Kengo Nakamura - Generations (2008)

Top bassist Kengo Nakamura, who is active on the front lines in New York, releases his fifth album after two years. The first trio album that spotlights the blues spirit that has been passed down from generation to generation from the pioneers of jazz to the present. Featuring two piano players, master Junior Mance and up-and-coming Danny Grissett, and drummer Clarence Penn, known for his co-stars with Makoto Ozone, Maria Schneider, Dave Douglas, etc., also fully participates. Don't miss the dynamic and realistic sound created by Grammy Award-winning engineer Joe Ferla. ~ fiftyfiverecords.com. [Translated from Japanese] 

55 Records, FNCJ-5528, 2008
Recorded 25th & 26th June, 2008 at Avatar Studio C, New York City 

Musicians:
Kengo Nakamura - Bass
Danny Grissett - Piano (#1,4-6,8,9)
Junior Mance - Piano (#2,3,7)
Clarence Penn - Drums (Except #2,6,10) 

Tracks:
01. Mingus Figures {Kengo Nakamura} (4:51)
02. The Single Petal Of A Rose {Duke Ellington} (5:18)
03. The Shepherd {Kengo Nakamura} (4:39)
04. Generations {Kengo Nakamura} (6:34)
05. Ellis Island {Kengo Nakamura} (7:33)
06. Reincarnation Of A Lovebird {Charles Mingus} (4:51)
07. Julian's Shuffle {Kengo Nakamura} (6:33)
08. Eternal Landscape {Kengo Nakamura} (5:10)
09. Chase The Chaser {Kengo Nakamura} (3:31)
10. Just Squeeze Me {Duke Ellington, Lee Gaines} (4:15) 

Total Time: 53:15

Credits:
Producer - Kengo Nakamura
Executive Producer - Hiroshi Itsuno
Recording Engineer - Joe Ferla
Assistant Engineer - Justin Gerrish
Mastering - Mark Wilder [Battery Mastering]
Photography - Michael Black [Black Sun Studio]
Artwork - Ruri Fujita [Design R]
Liner Notes - Hijiri Kanno 

Reincarnation Of A Lovebird

Makoto Ozone - Three Wishes (1998)

Makoto Ozone's style is clearly tinged with Oscar Peterson's influences, and even if we tend to find "plans" or sounds very close from one disc to another, this pianist remains a sure value as his sense of rhythm and the musicality of his phrasing take on the guts. ~ CedMlis, Amazon.com. [Translated from French] 

Verve\Polydor Records, 557 562-2, 1998
Recorded 15th-17th November, 1997 at Avatar Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Makoto Ozone - Piano [Steinway]
Kiyoshi Kitagawa - Bass
Clarence Penn - Drums
Wallace Roney - Trumpet (#2,3,6) 

Tracks:
01. Three Wishes (6:22)
02. 53rd St. Blues (5:57)
03. Myst (6:08)
04. Kelly's Other Tune (5:55)
05. Only We Know (6:36)
06. Don't Say "Monk"! (5:10)
07. Stinger Double (6:27)
08. No Siesta (6:44)
09. Embrace (5:36)
10. BQE (5:05) 

All Compositions by Makoto Ozone 

Total Time: 60:06 

Credits:
Producer - Makoto Ozone
Executive-Producer - Kazuhiko Koike
Recording Engineer - Jim Anderson
Assistant Engineer - Barbara Lipke
Mastering Engineer - Allan Tucker [Foothill Digital, NY]
Cover Design - Ruri Fujita
Photography - Kazunori Isaka 

Three Wishes

Tim Warfield - Tim Warfield's Jazzy Christmas (2012)

