By Donald True Van Deusen
Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., Philadelphia (215. 568.3131) hosted two
new CD release parties this weekend. Barbara Montgomery, the cool California
blonde who has been heating up local jazz clubs with her smoky vocals and
cover girl look lately was launching her new CD July 13. Mike
Kennedy, an innovative local jazz guitarist/composer, has his session July 12.
Both sets started at 9 p.m. and went to 1 a.m. for a $10 admission.
Montgomery's last CD "Dakini Land" has been picking up rave reviews from coast
to coast ranging from the L.A. Times to Playboy. Her new CD "Little
Sunflower" includes several original numbers in addition to the Freddie
Hubbard title piece for which she wrote lyrics. It also has lyrics written by
Barbara to Chick Corea's "Armando's Rumba" as well as several original numbers
written by her and her regular accompanist piano man Barry Sames.
Ms Montgomery says she started writing these numbers on September 11 and some
personal sorrows became reflected in the outpouring of music going into the
new recording. Her top flight back up band on the CD includes: John Swana,
trumpet; Chris Farr, tenor sax; Tony Miceli, vibes; Lee Smith and Chico Huff,
bass; Marlon Simon, drums; Craig Ebner and Steve Giordano on guitar. Farr,
Simon, Smith, Miceli and Sames will be with her tonight.
Recently named music producer for the Olympic "Champions on Ice" show, she
working on some 20 songs for it, limiting her club dates for the next few
months. This lady has developed a first class jazz voice and the showmanship
of a top Broadway star. She works the audience perfectly and her numbers
written with Barry Sames such as E-Mail Blues had an earthy, torchy telling
touch that captured the crowd.
Kennedy's new self-produced CD (quartet no. l) has 10 original numbers by him
exploring new trails in jazz and using local stars Chris Farr, tenor sax;
Lucas Brown, Hammond organ and Dan Monaghan on drums. They are top notch, work
regularly with him and will be at ChrisÃÂÃÂÃÂù tonight. Kennedy also teaches at the
University of the Arts and has been working various jazz events in recent
weeks.
