David Hazeltine Trio - The Jobim Songbook In New York (2007)

On this project, pianist David Hazeltine takes on the music of the late Jobim (who would have turned eighty in 2007) by looking at the music from an American point of view, without the typical bossa nova elements. Most of the music presented here is well-known, from "The Girl from Ipanema” to "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" (titled "Quiet Nights" on the CD), but what Hazeltine does here is augment the classical influence that the songs' writer brought to them. Jobim borrows from classical sources, Hazeltine comments in the liners. "Studying classical piano opens my mind and wipes the slate clean". One of the highlights is "Wave", which begins with the melody popularized in the US by Frank Sinatra. "One Note Samba" makes good use of its syncopated beat to showcase the talents of bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Joe Farnsworth. "Caminhos Cruzados" (Crossed Paths) is a song from Jobim's early partnership with Newton Mendonça that did not become a household tune. The song's original lyrics speak of a lover who needs to call an affair off because he is tired of the other partner's attitude towards him (a recurring theme in bossa nova). Hazeltine uses the melody's sad tone to his advantage, playing slow notes to enhance its feel. "The Girl From Ipanema" may be the best-known Brazilian song of all time, with thousands of renditions. Hazeltine's take utilizes a fast-paced modern jazz beat that comes in, does its job and ends in the length of a pop single - just over four minutes. The Jobim Songbook in New York is not for strict bossa nova fans. It is, instead, a jazz disc made with an open mind. Hazeltine dares to find new elements in songs ingrained into the fabric of popular music. ~ Ernest Barteldes - AllAboutJazz.com. 

Chesky Records, SACD 328, 2007
Recorded 15th November, 2006 at St Peters Episcopal Church, New York, NY. 

Musicians:
David Hazeltine - Piano
Nat Reeves - Bass
Joe Farnsworth - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Dreamer {Antônio Carlos Jobim, Eugene Lee} (6:44)
02. Once I Loved {Ray Gilbert, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes} (6:30)
03. Meditation {Norman Gimbel, Antônio Carlos Jobim} (5:26)
04. Quiet Nights {Antônio Carlos Jobim, Buddy Kaye} (4:38)
05. Dindi {Ray Gilbert, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Aloysio de Oliveira} (6:56)
06. Wave {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (6:24)
07. One Note Samba {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (4:50)
08. Desafinado {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (5:17)
09. Caminhos Cruzados {Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes} (5:15)
10. O Grande Amor {Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes} (3:58)
11. The Girl From Ipanema {Norman Gimbel, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes} (4:13) 

Total Time: 60:12 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - David Chesky
Executive Producer, Liner Notes - Norman Chesky
Recording, Editing & Mastering Engineer - Nicholas Prout
Assistant Engineer, Session Coordinator - Rick Eckerle
Production Assistant - Lisa Hershfield
Liner Notes - Ted Panken

LINK

Quiet Nights

Steve Kaldestad with The Mike LeDonne Trio - Straight Up (2014)

The list of those jazz musicians past and present who play(ed) the tenor saxophone is long and varied. Those who were true innovators, and others who were great or near great, is not so long but nevertheless impressive. Trying to make the cut into either category is a daunting task. Steve Kalestad, who has a nice firm tone and easy manner will not fall into either, but that does not mean this album entitled Straight Up is not enjoyable or entertaining. 

Pianist Mike LeDonne was once described by Oscar Peterson as “one of the most promising and talented pianists of this era”. High praise indeed, but well deserved. His presence, along with Webber and Farnsworth, give an added luster to this session with his sympathetic support and exploratory solos. Fortunately, the band decided to forego the usual temptation of using only original material for this session and came up with a varied set list from both popular and jazz composers. 

The band opens with two tunes that fit into these categories starting with the Sammy Kahn/Julie Styne number “Beautiful Friendship” followed by Bobby Troup’s “Meaning Of The Blues”. The first starts off in a loping tempo with Kaldestad running through the melody then kicking in with a lengthy solo which shows he is an impressive improvisor. LeDonne then demonstrates his own solid credentials for several choruses before the band takes the tune out. Miles Davis included the Troup composition in his album Miles Ahead which gave the composition some cachet. Kaldestad and the band offer it in a bluesy frame which works well for all the principals. 

The Charlie Parker composition “Barbados” is well suited to the band’s strengths as it is simply a jumping off point to highlight their expressive versatility. Duke Ellington’s “Warm Valley” is a showcase for Kaldestad’s tenor wherein he captures some lovely turns of phrase and LeDonne gives full measure with some polished playing. The closing track is a minor blues entitled “Blues Straight Up” an original number from Kaldestad. Supported by some rock-solid drumming from Joe Farnsworth and Webber’s big toned bass, the band finds an earthiness and a swagger that is ear-catching. This is a cooly persuasive album from a dependable tenor saxophonist. ~ by John Sunier, Jazz CD Reviews. 