Veteran saxophonist Tim Warfield delivers one of the finest modern Christmas jazz albums around on Jazzy Christmas. Performing a selection of familiar songs with a heavy contemporary flavor, the music is so straight-ahead in nature that such seasonal tunes like "Let It Snow," "Joy To The World," and "Silent Night," are almost unrecognizable as Christmas music and could easily be part of any playlist throughout the year. The arrangements take advantage of Warfield's star-studded cast, including trumpeter Terell Stafford, pianist Cyrus Chestnut and vibraphonist Stefon Harris. Assuring its uniqueness as a holiday album, Warfield's renditions of some of these Christmas classics are, as he states, "deliberately varied in length...allowing them to develop" - all with a measure of sophisticated improvisation sufficient enough to disguise some of the familiar melodies under a veil of terrific harmonies. The result is a lively, hard-driving showcase of sensational solos presented with boppish flair, begging for repeated spins. The traditional "Santa Clause Is Coming to Town" begins the session in a most untraditional fashion, with Warfields's earthy tenor leading a barrage of terrific solos, as Stafford and Harris join in on the fun. Vocalist Joanna Pascale appears on three tracks, introducing the Sammy Cahn favorite "Let It Snow" before yielding to Harris, who infuses his interpretation with a slight touch of Latin rhythms on this nine-minute burner. Percussionist Daniel Sadownick provides the sounds of the sleigh bells, while pianist Neil Podgurski runs the keys on the leader's soprano version of "Joy To The World." Drummer Clarence Penn's crashing cymbal accents seem all that appropriate on "Little Drummer Boy," another piece in which Warfield provides more torrid time on the soprano. One of the album's standouts is a traditional rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," where Warfield is at his sensational best, wielding his tenor aggressively and assertively. Other bright moments include a special rendition of "Oh Christmas Tree," featuring the great baritone vocalist Jamie Davis, as well as a new arrangement of "Silent Night" and Claude Thornhill's "Snowfall." Though a Christmas project at its core, the album also includes a bonus track in celebration of Hanukkah ("The Dreidal Song”). With Jazzy Christmas, Warfield takes a selection of well-known traditional Christmas songs and morphs them into a session of hard-improvised jazz, distinguishing it from other jazz holiday albums. ~ by Edward Blanco. 

Musicians:
Tim Warfield - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
Terell Stafford - Trumpet
Stefon Harris - Vibes
Cyrus Chestnut - Piano
Neil Podgurski - Piano (#1,3,8,10)
Rodney Whitaker - Bass
Clarence Penn - Drums
Daniel Sadownick - Percussion
Joanna Pascale - Vocals (#2,5,7)
Jamie Davis - Vocals (#6) 

Tracks:
01. Santa Clause Is Coming To Town {J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie} (8:12)
02. Let It Snow {Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne} (8:59)
03. Joy To The World {Traditional, Lowel Mason, Isaac Watts} (6:50)
04. Little Drummer Boy {Katherine Davis, Henri Onorati, Harry Simeone} (8:44)
05. Caroling Caroling {Alfred S. Burt, Wihila Huston} (4:02)
06. Oh Christmas Tree {Traditional} (5:51)
07. Silent Night {Traditional, Franz Gruber, Joseph Mohr} (7:00)
08. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen {Traditional} (7:12)
09. Snowfall {Claude Thornhill} (8:33)
10. The Dreidel Song {Traditional Hanukkah} (7:37) 

Arrangements by Tim Warfield except, Caroling Caroling, arranged by Joanna Pascale

"It is simply one of the best holiday albums I've heard" ~ Edward Blanco, WDNA Florida.

Makoto Ozone Trio - No Strings Attached (1999)

Makoto Ozone was born in Kobe, Japan. He began playing organ at two and by seven was an improviser. At twelve he switched to piano after being impressed by the albums of Oscar Peterson. In 1980, he entered the Berklee College of Music and later worked with Gary Burton. He also had his recording debut in 1983 before returning to his native Japan. From then he has evolved into one of Japan's respected jazz pianists, noted for his collaboration with No Name Horses. In 1999, whilst in New York he assembled this working trio and produced this album. Joining him on bass is his long-term associate Kiyoshi Kitagawa and the great American drummer Clarence Penn. There is a lot of variety on this album with all members of this top trio formation showcasing a number of their own tunes: Makoto four, Kiyoshi three, Clarence three and one penned by Astor Piazzolla. Overall, this release is an exciting and dynamic post-bop affair. Makoto is superb as is both Kiyoshi and Clarence. As an entry point to Makoto’s playing and expertise any jazz lover will certainly be impressed. Not more to say other than sit back and enjoy the journey. 

