New Episode! Re-boot of the show!

Hello! We're back with a brand new episode of the podcast! Listen to five distinctive and vibrant selections from some of the most talented jazz artists in Florida!

Robotman at Stardust Orlando FL May 2017

Hosts: Kenny MacKenzie & Allison Paris

1. Tom McCormick - "South Beat" - from the album South Beat

2. Jeff Rupert with Veronica Swift - "Let's Sail Away" - from the album Let's Sail Away

3. Robotman - "The Chase" - from the album Robotman

4. The Mica Bethea Big Band - "Frahm Out of Nowhere" - from the album Stage 'n Studio 5. Perry Joslin - "Rain" - from the album Dreams of Reality

  podcast copyright 2019 Kenny MacKenzie 

15 Recommended CDs for 2013!

It's that time of year: Black Friday this, holiday-spend that, cyber-whatever. Holidays can be stressful, with endless pressure from media advertisers and corporations taking advantage of mankind's natural love for gift-giving.

We don't want to contribute to this pressure, but thought you might like to know our 15 recommended cds for the year 2013. Maybe one or two will fit your gift giving needs; or maybe you want to indulge in some jazz yourself, for those de-stress/unwind moments. Or maybe you just want to window shop! :)

The link below takes you to our streamlined page where you can see the albums and read a very brief review of each. The links are to CD Baby - who offers the artists the best % of sales of any online vendor. Most albums have cd or download options, and you can listen to song excerpts, as well!

Finally, all the artists are Floridian - so whenever you purchase one of their cds you support local art as well as local economy. And if you're all shopped out, the link will stay up for most of the coming year. Congrats to the artists, and thank you for stopping by! - PCJ*

Click Here to see Top 15 for 2013!

* please bear with us while we re-post this list a few times on Facebook. Facebook only shows page posts to about 20% of a page's followers, so we want to be sure more of our viewers know about the list.

12 Questions for Jamie Ousley!

Jamie Ousley perfoming at Arturo Sandoval's club in Miami

Jamie Ousley has been a favorite at Palm Coast Jazz on our podcasts and otherwise. A master of his instrument, he's one of the most in-demand bassists in Miami. Some of the world-class artists he's performed with include Ira Sullivan, Arturo Sandoval, Benny Golson, George Shearing,
James Moody, Dave Liebman, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, Nestor Torres, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Harry Allen and Bob Berg. His cds are a joy to listen to and filled with his appealing compositions as well as clever arrangements of standards, pop songs and classical works; all handled with finesse and dexterity by brilliant musicians. Finally - he's the nicest guy! We hope you enjoy our short interview, as well as the video & links underneath.


1) It’s clear from your albums that you embrace many kinds of music, including world, rock & classical. How did you get turned on to jazz?

I started playing jazz in my high school jazz band, but I didn't really even know what jazz was at that point. I really got seriously into jazz in college. I had the choice to go down the classical or jazz paths, and I chose jazz because it's always new.

photo by Jacek Andrzej Gancarz

2) Was bass your first instrument?

Violin was my first instrument, beginning with suzuki lessons at age 5. I switched to bass when I was 12, and I was lucky enough my public school program had orchestra.

3) A question for fellow bass players – tell us about your gear…

I play a 1983 Horst Gruenert double bass from Germany, which I feel very lucky to have! I use a fishman full-circle pickup and acoustic image amp. I just ordered one of those new DPA bass mics, so we'll see how that goes.


4) Name 3 albums that are currently getting a lot of rotation in your home or ipod.

Tony Bennett: The Art of Excellence
Fred Hersch Trio: Alive at the Vanguard
Hilary Hahn: Bach Partitas for Solo Violin

5) Who do you look to as the ideal jazz instrumentalist, bass or otherwise?

Ray Brown is my bass hero. Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Charlie Haden, and Sonny Rollins are my favorite improvisors.

6) Name a favorite rhythm section of yours.

Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro & Paul Motian. They pioneered and developed interaction and conversational aspects within a rhythm section. "Waltz for Debby" remains one of my favorite recordings of all time.