Cellar Live, CL120312, 2014
Recorded 3rd December, 2012 at Cory Weeds' Jazz Cellar, Vancouver, British Columbia 

Musicians:
Steve Kaldestad - Tenor Saxophone
Mike LeDonne - Piano
John Webber - Acoustic Bass
Joe Farnsworth - Drums

Tracks:
1. Beautiful Friendship {Jule Styne, Gus Kahn} (5:44)
2. Meaning Of The Blues {Bobby Troup} (5:41)
3. Let It Go {Stanley Turrentine} (5:47)
4. Barbados {Charlie Parker} (5:04)
5. Warm Valley {Duke Ellington} (5:04)
6. Sweet Siggi {Steve Kaldestad} (5:05)
7. Ligia {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (4:11)
8. Blues Straight Up {Steve Kaldestad} (8:20) 

Credits:
Producer, Executive Producer, Liner Notes - Steve Kaldestad
Executive Producer - Cory Weeds
Producer, Engineer, Mastering, Mixing - Dave Sikula
Graphic Design, Layout - Ian Hendrickson-Smith
Inside Photo - Jesse Cahill
Cover Photo - Steve Mynett 

Saori Yano - Best (2007) [CD + DVD]

Here we have a wonderful compilation drawn from Saori's albums pre-dating 2007. The CD is made up of thirteen choice tracks, and included is I &I, not released on her studio albums, but from an advertising promotion that brought her further fame. Incorporated in the fantastic package is a DVD that showcases video frontage of that commercial, as well as four other promotional videos. These clips give the Saori fan an insight as to the formidable company she was associated with throughout those classic early years. Looking back, she hung out with an assemblage of great jazz musicians during her recording tenure in New York City. The reader can easily see from personnel listed that she gave and was given great respect when performing. In this regard, it is important to note that she is not just a player, but also a fine composer and to this extent within this selection are five of her own tunes. Listeners can only marvel this brilliant jazz musician on the job at such an early age, enjoy! 

Savoy Records, COZY 263 + COZY 264, 2007 

Yano Saori (2003)
#5,10
02 (2004)
#2,4,11,13
Sakura Stamp (2005)
#1,3,12
Groovin' High (2006)
#6,8,9
DVD "ASIENCE" TV-CF
#7 

Musicians:
Saori Yano - Alto Saxophone
Nicholas Payton - Trumpet (#1,3,12)
Randy Brecker - Trumpet (#6,8,9)
Slide Hampton - Trombone (#6,8,9)
Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone (#1,3,4,12)
Jimmy Heath - Tenor Saxophone (#6,8,9)
James Moody - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (#6,8,9)
Gary Smulyan - Baritone Saxophone (#6,8,9)
Masaaki Imaizumi - Piano (#5,6,8,9,10)
Harold Mabern - Piano (#2,4,11,13)
Mike LeDonne - Organ (#1,3,12)
Peter Bernstein - Guitar (#1-3,11-13)
Shin Kamimura - Bass (#5,10)
Nat Reeves - Bass (#2,4,11,13)
Ray Drummond - Bass (#6,8,9)
Masahiko Osaka - Drums (#5,10)
Joe Farnsworth - Drums (#1-4,11-13)
Adam Nussbaum - Drums (#6,8,9)

Tracks:
01. Donna Lee {Charlie Parker} (1:55)
02. Sand And Skirt {Saori Yano} (6:56)
03. Crazy He Calls Me {Bob Russell, Carl Sigmon} (7:56)
04. RIZLLA {Saori Yano} (5:32)
05. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (6:51)
06. Manteca {Dizzy Gillespie} (6:55)
07. I & I {Saori Yano} (3:58)
08. Greenism {Saori Yano} (4:44)
09. My Ideal {Newell Chase, Richard A. Whiting} (6:10)
10. How To Make A Pearl {Saori Yano} (4:14)
11. Lover Man {Roger Ram Ramirez, Jimmy Davis} (6:13)
12. Tico Tico {Zequinha Abreu} (5:31)
13. Open Mind {Takashi Matsunaga} (4:37) 

Total Time: 71:38 

DVD:
1. I & I {Saori Yano} (Movie)
2. Greenism {Saori Yano} (PV)
3. I Got Rhythm {George Gershwin} (PV)
4. RIZILLA {Saori Yano} (Movie)
5. How To Make A Pearl {Saori Yano} (PV) 

Crazy He Calls Me

Yano Saori - Yano Saori (2003)

