Kenny Werner - Form And Fantasy (2001)

Here pianist Kenny Werner debuts a new trio, with bassist Johannes Weidenmüller and drummer Ari Hoenig. The set, recorded live in Paris, begins with Werner's "Amonkst" (previously recorded with Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette on 1998's A Delicate Balance). The rest of the program is mostly non-original; some of the workhorses from Werner's older trio's repertoire are freshly reconsidered. "Nardis" and "Dolphin Dance" are played in seven, while Bill Evans' "Time Remembered" is prefaced by an unaccompanied Werner solo titled "Bill Remembered." The Evans tune segues seamlessly into a roaring "Lonnie's Lament," played up-tempo, much like Joe Lovano did on his 1994 Quartets record. Another highlight is Werner's stirring adaptation of Bach's "Sicilienne," which he also sets up with a lovely solo prelude. ~ by David R. Adler, AMG. 

Night Bird Music, 1001, 2001
Double-Time Records, DTRCD-186, 2001
Recorded 23rd-25th November, 2000 at The Sunset Club, Paris, France 

Musicians:
Kenny Werner - Piano, Solo (#2,8)
Johannes Weidenmueller - Bass (#1-7,9)
Ari Hoenig - Drums (#1-7,9)

Tracks:
1. Amonkst {Kenny Werner} (6:13)
2. Sicilienne [Intro] {Johann Sebastian Bach} (4:13)
3. Sicilienne {Johann Sebastian Bach} (7:42)
4. Nardis {Miles Davis} (10:22)
5. Tears In Heaven {Eric Clapton} (8:06)
6. Dolphin Dance {Herbie Hancock} (5:56)
7. My Funny Valentine {Hart, Rodgers} (7:59)
8. Bill Remembered {Kenny Werner} (3:38)
9. (a) Time Remembered {Bill Evans} (6:50)
9. (b) Lonnie's Lament {John Coltrane} (8:10) 

Total Time: 69:14 

Credits:
Producer, Photography - Jean-Jacques Pussiau
Executive Producer, Mastering - Jamey Aebersold
Recording Engineer - Gerard de Haro
Assistant Engineer - Sylvain Thevenard
Mixing Engineer - Paul Wickliff
Piano Tuner - Michel Terrioux
Graphic Design - Bernard Amiard
Photography - Christian Ducasse
Liner Notes - Kenny Werner 

[Great Music] These musicians sound like they are having so much fun playing together that it is no wonder that the music they produced is of such high quality. The easy unrestrained feeling that permeates this recording always makes me smile when I listen to it. While all the songs deserve attention, I would say that "Nardis" is the highlight of the set. The arrangement of it is delightedly fresh and they seem to be enjoying themselves so much that when Werner bursts into song towards the end it is not entirely unexpected. This is beautiful music that everyone needs to hear. ~ Lisa & David, 5 Stars, Amazon.com. 

Dolphin Dance

Kenny Werner - New York - Love Songs (2009)

Kenny Werner improvised ballads that reflect his impressions of New York City for this 2009 solo piano session. The Brooklyn native's lyrical touch is present throughout this delightful recording, capturing the stillness of early morning in his moving "First Light/East River." Anyone who has visited the World Trade Center and since returned to view the starkly empty spot where it once stood can't help but be moved by Werner's poignant "Ground Zero," a piece conveying anguish at the terrible loss of life. His delicate, touching "Song of the Heart [For Lorraine and Katheryn]" subtly conveys his unconditional love for his family (Katheryn tragically died in a car crash several years earlier at the age of 16). Werner's lush extended work "Central Park Suite" and melancholy "Hudson Lament" are also among the CD's highlights. Kenny Werner has long established himself as a brilliant solo pianist and composer, and this French release is well worth acquiring. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

Out Note Records, ONT 003, 2010
Recorded 6th December, 2009 at Studio La Buissonne, Pernes-Les Fontaine, France 

Kenny Werner - Piano [Solo] 

Tracks:
1. First Light / East River (6:59)
2. Ground Zero (3:53)
3. Song Of The Heart [For Lorraine And Katheryn] (6:32)
4. Scenes From Grand Central [For Bonnie] (6:24)
5. Central Park Suite (13:40)
6. Hudson Lament (4:18)
7. Twilight / Riverside (5:02)
8. Back Home Again [For Barbara And Wesley] (4:58) 

Total Time: 51:40 

All Compositions by Kenny Werner

Credits:
Producer, Photography [Cover] - Jean-Jacques Pussiau
Engineer, Mixing - Gérard de Haro
Assistant Engineer, Mastering - Nicolas Baillard
Piano Tuner - Alain Massonneau
Photography [Portraits] - Andrea Boccalini
Cover Design - Little Spoon
English Translation - Eve Judelson
Liner Notes - Alain Gerber 

This anthology of Kenny Werner compositions turns out to be a succession of improvisations inspired by his life in NY. From little pieces ("Ground Zero," "Hudson Lament") to a suite ("Central Park Suite"), Werner invites us into a post-9/11 NY, for solitary and serene daydreaming.

