Manhattan Jazz Orchestra - Moanin' (1989)

The Manhattan Jazz Orchestra's first album. The selection of songs is superb, from Caravan to the exciting Moanin' to My Funny Valentine! Each member has outstanding technique and the arrangement is excellent. The performance and atmosphere are hot. Starting with Duke Ellington's "Caravan," "Summertime," "Moanin'," "My Funny Valentine," "Sidewinder," and "Autumn Leaves," famous songs that represent jazz history are performed one after another. The recording is excellent, the horns are crisp, and the roar of the bass and the sound of the drums are realistic. ~ fleamarket. 

Heat Relief: Oh, yeah? Blow away the intense heat, the performance was immediately MJQ's genealogy, very pleasant! It is exhilarating. It will be a piece that will listen to with a good quality device! ~ ACE, 5 Stars, [Translated from Japanese] Amazon.com. 

Paddle Wheel, 292E 6046, 1989
Recorded 12th, 15th & 21st August, 1989 at A&R Studio, New York 

Personnel:
Dave Matthews - Piano
Alan Rubin, Joe Shepley - Trumpet (#1,3-5,7)
Jon Faddis - Trumpet (#1,3,4)
Earl Gardner, Robert Millikan, Tony Kadleck - Trumpet (#2,6)
Lew Soloff, Randy Brecker - Trumpet (#5,7)
Birch Johnson - Trombone (#1,3-5,7)
Jim Pugh, Keith O'Quinn, Urbie Green - Trombone (#2,6)
Paul Faulise - Bass Trombone (#1,3-5,7)
David Taylor - Bass Trombone (#2,5-7)
Fred Griffin, John Clark - French Horn (#1,3-5,7)
Chris Hunter, Dick - Alto Saxophone Oatts (#2,6)
George Young - Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet
Lawrence Feldman - Tenor Saxophone (#2,6)
Roger Rosenberg - Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone (#2,6)
Hiram Bullock - Guitar (#2)
Chip Jackson - Bass
Danny Gottlieb - Drums (#1-4,6)
Dave Weckl - Drums (#5,7)

Tracks:
1. Caravan {Duke Ellington, Juan Tizol} (7:43)
2. Moanin' {Bobby Timmons} (4:45)
3. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers} (7:13)
4. Summertime {George Gershwin} (10:03)
5. The Sidewinder {Lee Morgan} (8:25)
6. Big Apple Jam {David Matthews} (8:42)
7. Autumn Leaves {Joseph Kosma} (8:19) 

Total Time: 55:14 

Credits:
Producer - David Matthews (#1,2-7), Kenzo Yokokura (#2)
Reissue Producer - Yoichi Nakao
Engineer - Michael Farrow
Mastering Engineer - Hatsuro Takanami
Cover Design - Shigo Yamaguchi, Takuya Watanabe
Art Direction - Munco Hanzawa
Notes - Yasuki Nakayama 

Moanin'

LeeAnn Ledgerwood - You Wish (1991)

LeeAnn Ledgerwood, who played in New York clubs for most of the 1980s, finally made her debut as a leader on this set, which is comprised of six of her originals, two from flutist Jeremy Steig and a pair of standards. Throughout, the pianist often recalls Chick Corea (especially on "Nardis" and the intense "Terribillis"), performing with a trio, a quartet and solo (a largely unrecognizable "I Want to Talk About You"). Ledgerwood takes several impressive improvisations, but Jeremy Steig really dominates the four songs he appears on, while tenorman Bill Evans (who is on two selections) is quite effective on "Smash and Grab." With either Eddie Gomez or Steve LaSpina on bass in addition to drummer Danny Gottlieb, this well-rounded set was a good start for LeeAnn Ledgerwood's solo career. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Triloka Records, 320187-2, 2002
Digitally recorded 4th-5th January, 1991 At Power Station, New York City 

Musicians:
LeeAnn Ledgerwood - Piano, Keyboards
Jeremy Steig - Flute
Bill Evans - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Eddie Gomez, Steve LaSpina - Bass
Danny Gottlieb - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Robins Row {Jeremy Steig, LeeAnn Ledgerwood} (3:53)
02. Taisho Pond {LeeAnn Ledgerwood} (4:50)
03. Miss Perfect {Jeremy Steig} (5:32)
04. Chance {LeeAnn Ledgerwood} (5:39)
05. Nardis {Miles Davis} (8:09)
06. Afterglow {Jeremy Steig} (3:12)
07. You Wish {LeeAnn Ledgerwood} (7:02)
08. Smash And Grab {LeeAnn Ledgerwood} (4:20)
09. Terribillis {LeeAnn Ledgerwood} (6:31)
10. I Wanna Talk About You {Billy Eckstine} (2:58) 

Total Time: 52:06 

Credits:
Producer, Remixing - Walter Becker
Executive-Producer - KD Kagel, Mitchell Markus, Paul A. Sloman
Engineer, Digital Editing, Mastering - Roger Nichols
Engineer [Assistant] - Dan Gellert
Remixing [Assistant] - Tom Hardisty