Terence Blanchard - The Heart Speaks (1996)

Although trumpeter Terence Blanchard gets first billing on this recording, it is very much a joint effort with singer-composer Ivan Lins. Not only are all 13 songs by Lins but he sings on all but the three instrumentals although sometimes just wordlessly in the background. Blanchard often harmonizes with Lins' voice, creating a melancholy and dreamy atmosphere. Most selections feature Blanchard's regular rhythm section of the time, augmented by Paulinho Da Costa's percussion and occasionally Oscar Castro-Neves' acoustic guitar. This CD, which is full of haunting ballads along with a few more jubilant numbers, serves as a superior introduction to Lins' music for jazz fans who might only be familiar with his "Love Dance." ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Columbia Records, CK 67415, 1996
Recorded 28th-31st August, 1995 at Conway Studios, Studio C, Hollywood, California 

Musicians:
Terence Blanchard - Trumpet, Arranger [Cello]
Ivan Lins - Piano, Vocals (#1-4,6,8,9,11-13)
Edward Simon - Piano (#1,2,4-10,12,13)
Oscar Castro-Neves - Guitar (#1-3,9,13)
David Pulphus - Bass (#1-10,12,13)
David Bohanovich - Cello (#2)
Fred Zlotkin - Cello (#8,10)
Troy Davis - Drums (#1-7,9,10,12,13)
Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion (#1-4,6,9,12,13)

Tracks:
01. Aparecida {Ivan Lins, Maurício Tapajós} (6:02)
02. Antes Que Seja Tarde {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (5:30)
03. Meu Pais [My Country] {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (3:57)
04. Valsa Mineira {Ivan Lins} (4:54)
05. The Heart Speaks {Ivan Lins} (5:28)
06. Congada Blues {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (5:37)
07. Nocturna {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (5:26)
08. Just For Nana {Ivan Lins} (5:04)
09. Orizimbo And Rosicler {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (4:31)
10. Choros Das Aguas {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (7:29)
11. Love Dance {Paul Williams, Ivan Lins, Gilson Peranzzetta, Vitor Martins}
/ Começar de Novo {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (4:26)
12. Menino {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (4:50)
13. Aparecida Reprise {Ivan Lins, Maurício Tapajós} (1:05) 

Total Time: 64:27 

Credits:
Producer - Miles Goodman
Executive Producer - Tony McAnany
Associate Producer - Robin Burgess
Engineer, Mixing - Joel Moss, James Nichols
Assistant Engineer - Sean O’Dwyer
Mastering - Vladimir Meller
Photography - Hans Neleman
Art Direction - Joel Zimmerman
Liner Notes - Ivan Lins

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

Terell Stafford - Time To Let Go (1995)

This scintillating set is appropriately titled Time to Let Go and truly reflects the trumpeter's musical state of mind. Firmly established as a contemporary jazz master, Terrell Stafford is now getting the critical acclaim his talent deserves. Unlike many of his peers, he is nothing short of seasoned. He spent five years touring with Bobby Watson's scintillating post-bop quintet, which included pianist Ed Simon, drummer Victor Lewis and saxophonists Steve Wilson and Tim Warfield who join Terell here, together with vibraphonist Steve Nelson.

 

Candid Records, CCD 79702, 1995
Recorded 8th-9th March, 1995 at Power Station Studios, New York

Musicians:
Terell Stafford - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Steve Wilson - Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone (#2,4)
Tim Warfield - Tenor Saxophone (#4,9)
Edward Simon - Piano
Steve Nelson - Vibraphone (#2,6)
Michael Bowie - Bass
Victor Lewis - Drums (Except #5)
Victor See-Yuen - Percussion (#2,8) 

Tracks:
1. Time To Let Go {Terell Stafford} (4:43)
2. Was It Meant To Be? {Stephen Scott} (6:15)
3. Polka Dots And Moonbeams {Johnny Burke, James van Heusen} (5:55)
4. Qui Qui {Terell Stafford} (7:15)
5. On The Trail {Harold Adamson, Ferde Grofé} (8:09)
6. Why? {Terell Stafford} (4:31)
7. Soon {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (6:26)
8. Send In The Clowns {Stephen Sondheim} (5:47)
9. Just A Closer Walk With Thee {Traditional, Arr. Terell Stafford} (3:42) 

Credits:
Producer, Mastering, Arranger - Terell Stafford
Executive Producer - Alan Bates
Engineer, Mixing - Jim Anderson
Assistant Engineer, Mixing Assistant - Scott Austin, Scott Young
Session Photographer - Mitchell Seidel
Mastering - Dave Glasser
Cover Photo - R. Andrew Lepley