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.

Frank Wess Nonet - Once Is Not Enough (2008)

Known for his big-band or small ensemble recordings, Frank Wess uses a nine-piece band for the first time in his long, storied career to make easy going swinging jazz in the tradition of his former boss, Count Basie. The masterful tenor saxophonist, arranger, and most notably, composer, has assembled an impressive group, featuring trombonist Steve Turre, saxophonists Scott Robinson, and Ted Nash, trumpeters Terell Stafford and Frank Greene, and the dynamite rhythm section of drummer Winard Harper, bassist Peter Washington, and especially impressive young pianist Gerald Cannon. Together they play original music and standards with the Basie stamp firmly embossed. The tart, compact, internalized sound of Wess on the big horn is a factor in contrasting the otherwise sweet sounds. His world-class flute playing is also featured in spurts, though a "hook 'em horns" gesture on the cover photo as he holds his silver wind instrument might lead you to believe it's featured on the date -- it is not. Wess is clearly the leader and frontman, playing basic main stem melodies and solos on the title selection, "Sara's Song" and "You Made A Good Move," all relaxed swingers arranged by drummer Dennis Mackrel (who does not perform on the date) that are fairly concise, have space for another select soloist, and vary to certain degrees in either united effect, or stratifying the horns. "Backfire" is the wailer, upbeat bop at its finest, rambling a bit but focused, based on the changes of "I Got Rhythm," and featuring a surprise coda based on the title. The standards include Scott Robinson's uniquely charted intro tacked on "Fly Me to the Moon," or the flute of Wess stepping forward on a modified "Sweet & Lovely" with the horns backing him up. Pianist Cannon is one to be heard closely on this recording, as he is capable of all melodic, emotional, or rhythmic duties and responsibilities required. He's also quite original at such a young age -- perhaps the next Kenny Barron? Two tracks feature Wess in only a quartet setting with a different rhythm section including Harper, pianist Michael Weiss, andd bassist Rufus Reid, including a lengthy version of the overwrought, somber "Lush Life," just about the saddest tune ever, wrapped in thin silver tin foil, ultimately fragile, with Wess on tenor, and observant, lovelorn piano interventions. The obligatory Basie-type tune "Tryin' to Make My Blues Turn Green" ends the set in a shuffling along and out style. This is a good effort, not as great as others Wess has made over the years, but the high-level musicianship is a constant reminder that he's very much in the mainstream jazz ballpark, and still has a valid perspective many years after this music was out of trendy and trumped up electronic induced vogue. If you are a fan of Frank Wess, this recording will please you to no end. ~ by Michael G. Nastos, AMG. 

Labeth Music, 101, 2009
Recorded 10th June, 2008 at Nola Recording Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Frank Wess - Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Arranger (#5,7)
Frank Greene, Terell Stafford - Trumpet
Steve Turre - Trombone
Ted Nash - Alto Saxophone, Flute
Scott Robinson - Baritone & Bass Saxes, Flute, Arranger (#8)
Gerald Clayton - Piano (#1-3,5,6,8,9)
Michael Weiss - Piano (#4,7)
Peter Washington - Bass (#1-3,5,6,8,9)
Rufus Reid - Bass (#4,7)
Winard Harper - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Once Is Not Enough {Frank Wess} (5:39)
2. Sara's Song {Frank Wess} (8:22)
3. You Made A Good Move {Frank Wess} (7:37)
4. Dementia, My Darling {Frank Wess} (6:59)
5. Sweet And Lovely {Gus Arnheim, Harry Tobias, Jules Lemare} (5:46)
6. Backfire {Frank Wess} (9:11)
7. Lush Life {Billy Strayhorn} (9:40)
8. Fly Me To The Moon [In Other Words] {Bart Howard} (2:50)
9. Tryin' To Make My Blues Turn Green {Frank Wess} (6:37) 

Total Time: 62:44 

Credits:
Producer - Frank Wess
Engineer - Bill Moss, Jim Czak
Photography - Ed Berger
Design - Michele Kane
Art Direction - Wayne Simmons

Alvin Queen feat. Jesse Davis & Terell Stafford - Mighty Long Way (2009)

Alvin Queen's longtime European expatriate status has apparently ended, as this recording for the veteran drummer was done in New York City with younger musicians who admire his veteran presence and solid mainstream jazz credentials. Several cuts hearken back to modified Jimmy Smith style organ combos, while others have a feel stemming from Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and some get down and dirty with the original funk of those like Horace Silver. Queen himself is a solid drummer who does not employ bashing or histrionics à la Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, or Jeff Watts, while his musicality is second to none, and rivals peers like Joe Chambers. Organist Mike LeDonne shines brightly as the glue on this session, with guitarist Peter Bernstein right by his side, while trumpeter Terell Stafford and alto saxophonist Jesse Davis prove a fine tandem that front the music in a faithful, straight-ahead, no-nonsense fashion. For those who are veteran listeners of jazz, you'll recognize a faithful version of Silver's "Cape Verdean Blues" with its wonderfully rich harmonies and churning rhythm, or Wayne Shorter's "United" with a similar Latin beat tacked onto a New Orleans feeling, not so much embellished as it is slightly shaded with LeDonne's organ. "I Got a Woman" is a typical, tried and true boogaloo groove that would make its author Ray Charles smile. Two obscure Oscar Peterson tunes are included, with "Sushi" a fast, insistent bop, and "Backyard Blues" a galloping romp/shuffle served under the tangy horns. Joe Pace, hardly known as a writer of jazz, contributed the title track in its happy, more contemporary modern organ combo format, while "Let Us Go into the House" certainly lives up to its singsongy, blues/gospel funk title. Davis brings to the repertoire the slow, cool, and basic "Blues on Q," as well as "Alba," a hip Blakey-type modern jazz swinger with Queen's drum fill-ins as pauses for thought and Bernstein's tasty guitar work. The obligatory Queen solo, "The Drum Thing," concludes the CD on a rumbling, tasteful note with help from Randy Weston's longtime conga player Neil Clarke. Were this to be a real working band (all of the participants are leaders in their own right,) jazz listeners would be shouting to the rafters for more of this excellent unit perhaps touring in support of this music. For now, this should do just fine as a quite memorable effort. ~ by Michael G. Nastos, AMG. 