Joe Lovano - Flights Of Fancy: Trio Fascination Edition Two (2001)

With four decidedly different trios, Joe Lovano pushes the mainstream jazz envelope along its meandering course. The tenor saxophonist’s brusque tone stands apart as distinctively as his passion for molding the art form. This is a blue-collar effort from a creative, dues-paying, veteran artist. Consider the nonstandard combinations the leader employs here. Lovano joins Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner for four pieces. He teams with Billy Drewes and Joey Baron for three. Three more tracks feature Mark Dresser and Dave Douglas, while half the album features Lovano with Cameron Brown and Idris Muhammad. In all, the artists engage in trio interplay with each member "speaking his own mind." Lovano encourages the others without dominating. Open trumpet, lyrical harmonica, melody-driven bass and other partners share in the album’s creation. On "Blue Mist," a rainbow of percussion textures surround one solitary soprano saxophone voice before the trio eventually moves into "Off and Runnin'," with two conversing saxophones. As with Lovano’s first Flights Of Fancy project, artist interaction is the key ingredient. When working with harmonica and piano, the saxophonist seems more at ease with the mainstream. When creating alongside Douglas’ trumpet or Drewes’ woodwinds, he’s stretching the envelope. In all situations, Lovano tends to share the microphone in creative interplay that seems determined not to simply recreate the past. Soundscapes, timbre combinations, unexpected turns, and variety mark the saxophonist’s adventures. On "206," he’s at the drum set while trumpet and bass weave melodies. Consisting, for the most part, of forward-looking avant-garde jazz, Lovano’s latest album belongs on this year’s "ten best" list. Directions are changing. It’s up to the "movers and shakers" heard here to continue moving jazz in new, creative directions. In order to survive, jazz must grow. ~ by Jim Santella, AAJ. 

Blue Note, 7243 5 27618 2 1, 2001
Recorded 14th-15th June, 2000 in Four Consecutive Sessions at Avatar Studios, New York 

Trio #1: 14th June, Noon-6:00 pm
Joe Lovano, Cameron Brown, Idris Muhammad
Trio #2: 14th June, 7:30 pm-Midnight
Joe Lovano, Billy Drewes, Joey Baron
Trio #3: 15th June, Noon-3:00 pm
Joe Lovano, Kenny Werner, Toots Thielemans
Trio #4: 15th June, 6:00 pm-9.00 pm
Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, Mark Dresser 

Musicians:
Joe Lovano - Alto (#10), Tenor (#1-3,5-8,11,13,14) Soprano (#4,12) & C-Melody (#4) Saxes;
Alto (#4) & Bass (#9) Clarinets, Gongs (#4), Drums (#7), Percussion (#4)
Billy Drewes - Soprano Saxophone (#5,9), Alto Flute (#9), Percussion (#4)
Dave Douglas - Trumpet (#3,7,12)
Toots Thielemans - Harmonica (#2,13)
Kenny Werner - Piano (#2,6,13)
Cameron Brown - Bass (#1,4,8,10,11,13,14)
Mark Dresser - Bass (#3,7,12)
Idris Muhammad - Drums (#1,4,8,10,11,13,14)
Joey Baron - Drums (#4,5,9) 

Tracks:
01. Flights Of Fancy {Joe Lovano} (6:23) [#1]
02. On April [I'll Remember April] {Don Raye, Gene DePaul, Pat Johnson} (3:31) [#3]
03. Amsterdam {Joe Lovano} (4:36) [#4]
04. Blue Mist {Joe Lovano} (4:26) [#2/#1]
05. Off And Runnin' {Joe Lovano} (4:01) [#2]
06. Infant Eyes {Wayne Shorter} (6:26) [#3]
07. 206 {Joe Lovano} (6:35) [#4]
08. Bougainvillea {Judi Silvano} (8:01) [#1/#3]
09. Windom Street {Joe Lovano} (4:52) [#2]
10. Hot Shot {Joe Lovano} (4:42) [#1]
11. Aisha {McCoy Tyner} (3:57) [#1]
12. Amber {Joe Lovano} (3:10) [#4]
13. On Giant Steps {John Coltrane} (5:47) [#3/#1]
14. Flights Of Fancy [Reprise] {Joe Lovano} (1:26) [#1] 

