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

Rick Margitza - This Is New (1991)

For his third release as a band leader, the Crescent City's former resident "pays homage to the tradition." The title song by George Gershwin tells all: this is a new approach to standard material. Backed by some heavy contemporary mainstream musicians, the album remains consistent throughout, with the rhythm section swinging hard under subtle improvisation. Although only 30-years-old, Margitza’s playing is mature and controlled, with a smooth and pure bright-edged tone. He expresses himself through note choice and in his own unique approach to phrasing, rather than through exuberant dynamics and spastic runs. Even his fat runs are effortless and in perfect time, and his out-of-range high notes sustain tone and pitch. Pianist Joey Calderazzo complements Margitza perfectly with his smooth style; with single-note phrases in his right hand, he also plays reservedly and can burn smoothly in perfect time. Drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts swings hard on the cymbals and ties it all together following the soloists and the other accompaniment intuitively, and Robert Hurst drives it all with a thumping, full-toned bass. Margitza's own "Beware of the Dog" is a minor modal piece with Tim Hagans on trumpet. Hagans' tone blends with Margitza’s on the haunting gypsyish melody. They explore the basic melodic outline of "On Green Dolphin Street," Margitza's straight tone echoing back to Miles Davis' muted trumpet sound. And on the ballad, "Everything Happens to Me," Margitza proves his bright tone can also serenade us. ~ Anthony Clark, Off Beat Magazine. 

Blue Note, CDP 7 97196 2, 1991
Recorded 27th-28th May, 1991 at Power Station, New York City 

Musicians:
Rick Margitza - Tenor Saxophone, Arranger
Joey Calderazzo - Piano (#1,2,4-7,9)
Robert Hurst - Acoustic Bass
Jeff "Tain" Watts - Drums
Tim Hagans - Trumpet (#5 only) 

Tracks:
1. This Is New {Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weill} (5:18)
2. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (9:59)
3. Body And Soul {Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour} (5:37)
4. Just In Time {Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne} (6:29)
5. Beware Of The Dog {Rick Margitza} (8:49)
6. Invitation {Bronislaw Kaper, Paul Francis Webster} (5:30)
7. Everything Happens To Me {Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer} (5:33)
8. When Will The Blues Leave? {Ornette Coleman} (7:07)
9. Gypsies {Rick Margitza} (6:36) 

Total Time: 61:02

Credits:
Producer - Matt Pierson
Recording Engineer - Jim Anderson
Assistant Engineer - Matthew "Boomer" LaMonica
Mastering Engineer - Bob Ludwig [Masterdisk]
Design - Mark Larson
Photography - Michael Williams
Art Direction - Cynthia Cochrane

The Cutting Edge feat. Tim Hagans - The Cutting Edge (1998)

Brilliant Post-Bop Giants

This release features some of the finest current players on the jazz scene, Tim Hagans is in my mind the most fluent trumpet player out there. His lyrical Miles-like sparseness is totally his own. Walt Weiskopf is out of Trane and no tenor has more technique at their disposal. Conrad Herwig is a breathtaking bone player, blasting through mind blowing changes on every solo. The ensemble work is swinging and seamless. Very hip rhythm section as well. Cannot Go Wrong With This One! ~ Robert Ricketts, Amazon.com.

Double-Time Records, DTRCD-141, 1999

Recorded January, 1998 At Steve Davis Studios, Yonkers, New York

Musicians:

Tim Hagans - Trumpet

Conrad Herwig - Trombone

Walt Weiskopf - Tenor Saxophone

Andy Laverne - Piano, Arranger

Jay Anderson - Bass

Steve Davis - Drums

Tracks:

1. Footprints {Wayne Shorter} (8:03)

2. Yesterdays {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (5:57)

3. Code Bleu {Andy Laverne} (10:10)

4. Cantaloupe Island {Herbie Hancock} (6:41)

5. Cutting Edge {Andy Laverne} (8:01)

6. Secret Of The Andes {Andy Laverne} (7:24)

7. Space Dozen {Tim Hagans} (5:20)

8. Our Destiny {Conrad Herwig} (7:17)

9. Get Out Of Town {Walt Weiskopf} (6:35)

Credits:

Producer - Andy Laverne

Mastering, Graphic Design - Jamey Aebersold

Liner Notes - Ted Panken

Total Time: 65:28

Tim Hagans - No Words (1994)

The impressive trumpeter Tim Hagans holds his own with the tenor of Joe Lovano during a sextet session with guitarist John Abercrombie, keyboardist Marc Copland, bassist Scott Lee and drummer Bill Stewart that features nine of his originals. The music is essentially advanced hard bop (Lovano and Abercrombie both sound somewhat inspired) and Hagans displays both an attractive tone and a fertile imagination. It's a strong set of modern mainstream jazz. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Blue Note, CDP 0777 7 89680 2 3, 1994

Recorded 3^rd December, 1993 At Power Station, New York City

Musicians:

Tim Hagans - Trumpet

Joe Lovano - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone

Marc Copland - Piano, Fender Rhodes

John Abercrombie - Guitar

Scott Lee - Bass

Bill Stewart - Drums

Tracks:

1. No Words {Tim Hagans} (5:42)

2. Nog Rhythms {Tim Hagans} (8:29)

3. Waking Iris {Tim Hagans} (7:39)

4. Noogaloo {Tim Hagans} (6:45)

5. Immediate Left {Tim Hagans} (8:09)

6. Passing Giants {Tim Hagans} (5:04)

7. For The Music {Tim Hagans} (8:53)

8. Housewife From New Jersey {Tim Hagans} (8:00)

9. Lost In My Suitcase {Tim Hagans} (7:52)

Credits:

Producer - Tim Hagans

Producer, Liner Notes - Joe Lovano

Recording Engineer - James Farber

Mixing Engineer - A.T. Michael McDonald

Art Direction, Design - Mark Larson

Photography - Jeffrey Scales

Photography [Session] - Cheung Ching Ming

Total Time: 66:33