Jamie performing with jazz legend Ira Sullivan

7) What was your first professional gig?

I guess my first professional gig was with my high school rock band "Cataclysm." I think we made money? We played for an after-prom party at a YMCA... Our band slogan was "Music so bad, you have to spank it!"

8) So far – what has been one of the most memorable onstage experiences for you?

The first that came to mind was one particular night at Arturo Sandovall's old jazz club on Miami Beach with jazz legend Ira Sullivan. Brian Murphy was on piano and John Yarling on drums... I've played with this same band dozens of times, but this particular night I had the most profound feeling of being in the "zone" or groove, whatever you want to call it. I remember the experience as being almost like I was an observer and laughing at the fun musical banter John & Brian were having. It was effortless to play and there was no possibility that any note could have been wrong.

9) Does composing/ finishing pieces happen easily for you or do you labor over it?

Definitely not easy! Occasionally ideas (usually the best ideas) come easily and without effort, but even those take a lot of work and editing to finish. One exception is a song off my first CD titled "Epiphany" in which I purposefully sat down to write a song in one session, start-to-finish, in a stream-of-consciousness style, just accepting whatever notes popped into my head next. It took about 2 hours.

10) I consider all your albums “successful”, but “A Sea of Voices” did very well on the Jazzweek charts. Was this a surprise for you?


It was definitely a surprise, but it was also a goal of mine to reach the top 10. A Sea of Voices reached #8. . .so I guess I have to set the goal a little higher next time!


11) Do you have specific goals as an artist, or for the music you compose/release?


Philosophically, my purpose is to contribute to and touch peoples lives with my music. But I don't always think about that every day. My biggest practical goal is to become known well enough so I can travel the world playing music. I really enjoy experiencing other cultures - which is a great part about living in Miami.

Photo by David Schanzer

12) What’s coming up for you?

I just submitted a proposal for a grant at my university to make a bass & vocal duo CD, so we'll see how that goes. I have a couple of fun trips coming up. Next week I'll be in Costa Rica playing a Jobim Bossa Nova with Strings concert with vocalist Rose Max and the National Symphony. I'll be playing with Joe & Austin (the guys from my last CD) at the Nashville Jazz Workshop in April and in the Boston area in August.

We asked Jamie to supply us with a video of his choice. Here's what he had to say about the video below: "Here's a youtube video collage with my song "Loving Beauty" from A Sea of Voices. These are some of my personal photos over the past few years traveling, and the studio 'rough mix' from the session. . .it was a first take!"

Thank you, Jamie, for doing the interview, and for all your contributions to jazz in FL, and around the globe! You can enjoy full-length tracks by Jamie Ousley on episodes 7, 9 & 13 of our podcast: and you can treat yourself to his excellent albums at iTunes and Amazon. - PCJ

Last Year's Numbers...

Hello! This post is for anyone who likes such things, but mostly for the musicians featured on our podcast. Below are statistics from the year 2012 for the podcast. Things to keep in mind: 1) the show almost exclusively features original compositions 2) of jazz! 3) from regionally specific artists!

For "glass half-empty" souls, remember that podcasts have what in industry lingo is called a "long tail". This means that their effect on the artist (and label) is long lasting - since they're available online indefinitely, and have potential to gain an ever-increasing audience (as opposed to regular airplay - when it's over, it's over!) Also - the shows audiences are not random people, but actual jazz lovers who came to the show looking for quality jazz; many come back for more. Finally - nearly 3/4 of our listeners download the show - which means they are potentially listening to your track over & over, if they like it!

Total Plays/Downloads - 15,125

• Downloads - 11,263
• Plays (Streams) - 3,862

Top 10 Downloading Countries: 

1. Russia 
2. Japan 
3. USA 
4. UK 
5. Ghana 
6. Turkey 
7. UAE 
8. Germany 
9. Italy
10. South Korea

Top 10 Playing/Streaming Countries:

1. US 
2. Equador
3. Kenya
4. France
5. Italy
6. Mexico
7. Germany
8. Canada
9. Japan
10. Taiwan
    

The Most downloads in USA coming from Wichita, KS
The Most plays in USA from Jacksonville, FL.