Total Time: 67:53 

Credits:
Producer - Joe Lovano
Assistant Producer - Judy Silvano
Recording - James Farber
Mixing - Mark Fraunfelder, Rory Romano
Mastering - Greg Calibi
Art Direction and Design - Jessica Novod
Illustrations - David Hollenbach
Photography - Jimmy Katz

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

Shigeko Suzuki - Winds Of My Heart (1997)

This recording is another vibrant album released by Shigeko Suzuki who in her own country is considered one of Japan's jazz queens, but elsewhere she is lesser known. It follows in the footsteps of Premiére (1995) and Brisa (1996), both which were well received. For this album she showcases twelve charming and lyrical jazz masterpieces. Shigeko is best at Latin styles such as bossa nova, samba, and rumba, and those talents are certainly highlighted here on a number of the tunes. What makes this album more of a standout is the inclusion of keyboardist Kenny Werner, who also acts as both producer and arranger for the album. Other great strengths are the addition of tenorist Harry Allen and guitarist Jay Azzolina whom both outstandingly input further sensitivity into the chosen pieces. The selected compositions fall roughly into two categories, one is in the Latin-style, and the other embodying some more familiar jazz standards. Shigeo's style is a lot softer than most divas, but she certainly displays her ability to shape notes delightfully and in this regard some of the highlights include "Someone's Waiting For You” - “Over The Rainbow", "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing" and "What A Wonderful World" made famous by Louis Armstrong. Here, Kenny, re-jigs the tune, making Shigeko's interpretation a lot softer and deeper than the original. At first the album comes across as an easy listening affair, but on further appraisals there is great delicacy and depth conveyed by this fine Japanese vocalist, enjoy! 

Novus J, BVCJ-646, 1997
BMG Records, BVCJ-37592, 2007 

Musicians:
Shigeko Suzuki - Vocals
Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone
Kenny Werner - Piano, Synthesizer
Jay Azzolina - Guitar
Tony Marino - Bass
Jamey Haddad - Drums, Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Wave {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (6:42)
02. The Shadow Of Your Smile {Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster} (5:49)
03. I Remember You {Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger} (3:47)
04. Colors Of The Wind {Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz} (4:21)
05. Beautiful Love {King, Young, Van Alstyne, Haven Gillespie} (3:40)
06. Someone's Waiting For You { Carol Connors, Sammy Fain, Ayn Robbins } /
Over The Rainbow {Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg} (5:27)
07. Love Is Many-Splendored Thing {Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster} (4:53)
08. No More Blues {Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius De Moraes} (3:04)
09. My Cherie Amor {Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy} (5:00)
10. What A Wonderful World {Bob Thiele, George David Weiss} (5:21)
11. The Gift [Recado Bossa Nova] {Luiz Bonfá, Matt Dubey} (5:15)
12. Two For The Road {Leslie Bricusse, Henry Mancini} (4:41) 

Total Time: 58:00

Harry Allen - I Love Mancini (2007)

A collection of Henry Mancini's beautiful melodies arranged and conducted by Kenny Werner for tenor saxophone, rhythm section and strings.

BMG/Novus J, BVCJ-34022, 2002

Slider Music, 2007

Personnel:

Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Kenny Werner - Piano, Synthesizer

Johannes Weidenmueller - Bass

Tim Horner - Drums

Laura Friedman - Vibraphone

Park Stickney - Harp

Gilad - Percussion

Strings:

Todd Reynolds, Conway Kuo, Laura Seaton, Joyce Hammann, Heidi Stubner - Violin

Ralph Farris, Kenji Bunch - Viola

Dorothy Lawson, Leo Grinhauz - Cello

Tracks:

01. Breakfast At Tiffany's (3:38)

02. Charade (5:31)

03. Dear Heart (5:56)

04. The Days Of Wine And Roses (4:15)

05. The Shadow Of Paris (5:14)

06. Send A Little Love My Way (5:33)

07. Moon River (6:02)

08. Too Little Time (4:34)

09. Whistling Away The Dark (7:12)

10. Mr. Lucky (3:45)

11. Dreamsville (4:31)

12. Two For The Road (3:12)

All Compositions by Henry Mancini