Verve Records, POCJ-1450, 1999
Recorded 14th-16th March, 1999 at Avatar Studios, Manhattan, New York 

Musicians:
Makoto Ozone - Piano
Kiyoshi Kitagawa - Bass
Clarence Penn - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Come Fly With Three {Clarence Penn} (4:10)
02. Oriental Rag {Makoto Ozone} (4:54)
03. Agua De La Música {Makoto Ozone} (5:56)
04. La Muerte Del Ángel {Astor Piazzolla} (4:19)
05. Michel {Makoto Ozone} (4:55)
06. In The Wee Hours {Clarence Penn} (5:32)
07. Kingdom Of The Drum {Clarence Penn} (4:07)
08. December Dream {Kiyoshi Kitagawa} (5:08)
09. Why Not? {Kiyoshi Kitagawa} (4:02)
10. Sincerity {Kiyoshi Kitagawa} (5:51)
11. No Strings Attached {Makoto Ozone} (5:31) 

Total Time: 54:25 

Credits:
Producer - Makoto Ozone
Executive-Producer - Kazuhiko Koike
Engineer - Jim Anderson
Assistant Engineer - Rory Romano
Mastering - Allan Tucker [Foothill Digital]
Liner Notes - Masahiko Yuh

Edward Simon, Scott Colley, Clarence Penn - A Master's Diary (2006)

It may be that he is not as famous as his compatriot Ennio Morricone, but Fiorenzo Carpi (1918-1997) is also valued in professional circles and his oeuvre is rated as equal. Even if the name has been forgotten by now, the melodies of the Italian are certainly not. The public-shy Milanese wrote the music for countless cinema, television films, movie soundtracks and stage productions. Some of the most beautiful examples from Maestro Carpi's extensive catalog of works can be heard on "A Master's Diary" in emphatically lyrical jazz adaptations. Here the Edward Simon Trio preserves the narrative magic of the film themes and at the same time emphasizes their timeless beauty. It is, for example, quite magical how Simon gently touches the sequence "Nel Parco" from "Maggio Musicale" on the grand piano. And the rhythmically free flowing "In Cerca di Cibo" from the TV series "Le Avventure di Pinocchio" presents the pianist and his colleagues as extremely sensitive. We then experience them from another side in the quickly swinging "Valzer Lento". Edward Simon, who comes from Venezuela and has lived in the USA since the mid-1980s, has earned a reputation as a versatile and extremely clever pianist. At the side of Terence Blanchard, Avishai Cohen, Brian Blade, Don Byron or Herbie Mann, he made people sit up and take notice as well as leading his own ensembles. In particular, his work in the jazz trio, from which acclaimed studio albums and celebrated appearances in jazz temples such as the Village Vanguard have grown, earned the South American the highest merits. For "A Master's Diary" he collaborated with bassist Scott Colley and drummer Clarence Penn putting together a wonderfully harmonious trio cast. On the album opener "Eugenia's Theme", Diego Urcola joins as a guest on the muted trumpet. Over all a beautiful set of compositions brought to life, Enjoy! ~ Extract by Lena Carle, qrious.de. [Translated from German] 

C.A.M. Jazz, CAMJ 7843-2, 2012
Recorded 26th & 27th July, 2006 at Sear Sound, New York 

Musicians:
Edward Simon - Piano, Solo (#5,10)
Scott Colley - Bass
Clarence Penn - Drums
Diego Urcola - Trumpet (#1) 

Tracks:
01. Eugenia's Theme (6:01)
02. Passeggiata Nel Parco (7:34)
03. In Cerca Di Cibo (5:51)
04. Nel Parco (3:07)
05. Diario Di Un Maestro (3:34)
06. Valzer Lento (5:18)
07. Eugenia's Theme (6:19)
08. Passeggiata Nel Parco [Reprise] (6:32)
09. Diario Di Un Maestro (3:40)
10. In Cerca Di Cibo (3:57) 

All Compositions by Fiorenzo Carpi 

Total Time: 51:53 

Credits:
Producer - Ermanno Basso
Engineer, Mixing - Joe Barbaria
Mastering - Danilo Rossi
Photography - Andrea Boccalini
Liner Notes - Federico Scoppio