Nimble, Fresh And Neat
=====================
Saori Yano seems to be a genius girl and a very serious performer at the same time. While he is good at Charlie Parker's works, unlike Parker who seems to have been devastating, he might be close to Coltrane in character in a jazz-critic style. That means practicing seriously, honing your skills, and playing hard. Some people seem to be negative for Mr. Coltrane's playing posture, but why is it bad? Saori Yano tries to make every single sound. It is a serious and neat performance. Her staple “Confirmation”, which is now always requested for live performances, sounds neatly and neatly, while playing at a faster tempo than Mr. Parker's performance. There is lightness and freshness. A good performance that makes you want to listen again as many times as you like. Great. By the way, it makes me listen to a more thrilling and powerful incandescent performance in the live, but that's why the performance of this CD will never fade forever. It is a performance that makes me think so. ~ Amazon Customer, 5 Stars, Amazon.com. [Translated from Japanese] 

Savoy Records, COCB-53061, 2003
Recorded 23rd March, 2003 at Columbia Studio No.2 (#1,2,7)
Recorded 7th & 8th April, 2003 at Columbia Studio No.2 (#3-6,8-11) 

Musicians:
Saori Yano - Alto Saxophone
Keiji Matsushima - Trumpet (#5,7,9)
Harold Mabern - Piano (#1,2,7)
Masaaki Imaizumi - Piano (#3-6,8-11)
Nat Reeves - Bass (#1,2,7)
Shin Kamimura - Bass (#3-6,8-11)
Joe Farnsworth - Drums (#1,2,7)
Masahiko Osaka - Drums (#3-6,8-11) 

Tracks:
01. Confirmation {Charlie Parker} (4:51)
02. Blue Bossa {Kenny Dorham} (5:41)
03. When You're Smiling {Joe Goodwin, Larry Shay, Mark Fisher} (5:45)
04. How To Make A Pearl {Saori Yano} (4:12)
05. My Little Suede Shoes {Charlie Parker} (4:35)
06. Black Orpheus {Luiz Bonfá} (6:26)
07. Bohemia After Dark {Oscar Pettiford} (5:19)
08. Marmaduke {Charlie Parker} (3:24)
09. Hoyden {Saori Yano} (7:23)
10. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (6:48)
11. It Could Happen To You {Jimmy van Heusen, Johnny Burke} (3:57) 

Total Time: 58:21 

Bohemia After Dark

Saori Yano - 02 (2004)

Good Recording to Feel More Room
Saori Yano, here demonstrates the appeal of lightness and a neat performance, that cannot be said in the first album, but in this 02, I felt more room in this performance (there was no room in the first), but it creates more fun. When I look at the live performance, it seems to me that I'm always working hard, rather than enjoying the performance (although the sound is quite stretchy), but the CD recording is on the contrary, it feels like a relaxed performance. On this album, the talent of music making blossoms, and "sand and skirt" is a masterpiece. In the live, the ad lib is even clearer, and it has become an indispensable classic song. Of course, Parker and Baker's repertoire is also a unique and refreshing performance that is perfect for everyday jazz-fun. If you want a hot performance, please listen to the live. ~ Amazon Customer. [Translated from Japanese] 

Savoy Records, COCB-53231, 2004
Recorded 2nd & 3rd April, 2004 at Avatar Studio, New York 

Musicians:
Saori Yano - Alto Saxophone
Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone (#4,8)
Harold Mabern - Piano
Peter Bernstein - Guitar (#1,2,11)
Nat Reeves - Bass
Joe Farnsworth - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Laird Baird {Charlie Parker} (4:32)
02. Sand And Skirt {Saori Yano} (6:52)
03. Lover Man {Jimmy Davis, Ram Ramirez, Jimmy Sherman} (6:10)
04. RIZLLA {Saori Yano} (5:30)
05. The Days Of Wine And Roses {Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer} (5:18)
06. Work Song {Nat Adderley, Oscar Brown Jr.} (4:42)
07. Zion {Saori Yano} (6:33)
08. Scrapple From The Apple {Charlie Parker} (5:12)
09. Everything Happens To Me {Matt Dennis, Tom Adair} (8:06)
10. Billie's Holiday {Saori Yano} (5:05)
Bonus Track
11. Open Mind {Takashi Matsunaga} (4:35) 

Total Time: 62:35 

Credits:
Producer - Hiroyuki Okano
Production Supervisor - Ken Komoguchi
Manager & Co-Producer - Haruki Naoi
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Dan Gellert
Assistant Engineer - Aya Takemura, Masumi Iwata
Mastering Engineer - Hiroyuki Hosaka
Illustration - Saori Yano
Art Direction - Ikkun Hagi
Design - Takanori Hirayama
Photography - Naoki Ishizaka
Liner Notes - Yozo Iwanami 

Sand And Skirt