My Way – The Three Tenors

by | Jan 22, 2021 | Trio, Vocal Group

The Three Tenors?  Jazz?  Well, when you add Frank Sinatra to the mix and understand the musical reverence they have for him, it begins to make sense.  In July 1994, José Carreras, Plàcido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti, together with conductor Zubin Mehta and The L.A. Philhrmonic, performed “A Tribute to Hollywood” medley at their legendary concert at the Los Angeles Dodger Stadium.  Old Blue Eyes was in attendance and his reaction to the trio’s uniquely tender rendition of My Way demands that I share this with you.

A Backward Glance

by | Dec 31, 2020 | Smooth Jazz, Video

Every year, year after year, we sing the words but almost no one knows what they mean.  A bit of research indicates that Auld Lang Syne roughly translates to “Times gone by” or “Sake of old times.”   So, rather simply, when we raise our glasses on New Years Eve and drink to those thrilling days of yesteryear, the song actually fits!

While it’s okay to look back, be careful not to stare.  Remember we are celebrating “out with the old and in with the new” not the other way around.  Here, Kenny G and his soprano sax accompany an historical retrospective, to which I’ve added a look of time travel at the open, to welcome the changing of the calendar … and wish you a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

Moonglow And Theme From Picnic – (Soundtrack)

by | Nov 28, 2020 | Orchestral, Soundtrack

Take the 1933 song “Moonglow”, popularized by The Benny Goodman Quartet, blend it carefully with the theme from a 1955 Academy Award winning movie … then add Kim Novak and William Holden, and you have the recipe for a genuine box office blockbuster!  This is the famous dance scene from “Picnic” that was considered so daring and erotic for a movie of that day.

While not strictly a jazz tune, the music [written by George Dunning and scored by Morris Stoloff] became highly popular, and to this day remains one of my favorite songs … and the movie one of my favorite films.. By merging the two songs a truly unique sound was achieved and the combination was successfully recorded by a variety of artists from both the pop and jazz idioms.

Tribute To Benny Goodman

by | Oct 10, 2020 | Big Band, Orchestral

The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture.  In 1982, Lionel Hampton and Peggy Lee paid tribute to that year’s honoree Benny Goodman.  Lionel performed “Air Mail Special” and “Sing, Sing, Sing” while Peggy performed “Where or When” in a star-studded gala at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C.  Master of ceremonies Andre Previn introduces the segment.

Chopin Meets The Blues

by | Sep 26, 2020 | Orchestral, Trio

The Peter Beets trio performs Waltz in C#m with the world famous Residentie Orkest The Hague (The Hague Philharmonic) at Paard (The Hague).  Jazz improvisations on Chopin music were arranged for trio and symphony orchestra by Rob Horsting and Marijn van Prooijen.  The trio consists of Peter on piano, Marius Beets playing double bass and Gijs Dijkhuizen on drums.

Unsquare Dance – Dave Brubeck

by | May 22, 2020 | Orchestral, Quartet/Quintet

Unsquare Dance is a song written by Dave Brubeck in 7/4 time … a most unusual time signature that seems to be as much fun to play as it is to hear!  Brubeck recorded the video for PBS broadcast in 2001, live with the London Symphony Orchestra.  His son Chris appears at the piano as well.  Below that is the original 1961 recording of Unsquare Dance by Dave and his quartet.  If you listen closely at the end, drummer Joe Morello sighs relief from the intensity of the tune with a quiet laugh and a “Yaaa!”

Unsquare Dance

by Dave Brubeck Quartet | Time Further Out

September Song / 2:19 Blues – Wynton Marsalis & Sarah Vaughan

by | Mar 6, 2020 | Orchestral, Septet/Octet, Vocal

To open we have three musical icons, Wynton Marsalis and Sarah Vaughn teaming up to present the classic September Song.  The third legendary artist is John Williams conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra … or is that four musical icons? 

Next Wynton is in Marciac France with his Septet in another live performance.  2:19 Blues was recorded in 2015 and features Marsalis doubling on trumpet and handling vocals … together with Walter Blanding and Victor Goines playing saxophones, Sam Chess on trombone, Dan Nimmer at the piano, Carlos Henriquez with his bass, and Jason Marsalis on drums.  It’s down and dirty blues at its best!

Trumpet Summit – Bobby Shew & Company

by | Feb 14, 2020 | Big Band, Orchestral

Thad Jones’ composition Three and One was recorded by The Czech National Symphony Orchestra as part of its “Trumpet Summit” program, with the St. Blaise’s Bigband.  Featured soloists were Bobby Shew, Randy Brecker and Jan Hasenöhrl, as brass and reeds shook the usually classical foundations of the historic Municipal House in Prague.  You might think of them as “The Three Tenors” of jazz … with trumpets!

I’ll Remember April / Señor Blues – Phil Woods

by | Jan 10, 2020 | Orchestral, Quartet/Quintet

I’ll Remember April was recorded in 2005 at the Marciac Jazz Festival in France. Phil Woods and his alto are joined by Ben Aronov (piano) Reginald Johnson (bass) Doug Sides (drums) and the lush strings of The Orchestre du Conservatoire National Regional de Toulouse.

Señor Blues is a Horace Silver composition that has become something of a jazz standard.  This recording is from the Legends Of Jazz television series hosted by Ramsey Lewis on PBS in 2006.  This arrangement adds the distinctive sound of David Sanborn to the already solid Phil Woods Quartet.

Frank and Ella Perfect Together

by | Jan 3, 2020 | Vocal

Frank Sinatra said Ella Fitzgerald was the best singer (male or female) he ever heard and the only one who made him nervous to sing with, because he had to be up to her standards. Two legends and only one word to describe them:  Respect!   Frank even lets Ella dominate their performances to showcase her greatness.  He was always the gentleman. Talent like Frank and Ella are extinct now and nobody comes close to them … not then, not now. 

It was 1967 and both singers were in their prime on That’s Why The Lady Is A Tramp!  At one point they respectfully bow to each other, since hugging was not yet a public possibility … still they managed it, lyrically.

Frank may have met his match on Moonlight In Vermont and he knew it.  You can tell by the way he looks at her while they’re singing.  They sound so perfect, I wish they had made an album together.