The top 5 episodes in 2012:

1. Episode 5 Jan 2012 - 1341 downloads/270 plays total - 1,611 
2. Episode 7 Mar 2012 - 798 downloads/403 plays total- 1,201
3. Episode 6 Feb 2012 - 819 downloads/303 plays total - 1,122
4. Episode 9 May 2012 - 617 downloads/338 plays total - 955 
5. Episode 4 Dec 2011 - 850 downloads/94 plays total - 944

I hope you find these numbers encouraging. I'm always looking for ways to increase our audience and promote all the phenomenal jams being produced here in FL. If you enjoy what the show is about, the best ways to help are to keep sending me your cds; share the shows you're on with Facebook friends/fans and listen to an episode or two that you are not on! (Always an idea behind the show - that we influence, inspire or provoke each other to move forward, make new albums in spite of the odds/cost, and have an overall appreciation for each other.) Thanks for being a part & sharing your music with jazz lovers all over the world! - Kenny MacKenzie

Bill Doyle's Top 10 Jazz Albums

Drummer Bill Doyle and his sweet red Gretsch kit '09

We continue our postings of individual lists from our popular Top 50 Jazz Albums List with Palm Coast's own Bill Doyle. Bill has been keeping things swinging through thick and thin in NE Florida since 2004 with his own trio. He began playing drums at 12, studying under some serious cats including Larry Rosen from the Dave Grusin band; working in the New York/New Jersey area with some of it's top jazz, pop and society musicians. He managed to maintain a part-time music career while becoming quite successful full-time in marketing.

Nowadays Bill is a high-profile musician in St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach and more, performing with stellar musicians like Ray Guiser and Cheryl Page; and especially with his crowd-drawing trio, featuring Don Durkee on piano and Frank Capek on bass. His top 10 jazz albums list is an exposition in exquisite taste!

1. Woody Herman - 1964  When my Dad ,who was a musician,first brought this home I was in awe and could not stop playing it and tried to master playing along with the up tempo tunes.Great charts, great solos and Jake Hanna knew how to push a big band.

2. Dave Brubeck - Time Out My role model as a drummer was Joe Morello (R.I.P.). His skill set and ability to be totally musical was unbelievable. I tried to imitate him in every way. Hah! That's a joke.

3. Lambert, Hendricks and Ross - The Hottest New Group in Jazz  Just too cool and from this I learned to appreciate scat.

4. Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um  Timeless, could have been recorded yesterday.

5. Joe Morello - It's About Time  Again, I loved Joe. This was a straight-ahead jazz album with some very cool work with Phil Woods, Gary Burton and Joe.

6. Jazz Crusaders - Live at the Light House 1966  I can listen to this for hours. Joe Sample grooves as does Wayne Henderson.

7. Sinatra and Basie  Big fan of both.

8. Ella and Basie  Big fan of Ella, too.

9. John Coltrane - Blue Train  He's just too good with Lee Morgan, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones to boot!

10. Tie with all the other great work with great artists!



Thanks Bill for the list and for keeping jazz thriving in PC! You can check out more of Bill at his youtube channel, and below is a video of the Bill Doyle Trio + 2 (Pete Gemski - valve trombone; Larry Dickson - baritone sax) performing at the Three Dogs Grille this past February; they're playing Frank Capek's original "Abba". - PCJ

Jazz in June

The closing concert for NEFJA's 2012 season did not disappoint! Doug Carn, Calvin Newborn & Michael Carvin came out of the gates charging - supplying an afternoon of soulful summer jazz in what turned out to be an intimate and  refreshing performance. Below is a clip of Calvin starting to tear it up during the first number.

right to left - Doug Carn, Calvin Newborn, Michael Carvin

Carn & Carvin played with a fire and empathy immediately calling to mind their days together in the '70s;  breathing vigor into standards like I'll Remember April & Body and Soul.  Doug's effortless authority over the hammond and equally adept bandleading skills set the standard, while Carvin's ingenuity and backdrop were nothing short of an education.