Max Ionata, Clarence Penn, Reuben Rogers - Kind Of Trio (2011)

Trio of great harmony, already experienced in the past with another successful album, this time Max Ionata, Clarence Penn and Reuben Rogers compete in a recording project using the original formula of the trio and give us a total of eleven tracks with nine original pieces signed by the three musicians. Max Ionata is considered one of the most exciting saxophonists of the Italian jazz scene, he has played in some of the most important jazz clubs and jazz festivals in the world and has collaborated with great musicians. Clarence Penn, described by some critics as the most elegant of contemporary jazz drummer chosen by many for his versatility in all kinds of music. Reuben Rogers, bass player of exceptional musical talent, has had the opportunity also to work with many international jazz artists. More than just another trio! 

Via Veneto Jazz, VVJ 074, 2011
Recorded 22nd-25th March, 2011 at Icarus Recording Studios, Rome, Italy 

Musicians:
Max Ionata - Tenor Saxophone
Reuben Rogers - Double Bass
Clarence Penn - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Brotherhood {Clarence Penn} (6:48)
02. Con Alma {Arr. Reuben Rogers; Dizzy Gillespie} (7:22)
03. Kumico {Max Ionata} (4:16)
04. But {Max Ionata} (5:22)
05. Out Back {Clarence Penn} (5:34)
06. Nuovo Cinema Paradiso [Love Theme] {Ennio Morricone} (5:51)
07. The Change {Max Ionata} (4:03)
08. To Be {Reuben Rogers} (5:51)
09. Raven {Clarence Penn} (4:28)
10. Aurora {Max Ionata} (6:29)
11. Waiting For Eli {Clarence Penn} (3:59) 

Total Time: 60:09 

Credits:
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Stefano Del Vecchio
Artwork - Enzo Criscione
Photography - Paolo Soriani

Roseanna Vitro - Passion Dance (1996)

One of the top jazz singers of the 1990s, Roseanna Vitro is a versatile vocalist who is not afraid to take chances. On her Telarc debut, the personnel changes on many of the ten selections with the stars among the sidemen including pianist Ken Werner (Vitro's musical director), altoist Gary Bartz, trumpeter Tim Hagans, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Elvin Jones. Among the highpoints of the diverse repertoire are an adventurous "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Out of This World," "Long as You're Livin '," McCoy Tyner's "Passion Dance" and "Strollin"' (an adaptation of Charles Mingus' "Nostalgia in Times Square"). The only number that does not work is an over-the-top rendition of "More than You Know" that is overly complex; simplicity would have been much more effective. Otherwise, this is a superior set by a very appealing singer. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Telarc Jazz, CD-83385, 1996
Recorded 19th July, 1994 at Skyline Studios, New York
& January, 1995 at Sound On Sound Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Roseanna Vitro - Vocals, Arranger
Tim Hagans - Trumpet
John Fedchock - Trombone
Gary Bartz - Alto Saxophone
Tim Ries - Tenor Saxophone
Kenny Werner - Piano, Arranger
Larry Willis - Piano
Kevin Mahogany - Piano, Vocals (#8)
Steve Nelson - Vibraphone
Romero Lubambo, Vic Juris - Guitar
Christian McBride, Ratzo B. Harris, Richie Goods - Bass
Clarence Penn, Elvin Jones - Drums
Jamey Haddad - Drums, Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Out Of This World {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (5:29)
02. Long As You're Livin' {Oscar Brown Jr., Julian Priester, Tommy Turrentine} (6:16)
03. Returned To Me ["The Bird"] {Tex Allen} (5:32)
04. Freedom Jazz Dance {Eddie Harris} (5:18)
05. For Heaven's Sake {Elise Bretton, Sherman Edwards, Don Meyer} (5:04)
06. Whisper Not {Benny Golson} (4:50)
07. Simone {Frank Foster, Cheryl Pyle} (7:24)
08. Blue Monk {Thelonious Monk} (5:14)
09. Passion Dance {McCoy Tyner, Roseanna Vitro} (6:41)
10. More Than You Know {Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans} (7:20)
11. Strollin' [Nostalgia In Times Square] {Charles Mingus} (5:20) 

