8. Our Destiny {Conrad Herwig} (7:17)

9. Get Out Of Town {Walt Weiskopf} (6:35)

Credits:

Producer - Andy Laverne

Mastering, Graphic Design - Jamey Aebersold

Liner Notes - Ted Panken

Total Time: 65:28

Ted Curson & Company - Jubilant Power (1976) [vinyl>flac]

This post is a tribute to Ted Curson who passed away early this month. RIP

Jubilant Power gives listeners an excellent sampling of the musical talents of Ted Curson. A versatile trumpeter who can play from straight ahead bop to free improvisations and anything in between, Ted Curson originally found some fame working with Charles Mingues in 1960. Jubilant Power, one of his finest recordings, was made 16 years later and has some of the type of inside/outside music that Curson made with Mingus. Curson is joined in a top-knotch sextet by baritonist Nick Brignola, altoist Chris Woods and either Andy LaVerne or Jim McNeely on piano and the result is adventurous hard-swinging music that clearly inspired all of the musicians. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG.

Slashing, dynamite exchanges, and an intense approach make this the Curson to grab. ~ Ron Wynn, AMG.

Inner City, IC 1017, 1976

Side A recorded 16th October, 1976 Live at Ethical Society in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Side B recorded 17th October, 1976 at Downtown Sound, New York City

Track Listing:

A1. Reava's Waltz {Ted Curson} (11:54)

A2. Ted's Tempo {Ted Curson} (8:54)

B1. Song Of The Lonely One [aka Ode To Booker Ervin] {Ted Curson} (7:33)

B2. Airi's Tune {Ted Curson} (6:15)

B3. Searching For The Blues {Ted Curson} (6:35)

B4. Marjo {Ted Curson} (5:41)

Personnel:

Ted Curson - Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cowbell

Chris Woods - Flute, Alto Saxophone

Nick Brignola - Saxcello, Baritone Saxophone

Andy LaVerne - Piano (Side A)

Jim McNeely - Piano (Side B)

David Friesen - Bass

Steve McCall - Drums (Side A)

Bob Merigliano - Drums (Side B)

Sam Jacobs - Conga

Ted Curson's Jubilant Power shows the modern jazz trumpeter in prime condition, very influenced by a stint with Charles Mingus, and exhorting his large ensemble to play music indicative of the title. This recording combines two live concert sessions from autumn of 1976 done on consecutive nights, the first in his native Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, and the second at Downtown Sound in New York City. Curson assembled a dynamic and exuberant band with the baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola and saxophonist/flutist Chris Woods, bassist David Friesen, conga player Sam Jacobs, an exchange of pianists and drummers for each night, and different compositions. Side A has two tunes from the Philly sessions with AACM drumkit juggernaut Steve McCall and pianist Andy LaVerne in tow, making for a presence that gives the band a forceful persona. The hot free bop "Reava's Waltz" showcases Curson's post Lee Morgan/Freddie Hubbard sound with an edge perfectly, especially during his solid solo as the horns chime in on occasion. "Ted's Tempo" is a modal to hard bop scorcher, fluent, risky, but built like a brick wall. The four tracks from Side B in N.Y.C. have Jim McNeely on the 88s and Bob Merigliano playing drums, offering a generally softer focus. The straight ballad "Marjo" borrows from "Sophisticated Lady," while the midtempo "Song of the Lonely" has Friesen's emotionally drenched bass saturating the quote-riddled trumpeter, who most specifically channels the changes of "What's New?." The upbeat numbers include a popping Latin chart "Airi's Tune" with a rich horn accord, while the definitive "Searchin' the Blues" is straight out of the Mingus bag with its delightfully entertaining, spontaneous, quirky speed-ups and settled slow-downs in the melody. Because Ted Curson produced far too few recordings, and because the band is excellent, this has to rank as one of his best efforts, his modern jazz still sounding vital and fresh. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Allmusic.com.