Calvin Newborn - a late fill-in for Calvin Keys (recovering from heart surgery) also commanded a stage presence worthy of his legacy. Although at times he struggled to keep up with the faster tempos, he was never short on high quality melodic ideas and nuances, flowing to the point where Doug & Michael broke out in uncontrollable smiles and chuckles of glee.

Doug & Michael burst into smiles over Calvin's triumphs!

Set two saw the addition of Ray Callender on trumpet and Doc Handy on the congas, both playing skillfully and artfully on two Lee Morgan numbers as well as Pensativa by Clare Fischer. The afternoon was capped off by a compellling drum solo on a tune Carvin hadn't played before; a solo that had the audience rapt and on the edge of their seats in delight. 

L-R - Doc Handy, Doug Carn, Ray Callender, Calvin Newborn, Michael Carvin

Although church prevented an early arrival to catch it - a special treat was added to the beginning of the show with a performance by Lee & Sally Quick with Jay Messick. Thanks to NEFJA for a stellar season of jazz in NE Florida! - PCJ

Jay Messick packing up!

Sally & Lee Quick - jazz troupers!

Upcoming Doug Carn Organ Trio concert!!

 

Press play on the audio player above to enjoy classic organ jazz by Doug Carn while you read!

Three artists all famous for their association with the 1970's Black Jazz record label - Doug Carn, Michael Carvin & Calvin Keys, will be reuniting for a sizzling summer concert of blissful organ trio jazz, Sunday June 3rd at the Daytona Museum of Arts & Sciences in a concert presented by NEFJA. 

A familiar name here in Northeast Florida; the exceptional talents of Doug Carn are known all over the world - not just for playing with artists like Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, Shirley Horn, Earth, Wind & Fire, Nat Adderley and more recently featured on albums by Cindy Blackman and Wallace Roney; but also for his own releases. Several of these are part of an important jazz movement in the early 70's presented on the Black Jazz record label.

Doug Carn's 1971 release "Infant Eyes" on Black Jazz label.

Not only have these recordings reached cult status among jazz aficionados and collectors alike, but are also acknowledged as an important watershed in jazz music, "combining a  looser feel with a political mood that emphasized peace, love and independence...alive—and free of restraint and compromise." (jazzwax.com). The Black Jazz catalog forms a stunning chronicling of the African-American urban experience and outlook of the era. This purity and emotion was in stark contrast to the note-y, noodle-y fusion music then dominating the market.

Doug's 1973 release featuring Jean Carn - "Revelation"

As a surge of appreciation for these albums now dominates the internet on jazz & soul-jazz blogs & forums, and as the Black Jazz catalog has recently been purchased and the label re-booted, Doug Carn has been making appearances all over the world with several of his label mates from back in the day. This is essentially the jazz equivalent of a rock band like Cream's recent reunion & tour, and not to be missed if you take your jazz seriously. 

L-R: Michael Carvin, Calvin Keys, Doug Carn

Shows have already hit Yoshi's in Oakland and Dizzy's Coca Cola Club in NYC, and upcoming gigs include a weekend at world-renowned Ronnie Scott's club in London with Jean Carn. Floridians will have their chance on Sunday June 3rd 2012 at 2:30 pm to experience these three legends bringing their message of strength and love on into the new millennium and beyond. Get your tickets over at the NEFJA website (phone and mailed check options available). - PCJ

Sammy Figueroa's Top 10 Jazz Albums

photo by Lisa Lindhardt

Master percussionist and South Florida resident Sammy Figueroa needs no introduction to those familiar with jazz percussion or latin jazz. His resumé lists the creme de la creme in modern music: Miles Davis, the Brecker Brothers, Sonny Rollins, Michel Camilo, David Bowie, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Blondie, Quincey Jones, Chet Baker, Mick Jagger, Al Jarreau, Lena Horne, Joe Williams, and it does go on. You hear his skills nearly every day on songs like "Solid (As a Rock)", "We Are Family" and pretty much anything by the band Chic. His own albums have recently garnered him 2 Grammy nominations.