Total Time: 64:32

Credits:
Producer, Engineer, Mixing - Paul Wickliffe
Executive Producer - Robert Woods
Assistant Engineer - Devin Emke, Rich Lamb, Ed Raso
Production Supervisor - Elaine Martone
Art Direction, Cover Design - Anilda Carrasquillo
Photography - Carol Friedman
Liner Notes - Roseanna Vitro, Michael G. Nastos

Joe Locke - For The Love Of You (2009)

Honoring various composers, vibraphonist Joe Locke has led his group for three years in an annual gig at Dizzy's Coca Cola Club in New York. Recently Locke decided to record the output with the happy result being For The Love Of You. Four top-flight musicians are gathered for this gig - pianist Geoffrey Keezer, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Clarence Penn. Joining the four, little-known vocalist Kenny Washington - Vocals (not to be confused with the renowned drummer of the same name) is the real star here. How they all got together is an interesting story. Locke met Washington singing in a small venue in Half Moon Bay, Northern California. He was so impressed with what he heard that he decided to collaborate with him in the future. He got the chance during Mancini week at Dizzy's, an event that honored film composer Henry Mancini. This was the beginning of what became a yearly get-together. After the first year, the program expanded to include the music of other film-score writers, including Johnny Mandel and Ennio Morricone. In 2009, the scope was widened further, bringing in material from pop-rockers the Isley Brothers and Neil Young, along with standards and Locke originals. Washington is heard on seven of the ten tracks. He has a smooth tenor voice with a four-octave range. At all times, he respects the lyrics. Each number, whether slow ballad or swing, he stays with the story. In a style akin to Nat King Cole, he begins in a mellow mood with Mancini's "Two for the Road." Next the atmosphere warms with a bouncy version of Lane/Harburg's "Old Devil Moon." The backup from Locke and his crew could not be better. They create a sphere for the vocals to shine while leaving ample space for all to show their solo talents. Three instrumental tracks further emphasize their collective prowess. A centerpiece of the record is Mandel's "The Shadow of Your Smile." At the start, Penn's up-tempo drumming is effective counterpoint to Washington's leisurely pace. Soon it builds toward an explosive climax. Keezer and Locke further add sparks with torrid solos, and Washington finishes with a coda that vividly shows off his wide range. Of the instrumentals, Morricone's "Cinema Paradiso" is a winner. Mraz's stately bowed-bass opening gives way to dreamy solos by Locke and Keezer. Mraz concludes the piece with a lovely pizzicato flourish. ~ by Larry Taylor, AAJ. 

E1 Entertainment, E1E-CD-2046, 2010
Recorded 11th-12th May, 2009 At Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Joe Locke - Vibraphone, Arranger
Geoffrey Keezer - Piano
George Mraz - Bass, Arranger
Clarence Penn - Drums
Kenny Washington - Vocals (#1-4,6,7,9) 

Tracks:
01. Two For The Road {Leslie Bricusse, Henry Mancini} (5:04)
02. Old Devil Moon {E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, Burton Lane} (7:34)
03. For The Love Of You {Ernie Isley, Chris Jasper} (6:01)
04. Verrazano Moon {Joe Locke} (6:30)
05. I Miss New York [When I Been Gone Too Long] {Joe Locke} (4:57)
06. Birds {Neil Young} (4:56)
07. The Shadow Of Your Smile {Johnny Mandel, Ben Webster} (7:57)
08. Cinema Paradiso {Ennio Morricone} (5:24)
09. Pure Imagination {Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley} (5:27)
10. Bright Side Up {Joe Locke} (5:11) 

Total Time: 59:01 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Joe Locke
Producer - Todd Barkan
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Michael Marciano
Mastering Engineer - Alan Silverman [Art Studio]
Management - nadworks. ltd Nadja von Massow
Arranger - Art Hirahara, Pat O'Leary
Artwork, Graphic Design - Nadja von Massow
Cover Photo - Christoph Risch
Photography - Russ Titelman, Alexandros Lambrovassillis, Tom Marcello