Results for "Nicholas F. Mondello"
Affinity Trio: Hindsight
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Experimentation in the instrumental makeup of jazz ensembles has been with us for decades. Groups such as Gerry Mulligan's piano-less ensemble and drummer-less groups such as those of Django Reinhardt, Roy Hargrove, and Marvin Stamm's fine “Inventions Trio" come to mind. The format of this terrific album is such that the drummer gets a much-needed respite. ...
The New Wonders: The New Wonders
by Nicholas F. Mondello
In the vast array of jazz styles, if there is one segment which rises phoenix-like over time, it is the music of the first third of the Twentieth Century, the era which saw Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Duke Ellington, and other individuals and bands ignite popularity. With “the New Wonders," NY-based cornetist, vocalist, arranger and ardent ...
Jack Jones Featuring Joey DeFrancesco: ArtWork
by Nicholas F. Mondello
"Those who know, know" happens to be a soon-to-be-overused phrase to describe the hip, the “In," and “the very elite of aware." Now in his Mid-80s, Jack Jones has maintained a stellar, cross-media career, all on a foundation of a once-in-a-lifetime voice. Mel Torme, one not easily prone to hyperbole, called Jones, “the best pure singer ...
Debbie Spring: Tocamos
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The violin has a long, distinguished history in jazz. From Joe Venuti, Stephane Grappelli, Ray Nance and Stuff Smith to Jean-Luc-Ponty et al, all have made the instrument at home in jazz. However, the violin's partner, the viola, is not. Miami-based violist, Debbie Spring has definitively secured her seat with Tocamos, which translates as “We Play." ...
The Bix Centennial All-Stars: Celebrating Bix!
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Cornetist Leon Bismark “Bix" Beiderbecke, while certainly heavily influenced by Louis Armstrong, developed his own highly stylized way of playing and improvising jazz. One wonders what musical highlights might have been accomplished had he lived beyond his 28 years. Celebrating Bix!, originally released in 2003 as a single CD album, adds selections which, due ...
Glenn Zottola, Romero Lubambo, Pamela Driggs: Summer Samba
by Nicholas F. Mondello
2023 news reports and events acknowledged and celebrated 50 Years Of Hip-Hop. While noteworthy, it is doubtful that hip hop classics such as “Get Ur Freak On," “Sucker M.C.'s and “Nuthin' But a G Thang" will ever find themselves in the Great American Songbook. The genre simply cannot compare with the vast extent of musical influence ...
Rich Willey: Puttin' On the Ritz
by Nicholas F. Mondello
When Irving Berlin wrote “Puttin' On the Ritz" in 1927 on a unique “transposing piano" tuned to his preferred key of F#, little could he ever know that one day, among the myriad numbers of covers of the tune, that it would title an album that features, among other attractions, Electronic Voice Instrument “wah-wah" solos. Putting ...
Heat and Horn Engine: (Put Your) Trust in Love
by Nicholas F. Mondello
"(Put Your) Trust in Love" from Heat (a multi-artist recording source created in 1979 and led by Tom Saviano) and trumpeter Bill Dowling's “Horn Engine" is a throwback to the recordings of great male vocalists such as Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, and George Benson. It is a stellar effort. Rhythmically, the track falls ...
The John La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The geometry, if you will, of a terrific big band recording is such that the three major elements--the players, the arrangements, and the performance--balance in every regard. Grooveyard from the John La Barbera Big Band is such an offering. The album features ten masterfully selected, arranged, and performed selections, each containing outstanding section, solo, and ensemble ...
Dan Bonsanti and the 14 Jazz Orchestra: Islands
by Nicholas F. Mondello
"Islands" from Dan Bonsanti is a tour de force consisting of eleven unique selections, colorful textured arrangements, and outstanding ensemble and solo playing. The fare includes straight-ahead bop, to calypso, film and fusion, all presented by a highly-energized ensemble of Miami-affiliated greats and guest greats. The opener, McCoy Tyner's “Man from Tanganyika" is ...