A host of a popular radio show on Miami's WDNA, Sammy is also known for his sense of humor and friendly personality. He kindly took time out of his incredible schedule to send us a list of his top 10 favorite jazz albums, as part of our recent poll among Florida musicians - The Top 50 Jazz Albums of All Time. His list also reveals a man of varied and exquisite taste!

Photo by "Mr. B" - http://mrbsdomain.com

1. Miles Davis - Four and More (Live At The Fillmore) "I love this because of Tony Williams.  He was 17 years old and the most creative drummer in history.  Tony drove that band into the future."
2. Freddy Hubbard - Red Clay


3.  Herbie Hancock - Empyrean Isles
   


4. Cannonball Adderly - Mercy Mercy Mercy
    
5.  Cal Tjader - Son a Libre  "Cal Tjader brought a new style and a totally fresh new sound to latin jazz."


6. Clare Fischer - Thesaurus
    
7. John Coltrane and Johnny Hartmann
    
8. Wes Montgomery - Live at Tzubo's
    
9. Mel Torme - Swings At Schubert Alley
    
10.  Stan Getz - Sweet Rain  "This was a magical quartet of gifted players -- every solo of every musician was great."

photo by Jaime Rivera

Boy, if you wanted to start a well-rounded jazz library from scratch - this might be the perfect place to start! Thanks to Mr. Figueroa for the thrilling list and also the insights.


Check out Sammy Figueroa's website here, where you can listen to and order his latest album "Urban Nature"  - which sports this intense, latin jazz line-up: Sammy Figueroa – percussion, Silvano Monasterios – piano, Gabriel Vivas – bass, John Michalak – saxophones, Alexander Pope Norris – trumpet, and Nomar Negroni – drums. That's a fever you want to catch! - PCJ

CD Review - Jamie Ousley A Sea of Voices

Bassist Jamie Ousley has put out some very high quality material since 2008, but this is definitely his best: a kind of summation, gathering together and improving of all he had to say on his previous 2 excellent releases ("O Sorriso Dela" in 2008, "Back Home" in 2010). His already keen sense for appropriateness and when to do what seems to have reached a new pinnacle; his melodies are sturdier and gripping, and the new line-up seizes every opportunity for unity, flow and brilliant support. In particular, pianist Joe Davidian is perfect for Jamie's refined and sentimental brand of jazz. All three musicians bring just enough fire and virtuosity to give a sense of joy and contentment.

Joe Davidian

Jamie Ousley

Opening samba "Hymn of the Tides" (all songs have a water theme) is a perfect example of all these assets. Davidian states the promptly unforgettable melody, puts Jarrett amounts of thought into his own improv and then backs up Ousley's crystal solo with finesse; the always-present and flowing latin momentum provided by drummer Austin McMahon peaks at the end over a euphoric 2-chord vamp, while piano & bass exchange closing thoughts amid a wash of sizzling ride cymbal (mix & master job on the cd are both superb).

Davidian's intricate, straight-8 re-working of "How Deep is the Ocean" is welcome and refreshing, taking the standard to unforeseen modernity and emotion. The trio captivates and convinces while empathizing for the greater good; reminiscent (as is much of the album) of the Rubalcaba and Jarrett trio's at their most liberated and uplifting periods. A listener will have no trouble stopping everything to take it all in.

Austin McMahon

Along with Jamie's originals ("Steam" - a darkest-corner-of the-club swank-blues; "Loving Beauty" fittingly titled jazz waltz; "With You" - another Ousley samba-special complete with exciting piano crescendo & finish, and what can only be described as a remarkably great melody; "Holy Water" calm soul-gospel 6/8 featuring a brief and very well-recorded Ousley solo of note) are a Coldplay cover and a respectfully antiquated duo rendition of "Alfonsina y el Mar" with guest pianist Gabriel Saientz.

The icing on the cake are two back-to-back slices of eloquent Americana. A plaintive, soothing evocation of "Shenendoah" with vocalist Nanami Morikawa lending her beautiful mezzo-soprano to a verse each in English and Japanese (a proper dose of "World" sensibilities enfuse all of Ousley's releases). The ensuing bowed chorus also adds an Asian feel, and the harmonizing between the two performers is a high point of the disc. The syncopated latin 6 romp through "Rocky Top" will give you a new, happy outlook on life in our USA and you'll move somewhere in your body to the lilting percussion provided by Carlomagno Araya.