Enja Records, ENJ-9522 2, 2009
Recorded 25th & 26th March, 2008 at Muzic Complex Studio, Dobbs Ferry, New York 

Musicians:
Alvin Queen - Drums
Terell Stafford - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Jesse Davis - Alto Saxophone
Mike LeDonne - Organ [Hammond B-3]
Peter Bernstein - Guitar
Elias Bailey - Bass (#4,7)
Neil Clark - Congas, Percussion 

Tracks:
1. Mighty Long Way {Joe Pace} (5:23)
2. Sushi {Oscar Peterson} (7:48)
3. Cape Verdean Blues {Horace Silver} (6:25)
4. Blues On Q {Jesse Davis} (7:46)
5. I Got A Woman {Ray Charles} (7:41)
6. Backyard Blues {Oscar Peterson} (5:16)
7. Alba {Jesse Davis} (4:51)
8. Let Us Go Into The House {Joe Pace} (7:13)
9. Drum Thing {Alvin Queen} (8:46) 

Total Time: 61:09 

Credits:
Producer - Matthias Winckelmann
Audio Engineer - Vito Luizzi
Design - Franziska Erdle, David Winckelmann
Assistant Engineer - Alec Head
Cover Photo - Mark Wohlrab

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

Matt Wilson, Larry Goldings, Dennis Irwin, Terell Stafford - Arts and Crafts (2001)

For his fourth Palmetto CD, Matt Wilson sends his regular quartet on a brief vacation and recruits Terell Stafford on trumpet, Larry Goldings on piano (not organ), and Dennis Irwin on bass. Previous efforts with the Matt Wilson Quartet and with Dewey Redman have gained Wilson a left-of-center reputation, but on Arts and Crafts the drummer confounds expectations altogether. He begins with Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Stompin' Grounds," a no-frills ride through "Stompin' at the Savoy" changes. Two tracks later, the band runs down Bud Powell's "Webb City," packing an enormous punch without exceeding four minutes. But just when it seems this might be a bebop record, the band puts a boogaloo spin on Ornette Coleman's "Old Gospel" and throws yet more curves on Wilson's three adventurous originals. "Lester," written in honor of the late Lester Bowie, develops into a slow shuffle blues; "Final Answer," a diatonic free bop theme, features Goldings challenging the ears with some bracingly "outside" playing; and the title track, a slow groove, again finds Goldings reaching in subtle but marked contrast to the superb bop playing he does elsewhere on the disc. (Indeed, Goldings' presence is one of the album's biggest draws, not least because his outings on acoustic piano are so rare.) Back in straight-ahead mode, the group offers George Gershwin's "Love Walked In," Hal Hopper's "There's No You," and Nelson Cavaquinho's bossa classic "Beija-Flor." The disc wraps up with a soothing, simple arrangement of the folk melody "All Through the Night." On balance, this could be considered Wilson's most straight-ahead record yet, but it's clearly not Wilson's intention to fit neatly into any category. If anything, with Arts and Crafts he seems to insist, quite eloquently, that musicians need not declare allegiance to any of jazz's warring camps. ~ David R. Adler, AMG. 

Palmetto Records, PM 2069, 2001
Recorded 2nd October, 2000 At Maggie's Farm, Buck's County, Pennsylvania 

Musicians:
Matt Wilson - Drums
Terell Stafford - Trumpet
Larry Goldings - Piano
Dennis Irwin - Bass 

Tracks:
01. Stompin' Grounds {Rahsaan Roland Kirk} (5:37)
02. Lester {Matt Wilson} (5:21)
03. Webb City {Bud Powell} (3:43)
04. Beija-Flor {Nelson Cavaquinho} (5:40)
05. Final Answer {Matt Wilson} (4:43)
06. There's No You {Hal Hopper} (3:16)
07. Arts and Crafts {Matt Wilson} (5:35)
08. Old Gospel {Ornette Coleman} (5:12)
09. Love Walked In {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (6:55)
10. All Through The Night {Traditional} (5:04) 

Total Time: 51:06 

Credits:
Producer, Engineer - Matt Balitsaris
Design - Jason Grotrian
Photography - Jimmy Katz