Let It Snow – New York Voices

by | Dec 3, 2018 | Video, Vocal Group

‘Tis the season to be snowy!  New York Voices is the Grammy Award winning vocal ensemble renowned for their excellence in jazz and the art of group singing. Like the great groups that came before, such as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Singers Unlimited, Manhattan Transfer and, of course, The Four Freshmen, they have learned from the best and taken their musical form to new levels.  I couldn’t resist adding a few pictures to their marvelous rendition of this Sammy Cahn – Jule Styne tune … written in July 1945!

Fool On The Hill / Watch What Happens – Brasil ’66

by | Oct 27, 2017 | Quartet/Quintet, Vocal Group

Originally trained as a classical pianist, Sergio Mendes was drawn to jazz and ultimately to Brazilian music with its Bossa Nova beat and soft pop stylings.  His music is timeless and his name and Brasil ’66 have become household words worldwide and across generations.

Watch What Happens

by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 | Equinox

I’ll Never Smile Again – Frank Sinatra

by | Oct 20, 2017 | Big Band, Vocal Group

Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in a scene from the 1941 film, “Las Vegas Nights”. This was Sinatra’s first screen appearance in the movies. Unfortunately, His one song was interrupted by a stream of trivial dialogue, which I took the liberty of editing out.  Frank went on to establish one of the greatest film careers of all time, featured in both singing and non-singing roles.

Four Songs – Four Freshman

by | Oct 6, 2017 | Video, Vocal Group

In 1948, four young men created a sound that forever changed the way vocal jazz harmony was heard and performed. Known as The Four Freshmen, the group started with two brothers, Don and Ross Barbour, their cousin Bob Flanigan, and friend Hal Kratzsch.  With a soaring, true tenor in Bob Flanigan, the group created a sound that has endured for over 6 decades.  This is the second iteration of The Four Freshmen, circa about 1956.  Performing are Bob Flanigan, Ross Barbour, Don Barbour and Ken Albers, who replaced Hal.

Upper left is Love Is Just Around The Corner, upper right Somebody Loves Me, lower left It’s A Blue World, and lower right There Will Never Be Another You.  (Our thanks to Ray Anthony TV)

Li’l Darlin’ – Count Basie / Lambert, Hendricks and Ross

by | Aug 18, 2017 | Audio, Big Band, Vocal Group

Listen carefully to “Li’l Darlin'” both by the Count Basie Orchestra, and by Lambert, Hendricks and Ross with Joe Williams.  The first thing that struck me when I heard these two versions of the song, is that you almost have to listen twice to tell which is the instrumental and which is the vocal.  That’s how precise LH&R’s style and phrasing was!  Here they are side-by-side.  What do you think?

Li'l Darlin'

by Count Basie Orchestra | Basie

Li'l Darlin'

by Lambert, Hendricks and Ross | Sing Along With Basie