Finally, (as if you needed another reason to treat yourself to this marvelous disc); in an unselfish gesture, Jamie has allocated all proceeds of this successful cd (#8 on Jazzweek national radio chart) to Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light, who are dedicated to mobilizing faith communities in Florida to care for creation. - PCJ

listen to & pick up your copy at:
CD Baby
Itunes

Shenole Latimer @ the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library 4/14/12

Kenny & Shenole in '07

New York saxophonist Shenole Latimer stopped in New Smyrna Beach on his 2012 tour of the Southeast to re-unite with his former bandmate Kenny MacKenzie and his FL trio, at the Regional Library this past Saturday. It turned out to be an exciting night of originals by both Shenole & Kenny, as well as jazz favorites like "Green Dolphin Street", "Body & Soul" and even "Satin Doll". The video below is a tune by Kenny, from an album that featured both his trio & Shenole called "Closer to the Day". Thanks to Gloria Mariash for the footage, and to the NSB Library for putting on jazz shows like this one! - PCJ

Palm Coast Jazz Episode 7 - March 2012

From Tallahassee to Hallandale, we've got you covered with only the best jazz coming out of Florida; including brand new Jazz infused with blues & rich Americana, thrilling Gypsy Jazz from Orlando, hip-shaking funk, sparkling trio pieces and we reach back to 1995 to reveal a gem you may have missed or forgotten about. Artists include Jamie Ousley, Chuck Owen, Jack Wilkins & more!
visit our Facebook page

contact us at palmcoastjazz@gmail.com

Hosts: Allison Paris & Kenny MacKenzie

1. Introduction - Allison, Kenny

2. "Surge" - Chuck Owen & the Jazz Surge (Temple Terrace, FL) website

saxes - Jack Wilkins (solo), Jerry Kalber, Bob D'Angelis, Dan Jordan,
           Mark Gould, Rex Wertz, David Pate & Brian Snapp
trumpets - Ron Turner, Brian O'Flaherty, Mike Iapichino & Tom  
           Parmerter
trombones - John Allred (solo), Herb Bruce, Keith Oshiro,
           Chris Clifton, Joe Barati & Jim Hall
Warren Bernhardt - piano, Mark Neuenschwander - bass &
Adam Nussbaum - drums

From the album "Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge"
purchase cd at Sea Breeze Jazz


3. "Red Light" - The Cook Trio (Orlando, FL)  website

Jason Cook - guitar, Kyle Jones - bass, Ian Cook - guitar

from the album "Moonlight"
purchase cd at CD Baby  or  download at Itunes

4. Announcements - Kenny
(background music by the Frank Capek Quartet)

5. "Song of the Anvil" - Jack Wilkins (Tampa)   website
Jack Wilkins - composer, tenor saxophone;
Per Danielson - piano, Keith Oshiro - trombone
Corey Christiansen - guitars, Jon Metzger - vibraphone, marimba
Mark Neuenschwander - bass, Paul Keesling - percussion,
Danny Gottlieb - drums

from the album "The Blue & Green Project" on Summit Records
purchase cd at Summit Records (free shipping) or download at Itunes

6. "The E Cycle" - Ermesc Gonzalez (Plant City, FL)   website

Ermesc Gonzalez - composer, guitar; Aldemar Valentine - bass
Freddie Burgos - drums

from the album "Introspection"
download album or tracks at Ermesc's Website

7. Announcements - Allison


8. "Down East River Drive" - Frozen Water (Tallahassee) website

Andre Bowers - composer, piano, bass, drum programming
Glen Stoudemire - percussion, with Adam Cambira - tenor sax,
D-Roc - guitar

from the album "Summer's Walk"
purchase album download via payloadz at Andre's site

9. "With You" - Jamie Ousley (Hallandale, FL)   website

Jamie Ousley - composer, piano; Joe Davidian - piano, Austin McMahon - drums, cajon

From the album "A Sea of Voices" on Tie Records
purchase cd or download mp3s at CD Baby

all proceeds from "A Sea of Voices" go to the Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light organization. visit them here...

