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.

Steve Turre - Steve Turre (1997)

Steve Turre is the 1997 self-titled album by American trombonist Steve Turre. This is his sixth solo album, his first of two albums he would do for Verve Records. The album features a number of special guests, including Cassandra Wilson, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Mongo Santamaria, and Regina Carter. No wonder Steve Turre merely used his name as the title of this tour de force, for it is a supremely ambitious, self-defining project that covers an enormous amount of ground and means on one small disc. With his trombone and signature conch shells as a base, Turre expands his reach to embrace the Western Hemisphere - particularly Cuba and Brazil – arranging, composing, inviting stellar guests to chip in, and ending up with a beautiful, swinging record that can't be mistaken for anyone else's. One gets a powerful dose of Turre's unique sound world on the fascinating opening track, "In a Sentimental Mood," done bossa nova style with a conch shell solo that sounds like late-period Dizzy Gillespie and a smoky Cassandra Wilson vocal. There are ample layers of Turre's multi-tracked conch shell harmonies, the sweetest ensemble sound this side of Lombardo and one that is used as a genuinely musical ingredient, not a gimmick. Turre is secure enough to feature the majestic sound of J.J. Johnson, who plays magnificently on the lengthy tone poem "The Emperor" - whose title undoubtedly refers to the elder trombone giant - and on "Steve's Blues." Afro-Cuban music plays a major role here, as Mongo Santamaria's veteran chartmeister Marty Sheller arranges "Ayer Lo Vi Llorar" for the 81-year-old Queen of Boleros, Graciela Perez - and then Mongo himself duels with the madly comping McCoy Tyner on, of course, "Mongo 'n' McCoy." The booklet notes (by Turre himself) are an exhaustive play-by-play of what was clearly an exhausting project, yet the final product has much of the exuberance of a spontaneous jam session. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide. 

Verve Records, 314 537 133-2, 1997
Recorded 7th May and 20th June, 1996 at Master Sound Astoria Studios, New York 

Personnel:
Steve Turre - Trombone, Shells
Cassandra Wilson - Vocals (#1)
Graciela Perez - Vocal (#4)
Randy Brecker - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
J.J. Johnson - Trombone
Jon Faddis - Trumpet
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros - Trumpet
Britt Woodman - Trumpet [Open Solo, #7]
Stephen Scott - Piano
Willie Rodriguez - Piano
Stefon Harris - Marimba, Balifone, Gong, Vibraphone
Andy Gonzalez - Bass
Robin Eubanks - Shells & Trombones
Jimmy Bosch - Shells & Trombones
Douglas Purviance - Shells & Trombones
Frank Lacy - Shells & Trombones
Romero Lubambo - Guitar
Mongo Santamaria - Conga [Solo]
Herculano Federici - Surdo & Percussion
Manny Oquendo - Bongos, Timbales [Solo] Guiro & Cow Bell, Percussion
Milton Cardona - Conga & Shakere
Kimati Dinizulu - Djimbe, African Drums
Victor Lewis - Drums
Portinho - Drums
Horatio "Negro" Hernandez - Drums
Akua Dixon - Cello [Solo]
Regina Carter - Violin [Solo]
Carlos Baptiste - Violin
Ron Lawrence - Viola 

Tracks:
1. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (8:26)
2. The Emperor {Steve Turre} (12:47)
3. Let It Go {Steve Turre} (8:02)
4. Ayer Lo Vi Llorar {José Antonio Mendez} (5:42)
5. Coastin' With Bobby {Steve Turre} (8:43)
6. Steve's Blues {Steve Turre} (6:38)
7. Inocencia [Basta De Clamares Inocencia] {Cartola} (5:44)
8. Mongo 'N' McCoy {Steve Turre} (10:30) 

Credits:
Producer - Billy Banks
Engineer - David Merrill
Assistant Engineer - Rob Farrell, Teddy Trewhella
Pianos Tuner - Max Conti
Mixed, and Mastering - Master Sound Astoria Studios, Astoria, New York 

Once again Steve Turre has shown his style and ability by making an album that is entertaining to all. Turre not only shows his technical ability, but he shows his usual graceful and easing style. He also has great guest performances. The list includes Randy Brecker, J. J. Johnson, John Faddis, and many others. While Turre's seeming obsession with the conchshell provides the listener with a very soothing and natural sound at times, occasionally he can leave the listener wishing he would pick up his trombone. This album is a must have for anyone who values the beauty of the trombone, or the intricacies of good jazz.

Greg Osby - Inner Circle (1999)

Jazz fans searching for a quintessential forward-thinking artist should look no further than the musical musings of Mr. Greg Osby. He's an artist who will not be satisfied with the status quo. Distinguished as an alto saxophone stylist, his voice is unique and easily recognizable among the masses. His recordings of the past few years have all been modern exercises in jazz music that are entertaining, cerebral, and illuminating. As any successful visionary, he has surrounded himself with like-minded individuals who continue to push the envelope of jazz; such as piano extraordinaire Jason Moran and vibraphonist Stefon Harris. His previous recording Symbols of Light (A Solution), which implemented a string quartet into his eclectic mix, was one of 2001's top jazz picks. Inner Circle continues on the same high level that Osby has been operating at throughout his career. His music is progressively expanding into new boundaries on the ubiquitous jazz theme. It swings, grooves and moves with a distinctive style. The recording features Osby originals with covers by Euro-Pop sensation Bjork and famous bassist Charles Mingus. The title Inner Circle could easily refer to one of the tightest set of young musicians paving the jazz path today. The musicians have been featured on recordings by Jason Moran and Stefon Harris. Bassist Taurus Mateen and drummer Eric Harland comprise one of the most dynamic and talented rhythm sections on the scene today. Osby and Moran have formed a unique and wonderful symbiosis over the past few years that allows for freedom and expression with wide possibilities. Stefon Harris' vibe work just keeps getting better. All the compositions are creative with odd patterns and complex arrangements that never leave the listener too far, and will also encourage a deeper appreciation for the art form. The many highlights include the circuitous and hypnotic "Fragment Decoding" and the brilliant "Inner Circle Principle" with its memorable solos expressed by each musician. With Osby at the helm, one can only anticipate the next move in his forward progression. Another top pick for 2002. ~ by Mark F Turner, AAJ. 

Blue Note, 7243 4 99871 2 8, 2002
Recorded 22nd & 23rd April, 1999 at Systems Two Recording Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Greg Osby - Alto Saxophone
Jason Moran - Piano
Stefon Harris - Vibraphone
Tarus Mateen - Bass
Eric Harland - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Entruption {Greg Osby} (4:59)
2. Stride Logic {Greg Osby} (4:08)
3. Diary Of The Same Dream {Greg Osby} (4:14)
4. Equalatogram {Greg Osby} (4:07)
5. All Neon Like {Björk} (6:35)
6. Fragmatic Decoding {Greg Osby} (4:43)
7. The Inner Circle Principle {Greg Osby} (4:39)
8. Sons Of The Confidential {Greg Osby} (6:15)
9. Self-Portrait In Three Colors {Charles Mingus} (6:09) 

Total Time: 45:49

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Greg Osby
Product Manager - Mantis Evar
Recording & Mixing - Joseph Marciano
Mastering - Allan Tucker
Photography - Till Krautkrämer
Photography [Session Photos] - Jimmy Katz
Art Direction, Design - Burton Yount