10. Announcements - Kenny
(background music from "Second Chances" by Allison Paris)

11. Closing announcements - Allison

Palm Coast Jazz closing theme by Seven Octaves.
produced by Kenny MacKenzie

If you are a jazz musician residing in Florida with quality recordings of your original music (new or old) and would like to submit for future podcasts, please contact us at palmcoastjazz@gmail.com

All recordings and compositions are the property of their respective performers and composers, all rights reserved. This podcast copyright 2012 Kenny MacKenzie. All rights reserved.

Les Sabler's Top 10 Favorites Jazz Albums

Here's another installment from our recent Top 50 Jazz Albums poll. This time we venture into the heart & mind of smooth jazz guitarist Les Sabler - whose top 10 list is marvelously diverse.

Les is originally from Canada, where several of his releases have gone #1 in the smooth jazz charts there. His 2007 release "Sweet Drive" was nominated for album of the year at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards and featured players like Jeff Lorber, Eric Marienthal, Ricky Peterson, Vinnie Colaiuta and Alex Acuna; and was produced by Brian Bromberg. Les is now a Tampa resident - where he roots for Florida hockey team the Tampa Bay Lightning. His latest album "Crescent Shores" - has rave reviews from critics all over the world. His list below has some nice, forgotten surprises!


1.  Miles Davis - Kind of Blue  "Many will agree that this is the finest jazz recording of all time and it is my personal favorite."


2.  Seawind - Light The Light  "Jerry Hey in my opinion is the best arranger of the past 30 years and I was very fortunate to record with him on my CD, Sweet Drive.  I also met Bob Wilson several years ago and Follow Your Road is one of my all time favorite songs."


3.  Gal Costa - Canta Tom Jobim  "The best arrangements of Jobim's music I have ever heard and Gal is my number one favorite singer.  I was fortunate to see her perform at Carnegie Hall last year.  She is amazing!!!"

4. George Benson - Beyond The Blue Horizon  "When I want to hear GB burn it up on the guitar this is where I go.  I first saw him perform around the time of this release and he inspired me to play like no other."


5.  Larry Carlton - Last Night  "LC and Benson are my two most important guitar influences and this is my favorite recording of his although I love all of them.  I met him several times and as great a musician he is, he is a greater person." 

6.  Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane  "I transcribed one of Kenny's solo's and learned it note for note when I was in University.  I also saw Kenny perform back then and his style made me feel the music.  Coltrane was beyond genius."


7.  Oliver Nelson - Blues and the Abstract Truth  "My favorite big band album and my favorite arrangements from any recording I have ever listened to."


8.  Les McCann and Eddie Harris - Swiss Movement  "This music makes me feel great when I listen to it.  Les was so nice when I met him in New Orleans in 1991."

9. Wes Montgomery and Winton Kelly - Smokin' at the Half Note  "When I listen to Wes on this recording, the master and innovator's spirit comes alive and I feel like  I am sitting in a jazz club listening to him." 
 
10.  George Benson - White Rabbit  "When I was getting serious about playing guitar, this is a recording I studied and listened to a lot."


"I am leaving out so many other great recordings, I wish I could list more!"






Thank you Les for participating in our poll!

You can pick up a copy of the beautiful "Crescent Shores" album at Les' website! - PCJ

Jack Wilkins - The Blue & Green Project

Summit Records - DCD 572

If you've been waiting for a jazz album that'll get you excited about current jazz - look no further. This is an extremely successful project melding a unique and fresh vision with high caliber jazz talent; and there is no shortage of gusto, exciting solos and memorable melodies. Wilkins' fusion of two unlikely bedfellows: Jazz and Appalachian Mountain culture, not only works but impresses; at times subtly, with unison ensembles of violin, tenor sax and guitar, winding around intricate yet ear-friendly jazz lines based on folksy scales & harmonies ("Two Views of a Mountain").

The album is literally bursting with expressive artistry from every soloist - Wilkins is at once both cerebral and emotionally convincing, coming out of the gate a bit like Coltrane on "Song of the Anvil" - which might have the catchiest blues head of the millennium, shaped as it is out of a field recording of two blacksmiths hammering on an anvil.

Equally impressive are the two guitarists featured throughout, Corey Christiansen and LaRue Nickelson, sometimes in bluesy or folk manner, often in jazz and even fusion (Nickelson on "Mountain Watercolors" a large ensemble piece). Sara Caswell represents jazz violin in a bettering fashion, and both trombonists are compellingly sassy (Keith Oshiro and Tom Brantley). Jon Metzger on marimba & vibes is a nice touch on a few tracks (including the funky "River Run"), and the rhythm section of Per Danielson, Mark Neuenschwander and Danny Gottlieb is all but unbeatable.

Coal minor blues, mountain death ballads, and even New Orleans style ("Black Bucket Stomp") poke through on distinctive tracks, making the album endlessly interesting and fun, with the language of jazz bringing cohesiveness and verve. Authentic instrumentation (claw hammer banjo, resonator and baritone guitar) adds to the sonic intrigue. Wilkins' arranging for the bigger band tracks is top notch: sweet & imaginative, occasionally revealing a sort of modern jazz extension upon  classic impressionism.

There is no skimping on the cd packaging, with extensive liner notes explaining the compositions, the culture, and pointing out the soloists; along with some blissful photography and artwork. This is a sit down and enjoy kind of album; you will never be bored or overwhelmed with headiness, but you will DIG it. - PCJ


Jack Wilkins is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Visit his website here.

click here to order a copy of this excellent music!!
 ($16.99 + free shipping)






review copyright 2012 Kenny MacKenzie

Palm Coast Jazz - Get Lost in the Music (bonus episode)

Bonus all-music episode that features longer, "deep cuts" that don't fit on our regular episodes. Special, leap year episode with music from Jack Wilkins, Dreamhunter and Gary Wofsey. This podcast is also available at Podomatic & Itunes.

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Hosts: Allison Paris and Kenny MacKenzie

1. Introductions - Allison, Kenny

2. "Two Views of the Mountain" - Jack Wilkins (Tampa) website
Jack Wilkins - composer, tenor saxophone;
Sara Caswell - violin, Per Danielson - piano,
Corey Christiansen - guitars, LaRue Nickelson - guitar solo,
Mark Neuenschwander - bass, Danny Gottlieb - drums

from the cd "The Blue and Green Project" on Summit Records.
click to buy cd at Jacks webstore

3. "Far Away From Here, Long Time Ago" - Dreamhunter (Miami) website
Gottfried Stoger - soprano saxophone;
Errol Rackipov - composer, marimba, vibraphone; Robert Kainar - percussion;
Matthew Hankle - drums;
Matthias Pichler - bass

From the album "Pleasures"
purchase cd or downloads at CD Baby


4. Announcements - Allison, Kenny
(background music from the album "Second Chances" by Allison Paris)

 

5. "La Mer" - Gary Wofsey (Alford) website


[Claude Debussy, adapted by Gary Wofsey]
soloists: Gary Wofsey - flugelhorn, trumpet; Kristy Norter - alto saxophone, Liam Sillery - trumpet, Danny Jordan - tenor saxophone.
Other musicians:
Tomer Levy - trumpet, flugelhorn; John Hines - trumpet, flugelhorn;
Alan Ferber - trombone, Marshall Gilkes - trombone,
Fred Scerbo - tenor saxophone, Chris Karlic - baritone saxophone,
Pete Levin - piano, Jill Allen - bass & Rick Donato - drums.

From the album "Gary Wofsey in Stereo"
click to buy a cd at Gary's website

6. Closing announcements - Allison

Palm Coast Jazz closing theme by Seven Octaves.
produced by Kenny MacKenzie

If you are a jazz musician residing in Florida with quality recordings of your original music (new or old) and would like to submit for future podcasts, please contact us at palmcoastjazz@gmail.com

All recordings and compositions are the property of their respective performers and composers, all rights reserved. This podcast copyright 2012 Kenny MacKenzie. All rights reserved.